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The Danger of Small Things: The YA debut from an award-winning and bestselling Welsh storyteller
Not yet published
Expected 26 Mar 26Set in a world where bees are at risk of extinction, this startling YA dystopia is perfect for fans of Meg Rosoff’s How I live Now and Sarah Crossan, described by the author as a love letter to her daughter.
Imagine a world where honeybees have died out. It’s a patriarchal world where famines are rife. It’s a world without art, without books, without plays. Girls are sent away from home, forced to pollinate crops by hand with brushes and to marry as soon as they can. Inhabiting this world is Jess and her friends Cass, Deva, and Ruth. But even if one fourteen‑year‑old knows that brushes weren’t invented for pollinating, can she really stoke a revolution?
Caryl Lewis ‘As a beekeeper, I am acutely aware of the interconnectedness of everything and have long been frightened of how we, as humans, set ourselves apart from nature. We do not seem to understand that in destroying nature, we destroy ourselves. My daughter is growing up in what feels like a much more hostile environment facing climate instability, the rise of misogyny and the roll back of women’s bodily rights. I wanted to comfort and empower her and let her see that our greatest weapon in a floundering world is the imagination.'
Imagine a world where honeybees have died out. It’s a patriarchal world where famines are rife. It’s a world without art, without books, without plays. Girls are sent away from home, forced to pollinate crops by hand with brushes and to marry as soon as they can. Inhabiting this world is Jess and her friends Cass, Deva, and Ruth. But even if one fourteen‑year‑old knows that brushes weren’t invented for pollinating, can she really stoke a revolution?
Caryl Lewis ‘As a beekeeper, I am acutely aware of the interconnectedness of everything and have long been frightened of how we, as humans, set ourselves apart from nature. We do not seem to understand that in destroying nature, we destroy ourselves. My daughter is growing up in what feels like a much more hostile environment facing climate instability, the rise of misogyny and the roll back of women’s bodily rights. I wanted to comfort and empower her and let her see that our greatest weapon in a floundering world is the imagination.'
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 26, 2026
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About the author
Caryl Lewis
62 books56 followersCaryl Lewis is an award winning Welsh language novelist. She was raised in Aberaeron before moving at the age of twelve to her family's farm in the parish of Dihewyd. She is an alumnus of Durham University and University of Wales Aberystwyth. Her first novel, Dal hi!, was published in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Danger of Small Things is a YA dystopian novel about girls who know they deserve more and the quiet power of rebellion started by the young.
It's set in the near future (almost sobering with how close it is to becoming our reality) where the bees are extinct, books are burned, and girls are used for labour and childbearing. I feel like the first chapter alone sets a powerful tone for the rest of the book, highlighting how bleak and controlled the world the characters live in is and setting an unsettling vibe for the rest of the book. But despite the bleakness, there's also quiet hope slowly sparking resistance after Jess, the main character, uses her art as a form of protest.
This definitely reads on the younger end of YA, sometimes bordering on middle grade (however, I'd still classify it as YA due to the heavy themes), and it's very character driven. I wish the worldbuilding would have been expanded on and that there was more depth in places, but emotionally, it still landed and would be a good pick for a school curriculum due to the fear it instills about the future. (climate collapse, girls' autonomy being taken away, and censorship- it all feels painfully relevant nowadays.)
For fans of The Handmaid's Tale, Girls with Sharp Sticks, and YA stories about rebellion, this is a thoughtful and haunting read. Not perfect, but powerful in its message and exactly the kind of dystopian that makes you sit with your discomfort!
It's set in the near future (almost sobering with how close it is to becoming our reality) where the bees are extinct, books are burned, and girls are used for labour and childbearing. I feel like the first chapter alone sets a powerful tone for the rest of the book, highlighting how bleak and controlled the world the characters live in is and setting an unsettling vibe for the rest of the book. But despite the bleakness, there's also quiet hope slowly sparking resistance after Jess, the main character, uses her art as a form of protest.
This definitely reads on the younger end of YA, sometimes bordering on middle grade (however, I'd still classify it as YA due to the heavy themes), and it's very character driven. I wish the worldbuilding would have been expanded on and that there was more depth in places, but emotionally, it still landed and would be a good pick for a school curriculum due to the fear it instills about the future. (climate collapse, girls' autonomy being taken away, and censorship- it all feels painfully relevant nowadays.)
For fans of The Handmaid's Tale, Girls with Sharp Sticks, and YA stories about rebellion, this is a thoughtful and haunting read. Not perfect, but powerful in its message and exactly the kind of dystopian that makes you sit with your discomfort!
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November 8, 2025This is one of those books where I have to remind myself that I'm not the target audience. It's a quiet dystopia, not a flashy one with lots of Capital Letters in it, and for an adult who has read more books simply because I've been on earth longer than a teenager, it's not the most revolutionary of ideas, but it makes sense and it's still powerful. The pacing felt a bit off and it was hard to tell whether it had been weeks or months, but otherwise I think this is pretty good.
February 14, 2026
A world in which bees have gone extinct and young girls take over the take of hand pollution of crops. This is very much a YA version of The Handmaids Tale and fits right in with the Hunger Games and other dystopian classics.
Overall, a great read that emphasises the power of art and imagination, the value of community and love, and the power of choice. It addresses many of the challenges we face in our current political climate. Some of the themes in this book are familiar to humanity. Jess is a strong character to follow and the story is entirely narrated from her perspective. There are multiple side characters, some of which feel more fleshed out than others. I liked Charmian, Cass and the others but I wanted a bit more from them. Something I found well done was the references to actual books and artists without them being named, the impact that burning books can have, and the role that anti-intellectualism can play in controlling society.
There are still a few things that in my opinion could have been explored more in depth or executed better. For instance, Elliot plays a pretty important role in this story but I think we didn’t get enough of him (and his relationship with Jess). Pacing also felt a bit off and it was hard to understand how much time passed, particularly at the end. Some things also felt rather short, this book does a lot in 260 odd pages. It might have been worth adding pages and making this story more detailed; I’m thinking more about Elliot, Jess upbringing, the Mothers etc.
