Teen Review: The Honeys

The Honeys, by Ryan La Sala, is a fascinating novel that follows Mars Matthias as he returns to a place that haunts his dreams, in the hope of discovering the truth behind his sister Caroline’s death. The book starts strong with a terrifying first chapter, and La Sala continues to match the introduction's energy throughout the whole story with unique plot twists and character arcs.  

What I loved most about this book is the interpretation of genderfluidity through Mars’ perspective. I live for stories where queer topics are brought up, but don’t steal the incredible plot’s spotlight. La Sala created a perfect balance in this story when it comes to addressing non-conforming identities in a threatening environment and providing the readers with a captivating storyline. A major part of what makes The Honeys so excellent is La Sala’s outstanding writing style, as he does an incredible job of creating tension, confusion, relief, and even connection surrounding Mars and his experiences. 

My main criticism is of the ending of the novel. While it may be my misinterpretation, I felt the ending to be confusing and almost lacking what expectations I had created for it. Without spoiling the book, I am distraught with Mars’s lack of personality at the end, which was so unique and bold originally. It feels as though we lost Mars and what he was working towards the whole time. 

I really enjoyed reading this novel as it was addictive and like nothing I’ve read before. For the majority of the book, I was convinced it was a five-star read for me, but unfortunately, that ending brought it to a four-star read. I still adored it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers/horror content, fantasy, queer literature, and thought-provoking reads.