A review by jada_ann_12
Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed this book. As most of Jodi Picoult’s stories, I felt that it was very well thought out and told. Whenever a character would speak about a passion they had, they had all the facts. I felt like these characters were real and had real passions and traits. I kept thinking that there was no way Olivia isn’t real because of how thought out her passion for Bee’s was. Or Lily with how well versed she was in every fact she would bring to the table. Her character was so well rounded. I enjoyed the point of views, the intensity, the romance, the sorrow, and the characters themselves. I liked seeing Jordan again and being able to see him take on a personal matter. Olivia’s character was so deep and struggled with her battle between her heart and mind. Lily and Asher had my heart and I was absolutely heartbroken at the tragedy that happened. I wish I had his point of view too. I read this book whenever I could and was never bored. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for another installment. 

Now here’s why the story is not a 5 star. 
starting off, i wanted to see more of an aftermath from Braden. I feel like we were left on a cliffhanger there with how he reacted and made Olivia pay for the court situation. Second, I sort of struggled with the way Lily’s POV’s were structured. Because they went from present to past, I had a hard time remembering a timeline. Maybe it’s because I’m not used to it and i still enjoyed the story itself, but I found myself forgetting small details or forgetting how small things played out. I think I would’ve been more immersed if the scene of Lily hearing the knocking happened and then it flew back to the past and proceeded forward. However, I do appreciate how the chapters would hint to something haunting of the past then the next time we’d get her POV we would learn about it like her haunting memories of the fencing match with Asher’s jealous side. The last reason why this book didn’t get a 5 star is because I felt a lacking with the plot twist at the end. Though it was crazy and I was stunned and freaking out, I felt like the tying it up part was loose. I didn’t like how Maya didn’t get in trouble, how we didn’t get to see more of a reaction from the characters because of all they went through. It felt clipped and unrealistic sort of which was out of place for a story that was so real and deep. I sort of saw it coming the whole time but that didn’t take away from my experience. I just wanted her to get some consequences. And I sort of wish we got that truth part from Lily, not Maya. I felt sort of robbed. <Spoiler>

Wither way, I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited for future novels!


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