Ratings24
Average rating3.8
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.
Reviews with the most likes.
I am not generally a person to notice or be affected by beautiful writing. Then I read this book. The writing is beautiful! Mars is a unique character with a really distinctive voice. He was a realistic cynic and the prose written around him is beautiful. As Mars is growing and learning, the prose changes as well. I am really stunned by the amazing writing.
As to plot, there were times that the plot seemed to go along with expected tropes, but the characters made the expected tropes feel refreshed. But there were significant parts of the plot that were unique and unexpected. And the cottagecore vibes were so strong! It was a vital part of the book.
read for the tarot readathon 2023: strength &read for the final chapter book club (june)
i loved the themes, the writing, the representation, the setting, the ending. it was so good.
I think I will stick to LaSala's fluffier books henceforth cause I just didn't enjoy the creep factor at all.
I didn't really know what this book was about when I picked it up, all I knew is that it came up in a lot of lists during the trans rights readathon so I added it to my TBR.
There's a lot that I really liked about this book, like the fact that it started with a bang and generally got moving pretty quickly. The foreshadowing of things was done really nicely, and the imagery was fantastic. Mars was a phenomenal character too. What I didn't care for was the parents aspect which just didn't land for me and was just sort of eh ok.
3.25 rounded down.
Featured Prompt
16 booksThe mystery genre favors bringing the truth to light. That focus on revealing a story slowly over time knows no age, yet many stories are too serious for young adults. Which mysteries do you think ...