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The Hive
Dystopian monarchy meets murder mystery - the perfect new YA obsession. A thrillingly original YA murder mystery, perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Justice is merciless in The Hive, a monarchy of tomorrow, where young bodyguard Feldspar awaits execution, guilty of being alive when her charge is dead.
The girl has one defender – Niko, a royal maverick. Together they have three days to prove the impossible.
Three days to question everything Feldspar knows about the world that raised her and discover who the real murderer is . . .
A dystopian story featuring a dangerous future monarchy and a richly imagined world based on the society of bees. With themes of ecology, science, politics and class hierarchy.
Justice is merciless in The Hive, a monarchy of tomorrow, where young bodyguard Feldspar awaits execution, guilty of being alive when her charge is dead.
The girl has one defender – Niko, a royal maverick. Together they have three days to prove the impossible.
Three days to question everything Feldspar knows about the world that raised her and discover who the real murderer is . . .
A dystopian story featuring a dangerous future monarchy and a richly imagined world based on the society of bees. With themes of ecology, science, politics and class hierarchy.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
21 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 6, 2025
This was great.
The murder mystery was super interesting and it made you try to also solve the murders, not just be a spectator.
The characters are well developed and relatable. Feldspar most of all. Her character development is astonishing and there’s no ridiculousness of change from one chapter to another, it’s slow and she progressively finds out who she really is without actually forgetting who she was before.
It was entertaining and eye opening at times. There’s a lot we can take from this in the real world nowadays, and that’s scary considering this is a dystopian novel.
A must read, that’s for sure!
The murder mystery was super interesting and it made you try to also solve the murders, not just be a spectator.
The characters are well developed and relatable. Feldspar most of all. Her character development is astonishing and there’s no ridiculousness of change from one chapter to another, it’s slow and she progressively finds out who she really is without actually forgetting who she was before.
It was entertaining and eye opening at times. There’s a lot we can take from this in the real world nowadays, and that’s scary considering this is a dystopian novel.
A must read, that’s for sure!
March 30, 2025
4.5⭐
This was such a gripping read from the start, I would class this as a murder mystery at the forefront set in a dystopian society with a little bit of the fantasy element and the romance not being the main focus of the story but still really enjoyable.
Once I started I finished this within two days, though quite easily could have finished it in one sitting it was that good, the setting and especially the society was what I found so interesting and along with the storyline made the book a standout for me. It just had such a wonderful and engaging premise with beautiful writing and the murder mystery kept me turning the page, everything was developed and moved at such a good pace from start to finish.
The characters felt so well developed and the relationships between them and their interactions were filled with so many genuine moments that made it feel all the more realistic.
This was just such an enjoyable YA dystopian murder mystery and I'm so happy to see the return of dystopian stories as it has always been a favourite type of book for me to read.
Thank you so much to the publisher for the proof copy and for the opportunity to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
This was such a gripping read from the start, I would class this as a murder mystery at the forefront set in a dystopian society with a little bit of the fantasy element and the romance not being the main focus of the story but still really enjoyable.
Once I started I finished this within two days, though quite easily could have finished it in one sitting it was that good, the setting and especially the society was what I found so interesting and along with the storyline made the book a standout for me. It just had such a wonderful and engaging premise with beautiful writing and the murder mystery kept me turning the page, everything was developed and moved at such a good pace from start to finish.
The characters felt so well developed and the relationships between them and their interactions were filled with so many genuine moments that made it feel all the more realistic.
This was just such an enjoyable YA dystopian murder mystery and I'm so happy to see the return of dystopian stories as it has always been a favourite type of book for me to read.
Thank you so much to the publisher for the proof copy and for the opportunity to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
April 1, 2025
What I like about this author is that she writes "strong female characters" who are also fragile, if you know what I mean. They are fierce and brave and refuse to give up, but they are also sad and scared and struggling to understand the world. People can be both. People ARE both.
The Hive is a solid murder mystery. I guessed some parts of the solution but not all. It worked for me though mainly because it's more than a murder mystery. There's an environmental message in there, and an exploration of personal loss, and a lot about the importance of questioning our belief systems. A hint of romance, though it's most definitely not a romantasy. It's very easy to read, set in an interesting bee-based society, and the plot has lots of twists and turns.
I would definitely recommend The Hive to my teens in the library, and I think it would appeal to boys as well as to girls.
The Hive is a solid murder mystery. I guessed some parts of the solution but not all. It worked for me though mainly because it's more than a murder mystery. There's an environmental message in there, and an exploration of personal loss, and a lot about the importance of questioning our belief systems. A hint of romance, though it's most definitely not a romantasy. It's very easy to read, set in an interesting bee-based society, and the plot has lots of twists and turns.
I would definitely recommend The Hive to my teens in the library, and I think it would appeal to boys as well as to girls.
December 5, 2025
Wow. I wasn’t expecting this to be so good. I bought it on a whim at a book festival where the author was doing a signing. I liked the cover, love fantasy, and wanted to support some writers. Anyway, I was hooked from the start. The main character is such a joy. A strong woman who is flawed and it doesn’t feel over done, or cliched, or trying to make a point. The murder mystery element is really good. I didn’t guess, and the ending was a great surprise but believable all the same. I’m looking forward to the sequel. I would say this is suitable from 12 years +, but I’m an adult and really liked it.
April 8, 2025
This is @anna.february.author debut & I’m honestly impressed!! I was completely pulled into the hive-like monarchy world. I loved how the author navigated the main character’s guilt, grief & loneliness in this story. It was so sad but gratifying to see a character at war with herself & by the end of the book finally gain a sense of belonging she so deserved. There’s a few moments that may have stung my heart with all the feels ‘Not obligation. Friendship.’ & ‘Her absence is like a near-fatal wound: it hurts all the time, but it doesn’t take much to make it hurt more’!!😭
If you love reading YA murder mysteries with dystopian settings & crumbs of romance (but they’re like the best crumbs you’ve ever eaten) then this one’s for you!💛
Thank you @chickenhousebooks & @anna.february.author for gifting me this beautiful proof!💛🥹
If you love reading YA murder mysteries with dystopian settings & crumbs of romance (but they’re like the best crumbs you’ve ever eaten) then this one’s for you!💛
Thank you @chickenhousebooks & @anna.february.author for gifting me this beautiful proof!💛🥹
March 12, 2025
I was lucky enough to get a proof copy from Chicken House Books, the publisher, and this is my honest review.
This book was fast-paced, engaging and intelligent. Set in a future society remodelled on a bee hive, it's a dark and dystopian tale. When future queens start getting murdered, Feldspar is the prime suspect. Along with enigmatic Niko, can she prove her innocence and protect the royal family?
