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h_oflanagan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very well written, hard to read for the content. Similar to other books by this author, plot isn't as interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
lifeofchrstnlvly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Mad Honey pulled me out of a reading slump—I couldn't put this book down. I have been an avid reader of Jodi Picoult's works in the past, but lately, I've focused on fantasy and romance books. Mad Honey reminded me of why I love Picoult's writing.
However, I have to admit I felt betrayed by how the story unfolded. The plot twist around the halfway point completely unhinged me—not in a good way. It shifted the focus of the narrative to something entirely different. While it was still part of the story, it wasn't the plot I was expecting based on the blurb.
The ending also felt rushed. I didn't agree with the conclusion, especially after we finally learned what happened on that day. Ava's choices were also questionable. I understand that she only wanted Lily to be happy, but that doesn't mean she should give in to everything Lily desired. Ava could have waited a few more years before allowing Lily to pursue all the things Lily wanted. If Ava had made different choices, Lily might have grown stronger and wiser.
However, I have to admit I felt betrayed by how the story unfolded. The plot twist around the halfway point completely unhinged me—not in a good way. It shifted the focus of the narrative to something entirely different. While it was still part of the story, it wasn't the plot I was expecting based on the blurb.
The ending also felt rushed. I didn't agree with the conclusion, especially after we finally learned what happened on that day. Ava's choices were also questionable. I understand that she only wanted Lily to be happy, but that doesn't mean she should give in to everything Lily desired. Ava could have waited a few more years before allowing Lily to pursue all the things Lily wanted. If Ava had made different choices, Lily might have grown stronger and wiser.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
hayleycorrigan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, and Self harm
Minor: Abortion
samstopher's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Transphobia
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
norahc's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Transphobia, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Medical content and Abortion
sarahbeebe81's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Transphobia, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Deadnaming
electricjuicebox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I found myself very absorbed in this book and was excited to see where the story went. I opened it without knowing much about the story, so there were a few plot twists that really got me. I wouldn't have said I was a fan of courtroom dramas, but a large chunk of the plot takes place around a murder trial and I had a great time reading it. This made me want to look into some if Picoult's other works.
I think this is an important book! It felt very thoughtfully crafted, and I think it has the potential to be very educational about transgender people in America and the issues they face. Like, I can see someone's middle-aged mom who isn't openly transphobic but doesn't know any trans people and hears negative rhetoric from like, social media or fox news or whatever picking this up for a book club read and learning a lot, and hopefully developing some empathy. The downside of this is that there is a TON of exposition and sections that just serve to explain things to the reader (not just about trans people! about criminal law! and also bees!), and it causes the pace to drag at certain times. I don't feel I was the ideal target audience because I already knew most of this stuff, but I understand why the book includes so much informational content and I respect it. I should add that I'm a cis woman and absolutely not the definitive judge on Good Trans Lit.
I love that this was a collaborative work between the two authors and enjoyed learning about their writing process in the authors' notes after the book.
It seems like every chapter ends with a long reflection about bees that, uh, teaches you some bee facts, but may or may not be essential to the story, depending on your viewpoint. I do feel that the bee content could have been removed without impacting the meat of the story too much, but then again it's supposed to be a big theme throughout, and without it Liv would be a much flatter character. My book club was really torn on whether the bee facts were a fun addition or completely boring and unnecessary.
I think this is an important book! It felt very thoughtfully crafted, and I think it has the potential to be very educational about transgender people in America and the issues they face. Like, I can see someone's middle-aged mom who isn't openly transphobic but doesn't know any trans people and hears negative rhetoric from like, social media or fox news or whatever picking this up for a book club read and learning a lot, and hopefully developing some empathy. The downside of this is that there is a TON of exposition and sections that just serve to explain things to the reader (not just about trans people! about criminal law! and also bees!), and it causes the pace to drag at certain times. I don't feel I was the ideal target audience because I already knew most of this stuff, but I understand why the book includes so much informational content and I respect it. I should add that I'm a cis woman and absolutely not the definitive judge on Good Trans Lit.
I love that this was a collaborative work between the two authors and enjoyed learning about their writing process in the authors' notes after the book.
It seems like every chapter ends with a long reflection about bees that, uh, teaches you some bee facts, but may or may not be essential to the story, depending on your viewpoint. I do feel that the bee content could have been removed without impacting the meat of the story too much, but then again it's supposed to be a big theme throughout, and without it Liv would be a much flatter character. My book club was really torn on whether the bee facts were a fun addition or completely boring and unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
bree317's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Transphobia, Blood, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, and Toxic friendship
x_mari_c's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Beautifully sad book, exploring the life and loss of Lilly. I loved how it bounced between timelines and POV’s, making you doubt the narrator. You’re caught off guard and swept in it all. Couldn’t put it down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
lcehanle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Suicide attempt