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Honey
A dark, provocative, adrenaline-rush of a novel about a graduate student who murders bad men and justifies it in the name of feminism, by a bold new voice in fiction
Yrsa is in a funk. She’s bored of her PhD program, bored of her research on Afropessimism, bored of the entitled undergrads she has to cater to. But most of all, she’s bored of the men in her life—especially the bad ones.
When her best friend, Nina, confesses to having an affair with her professor, and that he’s stolen her research, Yrsa is mad. On the quad, Yrsa bumps into the professor and witnesses his death: an unfortunate incident involving his San Pellegrino and a bee allergy. What she sees that afternoon awakens something in her: a taste for murder.
Emboldened, Yrsa decides to chase that high, and soon, no sexist, misbehaving man within commuting distance is safe.
With each murder, Yrsa feels a greater sense of meaning and purpose—finally, her doctoral research feels useful. But how long can killing in the name of feminist and racial solidarity justify her actions? Will her rampage ever assuage her feelings of rage and revenge? And how long until her actions—and buried family secrets—come back to haunt her?
Yrsa is in a funk. She’s bored of her PhD program, bored of her research on Afropessimism, bored of the entitled undergrads she has to cater to. But most of all, she’s bored of the men in her life—especially the bad ones.
When her best friend, Nina, confesses to having an affair with her professor, and that he’s stolen her research, Yrsa is mad. On the quad, Yrsa bumps into the professor and witnesses his death: an unfortunate incident involving his San Pellegrino and a bee allergy. What she sees that afternoon awakens something in her: a taste for murder.
Emboldened, Yrsa decides to chase that high, and soon, no sexist, misbehaving man within commuting distance is safe.
With each murder, Yrsa feels a greater sense of meaning and purpose—finally, her doctoral research feels useful. But how long can killing in the name of feminist and racial solidarity justify her actions? Will her rampage ever assuage her feelings of rage and revenge? And how long until her actions—and buried family secrets—come back to haunt her?
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,109 reviews
April 24, 2026
a female serial killer taking out gross guys? i know that's right.
https://emmareadstoomuch.substack.com...
i really enjoyed this book at first, as our horrible, vain, straight-talking protagonist unlocks the ability to kill men.
but it didn't have anything besides that wonderful vibe, and soon it didn't have that either. our character's backstory was illogical, as were her relationships, and once this narrative got into the killing habit it didn't know where to go next.
the propulsive beginning just propelled itself on until finally it trickled out.
bottom line: i can sympathize with anyone, as long as they feel real.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
https://emmareadstoomuch.substack.com...
i really enjoyed this book at first, as our horrible, vain, straight-talking protagonist unlocks the ability to kill men.
but it didn't have anything besides that wonderful vibe, and soon it didn't have that either. our character's backstory was illogical, as were her relationships, and once this narrative got into the killing habit it didn't know where to go next.
the propulsive beginning just propelled itself on until finally it trickled out.
bottom line: i can sympathize with anyone, as long as they feel real.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
September 10, 2026
4/5
This was a hot mess and I loved it!! If you love weird girl fiction, pick this one up. It’s one of those books you kind of just follow along and you can’t really expect to follow a specific plot (but it does have one!!) & it’s honestly such a great book club book. I almost didn’t pick this one up because of all the conflicting reviews but I loooove a messy unlikable character so this book was perfect
This was a hot mess and I loved it!! If you love weird girl fiction, pick this one up. It’s one of those books you kind of just follow along and you can’t really expect to follow a specific plot (but it does have one!!) & it’s honestly such a great book club book. I almost didn’t pick this one up because of all the conflicting reviews but I loooove a messy unlikable character so this book was perfect
October 13, 2025
I'm a smidge confused with this one. This is described as "wickedly funny", but I'd argue it's more serious in tone and academic than that would lead you to believe. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the more serious topics surrounding racial justice and inequality more than the otherwise silly thriller that this is pitched to be.
Unfortunately, the writing here didn't really work for me. If this had been a general fiction novel surrounding race, afropessimism, and revenge as a concept I think it would've worked a bit more for my personal taste. However, I feel like we were trying to dive so much into those topics that the thriller plot points would just kind of fall off and never be fully developed, and because we were trying to make this a thriller, it didn't dive into other topics as thoroughly as I felt like I wanted it to. A classic case of trying to do so many things that it didn't really commit to any of them.
Unfortunately, 2.75 stars rounded up from me. I look forward to seeing what else this author writes in the future!
Thanks so much to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Unfortunately, the writing here didn't really work for me. If this had been a general fiction novel surrounding race, afropessimism, and revenge as a concept I think it would've worked a bit more for my personal taste. However, I feel like we were trying to dive so much into those topics that the thriller plot points would just kind of fall off and never be fully developed, and because we were trying to make this a thriller, it didn't dive into other topics as thoroughly as I felt like I wanted it to. A classic case of trying to do so many things that it didn't really commit to any of them.
Unfortunately, 2.75 stars rounded up from me. I look forward to seeing what else this author writes in the future!
Thanks so much to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
She's been playing a game.
The game goes like this. See a man. Ask yourself: If you were going to kill him, how would you do it?
I refrained from deciding whether or not I liked this until the last few chapters, because Honey is one of those books— an unusual mix of dry satire and deadly serious misogynoir commentary —that it is easy to believe will eventually become good. It feels like it is making a point, probably several, and I waited to find out how Thompson would resolve everything she had set up.
The problem is that it never really got there. Many plot threads seem to be building toward a bang, only to end in a whimper. The book is messy, its themes half-baked. I knew upfront it was not going to be merely a thriller about a female serial killer, but it is not much of a character study either. It is told in third person, making Yrsa's already strange behaviour difficult to understand, and not a single other character is memorable.
I did enjoy the academic discussions about misogyny, racism and afropessimism, and there were moments of comedic brilliance like this post-coital exchange where a man talks about his ex:
“She kept saying she wanted everything to be equal. But really she just wanted me to pay for things and call her a slut. A lot of women do.”