I read this book in two days and couldn't wait to see what happened next. I'll definitely be buying more of the author's books.
This book was fast-paced, engaging and intelligent. Set in a future society remodelled on a bee hive, it's a dark and dystopian tale. When future queens start getting murdered, Feldspar is the prime suspect. Along with enigmatic Niko, can she prove her innocence and protect the royal family?
I read this book in two days and couldn't wait to see what happened next. I'll definitely be buying more of the author's books.
April 9, 2025
4.5~
that was addictive!!
that was addictive!!
May 30, 2025
'Objects are cruel,' Niko says behind me. 'They don't have the decency to change when someone dies. They lie in wait, ready to make your throat ache with memories.'
I'm rating this based on what I think the teens I know would rate it.
A YA/dystopian/murder mystery that starts slow but picks up pace towards the end.
I have to say I was impressed at how the author managed to weave together the loose ends - just as I was starting to feel indignant about the lack of anyone with a cut arm, the final twist in the plot was revealed.
There's a LOT going on in this book, almost too much. However, the dystopian world concept was intriguing and would be something I'd have liked to see developed further.
I feel like although the large family was necessary to the plot, it meant that the first half of the book left the characters feeling very two-dimensional so that I didnt immediately care who did it or what happened to the protagonist - this changed closer to the end. The complex world building contributed to this as there was a ton of info dumping on who is who and how things worked that interrupted key conversations, so I kept losing the thread of events. I remember the first time I felt like anyone showed any proper personality was Flint on p.247 talking about food in the workroom. The characters slowly start to feel more natural after that for me.
One question I'm left with is about Astrapē. It definitely feels like a nod to Pullman's daemons, but the author goes to extreme lengths to make sure that Feldspar has never seen a Bee before, and has never heard of various other things. We are told that there are gulls, and rats but there isn't any mention of other creatures until Feldspar's first trip to the Honeycomb. There's just something that doesn't ring true about the way she just knows that Astrapē is a moth, or a salamander, or a snake, yet doesn't recognise countless other symbols including the Bee. It's not a major issue, just a niggle that bugged me at the end.
I'm rating this based on what I think the teens I know would rate it.
A YA/dystopian/murder mystery that starts slow but picks up pace towards the end.
I have to say I was impressed at how the author managed to weave together the loose ends - just as I was starting to feel indignant about the lack of anyone with a cut arm, the final twist in the plot was revealed.
There's a LOT going on in this book, almost too much. However, the dystopian world concept was intriguing and would be something I'd have liked to see developed further.
I feel like although the large family was necessary to the plot, it meant that the first half of the book left the characters feeling very two-dimensional so that I didnt immediately care who did it or what happened to the protagonist - this changed closer to the end. The complex world building contributed to this as there was a ton of info dumping on who is who and how things worked that interrupted key conversations, so I kept losing the thread of events. I remember the first time I felt like anyone showed any proper personality was Flint on p.247 talking about food in the workroom. The characters slowly start to feel more natural after that for me.
One question I'm left with is about Astrapē. It definitely feels like a nod to Pullman's daemons, but the author goes to extreme lengths to make sure that Feldspar has never seen a Bee before, and has never heard of various other things. We are told that there are gulls, and rats but there isn't any mention of other creatures until Feldspar's first trip to the Honeycomb. There's just something that doesn't ring true about the way she just knows that Astrapē is a moth, or a salamander, or a snake, yet doesn't recognise countless other symbols including the Bee. It's not a major issue, just a niggle that bugged me at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
4,5⭐
In einer dystopischen Welt scheint nichts mehr zu sein, wie man es beigebracht bekommen hat...
"The Hive" hat mich an abgewandelte Hunger Games mit Krimi-Elementen erinnert. Die Story war sehr flüssig, es gab mehrere Plottwists und das Ende habe ich so nicht kommen sehen.
Was ich mir aber gewünscht hätte, wäre eine Karte des Hives und ein ausführlicheres Personenverzeichnis, ich hab mich manchmal sehr verloren gefühlt...
In einer dystopischen Welt scheint nichts mehr zu sein, wie man es beigebracht bekommen hat...
"The Hive" hat mich an abgewandelte Hunger Games mit Krimi-Elementen erinnert. Die Story war sehr flüssig, es gab mehrere Plottwists und das Ende habe ich so nicht kommen sehen.
Was ich mir aber gewünscht hätte, wäre eine Karte des Hives und ein ausführlicheres Personenverzeichnis, ich hab mich manchmal sehr verloren gefühlt...
May 15, 2025
This was such an interesting book! The world was well thought out in my opinion, and the story was very intriguing. It definitely had me hooked! For me it was a little slower in the middle, but towards the end it picked up again and I just could not put it down! If you like dystopian books with a unique twist, this one is for you!
December 30, 2025
Interesting storyline.
June 25, 2025
The book did a really good job describing the thought process and mental fortitude needed to break conditioning/socialisation. Really well done!
June 19, 2025
Plot 4.25/5
Characters 4.25/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 4.25/5
Overall 4.25/5
-If you want an easy dystopian book to get into, this one is great. Although I have to be honest that when reading it, it felt much like a fantasy book but without to many magical elements or mythical creatures and realms. The whole living like bees feels like fantasy to me but it is a dystopian book which is revealed why all throughout the book. I like the system and the hierarchy. Each character has their own role and they have to follow it unless causing imbalance but still eventually being outlived by their "betters". The plot itself was fun and intriguing. I did feel like time went by quite slowly in the book, meaning that at the end, only a week or so had passed.
-The characters were good. As I said that to my a week passed, the relationship felt too rushed for that short space of time. To be fair, the characters never actually officially get together all lovey dovey but I assume that they do in the very near future. Individually I liked them. Feldspar was interesting but she did seem a little obsessive at times, and with the bond and all, I could understand to some extent. Niko was cute. Great guy.
-There were quite a few plot twists I hadn’t expected in this book. From one to the other, I hadn’t prepared myself for that so I was pleasantly surprised to see some twists and turns to the story because it felt quite straight forward. The ending itself was a little disappointing to be honest but I’ll forgive it.
Characters 4.25/5
Ending 4/5
Interest 4.25/5
Overall 4.25/5
-If you want an easy dystopian book to get into, this one is great. Although I have to be honest that when reading it, it felt much like a fantasy book but without to many magical elements or mythical creatures and realms. The whole living like bees feels like fantasy to me but it is a dystopian book which is revealed why all throughout the book. I like the system and the hierarchy. Each character has their own role and they have to follow it unless causing imbalance but still eventually being outlived by their "betters". The plot itself was fun and intriguing. I did feel like time went by quite slowly in the book, meaning that at the end, only a week or so had passed.
