Reviews

Recommend the audiobook narration. I really think it added significant value to the story. It’s a short read. The use of cutesy characters to deliver a message about adult themes like war and radicalism reminded me of maybe an Antione de Saint-Exupéry book. Short, fast-paced book that offers both protagonist and ensemble perspectives.

mmarques's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging hopeful lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I loved this book! The beekeeper is such a lovely character. The beekeeper is somewhat oblivious to, but also affected by the growing Islamic fundamentalism.

carysjw's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

valodniece's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

A brilliant political parable highlighting the dangers of fundamentalism, using a mild-mannered beekeeper and his fight against murderous hornets as its main vessel. For a story covering so much dark matter, it is remarkably soft, focusing on community and problem-solving - but without forgetting that sometimes the solution to a problem can only take one form.

mipa_jt's review

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

booking_along's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.5

i can see why other people might love this but it wasn’t for me.

it was a strange mixture of metaphoric representation and heavy handed commentary without actually coming out and saying what’s is really meant.
also if you don’t have at least a basic knowledge of the politics and a bit of the history of where this book is set most of it will just be over your head.

i think this has its readers.

for me at this time - it wasn’t for me.

superchemgirl's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

More...