I would definitely recommend this book, particularly to younger audiences. This is firmly written for a YA audience, so if you’re more familiar with the dystopian genre and have read the classics, this book may feel a bit repetitive.
*thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy*
Overall, a great read that emphasises the power of art and imagination, the value of community and love, and the power of choice. It addresses many of the challenges we face in our current political climate. Some of the themes in this book are familiar to humanity. Jess is a strong character to follow and the story is entirely narrated from her perspective. There are multiple side characters, some of which feel more fleshed out than others. I liked Charmian, Cass and the others but I wanted a bit more from them. Something I found well done was the references to actual books and artists without them being named, the impact that burning books can have, and the role that anti-intellectualism can play in controlling society.
There are still a few things that in my opinion could have been explored more in depth or executed better. For instance, Elliot plays a pretty important role in this story but I think we didn’t get enough of him (and his relationship with Jess). Pacing also felt a bit off and it was hard to understand how much time passed, particularly at the end. Some things also felt rather short, this book does a lot in 260 odd pages. It might have been worth adding pages and making this story more detailed; I’m thinking more about Elliot, Jess upbringing, the Mothers etc.
I would definitely recommend this book, particularly to younger audiences. This is firmly written for a YA audience, so if you’re more familiar with the dystopian genre and have read the classics, this book may feel a bit repetitive.
*thank you to the publisher for sending me an early copy*
October 20, 2025
I’m a winner of a giveaway for this novel, hence how I got to read it early. I started this book a little apprehensive, mainly because I know the spiral that can come from end of the world thought processes. But this one is a REAL danger we could face. Bees are vital to our world, and we HAVE to protect them.
That being said, this book clearly has multiple meanings, especially towards sexism and the inherent idea that our own disinterest in things that don’t bother us could cause cataclysmic events to happen. We ignore the bee because we’ve always had them, we don’t think about losing them because we think “oh someone will fix that issue, there’s plenty of people who care” but the more people think this way, the more people who do NOTHING to solve the problem grows.
This story depicts a dystopia in a way we don’t often think about, similar to the Hunger Games.
We’ve already seen themes in this book multiple times in history. We’ve already had book burnings before, already had food rationing, already had children in camps.
Charmian is a perfect representation of how we will turn in eachother rather than the real people we should be against. Division of numbers makes for a weaker enemy. Charmian being scared, trying to manipulate her way out, but getting blindsided, is the truest form of how people in power don’t care.
Also, I will readily admit when they said they married off girls at age 16 based on fertility,,, Eugh. That was particularly haunting.
I really REALLY loved the inclusion of LGBT+ in this society, the whole “after they banned the books, anyone who loved the same sex were jailed” because that’s exactly what happened in the holocaust too. It’s happening today even. I’m gay myself, and it was incredibly nice to see homophobia depicted in a dystopia novel. Not many do. And I really like how C (letters to avoid spoilers) loves D, that it’s not a choice. That it was never a choice. Being gay isn’t a choice.
The Little Prince reference was top notch since this stories themes are so similar as well.
It’s extremely harrowing, the idea that in this society once you get your period you are immediately wed. I got my period when I had just turned 10. Not even a month after. The horror I feel that that could’ve been me in such a world,, terrifying. Sorry if this review is a little disjointed, I wrote it all while I was reading it, watching the story unfold. I believe books like this should be taught in schools, similar to how Speak is taught (or at least was taught in my school)
Overall a 10/10 book that I loved reading.
That being said, this book clearly has multiple meanings, especially towards sexism and the inherent idea that our own disinterest in things that don’t bother us could cause cataclysmic events to happen. We ignore the bee because we’ve always had them, we don’t think about losing them because we think “oh someone will fix that issue, there’s plenty of people who care” but the more people think this way, the more people who do NOTHING to solve the problem grows.
This story depicts a dystopia in a way we don’t often think about, similar to the Hunger Games.
We’ve already seen themes in this book multiple times in history. We’ve already had book burnings before, already had food rationing, already had children in camps.
Charmian is a perfect representation of how we will turn in eachother rather than the real people we should be against. Division of numbers makes for a weaker enemy. Charmian being scared, trying to manipulate her way out, but getting blindsided, is the truest form of how people in power don’t care.
Also, I will readily admit when they said they married off girls at age 16 based on fertility,,, Eugh. That was particularly haunting.
I really REALLY loved the inclusion of LGBT+ in this society, the whole “after they banned the books, anyone who loved the same sex were jailed” because that’s exactly what happened in the holocaust too. It’s happening today even. I’m gay myself, and it was incredibly nice to see homophobia depicted in a dystopia novel. Not many do. And I really like how C (letters to avoid spoilers) loves D, that it’s not a choice. That it was never a choice. Being gay isn’t a choice.
The Little Prince reference was top notch since this stories themes are so similar as well.
It’s extremely harrowing, the idea that in this society once you get your period you are immediately wed. I got my period when I had just turned 10. Not even a month after. The horror I feel that that could’ve been me in such a world,, terrifying. Sorry if this review is a little disjointed, I wrote it all while I was reading it, watching the story unfold. I believe books like this should be taught in schools, similar to how Speak is taught (or at least was taught in my school)
Overall a 10/10 book that I loved reading.
October 20, 2025
Rounded up from 4.5 stars on Storygraph
~*ARC Reader*~
Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and, of course, Caryl Lewis for letting me access this ARC of The Danger of Small Things! I love a dystopian story, especially one with girl power, and the inciting incident to the downfall being the extinction of bees was a great concept to me. The Danger of Small Things follows Jess, who lives in a future where resources have depleted in the wake of the extinction of honeybees. Without our primary pollinators, the world has turned to its young girls to keep plants going, using them as a workforce to hand pollinate fruit trees and other flowering plants until they reach childbearing age. Jess' mother, however, still held on to the way things were before, and a hope that the world could heal itself back to a better time again; and so she taught her children about art, and how to read, and how to have hope. After all, they cannot take away what they cannot see.
