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The Bee Dungeon #1
The Bee-ginning: A Dungeon-Core LitRPG
From the author of the Terminate the Other World! series comes a thrilling dungeon-core fantasy adventure sure to generate a lot of buzz . . .
Belissar has always lived a peaceful life, if not a particularly easy one. Though he lost his parents, he was taken in by a kindly villager who taught him his life’s beekeeping. But one day the local lord’s ruthless son, Ruckanos, comes to their humble village to claim his own tower, slaughtering everyone.
Luckily for Belissar, as he lies dying with an arrow in his back, a tiny worker bee decides to interfere, and he wakes up not only alive but a whole new bee-ing. Turns out his little savior is in actuality a core, and together they’ve swiped the tower out from under the murderous Ruckanos.
Now Belissar is king of his own beehive/dungeon. But with power comes more trouble than he could’ve imagined. In addition to building and protecting his own monstrous apiary with the help of his fellow bees, he must confront the encroaching doom known as the Hunger that haunts the world and consumes everything in its path, leaving only death.
A stronger, smarter, more confident, and far less peaceable Belissar is about to show his enemies that when you mess with a hive, you’d better be ready to get stung.
The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than four million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
Belissar has always lived a peaceful life, if not a particularly easy one. Though he lost his parents, he was taken in by a kindly villager who taught him his life’s beekeeping. But one day the local lord’s ruthless son, Ruckanos, comes to their humble village to claim his own tower, slaughtering everyone.
Luckily for Belissar, as he lies dying with an arrow in his back, a tiny worker bee decides to interfere, and he wakes up not only alive but a whole new bee-ing. Turns out his little savior is in actuality a core, and together they’ve swiped the tower out from under the murderous Ruckanos.
Now Belissar is king of his own beehive/dungeon. But with power comes more trouble than he could’ve imagined. In addition to building and protecting his own monstrous apiary with the help of his fellow bees, he must confront the encroaching doom known as the Hunger that haunts the world and consumes everything in its path, leaving only death.
A stronger, smarter, more confident, and far less peaceable Belissar is about to show his enemies that when you mess with a hive, you’d better be ready to get stung.
The first volume of the hit LitRPG fantasy series—with more than four million views on Royal Road—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2025
211 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 22, 2025
The main character reminds me of Taog from another series. I always hated that character. Weak to strong stories can be fun, but someone with no concept of self-worth is a struggle to read about. This was a chore to get through.
August 25, 2025
Cool concept and interesting reimagination of what a dungeon is/does. But interesting concepts alone aren't enough to make up for the other 95% of the book being anxiety internal monologues, which was not fun to get through.
Almost a DNF but kept going for the ending, hoping some kind of stakes would be introduced. Was not worth it as there are no stakes, only bees.
Almost a DNF but kept going for the ending, hoping some kind of stakes would be introduced. Was not worth it as there are no stakes, only bees.
April 17, 2025
A wonderful story.
5 stars.
I thought about making some puns here but decided to give a better description instead.
This is a wonderful book with good potential for a series. It made me smile as I read it and it has a good flow. The names of the queens can be a little rough but it's not horrible.
This is great if you're the kind of person who likes to listen to people talk about their special interest. It's also fun for people who enjoy dungeon core themed books.
I was fully expecting a much deeper dive into beekeeping terminology but this book did a good job of keeping it fairly light.
I definitely recommend this book as a cozy read!
If there is a next installment then I'll be sure to read that one too!
5 stars.
I thought about making some puns here but decided to give a better description instead.
This is a wonderful book with good potential for a series. It made me smile as I read it and it has a good flow. The names of the queens can be a little rough but it's not horrible.
This is great if you're the kind of person who likes to listen to people talk about their special interest. It's also fun for people who enjoy dungeon core themed books.
I was fully expecting a much deeper dive into beekeeping terminology but this book did a good job of keeping it fairly light.
I definitely recommend this book as a cozy read!
If there is a next installment then I'll be sure to read that one too!
March 18, 2025
A fun and entertaining read about the beeginning days of a bee orientated dungeon in a story with a fairly different world from the usual with some interesting reasoning behind the existence and purpose of dungeons as well as an unique way to depict bees as something different. Love the characters from the young uneducated beekeeper dungeon master to the various bee queens and later bear people. Like most stories that have their origin as a web novel the plot is a bit slow, feeling more like a slice-of-life than plot driven book, but that is not something I personally mind. Points of view switches around a lot at times, not necessarily tied the PO Bee titled chapters. Still, a fun start of a new series, one that I will continue reading.
July 12, 2025
This was a nice, cozy story that was a bit annoying around the edges. Some thoughts were repeated over and over, and I got tired of Bellisar's lack of confidence. His growth throughout the story was very well done. Not only did he grow in confidence, but he also realized a few important truths about his world view.
So what made this book stand out for me? The Bees! The BEEEES! (insert Nicolas Cage meme here)
Several bees got their own POVs and I was captivated! I loved their antics! They were so hard working, and each one had something different to bring to the table.
I also enjoyed the cozy vibes overall. Yes, there were a couple of sad moments, but that only made the rest of the story better.