-The characters were good. As I said that to my a week passed, the relationship felt too rushed for that short space of time. To be fair, the characters never actually officially get together all lovey dovey but I assume that they do in the very near future. Individually I liked them. Feldspar was interesting but she did seem a little obsessive at times, and with the bond and all, I could understand to some extent. Niko was cute. Great guy.
-There were quite a few plot twists I hadn’t expected in this book. From one to the other, I hadn’t prepared myself for that so I was pleasantly surprised to see some twists and turns to the story because it felt quite straight forward. The ending itself was a little disappointing to be honest but I’ll forgive it.
May 5, 2025
The Hive: a world- decades, maybe centuries, from now. Climate disaster has wrought havoc on the lands; most of the population has died; of those who have survived, most are infertile. The ability to procreate has led to a new elite surfacing, with the power to cull the population in violent displays known as Winnowings…
Fans of Laline Paulls’ ‘The Bees’ will be familiar with the tight, cellular set-up of a beehive; the ruthless order, which prioritises the survival of the colony over individual needs. All of which have been used by Anna February to create a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere for her YA murder mystery.
I really enjoyed the discomfiting setting of this book. It’s interesting to imagine a new world built from scratch in the future, mimicking our pre-industrial past, as innovation had become our species’ greatest enemy. This is a neo-medieval society, complete with a feudal-type arrangement: carders, cutters, handmaidens, couriers serving the ascendants, protected by a knightly class of Shields, with whom they are unbreakably bonded from birth. These ascendants, all have the potential to accede to power if they impress and of course, if they survive. And at the top of the pile? The Apex- a group of seven royal-born individuals, who have proven they have what it takes to rule the Hive for the greater good and to keep the bloodline going.
When Euphemie, an ascendant-on-the-rise is murdered, the Hive is unsettled but not for long; her shield, Feldspar is arrested for the murder and the case seems closed. Until the second murder, that is…
Feldspar is a great lead- as someone who had previously bought into the rhetoric and traditions of the Hive, her precarious situation throws everything open and we watch her world unravel in real time. Incidentally, ‘Feldspar’ would immediately enter my Top 10 list of character names …if I had one. Anyway, Feldspar’s only hope is to solve the crime of which she is being accused and possibly prevent further murders in the process. With only one ally, Nikolos -the Sixth, himself an outsider, the task is a mighty one.
With the absence of a hive mind, it took me a little while to navigate all of the detail of the world (it is very intricate, as is the plot). That said, I really enjoyed the discovery and I felt I really understood the world and character motivations in time for the most gripping parts of the investigation to come to the fore. The last third is full of exciting twists and really had me guessing.
Interesting, intimate and intricate. A recommended read. 13+
4.5 🌟
Fans of Laline Paulls’ ‘The Bees’ will be familiar with the tight, cellular set-up of a beehive; the ruthless order, which prioritises the survival of the colony over individual needs. All of which have been used by Anna February to create a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere for her YA murder mystery.
I really enjoyed the discomfiting setting of this book. It’s interesting to imagine a new world built from scratch in the future, mimicking our pre-industrial past, as innovation had become our species’ greatest enemy. This is a neo-medieval society, complete with a feudal-type arrangement: carders, cutters, handmaidens, couriers serving the ascendants, protected by a knightly class of Shields, with whom they are unbreakably bonded from birth. These ascendants, all have the potential to accede to power if they impress and of course, if they survive. And at the top of the pile? The Apex- a group of seven royal-born individuals, who have proven they have what it takes to rule the Hive for the greater good and to keep the bloodline going.
When Euphemie, an ascendant-on-the-rise is murdered, the Hive is unsettled but not for long; her shield, Feldspar is arrested for the murder and the case seems closed. Until the second murder, that is…
Feldspar is a great lead- as someone who had previously bought into the rhetoric and traditions of the Hive, her precarious situation throws everything open and we watch her world unravel in real time. Incidentally, ‘Feldspar’ would immediately enter my Top 10 list of character names …if I had one. Anyway, Feldspar’s only hope is to solve the crime of which she is being accused and possibly prevent further murders in the process. With only one ally, Nikolos -the Sixth, himself an outsider, the task is a mighty one.
With the absence of a hive mind, it took me a little while to navigate all of the detail of the world (it is very intricate, as is the plot). That said, I really enjoyed the discovery and I felt I really understood the world and character motivations in time for the most gripping parts of the investigation to come to the fore. The last third is full of exciting twists and really had me guessing.
Interesting, intimate and intricate. A recommended read. 13+
4.5 🌟
April 9, 2025
Thank you to the publisher Chicken House for the ARC, it has not affected my honest review.
Release date: 10th April 2025!
TW: death, murder, violence, injury, grief
The Hive, a world based on the society of bees, is a modern day monarchy dedicated to justice. The lives of everyone within the Hive depend on the royal family, who have been bonded to a bodyguard determined to protect them even into death. Feldspar, guard to Euphemie, has done the impossible: her charge has been murdered and Feldspar is still alive. Sentenced to execution for surviving where Euphemie didn’t, Feldspar refuses to accept that she failed in her lifelong duty. Her only defender is Niko, another royal and master of the dark arts, but even he isn’t fully convinced about her innocence. Given three days to prove everyone wrong, Feldspar and Niko must work together to find out the truth, even as it leads to them both questioning their entire lives- and the society they’re caught up in.
I loved this book so much and raced through it, caught up in the almost claustrophobic world and dynamics of ‘The Hive’ while also trying to solve the mystery behind Euphemie’s murder. Feldspar is an excellent main character, bringing the reader along as she’s forced to confront her worst nightmare- surviving when Euphemie died- and the idea that their entire society is built on the back of others’ suffering. Her gradual realisation that the world she lives in is deeply unfair was brilliantly written, especially as she decides to fight for herself. Niko is a great foil to her, he’s curious and feels deeply despite his privilege and he really does want things to change in the Hive. His references to ‘the dark arts’ always made me laugh and I loved how he consistently had faith they could solve the murders before Feldspar is executed. The tension level throughout ‘The Hive’ is very high, the book takes place in a short space of time, and it never wavers or becomes dull. My favourite scenes took place in the Honeycomb, where regular people live and work in difficult, cramped quarters, as Feldspar and Niko are forced to contend with the exploitation of regular people within their home. The world building is beautiful and very realistic, humanity has taken to the Hive because of global warming and they believe that there’s nothing out in the world left. I really enjoyed this book and I hope there’s a sequel, especially with how this one ended!
Release date: 10th April 2025!
