What do you think?
Rate this book
Agía Sahnta #2
Honey
The sequel to Helfyre. It is a character-driven story that delves deeper into the world from Book 1. Please make sure to check the content warnings at marielpomeroybooks . com
The world, its creatures, and its languages were born of many different inspirations; you'll find more information on that on my website as well!
The world, its creatures, and its languages were born of many different inspirations; you'll find more information on that on my website as well!
591 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2023
606 people are currently reading
5582 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
August 30, 2023
Look, I LOVED Helfyre. I’ve always been vocal about that. But Honey? Well, Honey owns a piece of my soul now (see what I did there?)
My biggest source of healing has always been in books. Finding and connecting to characters trauma is the one medicine that has always proved effective. And Honey? If gave me that and more.
We dive deeper into all of our characters and I didn’t think it was possible for me to love Ari, Aheia, and the gang more than I did but the level of detail we get in Honey was just exceptional.
The smut was smutty but fit into every single crevice it needed to. The trauma was traumatising but the continued journey of healing for all our loves brought a lightness to my heart in ways I didn’t even know existed.
The same way a lot of my faves are rereads because of the mental health representation, facing the demons of your past, is exactly why Hone will be a book I pick up when I need that hug for my heart. To know I’m not alone. For words of encouragement when I feel lost.
Murs, thank you, again, for giving us your heart and soul in the form of a high, dark fantasy. I am so in love with the stuff your brain makes up. Keep going.
My biggest source of healing has always been in books. Finding and connecting to characters trauma is the one medicine that has always proved effective. And Honey? If gave me that and more.
We dive deeper into all of our characters and I didn’t think it was possible for me to love Ari, Aheia, and the gang more than I did but the level of detail we get in Honey was just exceptional.
The smut was smutty but fit into every single crevice it needed to. The trauma was traumatising but the continued journey of healing for all our loves brought a lightness to my heart in ways I didn’t even know existed.
The same way a lot of my faves are rereads because of the mental health representation, facing the demons of your past, is exactly why Hone will be a book I pick up when I need that hug for my heart. To know I’m not alone. For words of encouragement when I feel lost.
Murs, thank you, again, for giving us your heart and soul in the form of a high, dark fantasy. I am so in love with the stuff your brain makes up. Keep going.
August 11, 2023
kinda wordy, kinda confusing, kinda good effort
Really liked the first book. This one however felt confusing and some parts would just go on forever. Like I get what some parts were going for, that weird hallucination induced scenery changes, is it happening for real or not thing, but it was just exhausting to follow. Not much happened in terms of story development except the very end. The whole book mostly felt like a set up for the next one and full of scenes that I’m assuming will make sense later. Although I don’t mind that usually, I just felt like most of the book was like that and it was hard to be genuinely interested and invested in every page as there was not much actual story development going on- just a giant pile of foreshadowing. I can say though that there is definitely effort put into the book. It’s not your standard played out dark fantasy layout. I do feel like author excelled in actually making you feel through some of the mental health issues described in the book. But over all I just didn’t enjoy the book, but can see how other people might.
Really liked the first book. This one however felt confusing and some parts would just go on forever. Like I get what some parts were going for, that weird hallucination induced scenery changes, is it happening for real or not thing, but it was just exhausting to follow. Not much happened in terms of story development except the very end. The whole book mostly felt like a set up for the next one and full of scenes that I’m assuming will make sense later. Although I don’t mind that usually, I just felt like most of the book was like that and it was hard to be genuinely interested and invested in every page as there was not much actual story development going on- just a giant pile of foreshadowing. I can say though that there is definitely effort put into the book. It’s not your standard played out dark fantasy layout. I do feel like author excelled in actually making you feel through some of the mental health issues described in the book. But over all I just didn’t enjoy the book, but can see how other people might.
September 2, 2023
DNF at 75%.
I wanted to like it, I really did. Hundred of typos and grammatical errors aside, this story was all over the place. Way too many characters, way too many settings, plots that started and never ended, and made-up languages dispersed in like I’m actually going to flip to a translation page. The story was so incredibly slow, and the author really attempted to write in gender-neutral, fluid sexuality, explanation of a theologized religion, mental illness, substance abuse, BDSM, toxic relationships, AND MORE. Don’t choose literally everything and do it so poorly.
When I found myself skipping ahead 10 pages at a time, I knew it was over. Every time I picked up my kindle to read this, my eyes got heavy and I was asleep in less than 20 minutes.
I wanted to like it, I really did. Hundred of typos and grammatical errors aside, this story was all over the place. Way too many characters, way too many settings, plots that started and never ended, and made-up languages dispersed in like I’m actually going to flip to a translation page. The story was so incredibly slow, and the author really attempted to write in gender-neutral, fluid sexuality, explanation of a theologized religion, mental illness, substance abuse, BDSM, toxic relationships, AND MORE. Don’t choose literally everything and do it so poorly.