The Danger of Small Things was a great quick read. This is being published as a YA and as such doesn't dive in super deeply on some of the more complex elements of the extinction event of the honeybees, or the time between the now and the "present" of the book, so if you're expecting some of those harder-sci-fi elements, please temper those expectations before diving into this one. The focus, instead, is on emotional turmoil and the strength of spirit in the face of an omnipresent force that wants to disempower you. The girls in this book - and do not be mistaken, they are children - are facing circumstances that should have never been brought to bear on them. It is presented as the consequences of a selfish world before them, and their participation in the pollination program, and eventually in repopulating, is evidence of how they are now being selfless to make the world better. It is clear early on, however, that there is not as much camaraderie between the girls and their superiors as they would like the girls to believe - and Jess uses her rare artistic ability to water that seed of dissent.
While the concepts here are not light, by any means, the approach to them is also not so heavy that it makes the book hard to read. We are given difficult concepts, but are able to digest them pretty palatably within the text, without having to be faced with too much gruesome detail. This would be a great recommendation for a younger reader who is looking for an early start into dystopian lit - ready to examine government overreach and gender issues - but maybe isn't ready for something with too much gritty detail.
~*ARC Reader*~
Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and, of course, Caryl Lewis for letting me access this ARC of The Danger of Small Things! I love a dystopian story, especially one with girl power, and the inciting incident to the downfall being the extinction of bees was a great concept to me. The Danger of Small Things follows Jess, who lives in a future where resources have depleted in the wake of the extinction of honeybees. Without our primary pollinators, the world has turned to its young girls to keep plants going, using them as a workforce to hand pollinate fruit trees and other flowering plants until they reach childbearing age. Jess' mother, however, still held on to the way things were before, and a hope that the world could heal itself back to a better time again; and so she taught her children about art, and how to read, and how to have hope. After all, they cannot take away what they cannot see.
The Danger of Small Things was a great quick read. This is being published as a YA and as such doesn't dive in super deeply on some of the more complex elements of the extinction event of the honeybees, or the time between the now and the "present" of the book, so if you're expecting some of those harder-sci-fi elements, please temper those expectations before diving into this one. The focus, instead, is on emotional turmoil and the strength of spirit in the face of an omnipresent force that wants to disempower you. The girls in this book - and do not be mistaken, they are children - are facing circumstances that should have never been brought to bear on them. It is presented as the consequences of a selfish world before them, and their participation in the pollination program, and eventually in repopulating, is evidence of how they are now being selfless to make the world better. It is clear early on, however, that there is not as much camaraderie between the girls and their superiors as they would like the girls to believe - and Jess uses her rare artistic ability to water that seed of dissent.
While the concepts here are not light, by any means, the approach to them is also not so heavy that it makes the book hard to read. We are given difficult concepts, but are able to digest them pretty palatably within the text, without having to be faced with too much gruesome detail. This would be a great recommendation for a younger reader who is looking for an early start into dystopian lit - ready to examine government overreach and gender issues - but maybe isn't ready for something with too much gritty detail.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Danger of Small Things
by Caryl Lewis
Pub Date: Mar 24 2026
Whew...where to start?? Loved it while simultaneously hating that this could very well be our future. I would describe this as a Handmaid's Tale for teens.
This dystopian novel takes place in the not-so-distant future (maybe a couple of generations). The rich have gotten richer while leading the government and making decisions that solely benefit them. As a result climate change goes full tilt and the bees have all died. No bees, no pollination. Without pollination, certain plants die out and the world's food chain goes off the rails.
But the powers that be have a solution...the children in our society are pulled from their houses and put to work around age 12. Boys are sent to be trained as soldiers and girls are put to work using paint brushes and pollinating fruit trees (for fruit they never get to taste). Once a girl becomes a woman (gets her period), she is paired with a soldier to start having babies (because that's all women are good for). They are not allowed to be educated or hold jobs of their own (until after they have left baby-making age (because we need to keep creating pollinators/baby makers and soldiers).
Jess's mom is a rebel; she knows the value of education and hide her children while also teaching them how to read as well as encourage Jess's talent for art. They are found out and Jess is sent to girls camp to pollinate while her brother becomes a soldier. The barracks are bare minimum and the food is just enough to ensure the girls are healthy enough to work & one day get their cycle.
Jess knows paintbrushes are used for so much more. One night she sneaks out and in her own act of rebellion, uses her brushes to paint a mural depicting a door to all the opportunities that they should be able to experience in this world. This mural stokes the fire for a rebellion to start spreading through the camp.
Reading this I had to keep checking the news to make sure we weren't there yet. The scale would be so easy to tip in this direction.
This is one of those books that sticks with you and really makes you think. Would be a great book club book for YA
#thedangerofsmallthings
#netgalley
by Caryl Lewis
Pub Date: Mar 24 2026
Whew...where to start?? Loved it while simultaneously hating that this could very well be our future. I would describe this as a Handmaid's Tale for teens.
This dystopian novel takes place in the not-so-distant future (maybe a couple of generations). The rich have gotten richer while leading the government and making decisions that solely benefit them. As a result climate change goes full tilt and the bees have all died. No bees, no pollination. Without pollination, certain plants die out and the world's food chain goes off the rails.
But the powers that be have a solution...the children in our society are pulled from their houses and put to work around age 12. Boys are sent to be trained as soldiers and girls are put to work using paint brushes and pollinating fruit trees (for fruit they never get to taste). Once a girl becomes a woman (gets her period), she is paired with a soldier to start having babies (because that's all women are good for). They are not allowed to be educated or hold jobs of their own (until after they have left baby-making age (because we need to keep creating pollinators/baby makers and soldiers).