TW: death, murder, violence, injury, grief
The Hive, a world based on the society of bees, is a modern day monarchy dedicated to justice. The lives of everyone within the Hive depend on the royal family, who have been bonded to a bodyguard determined to protect them even into death. Feldspar, guard to Euphemie, has done the impossible: her charge has been murdered and Feldspar is still alive. Sentenced to execution for surviving where Euphemie didn’t, Feldspar refuses to accept that she failed in her lifelong duty. Her only defender is Niko, another royal and master of the dark arts, but even he isn’t fully convinced about her innocence. Given three days to prove everyone wrong, Feldspar and Niko must work together to find out the truth, even as it leads to them both questioning their entire lives- and the society they’re caught up in.
I loved this book so much and raced through it, caught up in the almost claustrophobic world and dynamics of ‘The Hive’ while also trying to solve the mystery behind Euphemie’s murder. Feldspar is an excellent main character, bringing the reader along as she’s forced to confront her worst nightmare- surviving when Euphemie died- and the idea that their entire society is built on the back of others’ suffering. Her gradual realisation that the world she lives in is deeply unfair was brilliantly written, especially as she decides to fight for herself. Niko is a great foil to her, he’s curious and feels deeply despite his privilege and he really does want things to change in the Hive. His references to ‘the dark arts’ always made me laugh and I loved how he consistently had faith they could solve the murders before Feldspar is executed. The tension level throughout ‘The Hive’ is very high, the book takes place in a short space of time, and it never wavers or becomes dull. My favourite scenes took place in the Honeycomb, where regular people live and work in difficult, cramped quarters, as Feldspar and Niko are forced to contend with the exploitation of regular people within their home. The world building is beautiful and very realistic, humanity has taken to the Hive because of global warming and they believe that there’s nothing out in the world left. I really enjoyed this book and I hope there’s a sequel, especially with how this one ended!
March 30, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE HIVE is an intriguing dystopian about a society based on bees with a murder mystery at its heart.
I really enjoyed the murder mystery at the heart of the book - who is behind the murders and why? It twists back and forth, getting more complicated with every clue they find - and the pair have to really work for the clues. No one wants to talk and those who do are lying. It's nicely twisty and works very well to keep you reading, needing to find out who was behind it all - and why go for a seemingly insignificant royal.
The bond between shield and royal also added a great dimension to the mystery. Not only did they need to find out who and why had killed Euphemie, Feldspar's charge, but also how Feldspar had survived.
I really liked this world. Like most dystopias, the society is highly regulated, people having specific jobs they're born into and aren't allowed to change. They're killed when they're no longer useful. However, the way it was modelled on bees nicely helped to differentiate it from other dystopias out there.
The dynamic between Feldspar and Niko was a really natural way for Feldspar to slowly begin questioning everything she'd been taught to think but also to challenge him and his privilege. I liked that it went both ways because initially, he simply appears like a jaded royal, able to see everything clearly. over the course of the book, it becomes clear that - while he is far freer of conditioning than anyone else - his position means he has advantages he cannot recognise. It made it feel far more equal.
I also liked that there were only hints of romance between the pair. Mostly it's friendship and finding someone you can trust to have your back. It makes a really nice change from the romance-centric books currently dominating the market - plus it made sense given this book takes place over a matter of days!
In all, this is a well constructed debut with an engaging murder mystery and a dystopian society that has enough unique elements to stand out from the crowd.
THE HIVE is an intriguing dystopian about a society based on bees with a murder mystery at its heart.
I really enjoyed the murder mystery at the heart of the book - who is behind the murders and why? It twists back and forth, getting more complicated with every clue they find - and the pair have to really work for the clues. No one wants to talk and those who do are lying. It's nicely twisty and works very well to keep you reading, needing to find out who was behind it all - and why go for a seemingly insignificant royal.
The bond between shield and royal also added a great dimension to the mystery. Not only did they need to find out who and why had killed Euphemie, Feldspar's charge, but also how Feldspar had survived.
I really liked this world. Like most dystopias, the society is highly regulated, people having specific jobs they're born into and aren't allowed to change. They're killed when they're no longer useful. However, the way it was modelled on bees nicely helped to differentiate it from other dystopias out there.
The dynamic between Feldspar and Niko was a really natural way for Feldspar to slowly begin questioning everything she'd been taught to think but also to challenge him and his privilege. I liked that it went both ways because initially, he simply appears like a jaded royal, able to see everything clearly. over the course of the book, it becomes clear that - while he is far freer of conditioning than anyone else - his position means he has advantages he cannot recognise. It made it feel far more equal.
I also liked that there were only hints of romance between the pair. Mostly it's friendship and finding someone you can trust to have your back. It makes a really nice change from the romance-centric books currently dominating the market - plus it made sense given this book takes place over a matter of days!
In all, this is a well constructed debut with an engaging murder mystery and a dystopian society that has enough unique elements to stand out from the crowd.
April 19, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this YA dystopian royal murder mystery with a touch of fantasy, a touch of romance (in the best, most healthy way), and wonderful messaging about the importance of knowledge, science, and individuality. A perfect fit for fans of the Hunger Games as it deals with understanding and wanting to change a flawed and dangerous dystopian system that supposedly "keeps everyone safe," but layered with an excellently suspicious Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery that twists and turns and keeps you guessing to the end!
In a future world where sea levels have risen dramatically, a community survives on an island (formerly a mountain peak) in an underground structure called the Hive. The physical structure as well as the structure of society is based upon that of bees, now merely mythical creatures. All must work for the good of the Hive, and sacrifices are expected to be made for the good of the royal family and the Apex that governs them. Royals are protected by shields - people who are bonded to them from birth and raised to protect them because if their charge dies, so do they.
But when Feldspar’s charge - a future queen - is murdered, and she survives, she is suspected of turning on her charge and sentenced to be executed. She has only a few days to clear her name and find out what is really happening in the Hive. Together with an unexpected ally, Feldspar’s eyes are opened to the reality of the community in which she lives - and that it can be changed.
The two main characters are incredibly likeable but also natural and human, with layers and complexity. Their developing relationship is refreshingly healthy and supportive as each navigates the own struggles of their position within The Hive.
Every aspect of this book - the storyline, the pacing, the character development, the world-building, the suspense, and the underlying messaging - is expertly crafted, creating a truly enjoyable reading experience for both the targeted age range (14-18) and adults (I'm 34).
In a future world where sea levels have risen dramatically, a community survives on an island (formerly a mountain peak) in an underground structure called the Hive. The physical structure as well as the structure of society is based upon that of bees, now merely mythical creatures. All must work for the good of the Hive, and sacrifices are expected to be made for the good of the royal family and the Apex that governs them. Royals are protected by shields - people who are bonded to them from birth and raised to protect them because if their charge dies, so do they.