Why can't she just shag in peace? Why do men have to speak?
And, look, I do genuinely get why she would want to kill some of these assholes. We even meet Sam Mack— an obvious stand-in for Andrew Tate —who is building an online brand on the back of misogyny whilst running from rape charges (yes, kill him. Do you need an alibi?). But the weird thing is that Yrsa's rage rarely came across.
Yrsa doesn’t feel furious, as I thought she would, until close to the end of the book (arguably not even then). She seems to spend most of the time irked by the men. She kills them more out of a “why not?” than any deep-seated fury. As the blurb says, Yrsa is bored. She’s a bit angry, but mostly bored. There is a bit where she thinks:
Call it redemption
Call it rage
Call it sport
And I thought sport, yes, that’s right. That’s what it seemed like to her. A bit of fun. Which was... weird. Anger at misogyny and racism? Totally get that. Being pushed to breaking point and snapping? Absolutely understand. But a bit of a laugh? Something to do on a Friday night? That I don't get.
The climax goes even further off the rails. I read the whole thing wondering how one could possibly wrap up a story like this... and the ending made me think the author had not figured out the answer to that question.
May 11, 2026
Yrsa, how do you not have bleach or gloves (because you weren't going to kill him) but you do have a lethal amount of epinephrine and a syringe? GIRL.
I am having so much fun with this, she is *messy*.
Update - gahhhh this would have been a five star, but the ending was so abrupt and unfinished! I need a conclusion! It's a me problem, Thompson is a very talented new voice and I'm excited to see what she writes next.
I am having so much fun with this, she is *messy*.
Update - gahhhh this would have been a five star, but the ending was so abrupt and unfinished! I need a conclusion! It's a me problem, Thompson is a very talented new voice and I'm excited to see what she writes next.
November 7, 2025
I thought that this would be my new favorite unhinged female serial killer novel, but the stars weren't aligned this time.
There were funny one-liners (presented in a very British-style dry humor manner), and I really liked the discussions on being a Black academic at Cambridge. Unfortunately, most of the good stuff happened offscreen.
It wasn't until the last 25-30% that we actually see what's happening with Yrsa and her victims. I understand that it was due to the FMC's drug abuse (so she most likely was mentally checked out most of the time), but the drug abuse didn't even happen onscreen either. It was disappointing and it didn't make for an exciting read.
If you're a fan of My Year of Rest and Relaxation, then you might like this. Both feature sarcastic, disaffected, and (at times) mean FMCs who aren't satisfied with their lives and who self-destruct in unhealthy ways.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this arc.
There were funny one-liners (presented in a very British-style dry humor manner), and I really liked the discussions on being a Black academic at Cambridge. Unfortunately, most of the good stuff happened offscreen.
It wasn't until the last 25-30% that we actually see what's happening with Yrsa and her victims. I understand that it was due to the FMC's drug abuse (so she most likely was mentally checked out most of the time), but the drug abuse didn't even happen onscreen either. It was disappointing and it didn't make for an exciting read.
If you're a fan of My Year of Rest and Relaxation, then you might like this. Both feature sarcastic, disaffected, and (at times) mean FMCs who aren't satisfied with their lives and who self-destruct in unhealthy ways.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Black Girls behaving badly is my favourite genre and this is my new favourite book!
In Imani Thompson's debut novel Honey we meet PHD student Yrsa who is in the middle of researching Afropessimism a topic she is currently bored of. Between her PHD and teaching undergrad, she craves something more in he life. That is until her friend Nina tells her about an affair she is having with her professor who stole her research. Enraged, Yrsa runs into the professor and "witness" his death. The thing is, a lot of people keep dying around Yrsa....
If you read and loved LUSTER and My Year Of Rest and Relaxation I think you will absolutely love this book! I will say, this book is not for anyone with a strong moral compass, it is if you like unlikeable characters and a plot that will keep you hooked. I loved everything about this, and the fact that the author is from the Caribbean.
In Imani Thompson's debut novel Honey we meet PHD student Yrsa who is in the middle of researching Afropessimism a topic she is currently bored of. Between her PHD and teaching undergrad, she craves something more in he life. That is until her friend Nina tells her about an affair she is having with her professor who stole her research. Enraged, Yrsa runs into the professor and "witness" his death. The thing is, a lot of people keep dying around Yrsa....
If you read and loved LUSTER and My Year Of Rest and Relaxation I think you will absolutely love this book! I will say, this book is not for anyone with a strong moral compass, it is if you like unlikeable characters and a plot that will keep you hooked. I loved everything about this, and the fact that the author is from the Caribbean.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars, rounded down
If you’re going to write a thriller from the POV of a serial killer, it’s important to make the character interesting. But Ysra just kind of bored me. She’s a PhD student, writing her thesis on afropessimisim at Cambridge, teaching undergrads. One of her friends has just been dumped by a professor she was working with. After Yrsa witnesses the professor die from a bee sting, she has a sort of epiphany and decides more bad men need to die. Thompson struggles to really rationalize Yrsa’s motives. At one point, the book frames it as an offshoot of the hypothesis of her thesis. The paper posited that liberation from racism would never be achieved except through death. So she decides to change the object of the violence, from the black woman to the white man. Think of it as revenge or retribution as the premise for a philosophical theory.
The story moves at a glacial pace. It’s disjointed, veering between thriller and character drama and succeeding at neither. Too often, Yrsa’s motives (drug addiction?) are only hinted at. The book just left me confused and disgruntled, especially with what I felt was a cop out ending.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
If you’re going to write a thriller from the POV of a serial killer, it’s important to make the character interesting. But Ysra just kind of bored me. She’s a PhD student, writing her thesis on afropessimisim at Cambridge, teaching undergrads. One of her friends has just been dumped by a professor she was working with. After Yrsa witnesses the professor die from a bee sting, she has a sort of epiphany and decides more bad men need to die. Thompson struggles to really rationalize Yrsa’s motives. At one point, the book frames it as an offshoot of the hypothesis of her thesis. The paper posited that liberation from racism would never be achieved except through death. So she decides to change the object of the violence, from the black woman to the white man. Think of it as revenge or retribution as the premise for a philosophical theory.
