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After Bees
The world did not end in fire. It did not end in ice. It ended for want of an insect. The global famine and societal collapse that followed would render humans an endangered species themselves, hanging onto survival in the most remote places. Over one hundred years later, the Settlement thinks they’ve solved the problem by enslaving all men and allowing only women to rule. In this community men are viewed as wholly unfit to make decisions of their own, widely blamed for the downfall of the species. Women, by contrast, are painted as inherently honest, wise and natural-born leaders. After handling a series of related murders and picking up a pair of new slaves, Captain of the Guard Willow Pelletier isn’t so sure.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2017
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146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 22, 2017
One Word: BRAVA!!!!!
I have no idea how one can come up with this story but it was INCREDIBLE!! After Bees by B C Nyren is a twist on America's history. Apparently we rely on bees--yes, bumble bees--more than we think. When these insects become instinct, Women become the rulers and men become the slaves. I don't want to give anything away, however, the irony is not lost on me that the novel itself mirrors the way of the bees' natures! Nyren creates this mirror image so subtly that the entire story is completely original. Taking substance from America's history of slaves and the life of bees (I assume), an incredible tale is weaved of one Family living in this day in age.
Nyren's writing is pure, liquid gold: "The Captain realized that the backs of his hands had both been repeatedly burned, a patchwork of damage old and new. She doubted he could have gripped anything for some time without absolute agony as several wet, open blisters littered his knuckles and fingers, white and horrible against violent red. His back showed a map of brutality, crossed again and again with thin, straight slices, some that still leaked blood. His sunken, weary eyes stared at nothing in favor of looking at another possible tormentor." The entire novel is a "map of brutality." However, in the midst of this ugliness, Nyren finds a way to add love into her characters by the simplest of acts: "Swallowing the lump in her throat, she decided to start with his hair first. He tensed badly when she tilted his head back and began pouring water over it, but otherwise made no protest. She grabbed the jar of shampoo off the counter, lathered his hair and then tipped his head back to rinse again. This done, her new slave visibly relaxed a fraction."
There is such an even and beautiful mix of love in this novel. Love in the form of respect, tenderness, and even loyalty. My only complaint, THIS NOVEL WAS TOOOOOO SHORT!!!! I could have finished this book in one day, but I didn't want it to end. I had to do my best spread it out so that I could soak it up! I was almost certain there was going to be a sequel, but no such luck.
I can't wait to see what else this brilliant author writes. WELL DONE!! LOVE!!!!
I have no idea how one can come up with this story but it was INCREDIBLE!! After Bees by B C Nyren is a twist on America's history. Apparently we rely on bees--yes, bumble bees--more than we think. When these insects become instinct, Women become the rulers and men become the slaves. I don't want to give anything away, however, the irony is not lost on me that the novel itself mirrors the way of the bees' natures! Nyren creates this mirror image so subtly that the entire story is completely original. Taking substance from America's history of slaves and the life of bees (I assume), an incredible tale is weaved of one Family living in this day in age.
Nyren's writing is pure, liquid gold: "The Captain realized that the backs of his hands had both been repeatedly burned, a patchwork of damage old and new. She doubted he could have gripped anything for some time without absolute agony as several wet, open blisters littered his knuckles and fingers, white and horrible against violent red. His back showed a map of brutality, crossed again and again with thin, straight slices, some that still leaked blood. His sunken, weary eyes stared at nothing in favor of looking at another possible tormentor." The entire novel is a "map of brutality." However, in the midst of this ugliness, Nyren finds a way to add love into her characters by the simplest of acts: "Swallowing the lump in her throat, she decided to start with his hair first. He tensed badly when she tilted his head back and began pouring water over it, but otherwise made no protest. She grabbed the jar of shampoo off the counter, lathered his hair and then tipped his head back to rinse again. This done, her new slave visibly relaxed a fraction."
There is such an even and beautiful mix of love in this novel. Love in the form of respect, tenderness, and even loyalty. My only complaint, THIS NOVEL WAS TOOOOOO SHORT!!!! I could have finished this book in one day, but I didn't want it to end. I had to do my best spread it out so that I could soak it up! I was almost certain there was going to be a sequel, but no such luck.
I can't wait to see what else this brilliant author writes. WELL DONE!! LOVE!!!!
September 30, 2017
After Bees by B.C. Nyren is a 5/5-star short story taking place in post-apocalyptic world. It is a story about the future of our world, about murder, slavery that reenters society and power. The story line is truly thought-out and insightful. It makes the reader think. It has been a while since I have read a book that truly makes me think, I love it! I also loved that the story explains the world has ended due to the demise of the bee population, I have spoken with an elderly gentleman who made his living before retirement as a beekeeper. He believes that we will all eventually starve to death if everyone keeps killing off bees! I truly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more from Ms. Nyren! Thank you for putting out a book that was well thought out, insightful, well written and excellently executed!
May 23, 2018
Synopsis about about it is completely misleading
In this case don't judge the book by what's written on the inside of the cover. It sounded great and I was stepping outside of the box a bit because I normally don't read dystopian types set so far in the future but the bees are a reality and sounded fascinating!- yeah, the bees were merely mentioned, and vaguely at that. That in itself was very disappointing for me because it is a crisis we face and was looking forward to seeing what kind of POV the author would tAke on how it really does impact everything, why and possible fictitious solutions. The 2nd major "turn off" for me was that it was a cheap, not even remotely salacious or good romance novel masquerading as a real book, and that's probably the only reason it's had any readers at all. I don't even like romance a little bit, yet I could've sat down and written a better, more interesting and gripping romance story myself. The characters were like paper dolls made out of rice paper; thin faceted, flat, boring, unrealistic and flimsy. The only reason I finished was because there were few errors and even horrible as this book was, I wanted to give it a fair chance at a review. This whole book has the length and criteria of a story a 13yr girl would write for creative writing class at school. The ONLY qualities it had were there were only a few mistakes ( unless you count the one I made when I read it), I liked the cover and that it was indeed a quick read.