But when Feldspar’s charge - a future queen - is murdered, and she survives, she is suspected of turning on her charge and sentenced to be executed. She has only a few days to clear her name and find out what is really happening in the Hive. Together with an unexpected ally, Feldspar’s eyes are opened to the reality of the community in which she lives - and that it can be changed.
The two main characters are incredibly likeable but also natural and human, with layers and complexity. Their developing relationship is refreshingly healthy and supportive as each navigates the own struggles of their position within The Hive.
Every aspect of this book - the storyline, the pacing, the character development, the world-building, the suspense, and the underlying messaging - is expertly crafted, creating a truly enjoyable reading experience for both the targeted age range (14-18) and adults (I'm 34).
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May 7, 2025In a society that is based on bees, everyone within the civilisation of the Hive are pledged to the royal family, depending on the monarchy for their existence. A young bodyguard named Feldspar is being charged with execution for impossibly surviving whilst her charge, a future Queen, Euphemie, is very much dead. But Feldspar was not the one who murdered her charge, after all she was there when she was shot with a poison arrow—only, the Hive don’t want to hear it, and so she is deemed to have failed her lifelong duty to the Hive and is to be jailed and then, as she had expected, to be killed.
Only, someone comes out in defence of Feldspar, a royal maverick called Niko. Of course, he isn’t sure he fully believes her story, but he is nevertheless strong in his view of at least investigating a possible alternative story. Together, Feldspar is adamant that together, they can prove that she did not do what she is accused of. Given just a few days to prove her innocence before she is to be killed, the two seek out the truth. But in the world of the Hive, a society outwardly condemned to be caught in a repetitive pattern of anguish built on the backs of the lesser, Feldspar and Niko not only have a name to clear and a murder to solve: they begin to question everything about the world that created them.
Overall, The Hive was exhilaratingly compulsive to read, deliciously dark and character driven. I loved how, as the story progresses in a small amount of days, it was bitingly fast-paced, allowing me to lap up the electric buzz of the book. There were many instances where I got the same intricate, woven detail as when I read books like The Hunger Games as a teen, this sort of accomplished story that never failed to grab my attention. It confronts things like privilege, the dark side to a chain of command and the lengths of friendship brilliantly. I really loved the relationship that blossomed between Feldspar and Niko especially, an unwavering bond. I really can’t wait to read more from Anna if the world of The Hive is anything to go by.
Only, someone comes out in defence of Feldspar, a royal maverick called Niko. Of course, he isn’t sure he fully believes her story, but he is nevertheless strong in his view of at least investigating a possible alternative story. Together, Feldspar is adamant that together, they can prove that she did not do what she is accused of. Given just a few days to prove her innocence before she is to be killed, the two seek out the truth. But in the world of the Hive, a society outwardly condemned to be caught in a repetitive pattern of anguish built on the backs of the lesser, Feldspar and Niko not only have a name to clear and a murder to solve: they begin to question everything about the world that created them.
Overall, The Hive was exhilaratingly compulsive to read, deliciously dark and character driven. I loved how, as the story progresses in a small amount of days, it was bitingly fast-paced, allowing me to lap up the electric buzz of the book. There were many instances where I got the same intricate, woven detail as when I read books like The Hunger Games as a teen, this sort of accomplished story that never failed to grab my attention. It confronts things like privilege, the dark side to a chain of command and the lengths of friendship brilliantly. I really loved the relationship that blossomed between Feldspar and Niko especially, an unwavering bond. I really can’t wait to read more from Anna if the world of The Hive is anything to go by.
April 12, 2025
This book is a return to the YA that shaped me. Reading The Hive reminded me of reading The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games, in the best way! This is a murder mystery set in a dystopian colony, with fantasy elements (I’m looking at you Niko’s cute familiar-like animal companion!)
“Justice is merciless in the Hive, a monarchy of tomorrow, where
young bodyguard Feldspar awaits execution, guilty of being alive when her charge is dead. The girl has one defender – Niko, a royal maverick. Together they have three days to prove the impossible. Three days to question everything Feldspar knows about the world that raised her and discover who the real murderer is.”
I zoomed through this, and could have finished it in one sitting if I had the time. The two main characters were incredibly likeable, and watching the friendship grow between them was wonderful. Anna February has written human relationships in a very natural way, with the development of trust a joy to see. I am also thankful this stayed true to original YA and focused on well-written plot and characters, with a hint of a romance and NO “spice”. I am sick of YA books becoming synonymous with sex.
The characters both had their own grief, guilt and loneliness to contend with despite Niko growing up as part of the royal family, and Feldspar a body guard for a royal family member, and it was interesting to see how the way in which they were raised altered their viewpoints. I also really liked the exploration on how ethical a “royal family” is, when non-royals are treated as disposable, and the royals as gods. This topic was excellently dealt with from both sides of the debate, and it felt very relevant given the current political climate of the UK.
Also I did not guess the murderer before the reveal! This makes me happy as good murder mysteries aren’t predicatable. This truly was a brilliant debut, and I am excited to read the writers next book!
“Justice is merciless in the Hive, a monarchy of tomorrow, where
young bodyguard Feldspar awaits execution, guilty of being alive when her charge is dead. The girl has one defender – Niko, a royal maverick. Together they have three days to prove the impossible. Three days to question everything Feldspar knows about the world that raised her and discover who the real murderer is.”
I zoomed through this, and could have finished it in one sitting if I had the time. The two main characters were incredibly likeable, and watching the friendship grow between them was wonderful. Anna February has written human relationships in a very natural way, with the development of trust a joy to see. I am also thankful this stayed true to original YA and focused on well-written plot and characters, with a hint of a romance and NO “spice”. I am sick of YA books becoming synonymous with sex.
The characters both had their own grief, guilt and loneliness to contend with despite Niko growing up as part of the royal family, and Feldspar a body guard for a royal family member, and it was interesting to see how the way in which they were raised altered their viewpoints. I also really liked the exploration on how ethical a “royal family” is, when non-royals are treated as disposable, and the royals as gods. This topic was excellently dealt with from both sides of the debate, and it felt very relevant given the current political climate of the UK.
Also I did not guess the murderer before the reveal! This makes me happy as good murder mysteries aren’t predicatable. This truly was a brilliant debut, and I am excited to read the writers next book!