When I found myself skipping ahead 10 pages at a time, I knew it was over. Every time I picked up my kindle to read this, my eyes got heavy and I was asleep in less than 20 minutes.
March 31, 2023
Also giving it a five to counteract the one star for a book that hasn't been released yet.
October 14, 2023
*sigh* I’m officially convinced that all the good reviews this book received came from Beta readers and ARC readers and IG followers who have shitty taste and/or just didn’t want to hurt the authors feelings and tell her that she didn’t write a good book.
I didn’t like the first one, but it had potential. So I gave this one a shot and somehow it was worse. The author clearly didn’t take any of the constructive criticisms to heart from her first novel, she just doubled down. Too many characters and POV’s lead me to be thoroughly confused. I was also bored out of my mind. And again, the language and names of people and places are ridiculously spelled. Fantasy doesn’t mean you have to come up with the most off the wall ways to spell things.
She has a great social media presence. She engages so well with her audience and I’m convinced that’s where all these good reviews come from, because this book isn’t good. Y’all can’t convince me otherwise. Her writing isn’t terrible, but she needs to learn how to edit herself, or hire a developmental editor who will help her trim the fat.
I didn’t like the first one, but it had potential. So I gave this one a shot and somehow it was worse. The author clearly didn’t take any of the constructive criticisms to heart from her first novel, she just doubled down. Too many characters and POV’s lead me to be thoroughly confused. I was also bored out of my mind. And again, the language and names of people and places are ridiculously spelled. Fantasy doesn’t mean you have to come up with the most off the wall ways to spell things.
She has a great social media presence. She engages so well with her audience and I’m convinced that’s where all these good reviews come from, because this book isn’t good. Y’all can’t convince me otherwise. Her writing isn’t terrible, but she needs to learn how to edit herself, or hire a developmental editor who will help her trim the fat.
August 15, 2023
Five ⭐️ and I would give it 10 ⭐️ if I could.
Helfyre is firmly placed number 1 on my 2022 reading list, and Honey is right up there with them.
Arioch and Aheia have a VERY complex relationship that is structurally beautiful and poetically written.
World building 5/5
Characters 5/5
Smexy times 5/5
How many times I was on the edge of my seat? 10/5
This book is hard to put down, but TW need to be heeded to gain full enjoyment.
Mariel, thank you. Your books continue to be a source of joy in my reading world.
*UPDATE* I had to have a day or so to think about this book more than I did. Aheias' character is one of the most honestly written characters I've seen for what is a world of fantasy. Far too often, we see FMC being bratty and indecisive, and they sometimes come across very naive. Not so for Aheia. She deals with everything she hears, sees & feels in a very realistic manner.
Ariochs confusion and lack of understanding of his feelings was a joy to read, a very real representation of a character with so many facets to his personality. It's just amazing. Reading dark romance/fantasy for the smex is one thing. This just happens to be an amazing story with dark romance in it. It's the story that pulled me to Honey and will continue to pull me for however many other stories we will get.
Helfyre is firmly placed number 1 on my 2022 reading list, and Honey is right up there with them.
Arioch and Aheia have a VERY complex relationship that is structurally beautiful and poetically written.
World building 5/5
Characters 5/5
Smexy times 5/5
How many times I was on the edge of my seat? 10/5
This book is hard to put down, but TW need to be heeded to gain full enjoyment.
Mariel, thank you. Your books continue to be a source of joy in my reading world.
*UPDATE* I had to have a day or so to think about this book more than I did. Aheias' character is one of the most honestly written characters I've seen for what is a world of fantasy. Far too often, we see FMC being bratty and indecisive, and they sometimes come across very naive. Not so for Aheia. She deals with everything she hears, sees & feels in a very realistic manner.
Ariochs confusion and lack of understanding of his feelings was a joy to read, a very real representation of a character with so many facets to his personality. It's just amazing. Reading dark romance/fantasy for the smex is one thing. This just happens to be an amazing story with dark romance in it. It's the story that pulled me to Honey and will continue to pull me for however many other stories we will get.
August 17, 2023
Dnf @30%.
It was boring to the point it brought me to tears. I couldn't continue anymore.
It was boring to the point it brought me to tears. I couldn't continue anymore.
September 7, 2025
alexa, play: martyr - king mala
(i’m really proud of how well this song fits)
"What will you give me, if I forgive you?" His shadows purred. "A life you're not afraid of." "That's a heavy promise." He leaned in, softening his touch as he tipped her chin with his knuckles. "Good thing I'm very strong."
this is a case of middle book syndrome. the book you breeze through in a series, and get a lot of info from, but it isn’t your favorite. much like when the witch chapters start appearing in TOG, we get chapters for our side characters that we are just getting to know. however, we were left on a cliff hanger after book 1 so the first half of this book draaaggsss as we wait for something of substance to occur. the author letter explains that she purposely wrote in this style, and i respect it, but sadly i found myself skimming.
the vibes definitely picked up about midway through the book and i really enjoyed the inner circle energy we were getting. i almost forgot the main plot and that there was potentially danger afoot. then everything escalated so rapidly and without much explanation. i really hope this series concludes as i definitely see the potential.