In this case don't judge the book by what's written on the inside of the cover. It sounded great and I was stepping outside of the box a bit because I normally don't read dystopian types set so far in the future but the bees are a reality and sounded fascinating!- yeah, the bees were merely mentioned, and vaguely at that. That in itself was very disappointing for me because it is a crisis we face and was looking forward to seeing what kind of POV the author would tAke on how it really does impact everything, why and possible fictitious solutions. The 2nd major "turn off" for me was that it was a cheap, not even remotely salacious or good romance novel masquerading as a real book, and that's probably the only reason it's had any readers at all. I don't even like romance a little bit, yet I could've sat down and written a better, more interesting and gripping romance story myself. The characters were like paper dolls made out of rice paper; thin faceted, flat, boring, unrealistic and flimsy. The only reason I finished was because there were few errors and even horrible as this book was, I wanted to give it a fair chance at a review. This whole book has the length and criteria of a story a 13yr girl would write for creative writing class at school. The ONLY qualities it had were there were only a few mistakes ( unless you count the one I made when I read it), I liked the cover and that it was indeed a quick read.
December 17, 2018
This reads more like an outline for a book rather than an actual book. It moves from point to point with little to no details in between. As I was reading, I kept thinking to myself, "Why did this happen? How did it happen? How did people react?" There are no answers. For example:
1. The bees die
2. The world ends
3. A group of survivors decides women should be in control because men are violent and ended the world
4. Men are slaves
5. Women are violent
The story would be so much better if we knew how the decision was made to put women in charge, how the men felt about it, and the impact it had on relationships at the time. Then the story jumps to the part where men are slaves. That is a big jump from women being in charge, but there are no details whatsoever about how it happened. Why would men just surrender to being slaves and why did the women resort to making them slaves? We have no idea. What happens when women have male children, knowing they will be slaves one day?
I think that would be an interesting book, but what we have doesn't even touch the surface of any of those things. Instead, something happens and then something else happens and so on.
Willow is the heroine of the story. She is the sheriff of the town and is kind to the men she has as slaves. They are portrayed as more like a family, but the men do everything around the house and ranch and Willow goes to work, comes home, and is pampered. If she is so against slavery, why doesn't she do something to end it? She and a slave sleep together and fall in love. Can they get married or are men always considered slaves? He can't go anywhere on his own. I don't know. It still sounds like slavery to me.
Then, of course, there is the obvious association of women with bees. Queens rule the hives and her drones go out and do the work, so, in this world, women have adopted the lifestyle of bees. That raises the question of why an angry-looking bee is on the cover. The bees are gone. The story is about what happens after they are gone. Is the cover telling us the entire story because the book is most definitely not about bees.
This book is shallow and disconcerting. I would recommend avoiding it.
1. The bees die
2. The world ends
3. A group of survivors decides women should be in control because men are violent and ended the world
4. Men are slaves
5. Women are violent
The story would be so much better if we knew how the decision was made to put women in charge, how the men felt about it, and the impact it had on relationships at the time. Then the story jumps to the part where men are slaves. That is a big jump from women being in charge, but there are no details whatsoever about how it happened. Why would men just surrender to being slaves and why did the women resort to making them slaves? We have no idea. What happens when women have male children, knowing they will be slaves one day?
I think that would be an interesting book, but what we have doesn't even touch the surface of any of those things. Instead, something happens and then something else happens and so on.
Willow is the heroine of the story. She is the sheriff of the town and is kind to the men she has as slaves. They are portrayed as more like a family, but the men do everything around the house and ranch and Willow goes to work, comes home, and is pampered. If she is so against slavery, why doesn't she do something to end it? She and a slave sleep together and fall in love. Can they get married or are men always considered slaves? He can't go anywhere on his own. I don't know. It still sounds like slavery to me.
Then, of course, there is the obvious association of women with bees. Queens rule the hives and her drones go out and do the work, so, in this world, women have adopted the lifestyle of bees. That raises the question of why an angry-looking bee is on the cover. The bees are gone. The story is about what happens after they are gone. Is the cover telling us the entire story because the book is most definitely not about bees.
This book is shallow and disconcerting. I would recommend avoiding it.
October 8, 2017
4 Stars
After Bees is a surprisingly good read, by B.C Nyren. I say surprisingly because I didn’t know quite what to expect and I didn’t know if I would really like the book, but after reading a few recommendations I decided to try it. I am really glad that I did, because it is a very interesting, thought provoking and well written book. But I feel that although the cover is quite dramatic and eye-catching, it really doesn’t do the book any justice and is somewhat misleading. It may put some people off purchasing the book and miss out on reading a great story.
The story plays off the premise of what the world would be like if all the bees died out. We all know of the crucial role that bees play in our ecosystems, so losing them would have devastating consequences. This story explores that thought in greater detail. But to say that this is the whole story would be misinformation. The story starts because the bees died out, and then goes on to describe how our societies collapses as a result. But the majority of the story focuses on how the few people left rebuild their lives and how they decide to structure their new community. Where the survivors decide that men are entirely to blame for everything that happened and so women are entirely in charge now, men becoming little more than slaves.