Jess's mom is a rebel; she knows the value of education and hide her children while also teaching them how to read as well as encourage Jess's talent for art. They are found out and Jess is sent to girls camp to pollinate while her brother becomes a soldier. The barracks are bare minimum and the food is just enough to ensure the girls are healthy enough to work & one day get their cycle.
Jess knows paintbrushes are used for so much more. One night she sneaks out and in her own act of rebellion, uses her brushes to paint a mural depicting a door to all the opportunities that they should be able to experience in this world. This mural stokes the fire for a rebellion to start spreading through the camp.
Reading this I had to keep checking the news to make sure we weren't there yet. The scale would be so easy to tip in this direction.
This is one of those books that sticks with you and really makes you think. Would be a great book club book for YA
#thedangerofsmallthings
#netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Welcome to a young adult dystopia echoing of The Handsmaid Tale, with young girls being enslaved and manipulated by dominating men.
In a dystopian future, the bees have died out thanks to human neglect and climate collapse ensued as the crops and plants all die with no more pollinators. A male run dicatatorship has been established in which young girls have to hand pollinate the plants and young men get trained as heartless soldiers guarding them. The girls, taken from their homes, live in bare bones dorms, are not taught to read or write, and are overseen by “Mothers” who would be better entitled jailors and “Fathers” who serve as prison wardens. They’re fed little and constantly brainwashed to be grateful for serving the greater good of society. Once they start menstruating, their hair is traumatically chopped off and they’re sent off to become a breeder with a husband chosen by the government. Oh, and the brushes used to pollinate the trees are disgustingly made from this chopped off hair.
Enter our heroine Jess, who has been raised off by a fiercely independent Mom who taught her to read and to think for herself, as well as nurtured Jess’ passion and talent as a painter. In the prison, Jess is appalled by the terrible conditions and the bullying of girls trying to win favor with the Mothers and Fathers. Ultimately Jess risks everything and uses her artistic skills to foment a rebellion by the girls.
The continuous suspense keeps you hooked and the society’s treatment of girls leaves you appalled. You spend much time pondering whether you would be brave enough to rebel as Jess does and risk of death in doing so.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for an advance reader’s copy.
In a dystopian future, the bees have died out thanks to human neglect and climate collapse ensued as the crops and plants all die with no more pollinators. A male run dicatatorship has been established in which young girls have to hand pollinate the plants and young men get trained as heartless soldiers guarding them. The girls, taken from their homes, live in bare bones dorms, are not taught to read or write, and are overseen by “Mothers” who would be better entitled jailors and “Fathers” who serve as prison wardens. They’re fed little and constantly brainwashed to be grateful for serving the greater good of society. Once they start menstruating, their hair is traumatically chopped off and they’re sent off to become a breeder with a husband chosen by the government. Oh, and the brushes used to pollinate the trees are disgustingly made from this chopped off hair.
Enter our heroine Jess, who has been raised off by a fiercely independent Mom who taught her to read and to think for herself, as well as nurtured Jess’ passion and talent as a painter. In the prison, Jess is appalled by the terrible conditions and the bullying of girls trying to win favor with the Mothers and Fathers. Ultimately Jess risks everything and uses her artistic skills to foment a rebellion by the girls.
The continuous suspense keeps you hooked and the society’s treatment of girls leaves you appalled. You spend much time pondering whether you would be brave enough to rebel as Jess does and risk of death in doing so.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for an advance reader’s copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Caryl Lewis’s The Danger of Small Things is the kind of dystopian YA that pulls you in with atmosphere and emotion more than nonstop action. The premise is unsettling. After the extinction of bees, society has reorganized into something harsh and authoritarian, with girls forced into labor camps and stripped of control over their futures. It is a chilling backdrop, and Lewis uses it to explore environmental collapse, oppression, and the quiet power of creativity.
What really stands out is the writing. It is lyrical, reflective, and often quietly heartbreaking. The story stays close to Jess’s inner world, especially how she clings to storytelling and imagination as a way to survive. The tone is serious and thoughtful, and the social commentary feels intentional and layered.
The pacing, though, is very slow. The plot unfolds gradually, spending a lot of time on daily routines, small interactions, and Jess’s thoughts. Even when the tension begins to build, it does so carefully rather than dramatically. At times I found myself wishing for more momentum. Readers who expect fast twists and big action scenes might struggle with how measured everything feels.
That said, the slow pace also adds to the emotional weight. The drawn out rhythm mirrors the suffocating control of the camp, and when things finally shift, it feels earned. Overall, it is a beautifully written and thought provoking dystopian novel that may test your patience but rewards readers who are willing to settle into its quiet intensity.
What really stands out is the writing. It is lyrical, reflective, and often quietly heartbreaking. The story stays close to Jess’s inner world, especially how she clings to storytelling and imagination as a way to survive. The tone is serious and thoughtful, and the social commentary feels intentional and layered.
The pacing, though, is very slow. The plot unfolds gradually, spending a lot of time on daily routines, small interactions, and Jess’s thoughts. Even when the tension begins to build, it does so carefully rather than dramatically. At times I found myself wishing for more momentum. Readers who expect fast twists and big action scenes might struggle with how measured everything feels.
That said, the slow pace also adds to the emotional weight. The drawn out rhythm mirrors the suffocating control of the camp, and when things finally shift, it feels earned. Overall, it is a beautifully written and thought provoking dystopian novel that may test your patience but rewards readers who are willing to settle into its quiet intensity.
October 28, 2025
On a whim I chose this book because it was available to read on Netgalley.
I am like most book lovers and have a TBR pile that goes forever. However because of time constrants this book claimed my time. I am so glad I read this. I didn't know it but I needed the message this book holds.
I've known the danger of losing our bees for a long time now, but had never sat and thought about what it would be like to live without bees. It was a hard stop in my mind just knowing without bees there would not be enough food. Not just not enough food for some people, but not enough period - famine. I know what that means so I stopped thinking about it.