So what made this book stand out for me? The Bees! The BEEEES! (insert Nicolas Cage meme here)
Several bees got their own POVs and I was captivated! I loved their antics! They were so hard working, and each one had something different to bring to the table.
I also enjoyed the cozy vibes overall. Yes, there were a couple of sad moments, but that only made the rest of the story better.
October 22, 2025
This was alright. Some parts fun and interesting, other parts severely lacking. I think the narrator saved the book for me.
I liked the Bee Dungeon concept and many of the ideas around that and sometimes the bees are quite funny.
On the other hand the MC really isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, more likely a spoon. He has difficulty with all sorts of common concepts, like someone wanting to give him things. He is also extremely anti social. Now these things don't have to be bad, but it becomes lacking when his inner monologue is a huge part of the book.
There is also a general lack of a proper plot. What is the big thing the story is building towards? As far as I can tell it's just build, face minor challenge, build, face new minor challenge, repeat.
I liked the Bee Dungeon concept and many of the ideas around that and sometimes the bees are quite funny.
On the other hand the MC really isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, more likely a spoon. He has difficulty with all sorts of common concepts, like someone wanting to give him things. He is also extremely anti social. Now these things don't have to be bad, but it becomes lacking when his inner monologue is a huge part of the book.
There is also a general lack of a proper plot. What is the big thing the story is building towards? As far as I can tell it's just build, face minor challenge, build, face new minor challenge, repeat.
June 11, 2025
An enjoyable story. Read it to bee-lieve it. 😃
There aren't too many bee puns in the story, but just enough. 😄
I like the characters. And, while the MC sometimes struggles to believe the change in his position, not to mention his understanding of some of the critical parts of his world are forever changed, he doesn't dwell on them. He continues to move forward and grow as a person and a dungeon master.
Also, the fact that there are so few grammatical errors is great! 👍 I can only remember two atm.
There aren't too many bee puns in the story, but just enough. 😄
I like the characters. And, while the MC sometimes struggles to believe the change in his position, not to mention his understanding of some of the critical parts of his world are forever changed, he doesn't dwell on them. He continues to move forward and grow as a person and a dungeon master.
Also, the fact that there are so few grammatical errors is great! 👍 I can only remember two atm.
July 17, 2025
Great Read
When I first saw this book, I thought that it be just a nice light read to give me break between the usual heavy series. While it is light in the battle scenes, it still delivers a great fulfilling read. I loved how various queens and regular bees had their own personalities and how the main character's growth is scene with each decision he makes and how he's seeing things aren't necessarily how he thought and how he was told and taught. This is definitely a series worth reading.
When I first saw this book, I thought that it be just a nice light read to give me break between the usual heavy series. While it is light in the battle scenes, it still delivers a great fulfilling read. I loved how various queens and regular bees had their own personalities and how the main character's growth is scene with each decision he makes and how he's seeing things aren't necessarily how he thought and how he was told and taught. This is definitely a series worth reading.
Read
March 30, 2025Nice story, but it also has quite a bit of annoying parts as well
the main character is an uneducated, narrowminded country bumpkin with no critical though (for like half the book) and he is also extremely unsocial (is a person who pretty much has to lie down for a bit after talking with someone for half a minute)
I think the author portrays those aspects relatively well, but man are they annoying.
the main character is an uneducated, narrowminded country bumpkin with no critical though (for like half the book) and he is also extremely unsocial (is a person who pretty much has to lie down for a bit after talking with someone for half a minute)
I think the author portrays those aspects relatively well, but man are they annoying.
May 12, 2025
Bit of a slow start but picked up towards the end. I liked how the MC grew more and more confident as the book continued with out major swings but wish it was just a touch faster especially when they were dealing with bees.
Found the bee interactions to be fun and can’t wait for future developments.
I hope that the werid bee queen political plots either grow into a larger plot point or peter out as currently it is fun flavor text but also is a bit distracting.
Found the bee interactions to be fun and can’t wait for future developments.
I hope that the werid bee queen political plots either grow into a larger plot point or peter out as currently it is fun flavor text but also is a bit distracting.
June 19, 2025
excellent
MC dies and becomes dungeon lord. He was a beekeeper and so kept doing what he knew. He grows, learns that truths he knew weren’t in fact truths, and he starts to grow as a person.
It’s an excellent light novel I’d recommend for teen and up. It’s got a good pace. The world is just detailed enough to capture the imagination and is rife with possibilities. Please enjoy.
MC dies and becomes dungeon lord. He was a beekeeper and so kept doing what he knew. He grows, learns that truths he knew weren’t in fact truths, and he starts to grow as a person.
It’s an excellent light novel I’d recommend for teen and up. It’s got a good pace. The world is just detailed enough to capture the imagination and is rife with possibilities. Please enjoy.
July 8, 2025
unbeelievable fun
I really enjoyed this book. While LitRPG, it focuses on a dungeon core built around bees. There’s a greater world and menace, but for now this first book focuses on the initial building up of the dungeon.