Willow Pelletier is the Captain of the Guard and a leader of the settlement. She is a surprising character who I came to really admire. There is a lot happening in the book and Willow plays a main role in the story as it unfolds. We follow along on a journey fraught with drama, a little mystery and quite a lot of intensity.
This is a quick, easy read with a great pace and a smooth flow. I read it comfortably in one sitting.
This appears to be the author's debut novel, and is a real credit to Ms. Nyren’s superb writing ability. I look forward to seeing what she does next.
Thank you, Ms. Nyren!
After Bees is a surprisingly good read, by B.C Nyren. I say surprisingly because I didn’t know quite what to expect and I didn’t know if I would really like the book, but after reading a few recommendations I decided to try it. I am really glad that I did, because it is a very interesting, thought provoking and well written book. But I feel that although the cover is quite dramatic and eye-catching, it really doesn’t do the book any justice and is somewhat misleading. It may put some people off purchasing the book and miss out on reading a great story.
The story plays off the premise of what the world would be like if all the bees died out. We all know of the crucial role that bees play in our ecosystems, so losing them would have devastating consequences. This story explores that thought in greater detail. But to say that this is the whole story would be misinformation. The story starts because the bees died out, and then goes on to describe how our societies collapses as a result. But the majority of the story focuses on how the few people left rebuild their lives and how they decide to structure their new community. Where the survivors decide that men are entirely to blame for everything that happened and so women are entirely in charge now, men becoming little more than slaves.
Willow Pelletier is the Captain of the Guard and a leader of the settlement. She is a surprising character who I came to really admire. There is a lot happening in the book and Willow plays a main role in the story as it unfolds. We follow along on a journey fraught with drama, a little mystery and quite a lot of intensity.
This is a quick, easy read with a great pace and a smooth flow. I read it comfortably in one sitting.
This appears to be the author's debut novel, and is a real credit to Ms. Nyren’s superb writing ability. I look forward to seeing what she does next.
Thank you, Ms. Nyren!
September 10, 2017
BC Nyren has written a wonderful post-apocalyptic story that is so different from any other that I’ve read. After Bees is just that. With no bees left to pollinate the plants we rely on for food, society collapses in a short seven years. So few people are left and it has been decided that the fall of civilization is the fault of men so it comes to be that women are in put in charge and men are no more than slaves to serve women however they see fit. It honestly made me uncomfortable every time men were referred to as slaves. Instead of saying women, men, and children, the phrase was women, slaves, and children. I like to think that the discomfort was intentional by the author but I really can’t be sure. The fact that Willow, who is in such a high place of power, treats the men she owns like family is so wonderful. So many women she comes into contact with every single day are horrendously cruel and Willow is so put off by that. Even though she has been raised in a society where half the people are property, Willow knows that cruelty for cruelty’s sake is wrong no matter what.
The subject of slavery is such a sensitive one but for some parts of this book, the interactions between Willow, Julian, Rowan, and everyone else were written so flawlessly that it was easy to forget that the men were slaves.
My only complaint in regards to this book is the stated time that Brinn’s hands healed. As someone who has worked with burn patients, I couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough to really take in his recovery unless the aloe and medicines Willow uses are so highly evolved as to let Brinn recover so quickly. But in the context of this story it was hard to believe that.
All in all this was a great addition to post-apocalyptic fiction and I love that it sheds some light on the problem we are facing with bees dying today while still being engaging as a story.
The subject of slavery is such a sensitive one but for some parts of this book, the interactions between Willow, Julian, Rowan, and everyone else were written so flawlessly that it was easy to forget that the men were slaves.
My only complaint in regards to this book is the stated time that Brinn’s hands healed. As someone who has worked with burn patients, I couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough to really take in his recovery unless the aloe and medicines Willow uses are so highly evolved as to let Brinn recover so quickly. But in the context of this story it was hard to believe that.
All in all this was a great addition to post-apocalyptic fiction and I love that it sheds some light on the problem we are facing with bees dying today while still being engaging as a story.
September 10, 2017
After Bees by BC Nyren is a story that takes place in the future. It is about murder, slaves, and power. This is my first story by this author and I found her writing style to be engaging. Her attention to details are great and along with her creative characters. It is a well written story that will make you angry in parts and compassion in others. Her characters will take you on a roller coaster of various emotions. The meaning in this story goes a little deeper then just the existent of bees. You will have to read this story to find out what I mean by that. This is the story of women being in power and the men are enslaved. The women are the only one who can have the control, the power. The men are made out to be the fault of everything they are going through. The women in this story are independent and have complete control over their lives. Some are good and some are not worthy of speaking about. But every story has good and bad in them. I liked seeing the women in power and men scrambling around doing what they are told. It shows that women can have the same type of attitudes as men and take control. I enjoyed how it also showed some of these same women feeling compassion and maybe you might say on the weaker side. Some have big hearts and other have evil. Honestly, this story talks about bees being coming existent but honestly I think this story is also about the existent of how we view the world today. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to all. It is fast reading and will keep you turning pages until the end. It will pull you into the story and make you feel like you are right there in this future world. I for one am looking for to more from this author and I think you will too after reading this book.
September 23, 2017
The greed and cruelty of the past was in tied to men…
This novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic world after the demise of the world’s population of all the bees. “When there were still bees the global population had been close to eight billion. In the seven years after the extinction almost all of them perished.”
One small portion managed to survive and create a colony hidden away from the rest of the declining population that managed to successfully rebuild a society from top to bottom. Ten families survived and so they called it, The Ten Families Settlement. They managed to rebuild within windows a new agriculture and way of life completely. The most major change is amongst the social status of men and women. They believe that men are majorly a reason why the world was so quickly to be at its demise previously.
