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[katara]

Title: The Honeys

Author: Ryan La Sala

Genre: Horror, LGBTQ+, Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Paranormal, Supernatural, Dark, Academia

Date Started: January 20th, 2023

Date Finished: January 20th, 2023

Status: Finished

Rating: 4/5

Sypnosis: From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat.

Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant.

Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically-connected family. This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place.

What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor. Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin. They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death.

But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay. Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive.

Review: This book was both creepy and page-turning. I could not put the book down until the very last page. I did not think I was going to like this book but I really enjoyed it. I have to thank Tik Tok for this book recommendation. Definitely a favorite.

One night, Marshall "Mars" Mattias is attacked by their own twin sister, Caroline. The attack ends up with Caroline's death. Mars is trying to understand why Caroline would harm them. When a group of girls appears at Caroline's viewing, Mars becomes curious. They know them as a group called "The Honeys" and they had been friends with their sister. Before the girls depart, they invite Mars back to the camp.

Mars wants to know what happened to their sister so that they make the decision to return to the camp. Their parents are not entirely sure if that is a good idea but Mars insists. They want to know what happened to their sister that drove her to this point.

Upon returning to the camp, Mars finds nothing has changed. Their preference for genderfluidity is not readily accepted by the roles of assigned genders. Bullying and Toxic masculinity are not being curved by the camp officials.

All Mars wants to do is befriend Caroline's former group, The Honeys, and learn what drove their sister to do what she did. But the longer they remain at this camp, the more secrets start to unravel before Mars' eyes and they will find out things that should have been left alone.

This book was a great read. I absolutely loved Mars. The determination they had to find out about their sister drove them to do whatever was needed. Befriending the Honeys is their main priority, especially since the invitation to return comes from them. They know they might hold the answers they have been looking for and Mars does everything possible to be part of the Honeys.

This book has so many twists and turns that it becomes hard to predict what exactly is going to happen. The ending was a complete surprise and something that will throw you off the edge of your seat. I enjoyed this book. It was well worth the read. I just wish I had read this book earlier when it came out. I would have put this book as a monthly favorite.

Definitely pick this book up, especially if you like a little bit of horror and a book that will keep you page-turning until the very end.