The author, who no surprise is a bee keeper, who clearly had the time to love her bees enough to tell their story of why they cannot go extinct. The catastrophic possibilities surround you and threaten to break you as the story unfolds. I'm not saying that to deter anyone from reading the book. I believe strongly that this book needed to be written, and it is masterfully told.
If you like post apocalyptic / dystopia books that make you feel like a fly on the wall as the action occurs, and then takes you deep into the depths of what it means to be human, then you will love this book.
I really hope this story goes far and wide. I wish it had been a choice to read 20+ years ago when I was in high-school.
I know I'm not giving you the story in this review, you really must experience it for yourself. It's time well spent.
I am like most book lovers and have a TBR pile that goes forever. However because of time constrants this book claimed my time. I am so glad I read this. I didn't know it but I needed the message this book holds.
I've known the danger of losing our bees for a long time now, but had never sat and thought about what it would be like to live without bees. It was a hard stop in my mind just knowing without bees there would not be enough food. Not just not enough food for some people, but not enough period - famine. I know what that means so I stopped thinking about it.
The author, who no surprise is a bee keeper, who clearly had the time to love her bees enough to tell their story of why they cannot go extinct. The catastrophic possibilities surround you and threaten to break you as the story unfolds. I'm not saying that to deter anyone from reading the book. I believe strongly that this book needed to be written, and it is masterfully told.
If you like post apocalyptic / dystopia books that make you feel like a fly on the wall as the action occurs, and then takes you deep into the depths of what it means to be human, then you will love this book.
I really hope this story goes far and wide. I wish it had been a choice to read 20+ years ago when I was in high-school.
I know I'm not giving you the story in this review, you really must experience it for yourself. It's time well spent.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you @simonteen #partner for the gifted copy of this book!
Calling all Handmaids Tale fans…because the entire time I was reading this, it was giving me those same unsettling but thought-provoking vibes. Let’s just say the hamster wheel was churnin’ and burnin’ as I read.
In this world, bees have gone extinct. Yes. EXTINCT. 🐝(we need those in real life so that alone is a scary thought) This of course means the girls have taken over the pollination process to keep the earth alive and functioning. #girlpower…but also…#terrifying
Isn’t that such an interestingly horrifying thing to think about?
Of course though there is much more happening at this camp than just pollinating plants. There is something far more sinister underneath it all. This is a story about becoming a woman, about control and about losing your voice. And let me just say…things get uncomfortable. Fast. The entire concept centers around using these girls not only to populate the earth with plants…but also to populate it with humans. Of course, in any controlled society there are always rebels and thank the lord for them! Getting to see the resistance in this book of course is one of my favorite parts.
This is technically a young adult book but it absolutely explores heavier topics. I like to mention that it might matter to the younger crowd depending on the reader.
I think Caryl Lewis did such a great job creating this eerie world and a cast of characters that made the story feel emotional.
Read this is you like:
• dystopian fiction
• feminist themes
• speculative “what if” worlds
• and stories like The Handmaid’s Tale
This would make SUCH a great book club book. The discussions would be incredible. So much to unpack. So much to question. Hopefully nothing that would ever happen of course!
Calling all Handmaids Tale fans…because the entire time I was reading this, it was giving me those same unsettling but thought-provoking vibes. Let’s just say the hamster wheel was churnin’ and burnin’ as I read.
In this world, bees have gone extinct. Yes. EXTINCT. 🐝(we need those in real life so that alone is a scary thought) This of course means the girls have taken over the pollination process to keep the earth alive and functioning. #girlpower…but also…#terrifying
Isn’t that such an interestingly horrifying thing to think about?
Of course though there is much more happening at this camp than just pollinating plants. There is something far more sinister underneath it all. This is a story about becoming a woman, about control and about losing your voice. And let me just say…things get uncomfortable. Fast. The entire concept centers around using these girls not only to populate the earth with plants…but also to populate it with humans. Of course, in any controlled society there are always rebels and thank the lord for them! Getting to see the resistance in this book of course is one of my favorite parts.
This is technically a young adult book but it absolutely explores heavier topics. I like to mention that it might matter to the younger crowd depending on the reader.
I think Caryl Lewis did such a great job creating this eerie world and a cast of characters that made the story feel emotional.
Read this is you like:
• dystopian fiction
• feminist themes
• speculative “what if” worlds
• and stories like The Handmaid’s Tale
This would make SUCH a great book club book. The discussions would be incredible. So much to unpack. So much to question. Hopefully nothing that would ever happen of course!
October 26, 2025
"The world ended years before anyone realized it had, in complete silence."
From the very first page, this book paints a bleak yet riveting picture of a world without honeybees and the survivors struggling with the harsh society built out of the ashes. Jess lives in a government dormitory, pollinating flowers with a paintbrush by day and dreaming of freedom by night. But so far, the only way out is marriage to a genetically compatible husband, with no room for love anymore. But when Jess begins to use those brushes to share her artistic visions of freedom, she stokes a fire in her fellow prisoners.
Jess finds joy in the quiet moments, in her friendship with Cass, her growing interest in Eliot, the guard who smuggles her paint, and in the few stolen moments in the middle of the night when her painting reminds her of her determination to escape the unjust world they are trapped in.
This book is perfectly set up for a sequel, and I can't wait to see what else the author will do with this fascinating world. Eloquent prose, rich characterizations and a tribute to strength of girls everywhere makes this an unforgettable read.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first page, this book paints a bleak yet riveting picture of a world without honeybees and the survivors struggling with the harsh society built out of the ashes. Jess lives in a government dormitory, pollinating flowers with a paintbrush by day and dreaming of freedom by night. But so far, the only way out is marriage to a genetically compatible husband, with no room for love anymore. But when Jess begins to use those brushes to share her artistic visions of freedom, she stokes a fire in her fellow prisoners.
Jess finds joy in the quiet moments, in her friendship with Cass, her growing interest in Eliot, the guard who smuggles her paint, and in the few stolen moments in the middle of the night when her painting reminds her of her determination to escape the unjust world they are trapped in.