“It was decided early on that women only would be appointed lead. The greed and cruelty of the past was in their eyes largely tied to men being permitted to govern and so the decision was nearly unanimous, men should not be permitted to rule or vote. To ensure they never took power again, the settlement counsel decried that all men would be chattel of women, bound as property by law.” Their leader that oversees the women maintain their power and the training of the “slaves” or the men is Captain of the Guard Willow Pelletier. She is the main character that shines in this book and really takes the reader on the journey through this new way of life that could be a reality.
I very much enjoyed the quick read and change of pace for myself. I will be looking out for more of BC Nyren’s work in the future.
This novel takes place in a post-apocalyptic world after the demise of the world’s population of all the bees. “When there were still bees the global population had been close to eight billion. In the seven years after the extinction almost all of them perished.”
One small portion managed to survive and create a colony hidden away from the rest of the declining population that managed to successfully rebuild a society from top to bottom. Ten families survived and so they called it, The Ten Families Settlement. They managed to rebuild within windows a new agriculture and way of life completely. The most major change is amongst the social status of men and women. They believe that men are majorly a reason why the world was so quickly to be at its demise previously.
“It was decided early on that women only would be appointed lead. The greed and cruelty of the past was in their eyes largely tied to men being permitted to govern and so the decision was nearly unanimous, men should not be permitted to rule or vote. To ensure they never took power again, the settlement counsel decried that all men would be chattel of women, bound as property by law.” Their leader that oversees the women maintain their power and the training of the “slaves” or the men is Captain of the Guard Willow Pelletier. She is the main character that shines in this book and really takes the reader on the journey through this new way of life that could be a reality.
I very much enjoyed the quick read and change of pace for myself. I will be looking out for more of BC Nyren’s work in the future.
September 29, 2017
I loved this book. What if women ran society because men ran it into the ground? I often hear women speaking about what it would be like if women were in charge, but their hearts are full of animosity toward men. This story shines a light on what it is like to become the thing you hold animosity for. Men are slaves...and there are women who treat them just as badly as they have accused men of doing. But, the main character, Willow, has hope for a new way of life...she just has to find a way to make it happen. In the end, compassion and love are all that matter.
As a Priestess, this book holds more significance to me than most I’d imagine. My path is one that strives to act from love and compassion rather than anger and hate. It is not always easy but I definitely related to Willow as a person who sees atrocity and feels helpless to end it. In spite of her struggle, she does what she can, and she saves two slaves who have been badly abused. The slaves that she saves are wary of her at first, which is understandable considering what they’ve been through, but they come to love her because she treats them with respect and compassion.
Through the man she saved, she comes to learn what life is like for the people outside of her settlement. They are starving and have taken to raiding the settlement outposts for food and supplies. Willow, as Captain of the Guard, has taken many lives during these raids, but after spending time with her new slave, she hatches a plan to stop the bloodshed and bring peace.
As a Priestess, this book holds more significance to me than most I’d imagine. My path is one that strives to act from love and compassion rather than anger and hate. It is not always easy but I definitely related to Willow as a person who sees atrocity and feels helpless to end it. In spite of her struggle, she does what she can, and she saves two slaves who have been badly abused. The slaves that she saves are wary of her at first, which is understandable considering what they’ve been through, but they come to love her because she treats them with respect and compassion.
Through the man she saved, she comes to learn what life is like for the people outside of her settlement. They are starving and have taken to raiding the settlement outposts for food and supplies. Willow, as Captain of the Guard, has taken many lives during these raids, but after spending time with her new slave, she hatches a plan to stop the bloodshed and bring peace.
October 7, 2017
After Bees by B.C. Nyren
5 Stars
There’s nothing like reading about a book, having doubts about reading it but trying it anyway and finishing it thinking O.M.G. What an amazing story!! I don’t normally choose this genre, but I am so thankful I did this time.
While reading this I couldn't help but think about all that we take for granted, it also makes me want to run out and hug a bee keeper, and although I'm scared to death of bees, I have a whole new respect for them.
This was such a creative storyline, one that I enjoyed from the very first page, the whole idea of women taking over what is left of the world and treating men as slaves was something I had a hard time with, and it was obvious to me pretty early on that the Captain of the Guard, Willow Pelletier felt the same way. Taking “ownership” of Macs and Brinn after life had been horrible enough to warrant them not trusting anyone was quite a risk, but one she was willing to take. She had a different view on how “slaves” should be treated and it was fun seeing her interact with those that she had living in her home. They were family to her and she was no doubt my very favorite character in this book from the very start.
I loved the descriptions of how they survived, the aquaponics system was fascinating and completely real, this is becoming so popular today even and it was awesome to read about it in this book.
I loved the flow and style of this book and I will absolutely read everything this author comes out with, I’m an instant fan and will highly recommend this book to everyone.
5 Stars
There’s nothing like reading about a book, having doubts about reading it but trying it anyway and finishing it thinking O.M.G. What an amazing story!! I don’t normally choose this genre, but I am so thankful I did this time.
While reading this I couldn't help but think about all that we take for granted, it also makes me want to run out and hug a bee keeper, and although I'm scared to death of bees, I have a whole new respect for them.
This was such a creative storyline, one that I enjoyed from the very first page, the whole idea of women taking over what is left of the world and treating men as slaves was something I had a hard time with, and it was obvious to me pretty early on that the Captain of the Guard, Willow Pelletier felt the same way. Taking “ownership” of Macs and Brinn after life had been horrible enough to warrant them not trusting anyone was quite a risk, but one she was willing to take. She had a different view on how “slaves” should be treated and it was fun seeing her interact with those that she had living in her home. They were family to her and she was no doubt my very favorite character in this book from the very start.