"Am I speaking?" he asked, and her blurry eyes snapped back to his. "In that scenario you're building in your mind." Her jaw tensed. "No, you're fucking."
(i’m really proud of how well this song fits)
"What will you give me, if I forgive you?" His shadows purred. "A life you're not afraid of." "That's a heavy promise." He leaned in, softening his touch as he tipped her chin with his knuckles. "Good thing I'm very strong."
this is a case of middle book syndrome. the book you breeze through in a series, and get a lot of info from, but it isn’t your favorite. much like when the witch chapters start appearing in TOG, we get chapters for our side characters that we are just getting to know. however, we were left on a cliff hanger after book 1 so the first half of this book draaaggsss as we wait for something of substance to occur. the author letter explains that she purposely wrote in this style, and i respect it, but sadly i found myself skimming.
the vibes definitely picked up about midway through the book and i really enjoyed the inner circle energy we were getting. i almost forgot the main plot and that there was potentially danger afoot. then everything escalated so rapidly and without much explanation. i really hope this series concludes as i definitely see the potential.
"Am I speaking?" he asked, and her blurry eyes snapped back to his. "In that scenario you're building in your mind." Her jaw tensed. "No, you're fucking."
Want to read
May 7, 2023Daddy Arioch come back to my life! 😭🔥
August 11, 2023
As someone who has about three memories of her entire childhood, the dedication warned me that this book would hit close to home. As i have a tendency totally not to care about my mental health, i obviously dived right in.
I love Aheia. She’s soft, and she’s broken and shattered, but she has an edge of steel and a core of fire - helfyre - and i see so much of myself in her. I love how she finds herself, that core seeping through the cracks and strengthening her. Kar is a darling and i feel for her (which she probably would hate), but her way of dealing with who she is, is wonderful and every Kar chapter made me want to be real life besties with her. Talking about wonderful people: Nyco is amazing and the way they (not-so-)silently stand by Aheia is beautiful.
The entire found family in this series is - i love how it’s not just ‘Aheia shows up and everyone loves her’ - they grow and they adapt and some are more friendly than others, and i love how real it is. I would love some more Lúc in the future, the man makes me uncomfortable in the way he challenges.
This book did NOT go as i expected. The story is so much bigger, so much grander, and i love to get lost in Aljira. The spice is AMAZING and so gods-effing-damned hot. I’m weak for queer-normative worlds and Mariel made a wonderful one.
Chapter 27 got underneath my skin and feels like it lit up all the cracks and tears that 15 years of therapy haven’t mended, and will probably never heal properly, so that’s a small head’s up for the people who identify a lot with Aheia reading this review. It was hash and raw and beautiful and i’m so grateful, even though i sobbed a lot.
The ending had me sitting upright and i’m already (im)patiently waiting for book three which i will devour like i did Helfyre and Honey.
“Because no God could ever bring me to my knees the way you do.”
I love Aheia. She’s soft, and she’s broken and shattered, but she has an edge of steel and a core of fire - helfyre - and i see so much of myself in her. I love how she finds herself, that core seeping through the cracks and strengthening her. Kar is a darling and i feel for her (which she probably would hate), but her way of dealing with who she is, is wonderful and every Kar chapter made me want to be real life besties with her. Talking about wonderful people: Nyco is amazing and the way they (not-so-)silently stand by Aheia is beautiful.
The entire found family in this series is - i love how it’s not just ‘Aheia shows up and everyone loves her’ - they grow and they adapt and some are more friendly than others, and i love how real it is. I would love some more Lúc in the future, the man makes me uncomfortable in the way he challenges.
This book did NOT go as i expected. The story is so much bigger, so much grander, and i love to get lost in Aljira. The spice is AMAZING and so gods-effing-damned hot. I’m weak for queer-normative worlds and Mariel made a wonderful one.
Chapter 27 got underneath my skin and feels like it lit up all the cracks and tears that 15 years of therapy haven’t mended, and will probably never heal properly, so that’s a small head’s up for the people who identify a lot with Aheia reading this review. It was hash and raw and beautiful and i’m so grateful, even though i sobbed a lot.
The ending had me sitting upright and i’m already (im)patiently waiting for book three which i will devour like i did Helfyre and Honey.
“Because no God could ever bring me to my knees the way you do.”
