The Honeys Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE HONEYS by Ryan La Sala Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

THE HONEYS
Author: Ryan La Sala
Release Date: August 16, 2022
Publisher: PUSH (Scholastic Press)
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 352

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

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 fairy tale 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.

Reviews:

"Pure horror gold." - Booklist STARRED review

"Tantalizing and memorable." - Publisher's Weekly STARRED review

"As rich and complex as dark amber honey." – Kirkus

Ryan talks about THE HONEYS:

 

The Honeys is a fantastic YA horror story full of mystery and lots of twists that you won't see coming. I've always loved horror novels, and there never seems to be enough of them in the YA genre - especially good ones that I enjoy. This was a breath of fresh air for both me as a reader and to the YA horror genre itself. The book was well written with lots of detailed descriptions and vivid imagery that brought the characters, the setting, and the story itself to life. It was like I could close my eyes and I was right beside Mars at Aspen. 

 

The author used the first person point of view for the book and I think it was definitely the right choice. The first person is my favorite writing style because it allows a deep connection between the reader and the narrator. I personally love when it feels like I know this other person and I get to peek inside their minds and see everything from their hopes and fears, dreams and nightmares, and their emotions and inner thoughts.When I really love a book, it's because I can instantly slip inside the world the author has created and lose myself in the story alongside the main character. That's exactly what happened with this book. I slipped into Mars' world and didn't crawl back out until I had finished the novel - which I ended up doing in a matter of hours because I couldn't put it down. 

 

I read a lot of thrillers and it takes quite a bit to stump me, but this story kept me guessing. When I thought I had it figured out, it took a turn and put me right back to square one. All of these things put together - the realistic main character of Mars, the well rounded secondary characters, the vivid setting, the twisty, thought-provoking plot, and the excellent writing - created an unique novel that I absolutely loved. I highly recommend it for fans of YA fiction, horror, contemporary fiction, and readers who are looking for something fresh and different from anything that's out there.

Ryan La Sala writes about surreal things happening to queer people.

Ryan resides in New York City, but only physically. Escapist to the core, he spends most of his time in the astral planes and only takes up corporeal form for special occasions, like brunch and to watch anime (which is banned on the astral planes).

Ryan is the author behind the riotously imaginative Reverie, and the brilliantly constructed Be Dazzled, and the highly anticipated The Honeys. He has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Tor.com, and one time Shangela from RuPaul’s Drag Race called him cute. Right in the middle of the road downtown! So. Pretty big deal all around, yes?

His next book, The Honeys, will be publish with Scholastic on August 16, 2022.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

(1) winner will receive a finished copy of THE HONEYS - US Only.

Ends August 23^rd, Midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

8/1/2022	Ya Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
8/2/2022	Lisa Loves Literature	Review/IG Post
8/3/2022	@ReaderOfTheWrittenWord	IG Review
8/4/2022	A Dream Within A Dream	Review/IG Post
8/5/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
8/6/2022	Nerdophiles	Review

Week Two:

8/7/2022	My.Bookish.Mind	IG Review/TikTok Post
8/8/2022	Eli to the nth	Review/IG Post
8/9/2022	@amysbooknook8	IG Review
8/10/2022	Do You Dog-ear?	Review/IG Post
8/11/2022	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
8/12/2022	A Bookish Dream	Review/IG Post
8/13/2022	Mallory Books	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

8/14/2022	booksaremagictoo	Review/IG Post
8/15/2022	onemused	Review/IG Post
8/16/2022	@ReadsReaders	YouTube Review/IG Post
8/17/2022	Momfluenster	IG Review/FB Post
8/18/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
8/19/2022	@lexijava	Review/IG Post
8/20/2022	@drewsim12	IG Review/TikTok Post