I loved the descriptions of how they survived, the aquaponics system was fascinating and completely real, this is becoming so popular today even and it was awesome to read about it in this book.
I loved the flow and style of this book and I will absolutely read everything this author comes out with, I’m an instant fan and will highly recommend this book to everyone.
September 9, 2017
After Bees by B. C. Nyren is a very well written, well thought out shorter story about the future. It is an amazing five star read. This is a dystopian novel about what might happen if we were to lose our most industrious pollinator. The human race struggles in a world where everything bees used to pollinate is now pollinated by hand. It is a study in how small things affect big things. I really enjoyed this book. Unlike so many dystopian books, this one is a hopeful look at humanity's future and our ability and will to survive and live well.
Ms. Nyren has a wonderful handle on her character descriptions. Each one is carefully delineated and detailed. I really liked all of them. After Bees was an interesting look at what life would be like starting over at the bottom of technology. this time, making it much more ecologically friendly as opposed to industrially friendly. It is a well thought out, well written and well executed book. The ideas put forth are very ecologically sound.
I think I like this new utopia. I really liked this book. Especially the ending of the story. Ms. Nyren has really done a great job of capturing the importance of small things in the overall scheme of all things.
Thank you Ms. Nyren for bringing this tale to us. Five star KUDOS!!!
Ms. Nyren has a wonderful handle on her character descriptions. Each one is carefully delineated and detailed. I really liked all of them. After Bees was an interesting look at what life would be like starting over at the bottom of technology. this time, making it much more ecologically friendly as opposed to industrially friendly. It is a well thought out, well written and well executed book. The ideas put forth are very ecologically sound.
I think I like this new utopia. I really liked this book. Especially the ending of the story. Ms. Nyren has really done a great job of capturing the importance of small things in the overall scheme of all things.
Thank you Ms. Nyren for bringing this tale to us. Five star KUDOS!!!
October 8, 2017
After Bees by B C Nyren is an engrossing sci-fi take on what could happen after the extinction of bees. Without bees the downfall of the world begins slowly. First the third world goes, then the rest of the world. On the east coast a group of people called the ten families manages to survive through alternative farming methods and eco friendly homes. A society forms that places women at the top of the social heiarchy. Men do not have the ability to vote or hold leadership positions.
Point of view starts off with Captain of the Guard Willow Pelletier speaking to a crowd of women of an investigation into a murder of a fellow woman, possibly by one of her slave men. The murder victim is not a good person and that is well illustrated. Willow Pelletier takes the two of the slaves that were illegally captured and held by the victim. She is a kinder owner by far.
The point of view switches from Willow to Brinn, one of the slaves that Willow has taken into her household.
The book held my attention pretty well. It moved along at a great pace. The back story of what exactly happened to the bees and the rest of the world. It's not the important part of story though. Very quickly Willow and Brinn take over the narrative which is good thing since they are the interesting art of the story.
A very good sci-fi story that fans of the genre should pick up and enjoy.
Point of view starts off with Captain of the Guard Willow Pelletier speaking to a crowd of women of an investigation into a murder of a fellow woman, possibly by one of her slave men. The murder victim is not a good person and that is well illustrated. Willow Pelletier takes the two of the slaves that were illegally captured and held by the victim. She is a kinder owner by far.
The point of view switches from Willow to Brinn, one of the slaves that Willow has taken into her household.
The book held my attention pretty well. It moved along at a great pace. The back story of what exactly happened to the bees and the rest of the world. It's not the important part of story though. Very quickly Willow and Brinn take over the narrative which is good thing since they are the interesting art of the story.
A very good sci-fi story that fans of the genre should pick up and enjoy.
September 9, 2017
After Bees
By: B.C. Nyren
5 out of 5 stars
The story After Bees by B.C. Nyren is a post-apocalyptic story that takes place 100 years after the collapse of the world. You are introduced to a settlement of people who have survived. This story also introduces you to a woman named Willow Pelletier. She is the main character in this book and one of the main reasons that I loved reading it so much. Willow is a woman who is strong and independent. She also cares deeply for others and has a kind soul. I also found her to be a woman who grapples with herself about what is going on around her and some of the actions that she has taken. You see in this settlement men are enslaved. I was shocked and angry with the cruelty that is shown by some. While Willow has men as slaves she treats them with respect. Her compassion and kindness are further shown when she takes on another pair of slaves when others would find it a bother to. This is a story that had me believing in the ability of one woman to help make changes in this settlement and that there is always reason to hope. This is the first book that I have read by the author and found that I enjoyed her writing style and the characters that she created. I look forward to reading other books that she writes.
By: B.C. Nyren
5 out of 5 stars
The story After Bees by B.C. Nyren is a post-apocalyptic story that takes place 100 years after the collapse of the world. You are introduced to a settlement of people who have survived. This story also introduces you to a woman named Willow Pelletier. She is the main character in this book and one of the main reasons that I loved reading it so much. Willow is a woman who is strong and independent. She also cares deeply for others and has a kind soul. I also found her to be a woman who grapples with herself about what is going on around her and some of the actions that she has taken. You see in this settlement men are enslaved. I was shocked and angry with the cruelty that is shown by some. While Willow has men as slaves she treats them with respect. Her compassion and kindness are further shown when she takes on another pair of slaves when others would find it a bother to. This is a story that had me believing in the ability of one woman to help make changes in this settlement and that there is always reason to hope. This is the first book that I have read by the author and found that I enjoyed her writing style and the characters that she created. I look forward to reading other books that she writes.
