Last updated on February 23rd, 2024 at 03:39 pm
Honest review of Honey by Mariel Pomeroy: Disappointing overall
I had high hopes for Mariel Pomeroy’s latest release, Honey, especially after being gripped by the first instalment of the Agía Sahnta series, Helfyre. Unfortunately, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment as I progressed through the pages of Honey.
The narrative picks up seamlessly from the dramatic conclusion of “Helfyre,” with Aheia’s death and Arioch grappling with the aftermath of the confrontation with Keloseros. The initial hundred pages offered promise, albeit with a touch of confusion that was intentional. However, the plot’s descent into grammatical errors and a convoluted storyline made the reading experience more of a challenge than an enjoyment.
The narrative failed to progress significantly from its starting point through to the end, leaving me questioning the necessity of certain plot developments. But despite my disappointment, Pomeroy’s skill in crafting characters kept me invested. The glimpses into their lives created a connection that surpassed the struggles of the plot.
Despite my reservations about Honey, my attachment to the characters ensures I’ll continue with the series. It’s just disheartening that the anticipation for the next instalment has shifted from “OMG, can’t wait!” to a “What just happened, and why?” after finishing this book.
Book bio and rating
/5
Title: Honey
Author: Mariel Pomeroy
Genre: Dark Fantasy Romance, Demons, Shapeshifters
My Score: 2/5
Good Reads score: 3.98. Visit Honey in Good Reads.
Publisher: Mariel Pomeroy buy Book Daddy LLC.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 569
Buy on: Amazon | Amazon – Kindle edition
You’re not meant to be hidden.
[Note from me: This was all for the synopsis. I find it really frustrating when authors don’t offer a synopsis].
Disclaimers
Content warning: This book is meant for people 18+ only. Full content warnings on Mariel Pomeroy’s website.
Spoilers: This review is mostly spoiler-free. I’ve placed all spoilers within an accordion, leaving the choice to you if you fancy reading them.
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through those links.
November reading wrap up
In this video, I share my November reading roundup, discussing the highs and some unexpected turns within the following books: Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake, One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake, Honey by Mariel Pomeroy, Stolen by the Wolves by Lyx Robinson, and House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas.
Or skip to read my overall thoughts on Honey’s plot and writing style.
Overall thoughts on Honey's plot and writing style.
Honey’s plot and writing style left me with mixed feelings; at first loving it then left completely frustrated and confused. While the beginning showed promise, it soon became clear that some plot elements felt forced, as if they were thrown in without much thought. Character arcs were half-told and neglected, and the story failed to move forward, leaving me wondering about the purpose of certain developments.
Despite the author’s upfront content warnings and a note emphasising the intention behind certain writing choices that were meant to be read as confusion to follow the characters internal thoughts, I was still left questioning why characters behaved the way they did as actions seeming rushed and out of sync with the characters.
The cliffhanger ending left me frustrated, offering little new information and finishes without significant revelations or learnings. The narrative flow faced interruptions due to formatting errors and grammatical issues, impacting the overall reading experience.
On the positive side, Pomeroy handled themes like anxiety, depression and trauma well. The unique writing style, effective in capturing character nuances and narratives, but sometimes seemed random and didn’t always contribute positively to the story.
Lingering questions from the first book were left unaddressed, and the introduction of new mysteries and revelations makes me apprehensive about the next installment. Unanswered queries from the initial installment seemed to multiply in Honey, leaving me with a growing list of unresolved plot points. The anticipation for the next book is sadly overshadowed by the likelihood of more questions being added to an already extensive list.
While I have a genuine affection for these characters, I often find myself finishing Pomeroy’s books wanting more. We get glimpses of each character, but the complex and wordy content sometimes leaves us wanting. For instance, characters with potential, like Nyco, are forgotten, and teased storylines, such as characters’ combat training, are dropped abruptly despite their apparent importance at the time.
Honey's unanswered questions and frustrations
I’ve placed the entire section within an accordion to avoid spoilers for those who haven’t read the book yet!
- Aheia’s unexplained experiences: Hearing drip-drip-drip and feeling dizzy while others were fine – no explanation provided.