The story moves at a glacial pace. It’s disjointed, veering between thriller and character drama and succeeding at neither. Too often, Yrsa’s motives (drug addiction?) are only hinted at. The book just left me confused and disgruntled, especially with what I felt was a cop out ending.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.
May 9, 2026
Honey Left Dripping
Imani Thompson’s debut novel, “Honey,” is a provocatively dark thriller that takes the familiar trope of the female serial killer and subverts it with a sharp, academic lens. While the book is firmly rooted in the thriller genre—following Cambridge PhD student Yrsa as she descends into a cycle of killing “bad men”—it is notably not a mystery. The reader witnesses exactly what is happening as Yrsa executes her plans. Instead of asking who the killer is, the suspense centers on how Yrsa will pull off each increasingly bold crime and, more compellingly, where she will eventually slip up and face the consequences.
Yrsa, a student of Afropessimism, attempts to justify her escalating violence by framing it as "theory in action… a new methodology" and an act of feminist and racial solidarity. However, the novel suggests that her primary drive is less about deep-seated vigilante rage or redemption and more about a feeling of sport, or a cure for her profound boredom. This detachment gives Yrsa’s voice a dry and often sarcastic edge, providing moments of dark humor. The novel is at its most ambitious during its forays into academia, where Yrsa uses her research to intellectualize her bloodlust, challenging the reader with complex ideas about power, justice, and the limits of liberation.
Despite the high-speed pacing and intriguing characterization, the novel ultimately falters in its conclusion. While the narrative creates a mounting sense of tension that suggests Yrsa is heading toward a significant confrontation or obstacle… the ending is a letdown. That is all I will say, in the interest of avoiding spoilers.
For readers who favor intellectually dense and morally complex character explorations over traditional, neatly packaged thrillers, Honey is a striking debut. Yrsa stands out as a singular, albeit ethically questionable and often unsympathetic, lead. The novel offers a profound intellectual journey, even if it sacrifices a satisfying thriller ending.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. #Honey #NetGalley
Imani Thompson’s debut novel, “Honey,” is a provocatively dark thriller that takes the familiar trope of the female serial killer and subverts it with a sharp, academic lens. While the book is firmly rooted in the thriller genre—following Cambridge PhD student Yrsa as she descends into a cycle of killing “bad men”—it is notably not a mystery. The reader witnesses exactly what is happening as Yrsa executes her plans. Instead of asking who the killer is, the suspense centers on how Yrsa will pull off each increasingly bold crime and, more compellingly, where she will eventually slip up and face the consequences.
Yrsa, a student of Afropessimism, attempts to justify her escalating violence by framing it as "theory in action… a new methodology" and an act of feminist and racial solidarity. However, the novel suggests that her primary drive is less about deep-seated vigilante rage or redemption and more about a feeling of sport, or a cure for her profound boredom. This detachment gives Yrsa’s voice a dry and often sarcastic edge, providing moments of dark humor. The novel is at its most ambitious during its forays into academia, where Yrsa uses her research to intellectualize her bloodlust, challenging the reader with complex ideas about power, justice, and the limits of liberation.
Despite the high-speed pacing and intriguing characterization, the novel ultimately falters in its conclusion. While the narrative creates a mounting sense of tension that suggests Yrsa is heading toward a significant confrontation or obstacle… the ending is a letdown. That is all I will say, in the interest of avoiding spoilers.
For readers who favor intellectually dense and morally complex character explorations over traditional, neatly packaged thrillers, Honey is a striking debut. Yrsa stands out as a singular, albeit ethically questionable and often unsympathetic, lead. The novel offers a profound intellectual journey, even if it sacrifices a satisfying thriller ending.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. #Honey #NetGalley
May 21, 2026
Ohhh boy, I did not like this. I don't know if it's that this book is just not for me, or if it's just not a great book. But I didn't like it, and I'm sad. I was lead to believe this would be comic, sexy, deliciously dark. It wasn't any of those things. Maybe a little bit dark but not deliciously so.
This definitely had more of a literary tone to it rather than the comic thriller tone I was thinking it would have, which is a shame, I'm definitely not a literary girly. It was very academic based, lots of talk about the class Ysra is teaching. Speaking of Ysra, she was so incredibly unlikeable, and this book ended up more of a character study of her than anything else. And I couldn't stand her, she was rude and really unsympathetic. A really hard character to follow from.
The ending also fell flat for me. An ambiguous ending is one thing, but this didn't have much of an ending at all, it just kinda stopped. I was left feeling really unsatisfied. I wanted to DNF but really wanted to see if the end would bring it all together and it just didn't. I should have DNF'd it.
This definitely had more of a literary tone to it rather than the comic thriller tone I was thinking it would have, which is a shame, I'm definitely not a literary girly. It was very academic based, lots of talk about the class Ysra is teaching. Speaking of Ysra, she was so incredibly unlikeable, and this book ended up more of a character study of her than anything else. And I couldn't stand her, she was rude and really unsympathetic. A really hard character to follow from.
The ending also fell flat for me. An ambiguous ending is one thing, but this didn't have much of an ending at all, it just kinda stopped. I was left feeling really unsatisfied. I wanted to DNF but really wanted to see if the end would bring it all together and it just didn't. I should have DNF'd it.
May 12, 2026
I liked this novel. The start is super gripping. It wanders a bit (aka could’ve been shorter) but is entertaining and fun. Woman behaving badly always works for me. I think some of the theory could’ve been stronger more fleshed out, but it was a good ride.
May 11, 2026
This looks to be shaping up as a bit of a divisive book. I thought it was very good, with excellent writing, and a truly interesting character in Yrsa. I do have to disagree with the summary statement that Yrsa justifies her murders of men in the name of feminism. That is a bit misleading about what is going on here.