September 25, 2017
After Bees by BC Nyron was a fascinating concept and one that is quite current given our climate situation. Set in a not-too distant future world which collapsed following extinction of the last bee and has been rebuilt. A world where females rule and men are their slaves. It had some really interesting ideas and I found myself debating whether a female-dominated world was any better than a male-dominated one.
The main protagonist Willow is high up within the social hierarchy of this world and is beginning to question the same things after seeing cruelty carried out by some of her peers. After rescuing injured slaves Brinn and Macs she questions the imbalance in her society even more. The more she learns about them and their world outside of her bubble, the more she wants to help and bring a balance to the world.
As well as the moral questions this book raises, there is also the entertaining love story between the main two characters Willow – the owner- and Brinn- her slave- which really brings the book full circle and helps Willow believe she can put her radical ideas into practise. I enjoyed this book and it was an easier read than some dystopian fiction can be. Recommended to anyone who likes this genre.
The main protagonist Willow is high up within the social hierarchy of this world and is beginning to question the same things after seeing cruelty carried out by some of her peers. After rescuing injured slaves Brinn and Macs she questions the imbalance in her society even more. The more she learns about them and their world outside of her bubble, the more she wants to help and bring a balance to the world.
As well as the moral questions this book raises, there is also the entertaining love story between the main two characters Willow – the owner- and Brinn- her slave- which really brings the book full circle and helps Willow believe she can put her radical ideas into practise. I enjoyed this book and it was an easier read than some dystopian fiction can be. Recommended to anyone who likes this genre.
October 7, 2017
Her leadership is that of compassion. This is a great read!
After Bees by N.C. Nyren has so much more meaning than the extinction of bees. These events happen one hundred years in the future. It took me a little while to let it sink in that men were not the leaders of the only settlement of surviving humans. Women are the leaders and the men are slaves. Some women are compassionate and some are pure evil. Willow Pelletier is the main character and she is also the leader. I like Willow character so much because she is kind and cares so much for all the people, slaves included. She is not happy with all the decisions she has to make and goes back and forth with herself. But over all she is a good leader and she does respect the slaves she has and their opinions. The story shows that women can be strong and independent and kind and loving. Willow helps make changes in the settlement for the better and in turn hope blooms.
B.C. Nyren has written a story that was more than I expected. Her writing grabs you and holds on to you. I like that there is food for thought in this story. I for one can’t wait to see what she has next. This is a quick read that you will not want to put down. I would recommend this to anyone.
After Bees by N.C. Nyren has so much more meaning than the extinction of bees. These events happen one hundred years in the future. It took me a little while to let it sink in that men were not the leaders of the only settlement of surviving humans. Women are the leaders and the men are slaves. Some women are compassionate and some are pure evil. Willow Pelletier is the main character and she is also the leader. I like Willow character so much because she is kind and cares so much for all the people, slaves included. She is not happy with all the decisions she has to make and goes back and forth with herself. But over all she is a good leader and she does respect the slaves she has and their opinions. The story shows that women can be strong and independent and kind and loving. Willow helps make changes in the settlement for the better and in turn hope blooms.
B.C. Nyren has written a story that was more than I expected. Her writing grabs you and holds on to you. I like that there is food for thought in this story. I for one can’t wait to see what she has next. This is a quick read that you will not want to put down. I would recommend this to anyone.
October 8, 2017
****4 stars****
After Bees by B.C. Nyren
I give 4 stars to After Bees by B.C. Nyren. The main character, Willow, is a strong independent leader with a caring heart that isn’t limited by social class. Through her high standing in her female-led society, she ends up taking in 2 slaves from outside the Settlement and as she gets to know them and learn about where they previously lived she finds herself wanting to help their people. This story goes beyond the implications of distinction of the world's bee population and its impact on food sources and society in general. After Bees is an intriguing read, exploring morals and ethics, while mixing in a little love and romance to this post-apocalyptic dystopian story.
The story flowed well and I enjoyed B.C. Nyren’s writing. After Bees is a quick interesting book, outside of the usual dystopian novel I’ve read in the past. The book was well written and the author was very descriptive in talking about the characters and the surroundings, making things easily imagined. I do feel the last part of the story seemed a little rushed, but that may only be a credit to my connection to the story and not being ready for the book to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s take on a potential future for our society and human nature itself.
After Bees by B.C. Nyren
I give 4 stars to After Bees by B.C. Nyren. The main character, Willow, is a strong independent leader with a caring heart that isn’t limited by social class. Through her high standing in her female-led society, she ends up taking in 2 slaves from outside the Settlement and as she gets to know them and learn about where they previously lived she finds herself wanting to help their people. This story goes beyond the implications of distinction of the world's bee population and its impact on food sources and society in general. After Bees is an intriguing read, exploring morals and ethics, while mixing in a little love and romance to this post-apocalyptic dystopian story.
The story flowed well and I enjoyed B.C. Nyren’s writing. After Bees is a quick interesting book, outside of the usual dystopian novel I’ve read in the past. The book was well written and the author was very descriptive in talking about the characters and the surroundings, making things easily imagined. I do feel the last part of the story seemed a little rushed, but that may only be a credit to my connection to the story and not being ready for the book to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s take on a potential future for our society and human nature itself.
September 9, 2017
“After Bees” by B.C. Nyren was a great story and a quick read. It was honestly refreshing as some of the books and stories that I read are pretty dark and “After Bees” had the element of “who done it” while at the same time not being too stressful. I do think that it is kind of scary as if you really think about it, this could really happen, at least in a sense. Bees really do play a very important role in our world and lives, and what is even scarier is the fact that so many people do not realize this. My husband is a pest technician and I was telling him about this story. Last year he had been called to several bee calls and this year not one. That can be good or bad, which first thing that comes to mind is not good. Either people are leaving them alone, or there just are not as many of them.