This book is perfectly set up for a sequel, and I can't wait to see what else the author will do with this fascinating world. Eloquent prose, rich characterizations and a tribute to strength of girls everywhere makes this an unforgettable read.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2025
*I received an online copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
In our current society, narratives revolving around the abuse of power, receding human rights, and citizen-led resistance are more important than ever. It can be hard to tackle these heavy topics with nuance and emotion, but Caryl Lewis executed it perfectly.
After the last bee on earth dies, a dystopian society emerges from a world without pollinators. Animals go extinct, women are used solely for labor and childbirth, love becomes obsolete, and food is rationed. Teenage girls who are not old enough to give birth are trapped in prison-like facilities, where they must pollinate crops by hand. Jess, a 13-year-old in one of these facilities, is inspired to take a stand after she finds a container of paint, despite the potential consequences, and ends up starting a rebellion.
The Danger of Small Things is quiet but resonant. In a world without love, hope, or choice, Lewis’ characters simultaneously starve for these joys and seek them out in every small action and experience. I ended up growing very attached to Jess, Cass, and Eliot, and thought that they were portrayed with a beautiful mix of desperation and heart. Also, the language was stunning, and I thought the premise was pretty original for a dystopian novel.
OH and I freaking love the cover!! Seriously, that was what drew me to this book in the first place, and I am so insanely glad that the novel itself is just as gorgeous.
In our current society, narratives revolving around the abuse of power, receding human rights, and citizen-led resistance are more important than ever. It can be hard to tackle these heavy topics with nuance and emotion, but Caryl Lewis executed it perfectly.
After the last bee on earth dies, a dystopian society emerges from a world without pollinators. Animals go extinct, women are used solely for labor and childbirth, love becomes obsolete, and food is rationed. Teenage girls who are not old enough to give birth are trapped in prison-like facilities, where they must pollinate crops by hand. Jess, a 13-year-old in one of these facilities, is inspired to take a stand after she finds a container of paint, despite the potential consequences, and ends up starting a rebellion.
The Danger of Small Things is quiet but resonant. In a world without love, hope, or choice, Lewis’ characters simultaneously starve for these joys and seek them out in every small action and experience. I ended up growing very attached to Jess, Cass, and Eliot, and thought that they were portrayed with a beautiful mix of desperation and heart. Also, the language was stunning, and I thought the premise was pretty original for a dystopian novel.
OH and I freaking love the cover!! Seriously, that was what drew me to this book in the first place, and I am so insanely glad that the novel itself is just as gorgeous.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The honeybees are gone and the patriarchy is stronger than ever. It's an apt and fitting comparison to call this book a younger reader's The Handmaid Tale, but I feel it also misses some of its quieter strengths. The stark setting of this book really feels unsettling, and I appreciated how it almost felt more historical in its telling than dystopian -- a very chilling effect for a book about the forced labor of young girls before marrying them off for childbearing amongst other dystopian horrors. Though not the narrator, Charmian is one of the most compelling "bad guys" I've read of late. Her story within this larger narrative bumped up my rating of this book a whole star. And the overall ending of the book was stellar. It not only sticks the landing, but elevates the whole book.
I agree that its premise is maybe not the most original and the main character/narrator never really connected for me, but students will love this book and I think the story is more powerful than any of its smaller flaws.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Atheneum Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
I agree that its premise is maybe not the most original and the main character/narrator never really connected for me, but students will love this book and I think the story is more powerful than any of its smaller flaws.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Atheneum Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars rounded up
A great introduction to feminist dystopian literature for teens! I think if you've already read a lot in this subgenre it's not going to feel particularly new, but it's a well-executed version of this kind of story. And it's written for teens who perhaps haven't read anything like it before.
The Danger of Small Things follows a teen girl in a dystopian future where the bees have ceased to exist and an oppressive, patriarchal regime where women are only valued for their work and their ability to have children. Torn from her family, Jess lives in a compound with other unmarried girls who have yet to begin menstruating. They spend their days hand-pollenating fruit trees, subsisting on little food in highly controlled conditions. The novel explores the impact of misogyny, homophobia, and racism in this context and does a pretty good job. It is a novel about the power of hope, art, friendship, and women working together for change. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
A great introduction to feminist dystopian literature for teens! I think if you've already read a lot in this subgenre it's not going to feel particularly new, but it's a well-executed version of this kind of story. And it's written for teens who perhaps haven't read anything like it before.
The Danger of Small Things follows a teen girl in a dystopian future where the bees have ceased to exist and an oppressive, patriarchal regime where women are only valued for their work and their ability to have children. Torn from her family, Jess lives in a compound with other unmarried girls who have yet to begin menstruating. They spend their days hand-pollenating fruit trees, subsisting on little food in highly controlled conditions. The novel explores the impact of misogyny, homophobia, and racism in this context and does a pretty good job. It is a novel about the power of hope, art, friendship, and women working together for change. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
November 22, 2025
This is an easy quick read. At 261 pages, it progresses quickly. Thank you to good reads first reads for the chance to get a first peak at Caryl Lewis debut YA novel. Great for fans of books like the "Devil's Arithmetic" and quiet subtle distopian novels.
Jess is a prepubescent girl sent to work in an orchard camp. When bees are no longer available to pollinate plants and food becomes scarce, child labor camps are formed. Boys are sent to the military and girls are sent to camps where they use paint brushes to pollinate trees until they are old enough to reproduce themselves at which point they are biologically matched with a partner to procreate with to further the human race.
For those who believe the stories passed down to them from family, this life is not enough. The spark of rebellion flickers as an artist appears with a mural depicting a better world. For those who value control and order, nothing is more dangerous than a hopeful dreamer.
Jess is a prepubescent girl sent to work in an orchard camp. When bees are no longer available to pollinate plants and food becomes scarce, child labor camps are formed. Boys are sent to the military and girls are sent to camps where they use paint brushes to pollinate trees until they are old enough to reproduce themselves at which point they are biologically matched with a partner to procreate with to further the human race.
