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protoman21's review
3.0
Well, I was looking for something different, and I certainly got that. It started out interesting enough, but the longer it went on, the more I stopped caring. I think partly because there was only really the one character and although some of the details of the working of the hive was interesting, there was far too much detail that felt made up and not scientific. I certainly applaud Paull for trying something new, but I'm afraid I can't recommend this to anyone.
betseyboo's review
3.0
I thought the concept behind this novel was great, but it failed in different ways for me even though it did give me a very different perspective on bees.
piazelda's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
roseteareads's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Handmaids Tale meets Watership Down is a more apt comparison. Paull pretty much takes the hierarchal structure and life cycle of a bee to create a story that reads like a engaging dystopian novel. I love the elements of worldbuilding that she incorporates with how hives IRL actually function.
drsurgeonguy's review
5.0
Gosh I hate that "X meets Y!" tagline...
It's like a book that Don Bluth would've made a movie of, and the ending made me cry.
it's not very realistic to bees, is the main criticism I hear and just... I mean, bees don't talk, and sometimes facts need to be sidelined for the sake of the story.
One of the best stand-a-lone books I've read in years.
It's like a book that Don Bluth would've made a movie of, and the ending made me cry.
it's not very realistic to bees, is the main criticism I hear and just... I mean, bees don't talk, and sometimes facts need to be sidelined for the sake of the story.
One of the best stand-a-lone books I've read in years.
hkaube's review
4.0
Interesting all the way through but it wasn't until about half way through that I really started to get invested in the characters and story. Still, it was like no other story I've read before and for that alone, it was well worth it!
jewelleryjen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dltreads17's review against another edition
4.0
You know, I actually liked this book. And after reading it, I started looking up "Bees" to know more.
_kieralou's review against another edition
4.0
"Desire is sin. Vanity is sin. Idleness is sin. Discord is sin. Greed is sin. Accept, Obey and Serve."
I really should have learned from Watership Down that stories about animals are rarely fun and cuddly.
This was a really interesting book, told from the perspective of Flora 717, a sanitation bee at the bottom of her hive's hierarchy. As the hive experiences troubles and Flora saves it repeatedly, she threatens to turn the bees' way of life on its head.
The society created is so interesting, what with the social hierarchy, the relationships between the bees and the biology involved. It gave me major The Handmaid's Tale vibes, what with the strong religious influence on the bees' lives and the violence in response to the slightest error.
It was an incredible read that has definitely made me more aware of bees and want to plant loads of flowers for them.
I really should have learned from Watership Down that stories about animals are rarely fun and cuddly.
This was a really interesting book, told from the perspective of Flora 717, a sanitation bee at the bottom of her hive's hierarchy. As the hive experiences troubles and Flora saves it repeatedly, she threatens to turn the bees' way of life on its head.
The society created is so interesting, what with the social hierarchy, the relationships between the bees and the biology involved. It gave me major The Handmaid's Tale vibes, what with the strong religious influence on the bees' lives and the violence in response to the slightest error.
It was an incredible read that has definitely made me more aware of bees and want to plant loads of flowers for them.