Yrsa has trouble feeling things, is almost anesthetized from her everyday existence, and tends to search out experiences that will inject some intensity into her emotional life. She’s had some bad things happen to her which she has never confronted or resolved, and it seems there is some family tendency towards seeking out risky encounters to stimulate feelings and obtain a kind of a temporary high. I’m certainly not qualified to diagnose the problem, but it’s pretty clear that as high functioning as the women in Yrsa’s family are, they all share a similar kind of mental illness.
Yes, Yrsa chooses men to kill and chase the high that comes from getting away with it. And she looks for a rationale for killing them to ease any moral qualms. But her main motivation is personal, and not some kind of feminist payback on men generally. She thinks more than once that men are just easier targets. In that respect, she’s like any addict and chases the quickest route to getting the high she craves.
It’s a compelling story, almost exclusively character driven, and doesn’t provide pat answers, or any kind of path to ultimate redemption. The ending is not exactly nonexistent but it is vague in the sense that it is ultimately left to the imagination of the reader. So, not a lot of tidy boxes here, which may be offputting to some. Personally I enjoyed Honey, and I will certainly read Thompson’s next book. I think she’s a talented writer with a lot of potential.
Yrsa has trouble feeling things, is almost anesthetized from her everyday existence, and tends to search out experiences that will inject some intensity into her emotional life. She’s had some bad things happen to her which she has never confronted or resolved, and it seems there is some family tendency towards seeking out risky encounters to stimulate feelings and obtain a kind of a temporary high. I’m certainly not qualified to diagnose the problem, but it’s pretty clear that as high functioning as the women in Yrsa’s family are, they all share a similar kind of mental illness.
Yes, Yrsa chooses men to kill and chase the high that comes from getting away with it. And she looks for a rationale for killing them to ease any moral qualms. But her main motivation is personal, and not some kind of feminist payback on men generally. She thinks more than once that men are just easier targets. In that respect, she’s like any addict and chases the quickest route to getting the high she craves.
It’s a compelling story, almost exclusively character driven, and doesn’t provide pat answers, or any kind of path to ultimate redemption. The ending is not exactly nonexistent but it is vague in the sense that it is ultimately left to the imagination of the reader. So, not a lot of tidy boxes here, which may be offputting to some. Personally I enjoyed Honey, and I will certainly read Thompson’s next book. I think she’s a talented writer with a lot of potential.
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June 27, 2026
i’d give it a zero star if i could … (0/5 stars)
oh shucks… this was not horror… and i kept waiting for it to get interesting, but found this to be a bore fest; ‘cause it didn’t do anything outstanding… pretty much the same ol’ tale within this prompt/premise imo…. aaaaaa
date read: 27 june, 2026.
oh shucks… this was not horror… and i kept waiting for it to get interesting, but found this to be a bore fest; ‘cause it didn’t do anything outstanding… pretty much the same ol’ tale within this prompt/premise imo…. aaaaaa
date read: 27 june, 2026.
August 4, 2026
Are these low ratings kinda proving some of the points of the book? People want complex or morally grey characters but don’t know what to do when they’re met with them, especially if that character is a highly intelligent black woman. Reducing this to one genre would be wrong and if rules of specific genres are more important to you that the story itself or if you hate the idea of lit fic this might not be for you. If you like books like "The eyes are the best part", "Yellowface", "My Sister, the Serialkiller" or "Yesteryear" you’ll probably have a good time. If the everyday racism and sexism in your life leaves you angry and numb sometimes you’ll have the best time.
Imani Thompson is doing a great job at holding space for exploring important topics but challenging your views and perspectives on those same topics without presenting a one fits all solution. Can’t wait to discuss this in our bookclub!
Imani Thompson is doing a great job at holding space for exploring important topics but challenging your views and perspectives on those same topics without presenting a one fits all solution. Can’t wait to discuss this in our bookclub!
September 18, 2025
This is a story about a woman named Yrsa who kills a man with a bee. That’s how it starts, anyway. But really, it’s a book about control who has it, who’s taken it, and how far one woman is willing to go to reclaim it. Yrsa’s voice is sharp, academic, and restless. She is not here to be liked. She is here to think, rage, dissect, and dismantle and she invites you to watch.
The themes of Afropessimism and justice, intellectual theft and power, are heavy and rich. The book hums with ideas. But often it hums louder than it speaks. Yrsa’s inner monologue, while intellectually charged and fiercely singular, sometimes feels like trying to listen to a symphony while assembling IKEA furniture you know something important is happening, but you're not entirely sure where to put the screws.
Some plot threads start with intrigue but fade rather than resolve. And while the narrative voice is undeniably bold, the emotional core felt distant at times.
I appreciated the academic lens, especially the exploration of Afropessimism and justice, but the pacing and dialogue often left me disengaged. Some plot threads felt underdeveloped, and the emotional core didn't quite land for me. Still, Imani Thompson is clearly a bold new voice, and I'm curious to see where she goes next.
Readers drawn to character studies over clean plots, and to questions over answers, may find more sweetness in the sting than I did.
2.5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Imani Thompson for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The themes of Afropessimism and justice, intellectual theft and power, are heavy and rich. The book hums with ideas. But often it hums louder than it speaks. Yrsa’s inner monologue, while intellectually charged and fiercely singular, sometimes feels like trying to listen to a symphony while assembling IKEA furniture you know something important is happening, but you're not entirely sure where to put the screws.
Some plot threads start with intrigue but fade rather than resolve. And while the narrative voice is undeniably bold, the emotional core felt distant at times.
I appreciated the academic lens, especially the exploration of Afropessimism and justice, but the pacing and dialogue often left me disengaged. Some plot threads felt underdeveloped, and the emotional core didn't quite land for me. Still, Imani Thompson is clearly a bold new voice, and I'm curious to see where she goes next.
Readers drawn to character studies over clean plots, and to questions over answers, may find more sweetness in the sting than I did.