August 13, 2025
Wenn das System zur Falle wird
The Hive – Wenn die Königin fällt von Anna February verbindet eine fesselnde Mordermittlung mit einer dystopischen Gesellschaft, die so faszinierend wie beklemmend ist. Der Hive, eine streng organisierte Monarchie nach dem Vorbild eines Bienenstocks, lebt nach klaren Regeln: absolute Loyalität zur Königin, Kontrolle über Leben und Tod, Unterordnung zum Wohl des Ganzen. In dieser Welt wird Feldspar, eine ausgebildete Schildwächterin, nach dem Mord an ihrer Prinzessin zur Hauptverdächtigen. Nur drei Tage bleiben, um ihre Unschuld zu beweisen. An ihrer Seite steht Niko, ein Außenseiter des Königshauses, der eigene Zweifel am System hegt. Was als Pflicht beginnt, entwickelt sich zu einer gefährlichen Jagd nach der Wahrheit, bei der jede Entdeckung das fragile Gefüge des Hive zu erschüttern droht.
Das Buch beeindruckt vor allem mit seiner Balance zwischen Spannung und emotionaler Tiefe. Feldspar ist keine unantastbare Heldin, sondern kämpft mit Schuld, Trauer und der Frage, wem in einem System voller Machtspiele noch zu trauen ist. Die Beziehung zu Niko bringt leise, glaubwürdige Wärme in die düstere Atmosphäre, ohne den Fokus von der Hauptgeschichte zu nehmen. Die Welt selbst ist detailreich und logisch durchdacht von den gesellschaftlichen Strukturen bis zu den strengen Ressourcenregeln. Man braucht am Anfang etwas, um alles zu verstehen, aber es macht die Story nicht nur spannend, sondern auch unheimlich greifbar. Neben dem Mordfall entfaltet sich eine Geschichte über Verlust, Freundschaft, Zweifel an festgefahrenen Glaubenssätzen und den Mut, eigene Wege zu gehen.
Ein packender Mix aus Kriminalfall, dystopischem Weltenbau und emotionaler Charakterentwicklung, der spannend und berührend ist und über den man noch länger nachdenkt.
The Hive – Wenn die Königin fällt von Anna February verbindet eine fesselnde Mordermittlung mit einer dystopischen Gesellschaft, die so faszinierend wie beklemmend ist. Der Hive, eine streng organisierte Monarchie nach dem Vorbild eines Bienenstocks, lebt nach klaren Regeln: absolute Loyalität zur Königin, Kontrolle über Leben und Tod, Unterordnung zum Wohl des Ganzen. In dieser Welt wird Feldspar, eine ausgebildete Schildwächterin, nach dem Mord an ihrer Prinzessin zur Hauptverdächtigen. Nur drei Tage bleiben, um ihre Unschuld zu beweisen. An ihrer Seite steht Niko, ein Außenseiter des Königshauses, der eigene Zweifel am System hegt. Was als Pflicht beginnt, entwickelt sich zu einer gefährlichen Jagd nach der Wahrheit, bei der jede Entdeckung das fragile Gefüge des Hive zu erschüttern droht.
Das Buch beeindruckt vor allem mit seiner Balance zwischen Spannung und emotionaler Tiefe. Feldspar ist keine unantastbare Heldin, sondern kämpft mit Schuld, Trauer und der Frage, wem in einem System voller Machtspiele noch zu trauen ist. Die Beziehung zu Niko bringt leise, glaubwürdige Wärme in die düstere Atmosphäre, ohne den Fokus von der Hauptgeschichte zu nehmen. Die Welt selbst ist detailreich und logisch durchdacht von den gesellschaftlichen Strukturen bis zu den strengen Ressourcenregeln. Man braucht am Anfang etwas, um alles zu verstehen, aber es macht die Story nicht nur spannend, sondern auch unheimlich greifbar. Neben dem Mordfall entfaltet sich eine Geschichte über Verlust, Freundschaft, Zweifel an festgefahrenen Glaubenssätzen und den Mut, eigene Wege zu gehen.
Ein packender Mix aus Kriminalfall, dystopischem Weltenbau und emotionaler Charakterentwicklung, der spannend und berührend ist und über den man noch länger nachdenkt.
December 8, 2025
Kurzmeinung: Ein Spaß!
Sind Bienen glücklich?
Die Identität der Autorin bleibt weitgehend im Dunkeln. Man muss ihr attestieren, dass sie ein Händchen für das Genre Young adult hat. Bienenstaat plus dystopischer Touch. Das muss doch funktionieren! Tuts auch.
Die Leserschaft begegnet in der Leibgardistin „Feldspar“ einer jungen Kriegerin, die mit der Hive-Doktrin aufgewachsen ist. Hive first! (Ich bin versucht, hier Späße über „America first“ zu machen). Jeder hat seine ihm schon vor der Geburt zugewiesene Aufgabe. Wie im Bienenkorb geht es zu und so ist auch die Gesellschaftsstruktur. Alle sind dem Gemeinwohl verpflichtet. Deshalb stellt auch niemand Grundsätzliches in Frage. Wenn da nicht … des Schicksals böse Mächte wären!
Der Kommentar und das Leseerlebnis.
Wie sich Feldspar mithilfe des Prinzen Nico (Young adult!) von der ihr verpassten Gehirnwäsche befreit und wie sie beide zusammen mehrere Morde aufklären und gleichzeitig versuchen, den von der Regierung alle paar Monate abgehaltenen Massenmord am Surplus als legitimes Mittel zur Volksminimierung abzuschaffen, davon handelt das Buch. Es ist seine sehr nette Geschichte mit einigen originellen Zügen, ich habe sie sehr gerne gelesen. Ich empfehle freilich, wem immer es möglich ist, das Original selbst zu lesen; die deutschen Übersetzungen wirken oft plump. Ach ja, nicht zu vergessen: Feldspar ist während der Ermittlungen bereits zum Tode verurteilt: Todesart: in der Sonne verbrennen.
Fazit: The Hive wird einen Nachfolger haben (Mai 2026), „The Swarm“ den ich unbedingt lesen muss.
Kategorie: New Adult
Chicken House, 2025
Sind Bienen glücklich?
Die Identität der Autorin bleibt weitgehend im Dunkeln. Man muss ihr attestieren, dass sie ein Händchen für das Genre Young adult hat. Bienenstaat plus dystopischer Touch. Das muss doch funktionieren! Tuts auch.
Die Leserschaft begegnet in der Leibgardistin „Feldspar“ einer jungen Kriegerin, die mit der Hive-Doktrin aufgewachsen ist. Hive first! (Ich bin versucht, hier Späße über „America first“ zu machen). Jeder hat seine ihm schon vor der Geburt zugewiesene Aufgabe. Wie im Bienenkorb geht es zu und so ist auch die Gesellschaftsstruktur. Alle sind dem Gemeinwohl verpflichtet. Deshalb stellt auch niemand Grundsätzliches in Frage. Wenn da nicht … des Schicksals böse Mächte wären!
Der Kommentar und das Leseerlebnis.
Wie sich Feldspar mithilfe des Prinzen Nico (Young adult!) von der ihr verpassten Gehirnwäsche befreit und wie sie beide zusammen mehrere Morde aufklären und gleichzeitig versuchen, den von der Regierung alle paar Monate abgehaltenen Massenmord am Surplus als legitimes Mittel zur Volksminimierung abzuschaffen, davon handelt das Buch. Es ist seine sehr nette Geschichte mit einigen originellen Zügen, ich habe sie sehr gerne gelesen. Ich empfehle freilich, wem immer es möglich ist, das Original selbst zu lesen; die deutschen Übersetzungen wirken oft plump. Ach ja, nicht zu vergessen: Feldspar ist während der Ermittlungen bereits zum Tode verurteilt: Todesart: in der Sonne verbrennen.
Fazit: The Hive wird einen Nachfolger haben (Mai 2026), „The Swarm“ den ich unbedingt lesen muss.
Kategorie: New Adult
Chicken House, 2025
September 3, 2025
'If they wanted to oppress us forever, they should have taken our books,' she says. 'Knowledge is the opposite of oppression. It sets us free.'
This was a solid debut, and I'll definitely keep an eye out for future books from this author. Feldspar's character growth was gradual and believable, and I appreciated the focus being on the mystery with just a hint of romance, rather than it overshadowing the plot.
However, it was just a bit too slow and obvious? It was kind of info-dumpy at the start, with characters explaining to each other how their world works. A lot of the initial subtlety was later lost, e.g. when Niko explains how the Hive is based on bees, it took away some of the appeal because, well, duh. And while I did enjoy some of the naming conventions (like Shields being named after stones/minerals), it was taken to extremes -- Edison works on the electrical system, Tull oversees the seed bank and plants, Darwin keeps animals, Melissa was the founder of the Hive... 🙄
There were some clever little touches, like Feldspar working out the magnifying glass was the search function because it looked like a child's fishing net on a stick "and we're trying to catch something, aren't we?" (Even though I'm not sure why children would play with fishing nets in the Hive given that the only exit is the fucking WINNOWING GATE where people go to be exiled and quite often DROWN in the process...)
The worldbuilding wasn't super solid -- it felt very convenient that Niko was able to saunter around with Feldspar while they solved the mystery. She comments several times that the guards don't even question him but let him pass, which seemed like it might have been foreshadowing, but no. Considering Feldspar is a wanted criminal accused of multiple murders, I wanted more tension and obstacles.
I worked out in Chapter 4 what the solution was, when
So yeah, I liked this but I didn't LOVE it. I wasn't frantically turning pages to find out what happened next, but I did become attached to the characters, and overall it was a decent first novel.
April 6, 2025
Thank you to Chicken House Books for providing with me a physical ARC to read and review.
I was excited going into this because it has a lot of things I love - dystopian, murder mystery and a touch of fantasy, and it did not disappoint.
We are placed straight into the action, and as we are told in the chapter heading, the first murder happens almost instantly so you are immediately intrigued without having to read through chapters of world building to start. The world building is explained slowly throughout so it doesn't feel like a massive information dump. The world is absolutely fascinating and is like nothing I've read before. It is based on the society of bees with the Queen (or Queens in this case) and the top and then the worker bees all having their own jobs to do. The mystery definitely kept me intrigued and I was second guessing everyone we met, but I still didn't see the ending coming.
There is only a small side plot of romance which actually worked really well because there is so much else going on that I think a lot of romance would have detracted from the excellent plot. However, I did love the tiny crumbs of romance we were given and the yearning was definitely real!
I don't know if there's a second one planned, but if there is, I will be 100% be reading it. This was an excellent YA debut.
I was excited going into this because it has a lot of things I love - dystopian, murder mystery and a touch of fantasy, and it did not disappoint.
We are placed straight into the action, and as we are told in the chapter heading, the first murder happens almost instantly so you are immediately intrigued without having to read through chapters of world building to start. The world building is explained slowly throughout so it doesn't feel like a massive information dump. The world is absolutely fascinating and is like nothing I've read before. It is based on the society of bees with the Queen (or Queens in this case) and the top and then the worker bees all having their own jobs to do. The mystery definitely kept me intrigued and I was second guessing everyone we met, but I still didn't see the ending coming.
There is only a small side plot of romance which actually worked really well because there is so much else going on that I think a lot of romance would have detracted from the excellent plot. However, I did love the tiny crumbs of romance we were given and the yearning was definitely real!
I don't know if there's a second one planned, but if there is, I will be 100% be reading it. This was an excellent YA debut.
June 13, 2025
This was fantastic! I bought this while volunteering for an MK Lit Fest event where I was lucky enough to meet the lovely author and watch one of her talks about the book, which had just come out.
I was hooked from start to finish. What an original concept. I loved the world, the way it evolved around the way bee colonies worked, and how this has formed a kind of post apocalyptic world, and a setting that has cult like vibes. Also loved all the names of the characters and how the shields were named after rocks as the protectors, and nurses were named after flowers as the nurterers. So well thought out!
The growing friendship between FMC Feldspar and Nico was amazingly done, and I loved how he stood up for her through the book, right from the beginning. His own past experiences made this feel more authentic and made their relationship seem more relatable to each other too. Great character growth.
Lots of great twists towards the end too!
Great for dystopian, fantasy, YA and murder mystery loving fans! Definitely recommend. Can't wait for more books in this series which I'm sure are coming from that ending!
I was hooked from start to finish. What an original concept. I loved the world, the way it evolved around the way bee colonies worked, and how this has formed a kind of post apocalyptic world, and a setting that has cult like vibes. Also loved all the names of the characters and how the shields were named after rocks as the protectors, and nurses were named after flowers as the nurterers. So well thought out!
The growing friendship between FMC Feldspar and Nico was amazingly done, and I loved how he stood up for her through the book, right from the beginning. His own past experiences made this feel more authentic and made their relationship seem more relatable to each other too. Great character growth.
Lots of great twists towards the end too!
Great for dystopian, fantasy, YA and murder mystery loving fans! Definitely recommend. Can't wait for more books in this series which I'm sure are coming from that ending!
September 28, 2025
The Hive by Anna February is a YA dystopian mystery. I really enjoyed this one! It was different, with unique world building and a page turning plot that kept me reading!
After the end of the world, humanity (or some of it) has taken refuge in a giant underground facility that they later called The Hive. Now hundreds of years later, they have built a society there with their own unique set of rules inspired by the colony of Bees. There are Queens, drones, cutters and shields among others.