August 13, 2023
I cannot believe I am still reading this series. But will I stop? Absolutely not. Despite the ridiculousness, I’m invested in the characters and have been amused throughout both books. My main gripe with this installment was that the character development and spice were practically the only focus in the book. There were mentions of very serious, very catastrophic things happening. But it felt like: “Aheia went to dinner and then trained and read a book and oh by the way, a monster tore up a town and murdered a bunch of people…. But Aheia also got new clothes”.
September 1, 2023
DNF @58%
...I don't know. I guess I'll mimic other reviewers saying there were too many descriptions and that it just felt like nothing actually happened. I found myself skipping through sections and only reading the dialogue. Eventually got bored of that too.
...I don't know. I guess I'll mimic other reviewers saying there were too many descriptions and that it just felt like nothing actually happened. I found myself skipping through sections and only reading the dialogue. Eventually got bored of that too.
August 31, 2023
Not going to lie, I was confused throughout half of this book. I had to reread a lot of parts because it wasn’t very descriptive painting a picture of a scene in my head, but more of how the character was feeling. There’s lots of FEELS in this book! The pronoun they used for Nyco got me so confused but I think I got the hang of it reading more into the book. Aheia started off really annoying like she was all up in her feels until she went on a rant and let it all out during Arioch’s meeting and then spilled honey all over him (EPIC). That’s when everything started to get really good. I felt like the writing style was so different than the first book. I actually really enjoyed the different POVs except for Kazim’s POV. I had no idea what was being described to be honest and I still have no idea what’s going on inside his head. Luc and Tariq’s interactions are always so fun. I feel like no one in this world really has a monogamous relationship besides for what Arioch is “trying” to approach with Aheia. The ending!!! WHAT?!?! This can’t be happening again, oh no no! I can’t wait to freaking read the next book already!!!!
“You forget that while the light is yours, the darkness is all mine, and you won’t find anything soothing there. Only nightmares, I’ll make sure of it.”
“You forget that while the light is yours, the darkness is all mine, and you won’t find anything soothing there. Only nightmares, I’ll make sure of it.”
August 7, 2023
Agia Sahnta Book 2
🖤 No plot notes included in this review. Read following Helfyre, it's best enjoyed (blind) as a continuation.
I am in awe. Murs is a wordsmith. From beginning to end this world immerses you and evokes so many feelings. The histories of each of the core characters is at the fore-front. She has created a tapestry of stories that weave together perfectly and has the power to speak to the soul of every reader.
Pomeroy lures us into her incredible high fantasy with high tension, p0ss€ssive alpha energies and keencky sp!ce, yet (overwhelming so) keeps you reading with her world/langauge creation, diverse representation and quotes that take simultaneously break and mend your heart.
Whilst Helfyre became a comfort for me, Honey is the most perfect (un-)comfort read, a cathartic moment that will provide solace to many. Savour this whilst reading, I already feel sad to leave, and wish infinite first-time reads was possible.
I am left with such emotional investment in this story and these characters.
5 million stars ⭐
🖤 No plot notes included in this review. Read following Helfyre, it's best enjoyed (blind) as a continuation.
I am in awe. Murs is a wordsmith. From beginning to end this world immerses you and evokes so many feelings. The histories of each of the core characters is at the fore-front. She has created a tapestry of stories that weave together perfectly and has the power to speak to the soul of every reader.
Pomeroy lures us into her incredible high fantasy with high tension, p0ss€ssive alpha energies and keencky sp!ce, yet (overwhelming so) keeps you reading with her world/langauge creation, diverse representation and quotes that take simultaneously break and mend your heart.
Whilst Helfyre became a comfort for me, Honey is the most perfect (un-)comfort read, a cathartic moment that will provide solace to many. Savour this whilst reading, I already feel sad to leave, and wish infinite first-time reads was possible.
I am left with such emotional investment in this story and these characters.
5 million stars ⭐
August 12, 2023
DNF - I liked the premise, but there is such lengthy description for every single thing that it’s impossible to remain interested and continue following the plot.
September 30, 2023
I didn't understand what on earth was happening half the time and also it was so fucking depressing. Like the first book was rough but this one was just. Damn.
October 2, 2023
More tiresome and insufferable than the prequel.
August 23, 2023
✨HONEY✨ by Mariel Pomeroy ARC review
5⭐️
3.5🌶️
I want to start off by saying I don’t think I’ve ever read such a beautifully uncomfortable book. Honey is written with such lyrical yet visceral and vivid language. I had to stop and stare in awe at the descriptions and the dialogue and just the writing in general, multiple times.
The cast is so incredibly diverse with multiple LGBTQ+ characters that are put in prominent display throughout the story and not simply as an afterthought to check some boxes. The characters and their emotions are so complex and intricate. Layers and layers of each individual are slowly stripped away throughout the course of the book giving the reader insight into different motivations, actions and behaviors.