2.5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Imani Thompson for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2026
A dark academia, murder-mystery, serial killer thriller with a wicked-smart woman who stumbles upon the perfect opportunity to see a horrible man pay the ultimate price with just the gentlest nudge in that direction from her own hand which sends her spiraling into justifying more and more revenge killings...just because she can. Part 1 was extremely entertaining. Part II becomes a bit repetitive. Part III wraps it all up nicely. This is a strong 3 for me
I loved the audiobook (thanks PRH!)
More soon
I loved the audiobook (thanks PRH!)
More soon
June 25, 2026
not enough bees
August 7, 2026
Ja, das war underwhelming. Es hat mich echt nicht abgeholt, obwohl die Idee richtig richtig gut war und das Buch auch gut angefangen hat. Leider hat es dann ziemlich schnell seinen Faden verloren und irgendwann wusste ich gar nicht mehr worum es eigentlich geht und was die Story sein soll? Das hat sich leider auch bis zum Ende nicht mehr verändert. Schade, hätte Potential gehabt. Am besten haben mir die Stellen gefallen, in denen es explizit um Rassismus ging, der Rest ist irgendwie nur so dahin geplätschert.
June 1, 2026
Thank you Tandem Collective Global and Penguin Random House Canada for the gifted copy!! 💛✨💛
3.75⭐️
─── 𓆩🐝𓆪 ───
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, it was what pulled me in immediately. We meet Ysra, drifting through her PhD program on this kind of exhausted autopilot… bored, emotionally drained, and slowly realizing the men around her are completely insufferable….
She’s running on low energy, full of emotions she can’t quite name… until one encounter and an accidental death…shifts everything.
And then… the bee changes it all. 🐝
I loved that line: “To kill and get away with it.. what could be sweeter?”
like… okay?? a female serial killer targeting awful men with this academic edge?? Yes please.
And the way she keeps rationalizing everything to herself… like she’s trying to logic her way through something deeply emotional and irreversible.
There’s also this layer with her research into Afropessimism and how that connects to her lived experience as a Black woman navigating harm, exhaustion, and retribution. That part added a lot of weight for me, especially how the theory and real life start mixing together
I was really into the story, especially wondering if she’d get caught and who she’d go after next. The ending gets really intense, and I just wish we got a bit more closure on what happened at the end. But I also kinda get why it ends like that… it leaves you sitting with the uncertainty of what Ysra becomes next, or doesn’t become.
3.75⭐️
─── 𓆩🐝𓆪 ───
I really enjoyed the premise of this book, it was what pulled me in immediately. We meet Ysra, drifting through her PhD program on this kind of exhausted autopilot… bored, emotionally drained, and slowly realizing the men around her are completely insufferable….
She’s running on low energy, full of emotions she can’t quite name… until one encounter and an accidental death…shifts everything.
And then… the bee changes it all. 🐝
I loved that line: “To kill and get away with it.. what could be sweeter?”
like… okay?? a female serial killer targeting awful men with this academic edge?? Yes please.
And the way she keeps rationalizing everything to herself… like she’s trying to logic her way through something deeply emotional and irreversible.
There’s also this layer with her research into Afropessimism and how that connects to her lived experience as a Black woman navigating harm, exhaustion, and retribution. That part added a lot of weight for me, especially how the theory and real life start mixing together
I was really into the story, especially wondering if she’d get caught and who she’d go after next. The ending gets really intense, and I just wish we got a bit more closure on what happened at the end. But I also kinda get why it ends like that… it leaves you sitting with the uncertainty of what Ysra becomes next, or doesn’t become.
June 6, 2026
I really enjoyed Honey. Imani Thompson is too funny. For a debut novel this was everything that I wanted it to be. Dark. Black. Humorous. Filled with quiet rage being externalized. There was suspense and I feel like this would be a fantastic television show.
Finding out that Imani is of Jamaican-British heritage also was such a great tidbit!
Now for some takeaways.. the ending could have given a bit more, but I like what I felt it was saying about how 1) men never really believe that they’re in danger because they see all women as weaker than themselves; which does a disservice in reality to men who are being abused but the patriarchy doesn’t give a fuck about men either if we’re being honest. 2) women get caught up in bad situations fighting on behalf of men; like that ending— girl! If your boyfriend or your husband cheats on you, I can promise you it’s never the other woman’s fault. 3) women can be just as dangerous as men; don’t sleep on them. An angry woman with a plan can really turn your life upside down.
I loved the main character, Yrsa. I felt all the things for her, she wasn’t perfect, she was devious and also ridiculous, but I understood her point of view. I loved her taste in music, I loved that she loved good sex, I love that she rode for her friends down to the ground! She had a very Dark Passenger Dexter quality about her. That Joe Goldberg quality about her. But real talk, she was her own woman. I loved that for us. I love all the current cultural references and touch points in the novel. Sam Mack as a character representing the manosphere, and her trying to kill it. Ratings. I love the dissertation plot line that followed the character through the book as she lives out her research and findings. I definitely thought Syed was gonna make her! I was like one of these folks is gonna blow the whole shit up, and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
The author took some really bold artistic liberties that transitioned her character from just crazy to an absolutely diabolical maniac at times. Especially surrounding Felix. I REALLY enjoyed that! I didn’t trust Isaiah the entire book, and for him to turn out to be normal and loving, what does that say about me?? 🫣
The mom and grandmother being so involved and having similar predilections was icing; I loved that bit of storytelling! Yo all in all, I’m reading whatever Imani Thompson has got coming next, and I would love to watch this show on Hulu or Prime; it definitely felt like Bria Mack Gets a Life meets Dexter or Harlem meets Dexter. I had a great time.
Finding out that Imani is of Jamaican-British heritage also was such a great tidbit!