Back to the story, I like how the author turned the tables on men and it was not the same old degradation of women. I also LOVED the author’s dedication page. I’m curious to see if the author comes out with another book that follows this one as I think there could be, but if not the story really is worth the read and can stand on its own.
Back to the story, I like how the author turned the tables on men and it was not the same old degradation of women. I also LOVED the author’s dedication page. I’m curious to see if the author comes out with another book that follows this one as I think there could be, but if not the story really is worth the read and can stand on its own.
September 17, 2017
After Bees by BC Nyren was a book that far exceeded my expectations! I had never heard of the author, but it sounded like an interesting story. Boy and I glad I took the time to read it. At first, I was a little hesitant, as it started out slow for me. However, by a couple chapters in, I was hooked. I loved the unfolding of the different characters. The story is told from different character's perspectives, but not in the normal way. Each chapter doesnt list the narrator, but due to the details, it is seamless. This story is so much more than a romance. The details surrounding it is so original, and unlike anything I have read before. It has aspects of several books I have read, post apocalyptic communities, run by women, but with a twist of slavery, that I would never have imagined. The whole idea of what would happen without bees, is nothing I have ever thought about before, but after just the first chapter, had me sitting and thinking. I love the characters. I love the detail. I loved everything about this book. 5 star book,that I highly recommend, and I cannot wait to read another book by BC Nyren!
October 4, 2017
After Bees, man this book was better than I thought it would be. I think the cover is a little misleading but the book is fantastic. At first I thought this book was going to be about bees. It kinda is and it kinda isn't. The downfall of everything 100 years ago was caused by the dying out of bees. One little change and the world almost ends. The new world that emerges is struggling to get a leg up. Women rule the Settlement and they're wealthier in food and livelihoods than the Hillfolk, which is ran by men. This book follows the Captain of the Guard for the Settlers. She's a little more forward thinking than the other women and actually befriends her slaves. She's got a new case too. High ranking women are being murdered. So much happens in such a little time this book passed very quickly for me. I read it in one sitting. I loved the way this author wrote her characters. They all were solid. The relationship building between Brinn and everyone else was equally humorous and heartbreaking until he learned to trust. I kinda hope there's a sequel. Maybe from the Hillfolk's point of view after the new Commander makes all the changes she wants to make. :D
October 1, 2017
After bees is an unusual take on American history with a twist – it’s fashioned after a Bee colony. There were so many things that were so fantastic about this book, that it would be hard to give a good review without giving too much away. But to sum up some of the big parts: women rule the world, men are slaves, and the end of the world has occurred to the point that we don’t even have insects anymore. What is so interesting about this story is that Nyren is able to weave both a bee colonies existence and American history in such a way that they feel incredibly natural. And to make this story even better, Nyren is able to take what is considered out darkest time in history and add a touch of romance into the story, almost as though to give a ray of hope during out dark times. The only complaint that I have about this story was that it ended too quickly. I was hesitating about this book, but I am so happy that I went outside of my comfort zone for this one, as it has to be one of the best books I have read in quite awhile.
October 8, 2017
After Bees by BC Nyren isn't a book, I would normally read but I'm definitely glad I gave it a chance. This post apocalyptic story will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. This book will have you honestly questioning what would happen without bees? And how would society deal with a role play flip? BC Nyren is a very talented writer and I'm looking forward to seeing what else this author can come up with.
Fast forward 100 years and the world as we know it has collapsed. All that's left is a group on the east coast, who has used alternative methods to staying alive. This group isn't a traditional group, roles have flipped and society rules have changed. The world we know today, doesn't exist there. Leaderships have changed and the rules have changed. So what happens when murders start to happen?
This book is extremely well written and includes SO much details and is a fast paced read, that will literally have you sitting on the edge of your seat. If you love science fiction and dystopian themed books, then this one is for you!
Fast forward 100 years and the world as we know it has collapsed. All that's left is a group on the east coast, who has used alternative methods to staying alive. This group isn't a traditional group, roles have flipped and society rules have changed. The world we know today, doesn't exist there. Leaderships have changed and the rules have changed. So what happens when murders start to happen?
This book is extremely well written and includes SO much details and is a fast paced read, that will literally have you sitting on the edge of your seat. If you love science fiction and dystopian themed books, then this one is for you!
September 26, 2017
After Bees grabbed me from the first few pages. It was an interesting approach to the end of the world, one without zombies or nuclear disasters. It began simply - with the ending of the bee. And, with such a possibility as a real one on the horizon, it was a little terrifying to read about. I enjoyed very much the way the world evolved post falling apart, and that women were chosen to be the ones to be in charge. The author did an interesting job in portraying the differences between those people in the Settlement and the ones in the savage lands, though the dichotomy of them was a little shocking to say the least. The story seemed to move along well enough, though I felt that there were a few scenes that were too rushed or felt like they could have been done a little differently to portray the same message. It was an enjoyable read, though. It gets down to what we as humans are as a whole, what our base natures are.
September 29, 2017
I found this book to an engaging post apocalyptic story that was almost poetic to read. The interactions between characters in such a harsh and new world were beautifully written. I really enjoyed the attention to detail from the author as it helped in getting my head around a story that is based in a future of which I could not conceive of.
The main character is a strong woman with an even stronger sense of what is right and her journey of trying to put things right is a fascinating one. There is some love interest in this story but it is not overplayed and does not take away from the book's main message.