For those who believe the stories passed down to them from family, this life is not enough. The spark of rebellion flickers as an artist appears with a mural depicting a better world. For those who value control and order, nothing is more dangerous than a hopeful dreamer.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Danger of Small Things was an incredibly powerful book that I loved so much and would definitely recommend to pick it up! The symbolism throughout the book was so powerful- especially the portrayal of the girls as bees and how crucially important protecting them were, just like nature. Reflecting how unpredictable the world can be, the book shows just how deeply it is influenced by real-world issues. Choice, whether careless, selfish, or neglectful, can ultimately lead to devastating consequences.
I just loved all the characters and their developments throughout the book, from accepting the regime to their fight for freedom. Jess was genuinely so mature and smart for a 14 year old- her determination to question authority while protecting her family and friends was so admirable and resilient.
Some parts were so heart-shattering that I was completely stunned and in tears by the end of the book. Caryl mentioned to me that she wrote this book with her daughter in mind, which makes it so powerful and personal- if there’s a book that you should pick up, it’s this one.
Thank you so much to Simon YA for the beautiful proof! This book was such an eye-opening and enjoyable read!
I just loved all the characters and their developments throughout the book, from accepting the regime to their fight for freedom. Jess was genuinely so mature and smart for a 14 year old- her determination to question authority while protecting her family and friends was so admirable and resilient.
Some parts were so heart-shattering that I was completely stunned and in tears by the end of the book. Caryl mentioned to me that she wrote this book with her daughter in mind, which makes it so powerful and personal- if there’s a book that you should pick up, it’s this one.
Thank you so much to Simon YA for the beautiful proof! This book was such an eye-opening and enjoyable read!
February 12, 2026
Very grateful to have received an ARC of this book.
This is a YA dystopian novel that imagines a frighteningly plausible future in which the extinction of bees has caused our ecosystem to collapse. The story follows Jess, a young woman forced to spend her adolescence pollinating flowers by hand until she will eventually be assigned a husband. Slowly, she and the other girls begin to realise that even the smallest things - a handful of paint, or refusing an apple - can shake the system they’ve been led to believe is their only possible reality.
It’s an urgent story, and I read it obsessively; Lewis’ writing is equally beautiful and captivating. However, I did find the world-building a little thin and the politics somewhat simplistic, even for YA. But that doesn’t make the book any less vital, especially for its target audience.
This is a YA dystopian novel that imagines a frighteningly plausible future in which the extinction of bees has caused our ecosystem to collapse. The story follows Jess, a young woman forced to spend her adolescence pollinating flowers by hand until she will eventually be assigned a husband. Slowly, she and the other girls begin to realise that even the smallest things - a handful of paint, or refusing an apple - can shake the system they’ve been led to believe is their only possible reality.
It’s an urgent story, and I read it obsessively; Lewis’ writing is equally beautiful and captivating. However, I did find the world-building a little thin and the politics somewhat simplistic, even for YA. But that doesn’t make the book any less vital, especially for its target audience.
December 22, 2025
Jess can barely remember the time before the bees went extinct. She remembers living with her mom and her brother, and she remembers trying to escape before being sent to the camps. All she knows now is dusting. She and the other girls at the camp spend their days dusting crops to pollinate them until they are old enough to bear children. But as Jess grows more restless, can she convince the girls at the camp that another type of life is possible?
This was an engaging dystopia that I really enjoyed. The lower rating stems from the rushed ending, which left me feeling like everything wrapped up a little too nicely. I'm hopeful that maybe it is set up for a sequel.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.
This was an engaging dystopia that I really enjoyed. The lower rating stems from the rushed ending, which left me feeling like everything wrapped up a little too nicely. I'm hopeful that maybe it is set up for a sequel.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Why I got it: A YA dystopia is my jam. I love all of them, even if they are a stark reflection of the world we are living in, even if it’s a dire warning.
Why I read it: This book comes out next month, and I wanted to make sure I got my review in before release. I honestly had forgotten what it was about, but as soon as I read the first chapter, I couldn’t put it down!
What I liked: Many would say it’s alarmist, to call attention to the importance of bees in our ability to survive as a species, but is it? This world survives because of bees and in the world of this book, it’s barely making it and only because humans are doing the work of bees. A profound and terrifying novel, however interesting with a plot reminiscent of Handmaid’s Tale and “stand up to the authorities” YA novels. Many revolutions are started by the young. In that, this novel is accurate.
Edit Review
Why I read it: This book comes out next month, and I wanted to make sure I got my review in before release. I honestly had forgotten what it was about, but as soon as I read the first chapter, I couldn’t put it down!
What I liked: Many would say it’s alarmist, to call attention to the importance of bees in our ability to survive as a species, but is it? This world survives because of bees and in the world of this book, it’s barely making it and only because humans are doing the work of bees. A profound and terrifying novel, however interesting with a plot reminiscent of Handmaid’s Tale and “stand up to the authorities” YA novels. Many revolutions are started by the young. In that, this novel is accurate.
Edit Review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Overall I enjoyed! Feels very handmaids tale for young adults. It is marketed as YA, but it reads even younger (writing felt middle grade almost). You can really feel how young the girls are and it does make it feel so much darker.
Bit quick on the development of friendship btw Jess and Eliot/jump to rebellion. It felt a bit like it was missing some fleshing out. Loved the flashbacks. My favorite bit was the appreciation and elevation of art as a form of protest and resistance and I think it was especially powerful because of how young the characters are.
Not as conservation focused as I was hoping - it doesn’t really go beyond “the bees are dead and now we have to hand pollinate”
Did enjoy and it’s a quick read!
Bit quick on the development of friendship btw Jess and Eliot/jump to rebellion. It felt a bit like it was missing some fleshing out. Loved the flashbacks. My favorite bit was the appreciation and elevation of art as a form of protest and resistance and I think it was especially powerful because of how young the characters are.