Now for some takeaways.. the ending could have given a bit more, but I like what I felt it was saying about how 1) men never really believe that they’re in danger because they see all women as weaker than themselves; which does a disservice in reality to men who are being abused but the patriarchy doesn’t give a fuck about men either if we’re being honest. 2) women get caught up in bad situations fighting on behalf of men; like that ending— girl! If your boyfriend or your husband cheats on you, I can promise you it’s never the other woman’s fault. 3) women can be just as dangerous as men; don’t sleep on them. An angry woman with a plan can really turn your life upside down.
I loved the main character, Yrsa. I felt all the things for her, she wasn’t perfect, she was devious and also ridiculous, but I understood her point of view. I loved her taste in music, I loved that she loved good sex, I love that she rode for her friends down to the ground! She had a very Dark Passenger Dexter quality about her. That Joe Goldberg quality about her. But real talk, she was her own woman. I loved that for us. I love all the current cultural references and touch points in the novel. Sam Mack as a character representing the manosphere, and her trying to kill it. Ratings. I love the dissertation plot line that followed the character through the book as she lives out her research and findings. I definitely thought Syed was gonna make her! I was like one of these folks is gonna blow the whole shit up, and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
The author took some really bold artistic liberties that transitioned her character from just crazy to an absolutely diabolical maniac at times. Especially surrounding Felix. I REALLY enjoyed that! I didn’t trust Isaiah the entire book, and for him to turn out to be normal and loving, what does that say about me?? 🫣
The mom and grandmother being so involved and having similar predilections was icing; I loved that bit of storytelling! Yo all in all, I’m reading whatever Imani Thompson has got coming next, and I would love to watch this show on Hulu or Prime; it definitely felt like Bria Mack Gets a Life meets Dexter or Harlem meets Dexter. I had a great time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2026
Wow.
Während ich Ysra auf ihrem Weg durch die letzten Schritte ihrer Dissertation, und ganz nebenbei auch bei ihren Morden in Camebridge begleite, stellt sich bei mir irgendwann dieses unangenehme, fast körperliche Gefühl ein: dass hier nicht einfach eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit mit Hilfe von sehr aktiver und ethisch fragwürdiger aber nachvollziehbarer Feldforschung bearbeitet wird, sondern eine ganze Biografie, ein ganzes Selbstverständnis ins Rutschen gerät. Der Roman beschäftigt mich sehr, weil die Autorin nie bloß erzählt, sondern konsequent existentielle Daseinsfragen stellt, also radikal, sehr radikal Schmerz, Wut, Gewalt, Überleben und Moral verhandelt.
Es geht um Rassismus und Sexismus, um Macht und Herrschaft, um Intersektionalität, um werten und bewertet werden, um „Afropessimismus“ und vor allem um die Frage, was passiert, wenn kritische und postkoloniale Theorie und Gewaltforschung selbst Teil einer Krise werden.
Man merkt der Autorin an, dass sie sich tief in diese Denkbewegungen hineingeschrieben hat, aber auch nicht davor zurückschreckt, sie zu radikal ehrlich zu befragen.
Ysra hat mich so sehr beeindruckt. Ysra trägt diverse Identitäten in sich die ständig neu miteinander füreinander und gegeneinander arbeiten. Ich habe sie nicht als rotzige und aufrichtige Antiheldin gelesen, als Überlebende, die sich weigert, die Rolle „des guten Opfers“ einzunehmen. Der Roman fordert meines Erachtens ziemlich radikal die Frage ein, ob wir (Trauma-)Überlebende nur dann aushalten können, wenn sie moralisch akzeptabel, leidend, einverständig und am Ende irgendwie versöhnlich sind.
Auch die queeren Charaktete fand ich spannend, hatte aber stellenweise den Eindruck, dass manche von ihnen eher performativ bis oberflächlich als wirklich durchlebt beschrieben wurden.
Imani Thompson schreibt wütend, klug, verstörend und irritiert uns. Hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Ich würde den Roman vor allem Menschen empfehlen, die „So in etwa ist es geschehen“ von Sharon Dodua Otoo mochten oder „Traumaland“ und „Betrachtungen einer Barbarin“ von Asal Dardan (die den Roman ins Deutsche übersetzt hat). Und wenn ihr Danger Dans „Keine Angst“ gern hört… lesen!
Queer BIPOC Darc Academia meets critical theory seminar. Wer dieses Buch liest, spart sich vllt ein ganzes Modul o. Fortbildungsseminar zu „Kritische Theorie kritisieren und radikalisieren oder radikal resignieren?“
Wir sind nicht die Guten. Aber wir können dieses Buch lesen, hören, markieren, dazu recherchieren und uns und unser Handeln hinterfragen.
Während ich Ysra auf ihrem Weg durch die letzten Schritte ihrer Dissertation, und ganz nebenbei auch bei ihren Morden in Camebridge begleite, stellt sich bei mir irgendwann dieses unangenehme, fast körperliche Gefühl ein: dass hier nicht einfach eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit mit Hilfe von sehr aktiver und ethisch fragwürdiger aber nachvollziehbarer Feldforschung bearbeitet wird, sondern eine ganze Biografie, ein ganzes Selbstverständnis ins Rutschen gerät. Der Roman beschäftigt mich sehr, weil die Autorin nie bloß erzählt, sondern konsequent existentielle Daseinsfragen stellt, also radikal, sehr radikal Schmerz, Wut, Gewalt, Überleben und Moral verhandelt.
Es geht um Rassismus und Sexismus, um Macht und Herrschaft, um Intersektionalität, um werten und bewertet werden, um „Afropessimismus“ und vor allem um die Frage, was passiert, wenn kritische und postkoloniale Theorie und Gewaltforschung selbst Teil einer Krise werden.
Man merkt der Autorin an, dass sie sich tief in diese Denkbewegungen hineingeschrieben hat, aber auch nicht davor zurückschreckt, sie zu radikal ehrlich zu befragen.
Ysra hat mich so sehr beeindruckt. Ysra trägt diverse Identitäten in sich die ständig neu miteinander füreinander und gegeneinander arbeiten. Ich habe sie nicht als rotzige und aufrichtige Antiheldin gelesen, als Überlebende, die sich weigert, die Rolle „des guten Opfers“ einzunehmen. Der Roman fordert meines Erachtens ziemlich radikal die Frage ein, ob wir (Trauma-)Überlebende nur dann aushalten können, wenn sie moralisch akzeptabel, leidend, einverständig und am Ende irgendwie versöhnlich sind.
Auch die queeren Charaktete fand ich spannend, hatte aber stellenweise den Eindruck, dass manche von ihnen eher performativ bis oberflächlich als wirklich durchlebt beschrieben wurden.
Imani Thompson schreibt wütend, klug, verstörend und irritiert uns. Hat mir sehr gut gefallen.
Ich würde den Roman vor allem Menschen empfehlen, die „So in etwa ist es geschehen“ von Sharon Dodua Otoo mochten oder „Traumaland“ und „Betrachtungen einer Barbarin“ von Asal Dardan (die den Roman ins Deutsche übersetzt hat). Und wenn ihr Danger Dans „Keine Angst“ gern hört… lesen!
Queer BIPOC Darc Academia meets critical theory seminar. Wer dieses Buch liest, spart sich vllt ein ganzes Modul o. Fortbildungsseminar zu „Kritische Theorie kritisieren und radikalisieren oder radikal resignieren?“
Wir sind nicht die Guten. Aber wir können dieses Buch lesen, hören, markieren, dazu recherchieren und uns und unser Handeln hinterfragen.
May 25, 2026
2.5 rounded down
This had a good premise but it was so slow. Definitely not a horror or thriller and that’s quite disappointing. I fully expected an unhinged serial killer and instead I felt like the entire book was written as if it’s a paper that she was working on and not an in depth look into a Black woman killing men.
Sigh. I was planning to choose this book for my book club but I just can’t do it to them lol.
I had high expectations for this book and I’m really disappointed that I didn’t like it more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
This had a good premise but it was so slow. Definitely not a horror or thriller and that’s quite disappointing. I fully expected an unhinged serial killer and instead I felt like the entire book was written as if it’s a paper that she was working on and not an in depth look into a Black woman killing men.
Sigh. I was planning to choose this book for my book club but I just can’t do it to them lol.
I had high expectations for this book and I’m really disappointed that I didn’t like it more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
February 8, 2026
I think this was trying to do too much in a small book. Yrsa was deeply unlikeable and not an interesting morally grey way, but more annoying and lack of development. There were so many plot lines and themes weaved throughout this story and none of them felt developed enough to be entertaining or even worthwhile. Honestly I really thought this was going to be a great feminist thriller, but it was a drag to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #Honey #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #Honey #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 16, 2026
I'm so mad at how this was marketed and the fact this boring story got published at all. There is nothing feminist about it when the main character is defined by her boredom. So the motive to kill men is boredom. Not righteous anger, or misandry, just boredom.
Boredom that isn't even enough to have Yrsa not desiring and enjoy the attention of several men even at the expense of her female friends. She is a bird who studies feminism without ever putting it to practice.
And Thompson seems just as misguided on what genre she wanted to write and what said genre demands. This story leans closest to a character study but falls flat because her idea of a thriller is withholding context to the point her character is only understood in the last few chapters of her book which means overall she wrote 20% of an interesting story.
I find this so insulting to feminism and honestly I'm disgusted by my complete and utter confusion when it comes to what this author could've possibly thought she was achieving in this story.
This story that adds nothing to feminism, femme fatales, intersectionality, or any theme it disgraces with its surface level attention. So ridiculous
Boredom that isn't even enough to have Yrsa not desiring and enjoy the attention of several men even at the expense of her female friends. She is a bird who studies feminism without ever putting it to practice.
And Thompson seems just as misguided on what genre she wanted to write and what said genre demands. This story leans closest to a character study but falls flat because her idea of a thriller is withholding context to the point her character is only understood in the last few chapters of her book which means overall she wrote 20% of an interesting story.
I find this so insulting to feminism and honestly I'm disgusted by my complete and utter confusion when it comes to what this author could've possibly thought she was achieving in this story.
This story that adds nothing to feminism, femme fatales, intersectionality, or any theme it disgraces with its surface level attention. So ridiculous
August 23, 2026
unbedingt lesen!!! 5/5 🌟
(witzig, dass die negativen rezensionen ausgerechnet von weißen frauen stammen LOL)
im mittelpunkt steht yrsa, die als schwarze frau in einer von männern und weißen akademischen eliten geprägten welt lebt. dabei wird deutlich, dass sie gleichzeitig mit sexistischen und rassistischen strukturen konfrontiert ist. besonders gut fand ich, wie imani thompson das thema intersektionalität in die geschichte einbringt. auch diejenigen leser*innen werden in diesem roman an das thema herangeführt, die sich damit vielleicht vorher noch nie beschäftigt haben. feminismus bedeutet nicht für alle frauen das gleiche. für mich war es einfach „schön“ und wichtig, diese perspektive so zentral in einem roman zu lesen.
wer über feminismus spricht, muss auch darüber sprechen, welche frauen dabei eigentlich gemeint sind und welche perspektiven oft übersehen werden
(witzig, dass die negativen rezensionen ausgerechnet von weißen frauen stammen LOL)
im mittelpunkt steht yrsa, die als schwarze frau in einer von männern und weißen akademischen eliten geprägten welt lebt. dabei wird deutlich, dass sie gleichzeitig mit sexistischen und rassistischen strukturen konfrontiert ist. besonders gut fand ich, wie imani thompson das thema intersektionalität in die geschichte einbringt. auch diejenigen leser*innen werden in diesem roman an das thema herangeführt, die sich damit vielleicht vorher noch nie beschäftigt haben. feminismus bedeutet nicht für alle frauen das gleiche. für mich war es einfach „schön“ und wichtig, diese perspektive so zentral in einem roman zu lesen.
wer über feminismus spricht, muss auch darüber sprechen, welche frauen dabei eigentlich gemeint sind und welche perspektiven oft übersehen werden
March 29, 2026
2.5 stars | Thank you to Random House Publishing and Net Galley for this advance reader copy.