Having read other books of this type, I have to say this is one of the easiest to read thanks to the author's great structure of the story and well placed character interactions that keep things flowing steadily and clearly.
I look forward to seeing what more this author has in their mind.
The main character is a strong woman with an even stronger sense of what is right and her journey of trying to put things right is a fascinating one. There is some love interest in this story but it is not overplayed and does not take away from the book's main message.
Having read other books of this type, I have to say this is one of the easiest to read thanks to the author's great structure of the story and well placed character interactions that keep things flowing steadily and clearly.
I look forward to seeing what more this author has in their mind.
October 8, 2017
After Bees by B C Nyren is a post-apocalyptic story following the Captain of the Guard Willow Pelletier and introduces us to a settlement of survivors where women have all the power and men are slaves. This concept was a little unsettling for me but I still found myself really liking this book, especially Willow who was by far my favorite character in this book. While a lot of women treat their slaves with derision, even scorn, Willow treats hers with the respect that any human being deserves.
This story was very well written and didn’t feel rushed despite its short length. I wasn’t sure how this book would go but I’m glad I gave it a try. The characters were all very engaging and the plot was well thought out. One of the great things about this book is that it’s a story line that I hadn’t read before making it a refreshingly first for this book lover. All in all a nice quick four star read.
This story was very well written and didn’t feel rushed despite its short length. I wasn’t sure how this book would go but I’m glad I gave it a try. The characters were all very engaging and the plot was well thought out. One of the great things about this book is that it’s a story line that I hadn’t read before making it a refreshingly first for this book lover. All in all a nice quick four star read.
January 15, 2019
I had to overcome a few obstacles in order to read this story. First I labored through the self-destructive stages that assaulted our environment and ultimately lead the collapse of civilization. Then I cringed at the thought of one individual "owning" another individual. I find this concept both barbaric and detestable. Both of these issues were entirely feelings that I experienced and had nothing to do with the quality of the manuscript. After the setup for the story and I actually began to read about the characters, I became completely immersed in their lives. Willow and her household were wonderful caring people and their kindness toward the two captive slaves, Macs and his uncle Brinn were completely in character for those compassionate loving individuals. The unique plot of this story added so much interest and enhanced the idea of this unusual society that I found myself sailing through the story. I would recommend this story to anyone. I was totally enjoyable. Great Read!!!!!
October 6, 2017
Whoa. When i picked this book up, i had no idea what to expect and I was blown away by this story!
It begins after the world ends, about 100 years, and the world's post-apocalyptic civilisation is now run by women. I really loved that twist, and the way that men are enslaved while shocking, was actually a captivating plot point. Willow, the main character, also has men slaves but she treats them favourably compared to many other slave owners. She's a strong and independent character and you can't help but love her.
This story has all the elements of a great story, love, murder, believable and complex characters. It moves quickly but flows nicely. I'm kind of hoping there is a sequel coming up or even just a spin off of this world. I really enjoyed learning how the colonies grew after the end of the world and how people learned to adjust with their way of thinking/living.
It begins after the world ends, about 100 years, and the world's post-apocalyptic civilisation is now run by women. I really loved that twist, and the way that men are enslaved while shocking, was actually a captivating plot point. Willow, the main character, also has men slaves but she treats them favourably compared to many other slave owners. She's a strong and independent character and you can't help but love her.
This story has all the elements of a great story, love, murder, believable and complex characters. It moves quickly but flows nicely. I'm kind of hoping there is a sequel coming up or even just a spin off of this world. I really enjoyed learning how the colonies grew after the end of the world and how people learned to adjust with their way of thinking/living.
September 8, 2017
After Bees by BC Nyren
Four Stars
After Bees by BC Nyren is a great book by a new author. I could see this happening in real, I see the bee population dying out. This dystopian book about the future was really well written. It flowed well the the character descriptions were amazing. I read this book in one sitting and I loved the twist and turns. Willow was a really strong character that was true to life. I loved the way the story developed with the survivors searching for other colonies. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoy dystopian YA. I look forward to reading many more book by BC Nyren.
Four Stars
After Bees by BC Nyren is a great book by a new author. I could see this happening in real, I see the bee population dying out. This dystopian book about the future was really well written. It flowed well the the character descriptions were amazing. I read this book in one sitting and I loved the twist and turns. Willow was a really strong character that was true to life. I loved the way the story developed with the survivors searching for other colonies. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoy dystopian YA. I look forward to reading many more book by BC Nyren.
November 5, 2018
What would happen if... It is intriguing to think about. I love the honeybee, in fact, I love the insects of this world. While knowing that bees are not the ONLY pollinators, this dystopian story reveals how cruel women can be (and as a woman myself, I KNOW that is true) so putting women in charge just because they are women is not the answer. This story is intriguing to think about and the main character restores hope to this dystopian society for me.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 12, 2018
Girl power isn't always peaceful.
Intresting dystopian story. The bees died, which means less food and more violence, famine, disease and death. So the remaining people (read:women) deside its all men's fault, since they re so violent. The connection with the dead bees was a bit lost on me. But I did like it to read more about what civilisation became with girl power and men as slaves.
Really nice story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Intresting dystopian story. The bees died, which means less food and more violence, famine, disease and death. So the remaining people (read:women) deside its all men's fault, since they re so violent. The connection with the dead bees was a bit lost on me. But I did like it to read more about what civilisation became with girl power and men as slaves.
Really nice story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 8, 2017
After Bees by BC Nyren is a believable post apocalyptic tale where we literally relive our past mistakes. The world has been rebuilt and slavery is the norm and again the caring leader just like Lincoln wants to challenge the things that are holding us all back. It's quite believable and well written. I truly enjoyed this book.
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