And the core is also able to move outside the direct area of influence. I’m intrigued by the world building. I’m seeing here, and am curious to see the next book.
I really enjoyed this book. While LitRPG, it focuses on a dungeon core built around bees. There’s a greater world and menace, but for now this first book focuses on the initial building up of the dungeon.
And the core is also able to move outside the direct area of influence. I’m intrigued by the world building. I’m seeing here, and am curious to see the next book.
September 2, 2025
The book is childish, but pretty fun.
The perspective of the bees is always so much more interesting than that of the main character. The MC is such a vanilla loser, who keeps saying how he's a peasant and shouldn't have this, shouldn't have that. The bees are actually interesting. They have more personality than the MC.
I do find it very off-putting and weird how much the MC identifies as a peasant. As someone "lower" than others.
The chapter names are so cringe.
The perspective of the bees is always so much more interesting than that of the main character. The MC is such a vanilla loser, who keeps saying how he's a peasant and shouldn't have this, shouldn't have that. The bees are actually interesting. They have more personality than the MC.
I do find it very off-putting and weird how much the MC identifies as a peasant. As someone "lower" than others.
The chapter names are so cringe.
Read
March 30, 2025I might be judging this book too harshly so I'll refrain from rating it... But I didn't enjoy it.
The main character is pathetic. I'm not in the mood for that, at all.
Also the author repeats the same idea/sentiment again and again. I started skipping early and often just to get through. I don't regret it.
The main character is pathetic. I'm not in the mood for that, at all.
Also the author repeats the same idea/sentiment again and again. I started skipping early and often just to get through. I don't regret it.
April 27, 2025
Love the bee drama
I don't know what I expected when I started this book, but it certainly wasn't for it to partially be a bee version of Bridgerton. The drama of the different queen bees was the best part for me. I often found the MC tedious, but he's realistic and dedicated so I'm begrudgingly fond of him too.
I don't know what I expected when I started this book, but it certainly wasn't for it to partially be a bee version of Bridgerton. The drama of the different queen bees was the best part for me. I often found the MC tedious, but he's realistic and dedicated so I'm begrudgingly fond of him too.
July 15, 2025
This is a cozy read with some lovely thought put into it. I loved the different queens and how each were so different but ultimatley had the same desire, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this goes!!! I do wish the MC didn't question his decisions quite so much, but that will hopefully ease with time.
March 11, 2025
Loveable story! Beereific!
The story is really good I didn't know I would gets so emotional over bees and feel their emotions from their pheromone-laden dances. It is well written and a really nice read. I can't wait to dive into the next book!
The story is really good I didn't know I would gets so emotional over bees and feel their emotions from their pheromone-laden dances. It is well written and a really nice read. I can't wait to dive into the next book!
April 7, 2025
fun + wholesome
This book was satisfying
Simple, fun & wholesome - like said in title
I liked the world building
Mc is socially anxious to comical degree
I love the povs of the bees
Do recommend
Thx
This book was satisfying
Simple, fun & wholesome - like said in title
I liked the world building
Mc is socially anxious to comical degree
I love the povs of the bees
Do recommend
Thx
June 5, 2025
A 14hr audio book. If you are into Litrpg, or tower, farm, or city building games, this is a fun standard layout for a video game, no spoilers I hope. Overall I enjoyed this book, and look forward to more.
October 31, 2025
A fine LitRPG novel. It is primarily based on a man (or bee) veruss nature plot, but does add in some human versus human (well, beastman) action as well. Well written, but possibly a bit slow paced for some readers, I recommend this for fans of the LitRPG genre.
March 11, 2025
Amazing
Love the storyline, the characters are brilliant, the world building is nice, only thing is, could we have books two through the of more soon please😁
Love the storyline, the characters are brilliant, the world building is nice, only thing is, could we have books two through the of more soon please😁
March 15, 2025
A really fun read and an unusual take on the dungeon building genre!
April 13, 2025
I really liked this book! Just a lot of bees and a dude who cares about them, super cute.
April 24, 2025
Great read
Had fun reading start to finish can't wait to read second book wish the book was longer cause I read it to fast
Had fun reading start to finish can't wait to read second book wish the book was longer cause I read it to fast
May 4, 2025
CUTE!
I had no idea I would love this as much as I did. It was cute, stressful at times, sad, and heart-warming.
I had no idea I would love this as much as I did. It was cute, stressful at times, sad, and heart-warming.
July 16, 2025
great bee propaganda
August 17, 2025
Such a cute and fun read! I love how the author spends time on developing the personality of the different bees, and the protagonist is so heartwarming.
September 27, 2025
Great book give it a read
Really good book. I really like all the little bee humor. Would recommend as the story progresses you watch a timid main character find his way.
Really good book. I really like all the little bee humor. Would recommend as the story progresses you watch a timid main character find his way.
October 11, 2025
A bit simplistic and slow. Fun concept, and a good idea.
October 18, 2025
Buzzing
This is a honey of a book.
Cosy read - great world building and exposition as multiple species strive to understand each other.
This is a honey of a book.
Cosy read - great world building and exposition as multiple species strive to understand each other.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews