The synopsis claimed it was comic but... I just didn't get too much in the way of comedy, frankly. They nailed the dark bit at least. At no point did I think it was dark humor, though, just... bleak darkness. And that is a very different thing. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Wilhelmina and her peers must confront their deepest fears and insecurities. Their bonds of friendship and trust are put to the test as they navigate the treacherous landscape, seeking the truth and striving to stop the impending catastrophe.

As I said above, Watson is an accomplished writer. I won’t say I am sorry I read this, but I wouldn’t read it again. I would, however, give her work another try for the plot machinations and world building alone. One morning, they wake to find an impaled corpse dangling from their research base. They uncover collusion and conspiracy in their own diplomatic corps, and are caught in the middle of a bloody civil war. Meanwhile, a fanatic encourages the threat of a forgotten god and its virus. This book is an absolute experience, which might be a hit or miss, depending on finding the adequate reader; for moments, you can feel your brain melting by the amount of small details fit inside. Watson shows an excellent use of the prose to jump between different genres, but maintaining the continuity in the plot; it is difficult to think that this is a debut novel. This is important for those who want to make sure they are getting genuine manuka honey. While all honeys have antiseptic qualities, manuka honey has a naturally occurring element called methylglyoxal (MGO) and it is this that makes manuka honey so special and sought after. Despite the often gruesome and gory and off-putting things that happen in the novel, it is funny at times, mainly in the dialogue. The main characters, except for one, are woefully inept at the situation they find themself in, and their frustration and sometimes rants are quite entertaining. I will admit I laughed in a few places, as much as in others I was reading with my hand over my mouth. Yet, while that stuff is gross, it’s somehow palatable, perhaps because the prose is quite detached from the story and therefore almost distances you from it. The book is bleak, so this stuff fits with the tone, or at least most of it (there were two things I don’t think it needed, gore-wise).The grading system used by Watson & Son is the Molan Gold Standard – MGS – and this is based on the research of Professor Peter Molan, who discovered the unique qualities of manuka honey. Watson & Son 10+ Manuka Honey has an MGO level of 300+, which means it has 300+ mg of MGO per kg. This is not a book for the faint of heart or folks looking for a feel-good read; it is incredibly graphic, bloody, and gory, so if that is something that you do not tolerate well, I'd recommend against reading.

This company was founded by the Watson family in Wairarapa and is now owned by Ngai Tahu who are the main Maori iwi of New Zealand’s South Island. Watson & Son is now a well-recognised and coveted global brand, known for the purity and high quality of its Manuka Honey. So why didn’t I like it, given that Watson is such an accomplished writer on a technical level? Once I finished the novel I wasn’t sure exactly what Watson was trying to do here. The ending left me with an empty feeling and a kind of shrug. It wasn’t a story where we follow the smart, evil character to their eventual triumph and where the pleasure is watching them out scheme everyone else. It wasn’t a conventional horror/everyone dies ending either. The publisher’s blurb mentions nihilism and careening towards annihilation, which might be the best way to sum it up. Maybe the novel is supposed to be a paean to nihilism?

New in Series

A befuddling political sci-fi set on a world with a fascinating disease, Lessons in Bird Watching is dark, confounding, and very odd. Wilhelmina Ming and her four peers are researching the time distorting disease, and honestly, the whole research has turned into a hell for their minds; they are spectators of acts of brutality that go totally against their logic. To cope with this, they decide to use unconventional methods, such as psychedelics and group acts; after a particularly hard night, they awake to a really disturbant vision, an impaled corpse outside of their residence. Mix three parts honey and one part freshly ground or pure cinnamon (“true” cinnamon) and warm the mixture slightly using the microwave. Apply to your skin and leave the mixture on for 8 to 10 minutes. Rinse off completely using warm water and pat your skin dry. Don’t use if you’re allergic to cinnamon. Honey for skin lightening and brightening