Aheia and Arioch. Light vs. Dark. My sweet traumatized babies. The enemies to lovers was enemies to lovering. I threw my kindle across the room MULTIPLE times because my heart couldn’t take it. They are absolutely everything (except for a good depiction on what a healthy relationship looks like but we love them anyway).
Trauma and mental health are very difficult to deal with in a book setting and can easily be handled in the wrong way. I think we’re so used to brushing off trauma in books because it is HARD to write and can make certain readers uncomfortable. However, especially as fantasy readers, we’re so used to watching the main character go through one traumatizing event after another and then when it’s over, their feelings are brushed off so quickly and suddenly they’re ✨fine✨ which should not be the case. In Helfyre (book 1), we are introduced to Aheia and get glimpses into her past over a seven day time span. In Honey, while there is still a lot of action, we have more time to delve into that trauma that was barely skimmed in book 1. Aheia is dealing with ptsd from the events in books 1 + 2 but also events that happened far before the start of book 1 so girlie needs her time to heal.
The ending??? The ending made me question EVERYTHING. I cannot wait to see where this goes in the next book and I’m hoping book 3 answers some questions bc god damn do I need some answers.
On that note, please check the TW. There are a lot of them and like I said before, it is an uncomfortable read but also so incredibly beautiful and one I will recommend to anyone who listens.
5⭐️
3.5🌶️
I want to start off by saying I don’t think I’ve ever read such a beautifully uncomfortable book. Honey is written with such lyrical yet visceral and vivid language. I had to stop and stare in awe at the descriptions and the dialogue and just the writing in general, multiple times.
The cast is so incredibly diverse with multiple LGBTQ+ characters that are put in prominent display throughout the story and not simply as an afterthought to check some boxes. The characters and their emotions are so complex and intricate. Layers and layers of each individual are slowly stripped away throughout the course of the book giving the reader insight into different motivations, actions and behaviors.
Aheia and Arioch. Light vs. Dark. My sweet traumatized babies. The enemies to lovers was enemies to lovering. I threw my kindle across the room MULTIPLE times because my heart couldn’t take it. They are absolutely everything (except for a good depiction on what a healthy relationship looks like but we love them anyway).
Trauma and mental health are very difficult to deal with in a book setting and can easily be handled in the wrong way. I think we’re so used to brushing off trauma in books because it is HARD to write and can make certain readers uncomfortable. However, especially as fantasy readers, we’re so used to watching the main character go through one traumatizing event after another and then when it’s over, their feelings are brushed off so quickly and suddenly they’re ✨fine✨ which should not be the case. In Helfyre (book 1), we are introduced to Aheia and get glimpses into her past over a seven day time span. In Honey, while there is still a lot of action, we have more time to delve into that trauma that was barely skimmed in book 1. Aheia is dealing with ptsd from the events in books 1 + 2 but also events that happened far before the start of book 1 so girlie needs her time to heal.
The ending??? The ending made me question EVERYTHING. I cannot wait to see where this goes in the next book and I’m hoping book 3 answers some questions bc god damn do I need some answers.
On that note, please check the TW. There are a lot of them and like I said before, it is an uncomfortable read but also so incredibly beautiful and one I will recommend to anyone who listens.
August 8, 2024
This book made me wish I DNFed books
May 16, 2023
Giving 5 stars just to say I beta read this lovely lady’s sequel and I can’t wait to see what it will turn into as a final product!!
Will give a real review when she comes out in August 🫶🏻
Will give a real review when she comes out in August 🫶🏻
January 4, 2024
This book was so long and for what reason
December 3, 2024
I enjoyed the first book but this one just dragged on and really just lost interest in the storyline.
July 10, 2025
This book is fantastic. I love the author's writing style and creativity with her characters and the complexity of relationships they have. She's really developed the side characters in a way I really enjoy.
The only issue for me is that there's so much kinky ish that it feels like a weird endorsement of pain and BDSM as healing for trauma survivors and I'm happy to accept that as true for some people, but degradation and pain just don't... feel loving?... and it's supposed to be Romantasy. I don't know, it's not NOT romance, and it's fully consensual, but it feels off for me.
The only issue for me is that there's so much kinky ish that it feels like a weird endorsement of pain and BDSM as healing for trauma survivors and I'm happy to accept that as true for some people, but degradation and pain just don't... feel loving?... and it's supposed to be Romantasy. I don't know, it's not NOT romance, and it's fully consensual, but it feels off for me.
August 20, 2023
3.75⭐
Honey was so hot, dark, and fun. I forgot how much I loved Aheia and Ari. Their interactions in this book are everything. If you liked them in Helfyre, then you're going to ADORE them in Honey.
We got to see a lot more from the OG cast and even a few new characters were introduced. I loved them all, especially Nyco. Nyco and Lúc are definitely my top two characters now. I love them with every fiber of my being. Mariel's writing style is beautiful, and I think the way she writes characters is truly amazing.
