Review: HIVE by April Doyle

Near-future Britain. Climate change has led to food shortages and civil unrest. Pollinating insects are in steep decline. Commercial bee farmer Victor Martin travels around the farms of Kent with his hives to pollinate fruit trees and crops. Local research entomologist Dr Annie Abrams is devastated when she’s ordered to give up her captive bee colonies – her life’s work – to join forces with Victor and ensure a harvest. But the bees are dying. Their only hope seems to be an experimental alternative to insect pollination: robot pollinators called nanodrones. But why does the drone designer seem so familiar? And who is behind the shadowy organisation intent on sabotaging their vital work? Can Annie and Victor win their battle to save the bees… or is it too late? 

Hive is and excellent book, and an important one. It is an excellent story, well crafted and beautifully written, with well rounded and empathic characters. I really felt I could relate to Annie, but all the other people populating this desperate vision of the future are equally engaging.

This is a book with an important message, and yet, it doesn’t come across as messagey at all. The power of the story dominates. Hive is very well researched and informative, but also you can sense the author’s passion for the countryside and nature. It’s a delight to read something so well attuned to the world around us.

Five stars from me.