Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2023) Featured Review of The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

After the sudden, violent death of their twin sister, Caroline, gender-fluid Mars is determined to find out more about the last weeks of her life. That means returning to the Aspen Conservatory, a place they swore they’d never set foot in again. As Mars is slowly pulled into the orbit of Caroline’s friends at Aspen, nicknamed The Honeys for the beehives they tend, things slowly start to warp and spin out of control. Suspicious of everyone’s intentions, Mars doesn’t know who to trust. They just know that something is wrong – very wrong – at Aspen. But will the pull to join the peaceful lull and harmony of The Honeys and their hive win out over their quest for answers?  With menacingly wonderful and creepy twists, readers won’t see the end coming.

The audiobook narration is sparse, but effective. The voices of the characters are well done and the limited use of sound effects adds an eerie depth that makes everything happening in the story feel even more insidious.  Mars’ suspicion of those around them helps add a layer of confusion and distortion to the story until it’s difficult to tell what might be a fever dream and what might be real. 

Perfect for fans of Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour or Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger.

–Katie Patterson

The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.

Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.