We get to learn a little bit more about Aheia and her past. It's all insane and very interesting. The ending felt like getting into a car crash lol. I'm still kind of reeling over it.
Honey was definitely very character-driven. And don't get me wrong I still enjoyed the hell out of it, but it felt like the plot wasn't moving very much. Like we were getting told bits and pieces of the characters' daily lives versus a normal storyline arc. I felt kind of lost while reading, however I did still have a ton of fun.
If you like amazing characters, a great world and story, shadow play, CNC, and if you read Helfyre and want to know what happens next, then Honey is perfect for you.
Big thanks to Mariel Pomeroy for the ARC
Honey was so hot, dark, and fun. I forgot how much I loved Aheia and Ari. Their interactions in this book are everything. If you liked them in Helfyre, then you're going to ADORE them in Honey.
We got to see a lot more from the OG cast and even a few new characters were introduced. I loved them all, especially Nyco. Nyco and Lúc are definitely my top two characters now. I love them with every fiber of my being. Mariel's writing style is beautiful, and I think the way she writes characters is truly amazing.
We get to learn a little bit more about Aheia and her past. It's all insane and very interesting. The ending felt like getting into a car crash lol. I'm still kind of reeling over it.
Honey was definitely very character-driven. And don't get me wrong I still enjoyed the hell out of it, but it felt like the plot wasn't moving very much. Like we were getting told bits and pieces of the characters' daily lives versus a normal storyline arc. I felt kind of lost while reading, however I did still have a ton of fun.
If you like amazing characters, a great world and story, shadow play, CNC, and if you read Helfyre and want to know what happens next, then Honey is perfect for you.
Big thanks to Mariel Pomeroy for the ARC
September 4, 2023
you know those lines in books that the main boy says that makes u giggle so hard but then realize you’ll never find a man like that. this happened several times in this book.
December 14, 2023
3 ⭐
I loved the world building and the overall plot (and also Kazim), but I hated Aheia. I felt like she became obnoxious and so much more dependent on Arioch. Arioch, on the other hand, felt a bit flat compared to the first book.
I loved the world building and the overall plot (and also Kazim), but I hated Aheia. I felt like she became obnoxious and so much more dependent on Arioch. Arioch, on the other hand, felt a bit flat compared to the first book.
September 19, 2023
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓴𝔂 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼.
5 ⭐️ | 5 🌶️
🖤 shadow daddy mmc
🖤 trauma
🖤 shadow play
🖤 spice 🔥
🖤 found family
🖤 enemies to lovers
🖤 dark romance
🖤 dark fantasy
🖤 morally grey characters
⚠️ please read the trigger warnings.
Murs is absolutely phenomenal. The way she writes her books draws the reader in and leaves them craving more.
Helfyre was my escape. And while Honey was also an escape, it was a healing journey I was not expecting. Murs, I don’t know how you did it, but this helped heal a part of my soul that’s been hurting for a long time ❤️
Honey is the bittersweet sequel to Helfyre. So, if you haven’t read it yet, you should get right to it. Both books end on intense cliffhangers.
In Honey, Aheia and Arioch’s story immediately picks up where Helfyre left off. This book is absolute perfection. It is a captivating story of lovers, found family, spice, mystery, and healing.
I fully believe that this book touched on trauma beautifully. It brought all of the lows, inner demons, and feelings to the surface allowing you to experience it with the characters.
This series will forever live rent free in my head. Thank you for including me on your journey ❤️
Quotes (may have spoilers)
• “Because no God could ever bring me to my knees the way you do.”
• “Fck. your tongue-“ “It’s worth damnation.”
• “You want me to show you those stars I see in your eyes?”
• When she was submerged in his shadows. She was a shining fcking star.
• “Not remembering is a kindness. It’s how you’re still alive.”
• “Our minds pick vicious ways to protect us, and those blank spaces in your memory are there because one time, long ago, yours decided that you couldn’t survive your reality without a little help...”
5 ⭐️ | 5 🌶️
🖤 shadow daddy mmc
🖤 trauma
🖤 shadow play
🖤 spice 🔥
🖤 found family
🖤 enemies to lovers
🖤 dark romance
🖤 dark fantasy
🖤 morally grey characters
⚠️ please read the trigger warnings.
Murs is absolutely phenomenal. The way she writes her books draws the reader in and leaves them craving more.
Helfyre was my escape. And while Honey was also an escape, it was a healing journey I was not expecting. Murs, I don’t know how you did it, but this helped heal a part of my soul that’s been hurting for a long time ❤️
Honey is the bittersweet sequel to Helfyre. So, if you haven’t read it yet, you should get right to it. Both books end on intense cliffhangers.
In Honey, Aheia and Arioch’s story immediately picks up where Helfyre left off. This book is absolute perfection. It is a captivating story of lovers, found family, spice, mystery, and healing.