Not as conservation focused as I was hoping - it doesn’t really go beyond “the bees are dead and now we have to hand pollinate”
Did enjoy and it’s a quick read!
November 5, 2025
Oh my! I had not expected that this little book would have such an enormous impact. If you are a fan of dystopian books with characters that will become a part of your heart and soul then this is your gift. From the first page I was drawn into Jess’s world with the other kids living in a sort of commune and being told that they are being kept safe and taken care of by those in charge. But at what point do things get so bad that we forget to question the reality that others have handed is? At what point are we willing to be brave enough to seek the truth and dare to inspire others to instigate change? If I was a teacher, my students would be reading this book right now! Because now is exactly when we need to open our eyes and seek the real truth behind what we are being fed by others.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel is really reminiscent of the ambience that I Who Have Never Known Men exudes--in the best way possible.
I'm such a fan of novels that change the focus of the world building to something unexpected.
The Danger of Small Things surrounds a post-apocalyptic world, but the focus is centered on the experience of young girls learning about the power they hold despite their circumstances. I also really love that the main character learns to stand up to injustice through her art, showing the power something so small can have
A huge thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Caryl Lewis for this ARC!
I'm such a fan of novels that change the focus of the world building to something unexpected.
The Danger of Small Things surrounds a post-apocalyptic world, but the focus is centered on the experience of young girls learning about the power they hold despite their circumstances. I also really love that the main character learns to stand up to injustice through her art, showing the power something so small can have
A huge thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and Caryl Lewis for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 Stars, rounded up
A little slow and introspective, and it isn't very much about bees. I had a bit of trouble reconciling the worldbuilding and plot. But did I care? Not very much. I enjoyed this one enough. It is nice to see a slower-paced YA dystopia, at least. I can get behind that.
Anyway, my full review will be available over at Gateway Reviews on March 6, 2026. Stop by if you feel so inclined!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
A little slow and introspective, and it isn't very much about bees. I had a bit of trouble reconciling the worldbuilding and plot. But did I care? Not very much. I enjoyed this one enough. It is nice to see a slower-paced YA dystopia, at least. I can get behind that.
Anyway, my full review will be available over at Gateway Reviews on March 6, 2026. Stop by if you feel so inclined!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
did-not-finish
January 25, 2026DNF at 36%.
I love dystopian books so the premise of this one intrigued me. However, there was little to no world building and I was bored while reading this one (even with the fact that it’s a relatively short book). Also, this one is almost a middle grade book considering the characters very young ages, but I think it’s the slightly darker themes that probably pushed it to the YA category. I’m just not in the age range anymore to read books with super young characters.
Thank you to Simon Teen for the advanced copy!
I love dystopian books so the premise of this one intrigued me. However, there was little to no world building and I was bored while reading this one (even with the fact that it’s a relatively short book). Also, this one is almost a middle grade book considering the characters very young ages, but I think it’s the slightly darker themes that probably pushed it to the YA category. I’m just not in the age range anymore to read books with super young characters.
Thank you to Simon Teen for the advanced copy!
February 6, 2026
This book reminded me of the Handmaid’s Tale. Teenage girls are forced to pollinate with brushes. They’re under control and abuse until they’re married off. They basically live to have babies.
I like the length of this book. It’s not too long but gets the point across. It discusses real topics about bees and what could happen if they were gone. The girls we follow are different but find hope in one another. When they bind together, they could change their futures. I also love the cover of the book. It feels ominous.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I like the length of this book. It’s not too long but gets the point across. It discusses real topics about bees and what could happen if they were gone. The girls we follow are different but find hope in one another. When they bind together, they could change their futures. I also love the cover of the book. It feels ominous.
I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
October 17, 2025
This book is supposed to be YA, but it seems more like middle school, based on the character ages and content. I love a good dystopian novel, but this one was a little slow-moving. I wish there had been more world-building. I would read a sequel if the author were to write one. I would like to see more world-building and read about Shey's story. I would also be interested in finding out what happens to some of the other characters, like Cass, Dreya, and the mom.
December 4, 2025
4 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of The Danger of Small Things.
In a world where honeybees have gone extinct, young girls are relegated to the fields to "dust" the crops with pollen. Once in the camps, Jess longs for more. She was raised with learning the "arts" painting, reading and writing. Jess will find herself setting off a series of events that will forever change her life.
The book leaves us with a cliffhanger so I hope book 2 is in the works.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of The Danger of Small Things.
In a world where honeybees have gone extinct, young girls are relegated to the fields to "dust" the crops with pollen. Once in the camps, Jess longs for more. She was raised with learning the "arts" painting, reading and writing. Jess will find herself setting off a series of events that will forever change her life.
The book leaves us with a cliffhanger so I hope book 2 is in the works.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dystopian
Interesting concept of a book. The bees are extinct and now this community requires their girls (10 yrs-14-ish) to live in barracks and go to work hand pollinating everything. Girls are mistreated and malnourished. They find hope when an artist secretly paints a mural. It’s just enough to begin the rebellion!
This book has potential but doesn’t quite get there for me. The girls were interesting enough but the rebellion barely gets going and the book ends. Disappointed.
Interesting concept of a book. The bees are extinct and now this community requires their girls (10 yrs-14-ish) to live in barracks and go to work hand pollinating everything. Girls are mistreated and malnourished. They find hope when an artist secretly paints a mural. It’s just enough to begin the rebellion!
This book has potential but doesn’t quite get there for me. The girls were interesting enough but the rebellion barely gets going and the book ends. Disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There have been quite a few dystopian YA novels centred around a Green theme recently. This one stands out in the way that it does not try to make it "modern". The world described in the book is simple and it is that simplicity that makes it feel real. The writing is beautifully done. I agree that the world-building is a tad thin but that is what makes it beautiful -- readers can fill in the blanks at times with their own interpretation.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
a YA handmaid's tale that has a strong focus on environmental issues and on the arts as well. the style was incredibly well-written and the characters were gripping. the ending was fantastic as well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
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