The main character Feldspar is a shield, born and raised to protect her royal charge. When her charge dies she is blamed and accused of murder, and it is a race against the clock to prove her innocence.
The world building was a little confusing at the start, but I urge you to push through it because it is a great story. Once you grasp the social structure of the Hive, the story absolutely flies by!
I loved Feldspar’s narration and I was rooting for her the whole way. Although I would have loved some chapters from Niko’s POV. He was such an interesting character.
I can’t wait for book 2!
I recommend this for YA dystopian readers that liked books similar to A City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder and Silo by Hugh Howey. It had a similar vibe to these novels.
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Scholastic Australia for the gifted review copy.
April 3, 2025
The Hive by Anna February is a dystopian murder mystery with high stakes. Set in a hive-like colony, this hierarchy of Queens is threatened by a murderer, heir by heir. When a guardian is framed for the murder of her charge, it's up to her and an unlikely sidekick to track down the killer.
Fast paced and aimed towards the higher end of the YA bracket, February brings colourful characters to life as well as a magic system all her own. A page turner that I devoured in less than 3 days, this debut author has fast become a favourite of mine ❤️ the book ends withOUT a whodunit cliffhanger (thank goodness) and leaves off at a place that can both set up a sequel, or leave you resolved to read it as a standalone.
Given today's political climate, this novel has many layers to the narrative, and makes for a thought provoking read. I couldn't put this down, and I'm hoping the series continues!
The Hive by Anna February is out April 10th and can be preordered online.
My only complaint would be the overuse of certain phrases such as "Dark Arts" at the beginning of the book, and I sometimes found the amount of character names hard to follow. While this book does come with a hierarchy line at the front of the book, it would take me out of the story to keep flipping back/forth. Hopefully the latter is just a me issue though, and a reread will help!
🎁 thank you to ChickenHouse for gifting me this advanced copy. ❤️
Fast paced and aimed towards the higher end of the YA bracket, February brings colourful characters to life as well as a magic system all her own. A page turner that I devoured in less than 3 days, this debut author has fast become a favourite of mine ❤️ the book ends withOUT a whodunit cliffhanger (thank goodness) and leaves off at a place that can both set up a sequel, or leave you resolved to read it as a standalone.
Given today's political climate, this novel has many layers to the narrative, and makes for a thought provoking read. I couldn't put this down, and I'm hoping the series continues!
The Hive by Anna February is out April 10th and can be preordered online.
My only complaint would be the overuse of certain phrases such as "Dark Arts" at the beginning of the book, and I sometimes found the amount of character names hard to follow. While this book does come with a hierarchy line at the front of the book, it would take me out of the story to keep flipping back/forth. Hopefully the latter is just a me issue though, and a reread will help!
🎁 thank you to ChickenHouse for gifting me this advanced copy. ❤️
November 17, 2025
The Hive by Anna February is a YA dystopian murder mystery that actually commits to its premise instead of just vibing with aesthetics. The whole society is structured like a beehive — hierarchy, function, obedience — and February uses that metaphor all the way down to the political system, the rituals, and the claustrophobic environment. It’s not subtle, but it’s coherent, and that consistency is what makes the world believable.
The mystery itself is competent. Not groundbreaking, but solid enough to keep you guessing. The real draw is how the investigation reveals the cracks in the hive’s political machinery — corruption, selective justice, and a system that treats people as disposable parts. February threads environmental collapse in the background, too, and it adds weight without turning the book into a lecture.
Sometimes the worldbuilding leans a little too hard into the bee metaphor and loses subtlety. A few plot turns are predictable if you read a lot in this genre. And the YA tone occasionally undercuts the darker themes. But none of that breaks the experience.
The mystery itself is competent. Not groundbreaking, but solid enough to keep you guessing. The real draw is how the investigation reveals the cracks in the hive’s political machinery — corruption, selective justice, and a system that treats people as disposable parts. February threads environmental collapse in the background, too, and it adds weight without turning the book into a lecture.
Sometimes the worldbuilding leans a little too hard into the bee metaphor and loses subtlety. A few plot turns are predictable if you read a lot in this genre. And the YA tone occasionally undercuts the darker themes. But none of that breaks the experience.
March 25, 2025
I would describe this book as a murder mystery first and foremost, set in a unique dystopian society with a very small element of fantasy, and I thought it was brilliant!
The characters are established beautifully, with relationships that felt genuine and realistic interactions between the different classes of people. I particularly enjoyed the main love interest, especially as that wasn’t the main focus of the story, just an extra that definitely added to the overall plot.
The setting and the society were so interesting and I think what makes this book stand out the most. My only wish was that we got MORE. I wanted to know more on the history of this society, how it got to this point etc. I also was very intrigued by the fantastical elements and do wish we got a bit more information on that.
Overall just a really enjoyable YA dystopian mystery.
Thank you to Chicken House for the proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are established beautifully, with relationships that felt genuine and realistic interactions between the different classes of people. I particularly enjoyed the main love interest, especially as that wasn’t the main focus of the story, just an extra that definitely added to the overall plot.
The setting and the society were so interesting and I think what makes this book stand out the most. My only wish was that we got MORE. I wanted to know more on the history of this society, how it got to this point etc. I also was very intrigued by the fantastical elements and do wish we got a bit more information on that.
Overall just a really enjoyable YA dystopian mystery.
Thank you to Chicken House for the proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2025
Thank you to Chicken House books and Anna February for the beautiful proof in advance!
From start to end, this was a gripping read and despite the complexities of the Hive workings and the society, I felt myself more and more drawn into the world and the murder mystery plot. Feldspar in particular, which was such an enjoyable MC- her emotions and reactions felt so genuine, true to her role as a Shield and as the individual that she becomes.
This story sprinkles in dystopian fantasy, politics and murder mystery in the best possible way. The dystopian world-building gathers throughout the book and is alongside, the character development and the emerging connection between Feldspar and Niko. Throughout the race against time to solve the murders, their banter, helping each out and lovely moments of connection really stood out.
This was a brilliant YA debut and I look forward to reading more from the author :)
From start to end, this was a gripping read and despite the complexities of the Hive workings and the society, I felt myself more and more drawn into the world and the murder mystery plot. Feldspar in particular, which was such an enjoyable MC- her emotions and reactions felt so genuine, true to her role as a Shield and as the individual that she becomes.
This story sprinkles in dystopian fantasy, politics and murder mystery in the best possible way. The dystopian world-building gathers throughout the book and is alongside, the character development and the emerging connection between Feldspar and Niko. Throughout the race against time to solve the murders, their banter, helping each out and lovely moments of connection really stood out.
This was a brilliant YA debut and I look forward to reading more from the author :)
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