Oh, Honey. Beautiful cover. British Caribbean author. I was drawn in. Black woman raging. Self-distruction beyond return.
Honey follows Yrsa, a bored, liberal PHD student at Cambridge, whose chosen dissertation prompts a quest to justify violence and murder for the sake of feminist and racial solidarity. She plots and attacks men who’ve done her or her friends wrong, men who pose a perceived threat to society.
This book falls short to me as the FMC is incredibly unlikeable — to the point where it is hard to see how she is or could be successful in fostering meaningful relationships with friends, family, and partners. She is so judgmental and critical of everyone she encounters. It clouds any argument she makes to support her actions. The high she feels from her first and subsequent kills propel her forward. When a gross miscalculation occurs that results in an “unwarranted death”, Yrsa blips past her guilt and kills again on a whim. It was all very jarring which I’m sure was the intent. In the end, I was left feeling conflicted on the overall message.
Oh, Honey. Beautiful cover. British Caribbean author. I was drawn in. Black woman raging. Self-distruction beyond return.
Honey follows Yrsa, a bored, liberal PHD student at Cambridge, whose chosen dissertation prompts a quest to justify violence and murder for the sake of feminist and racial solidarity. She plots and attacks men who’ve done her or her friends wrong, men who pose a perceived threat to society.
This book falls short to me as the FMC is incredibly unlikeable — to the point where it is hard to see how she is or could be successful in fostering meaningful relationships with friends, family, and partners. She is so judgmental and critical of everyone she encounters. It clouds any argument she makes to support her actions. The high she feels from her first and subsequent kills propel her forward. When a gross miscalculation occurs that results in an “unwarranted death”, Yrsa blips past her guilt and kills again on a whim. It was all very jarring which I’m sure was the intent. In the end, I was left feeling conflicted on the overall message.
May 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing and ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
This is one of those books that grips you from the beginning and dares you to look away. The FMC is just fascinating - she is incredibly smart, yet deeply flawed and completely unhinged. This story touches on some fairly morally grey areas without trying to clean them up which I love! It made me uncomfortable…but in a good way. The pacing was perfect and delivered exactly what I needed when I needed it.
It was unique and addictive. Highly recommended.
This is one of those books that grips you from the beginning and dares you to look away. The FMC is just fascinating - she is incredibly smart, yet deeply flawed and completely unhinged. This story touches on some fairly morally grey areas without trying to clean them up which I love! It made me uncomfortable…but in a good way. The pacing was perfect and delivered exactly what I needed when I needed it.
It was unique and addictive. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2026
3.5 stars
Meet Ysra, a graduate student working on completing her PHD and navigating both family and romantic relationships. Sometimes, Ysra gets bored, and as a way of exploring her feminism, Ysra enjoys killing bad men. This debut novel certainly had ( for me) the same vibe as My Sister, the Serial Killer.
It would probably make a fellow reviewer uneasy if I claimed: "OMG, I loved this!" So I will start by saying it did take me a few chapters to get a grip on the storyline's pacing and the who's who of characters in her academic world. Ysra is a British woman of Jamaican descent, and there's a lot of pressure on her to excel; albeit she is quite successful, yet she doesn't feel fulfilled by her life. She's a morally grey protagonist because while it's clear what she is doing is wrong (murder), I felt some empathy for her and just wanted her to get her happy ending.
I credit Imani Thompson with creating such a compelling protagonist for readers to debate. I look forward to what she writes next.
#Honey #NetGalley
Publication Date 05/05/26
Goodreads Review 26/07/26
Meet Ysra, a graduate student working on completing her PHD and navigating both family and romantic relationships. Sometimes, Ysra gets bored, and as a way of exploring her feminism, Ysra enjoys killing bad men. This debut novel certainly had ( for me) the same vibe as My Sister, the Serial Killer.
It would probably make a fellow reviewer uneasy if I claimed: "OMG, I loved this!" So I will start by saying it did take me a few chapters to get a grip on the storyline's pacing and the who's who of characters in her academic world. Ysra is a British woman of Jamaican descent, and there's a lot of pressure on her to excel; albeit she is quite successful, yet she doesn't feel fulfilled by her life. She's a morally grey protagonist because while it's clear what she is doing is wrong (murder), I felt some empathy for her and just wanted her to get her happy ending.
I credit Imani Thompson with creating such a compelling protagonist for readers to debate. I look forward to what she writes next.
#Honey #NetGalley
Publication Date 05/05/26
Goodreads Review 26/07/26
June 9, 2026
Yrsa, Yrsa, Yrsa. Gurrrlll!
October 4, 2026
A book that dares to ask the question, "What if Raskolnikov was a bad bitch?"
I loved the slow reveal of how each seemingly unimportant piece of information throughout the book converged to make a cohesive whole.
Yrsa is the ultimate difficult woman protagonist. I really enjoyed how she was so determined to fit her descent into murder, mayhem, and madness in with the readings for her PhD thesis, and her irritation when she accidentally begins disproving her own theories.
I didn't mind the abrupt ending (and it IS abrupt), but like others, I wish a few more loose ends had been tied up before Yrsa leaves us hanging.
This was a fantastic debut, and I'm really looking forward to whatever Imani Thompson does next.
I loved the slow reveal of how each seemingly unimportant piece of information throughout the book converged to make a cohesive whole.
Yrsa is the ultimate difficult woman protagonist. I really enjoyed how she was so determined to fit her descent into murder, mayhem, and madness in with the readings for her PhD thesis, and her irritation when she accidentally begins disproving her own theories.
I didn't mind the abrupt ending (and it IS abrupt), but like others, I wish a few more loose ends had been tied up before Yrsa leaves us hanging.
This was a fantastic debut, and I'm really looking forward to whatever Imani Thompson does next.
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