- Unresolved mystery: Aheia’s power revealed only in the last chapter, leaving us wondering throughout the first and second book. No mention of her power until the last few pages was agonising!
- Arioch’s Confession: Despite anticipating Arioch’s eventual confession of feelings for Aheia, the moment felt contrived and unexpectedly random, lending an air of artificiality to the narrative.
- Inconsistency in character reactions: Arioch’s extreme reaction seems out of place when he finds out his father was behind the description of drugs, considering his prior knowledge of his dad’s involvement in his mother’s death anyway (neglecting her, not helping or caring for her).
- Unexplained occurrences: Arioch’s shadows breaking free and then the strange encounter with Aheia – unclear and bewildering.
- Unfulfilled character potential: Nyco’s intriguing start in the book fizzled out, especially his apparent interest in Luc that led nowhere.
- Lack of continuity: Aheia’s training mentioned in one chapter and never revisited – seemingly pointless.
- Neglected character development: Shrion’s reveal about who he really is, providing a glimpse into his story, but then left unexplored.
- Karyme and Kazim’s Bond: The fleeting nature of Karyme and Kazim’s connection left me intrigued, but frustratingly, the exploration of this mysterious bond was cut short and left unexplored.
- The Woman with No Name: Briefly appearing twice in this installment, this woman remains a mystery! In the first book, Helfyre, we glimpse her multiple personalities, portrayed as strong and conniving, particularly in her interactions with Shiron. However, to my surprise, the entire book provides no additional information on this compelling character, leaving me so frustrated and wanting more depth and clarity.
Thoughts on character dynamics and personalities
Despite some shortcomings in the plot and writing, the individual characters will keep me coming back to the Agía Sahnta series. Each character is a gem, and my obsession with them only deepened!
- Aheia: (Potential spoiler alert – even though I think it’s somewhat obvious) Aheia’s return from the dead adds a layer of complexity to her character. Dealing with newfound truths, the resentment of others, and an overwhelming sense of entrapment, her journey is both compelling and heart-wrenching.
The dynamic between Aheia and Nyco is a highlight, especially in the nightclub scene – Aheia is a dark evil badass! Don’t mess with her! On the contrary, the unwarranted hostility from Emryn and Tariq towards her was annoying. - Arioch: This book unveils a different side of Arioch, providing a refreshing perspective. The steamy scenes between him and Aheia left me gasping out loud and slamming the book down in shock and second hand embarrassment (you know the scene!)
- Nyco: Nyco’s presence injected vibrancy into the first half of the book. Their role, unfortunately, diminishes towards the end, leaving a desire for more. The bond and trust shared between Nyco and Aheia were touching and added depth to the narrative.
- Karyme: Honey introduces a whole new dimension to Karyme compared to Helfyre, and it’s utterly captivating. I’m obsessed with her, she has such a hold over all the characters she interacts with!
- Luc and Tariq: The messed-up dynamic between Luc and Tariq is both addictive and unsettling. It’s exactly the kind of complexity I crave in characters. However, I wished for more depth beyond their physical interactions. Anticipating a stronger bond between Luc and Aheia, I found myself wanting more from their character dynamics in this book.
In essence, the characters were great, bringing depth and complexity to Honey, even when other elements may fall short. Each one adds a unique flavour to the narrative, leaving me eagerly anticipating their further development in the series.
Final thoughts
So, Honey might have let me down this year (cue the dramatic sigh), but hey, I don’t hate it. I’m still diving into the next book—I guess I need my fix of dark romance, flaws and all. Let’s see if the next one can patch up the letdowns and give me that bookish satisfaction I crave. Fingers crossed! To find out what I thought of the first book, visit my blog here.
Although this book didn’t quite align with my preferences, I acknowledge it might be the perfect fit for others. Curious? Why not explore it yourself? You can find the book on Amazon.
In the mean time, check out my Youtube channel, Instagram and Pinterest boards for funny memes more book recommendations and reviews!
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*MCs = Main characters, FMC = Female main character, POV = Point of view.