I fully believe that this book touched on trauma beautifully. It brought all of the lows, inner demons, and feelings to the surface allowing you to experience it with the characters.
This series will forever live rent free in my head. Thank you for including me on your journey ❤️
Quotes (may have spoilers)
• “Because no God could ever bring me to my knees the way you do.”
• “Fck. your tongue-“ “It’s worth damnation.”
• “You want me to show you those stars I see in your eyes?”
• When she was submerged in his shadows. She was a shining fcking star.
• “Not remembering is a kindness. It’s how you’re still alive.”
• “Our minds pick vicious ways to protect us, and those blank spaces in your memory are there because one time, long ago, yours decided that you couldn’t survive your reality without a little help...”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2023
I'm starting this review knowing that I will never do it justice.
This book is , and beyond the main plot of the story, we have the inner workings of so much trauma and healing and self discovery that I would never be able to accurately describe to you what this book entails in any way that does it justice.
Mariel weaves together this story that is tender and violent and destructive all at once.
We have Aheia back from the dead and Arioch whose love never faltered and has the source of her trauma ready for her return. Aheia grapples with her life before and trying to make sense of the freedoms she has in Ari's realm.
We work through religious trauma, "Religion, a f*cking circle jerk of oppression",
to body shaming trauma "The size of our bodies has nothing to do with our worth. They're simply a vessel for our minds.",
and eventually even childhood trauma "I don't remember much from my life - almost nothing from when I was really young. That's not normal, is it? Thinking about your young self and her not having a face?"
The amount of things that spoke right to my soul were ever present, and handled in such a way that I felt like an open wound, ready for healing. So f*cking beautiful.
I loved that we got more of Arioch's back story in this book. I loved his vulnerability mixed with his violence. The shadow daddy of my dreams. He gives Aheia the weapons to save herself though he's not above slaying her demons himself.
We get some delicious side character action in this multi POV book and I fell in love with Nyco and Kar.
The smut is this book is some of the best I've read and that's saying something because I read a lot of smut. "That was exactly what I needed." He groaned, rolling his shoulders.
"What you needed?" She blinked.
"You don't know your favorite foods, but I know mine."
Not to mention that if you were waiting the WHOLE book for Ruhí you will not be disappointed when you hear it. Seriously, vulnerable Ari has my whole entire heart in his fist.
Now, the plot. We have tons of political intrigue and we have monsters that are attacking people. We find out more about those particular monsters (spoilers) and it sets up the next book in a way that has my head still SPINNING. Holy Cliff Hanger.
Honestly, this book is hard for me to describe. But the writing is so beautiful and the journey was so worth the travels. Just trust me and read it. 5 stars.
This book is , and beyond the main plot of the story, we have the inner workings of so much trauma and healing and self discovery that I would never be able to accurately describe to you what this book entails in any way that does it justice.
Mariel weaves together this story that is tender and violent and destructive all at once.
We have Aheia back from the dead and Arioch whose love never faltered and has the source of her trauma ready for her return. Aheia grapples with her life before and trying to make sense of the freedoms she has in Ari's realm.
We work through religious trauma, "Religion, a f*cking circle jerk of oppression",
to body shaming trauma "The size of our bodies has nothing to do with our worth. They're simply a vessel for our minds.",
and eventually even childhood trauma "I don't remember much from my life - almost nothing from when I was really young. That's not normal, is it? Thinking about your young self and her not having a face?"
The amount of things that spoke right to my soul were ever present, and handled in such a way that I felt like an open wound, ready for healing. So f*cking beautiful.
I loved that we got more of Arioch's back story in this book. I loved his vulnerability mixed with his violence. The shadow daddy of my dreams. He gives Aheia the weapons to save herself though he's not above slaying her demons himself.
We get some delicious side character action in this multi POV book and I fell in love with Nyco and Kar.
The smut is this book is some of the best I've read and that's saying something because I read a lot of smut. "That was exactly what I needed." He groaned, rolling his shoulders.
"What you needed?" She blinked.
"You don't know your favorite foods, but I know mine."
Not to mention that if you were waiting the WHOLE book for Ruhí you will not be disappointed when you hear it. Seriously, vulnerable Ari has my whole entire heart in his fist.
Now, the plot. We have tons of political intrigue and we have monsters that are attacking people. We find out more about those particular monsters (spoilers) and it sets up the next book in a way that has my head still SPINNING. Holy Cliff Hanger.
Honestly, this book is hard for me to describe. But the writing is so beautiful and the journey was so worth the travels. Just trust me and read it. 5 stars.
August 10, 2023
First: thank you to Murs for an ARC of Honey in exchange for my honest review.
That being said: here we freaking go! Please be advised I am still reeling from completing this book and haven't stopped thinking about it in the 20 hours since I finished sooo this might be a chaotic nightmare...
Plot: Honey is less plot driven than Helfyre. This book is driven by the characters, not by the plot. Does that mean there isn't a plot? Nah, definitely still a great story that I know is going to get even more intense in following books. There are a lot of hints and clues in Honey that signal some big things are coming.
Characters: as with Helfyre, Honey has character personality in spades! We get some more POVs with this book and for the Lúc girlies, yes we get some great stuff from his POV. My personal favourite is Karyme, the insight into her empath abilities and how she manages them was interesting to read. As with Helfyre Aheia and Arioch are the main focus though, and we get some serious growth from both of them.
World Building: descriptive and visually diverse world building. I did have to go back and reread descriptions at some points in order to really fully grasp what was being described to me as the descriptions can be dense at times. It's a fantasy novel so picturing certain things can take more time as the descriptions are more outlandish on occasion. The imagery overall makes for a stunning background for the story and I'm pretty sure there are pieces that are going to cause some forehead slapping realizations in future books.
Emotional damage: listen, if you've read Helfyre you know Murs like to rip your heart out but also likes to hold up a mirror and tell you to look. Honey was no exception. Chapter 37 alone is going to live rent free in my head for awhile (iykyk). The cliffhanger ending is also going to leave you screaming into the void so probably find someone who has read it so you can scream together.
Honey is another masterpiece of literature and I absolutely enjoyed every second of the journey reading this novel.
OH AND... The spice is next level in this book. There's a significant amount and it does not pull punches. It's a DARK romance y'all, read your trigger warnings 😘
That being said: here we freaking go! Please be advised I am still reeling from completing this book and haven't stopped thinking about it in the 20 hours since I finished sooo this might be a chaotic nightmare...
Plot: Honey is less plot driven than Helfyre. This book is driven by the characters, not by the plot. Does that mean there isn't a plot? Nah, definitely still a great story that I know is going to get even more intense in following books. There are a lot of hints and clues in Honey that signal some big things are coming.
Characters: as with Helfyre, Honey has character personality in spades! We get some more POVs with this book and for the Lúc girlies, yes we get some great stuff from his POV. My personal favourite is Karyme, the insight into her empath abilities and how she manages them was interesting to read. As with Helfyre Aheia and Arioch are the main focus though, and we get some serious growth from both of them.
World Building: descriptive and visually diverse world building. I did have to go back and reread descriptions at some points in order to really fully grasp what was being described to me as the descriptions can be dense at times. It's a fantasy novel so picturing certain things can take more time as the descriptions are more outlandish on occasion. The imagery overall makes for a stunning background for the story and I'm pretty sure there are pieces that are going to cause some forehead slapping realizations in future books.
Emotional damage: listen, if you've read Helfyre you know Murs like to rip your heart out but also likes to hold up a mirror and tell you to look. Honey was no exception. Chapter 37 alone is going to live rent free in my head for awhile (iykyk). The cliffhanger ending is also going to leave you screaming into the void so probably find someone who has read it so you can scream together.
Honey is another masterpiece of literature and I absolutely enjoyed every second of the journey reading this novel.
OH AND... The spice is next level in this book. There's a significant amount and it does not pull punches. It's a DARK romance y'all, read your trigger warnings 😘
September 5, 2023
This was disappointing. The first 10% of the book was nothing but gibberish. It look me hours to push through it. I seriously thought I was losing my mind. Like I just could not grasp a single sentence of the book.
There were parts of certain scenes in the MMC POV that were so incredibly cringe. I wanted to stop reading it all together. In no way is it possible for that to have happened and it was so cringe to have read the description of it. Don’t get me wrong a kink is a kink. But it’s not physically possible and yet the author decided to make it so 🤡
The non-binary character was never introduced as such when first meeting the MFC. Yet she magically knew they were non-binary?? Plz that's not how that works especially when she proceeded to gender everyone else new that she met before even speaking to them.
The last 30% of the book had so much trauma dumping I thought I was in fkin therapy for a second there 😒
I felt like the plot from the first book was great but it didn't really continue in this book. It was incredibly slow and not much happened until the last 2% of the book. It was like half of what happened in the first book was forgotten.
Like the main characters trauma from the first book was completely pushed aside as though she was completely physically fine for half the book.
It was like every time something happened it was treated as though it was nothing significant and never really brought back up. I had high hopes for this book because I loved the first one and it was such a let down. We didn't get any answers about what was happening with one of the main problems happening in story. It dragged on and on.
Am I going to read the next one? Yes I am. Because I liked the direction of the story, I like the plot in its premise. I just wish it didn’t drag on the way it did in this book. I hope the next one we actually have more plot than spice. Especially if the spice is going to be as cringe as it was in this book. And I also hope that the author actually addresses what happened to her and the other characters. And everyone isn’t acting like the things that happened are some how normal!?!?
Also there were many writing mistakes in this book. Idk if it was just a digital issue but it definitely needed another draft before release.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews