(I received this book for free as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaways).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I’ve read quite a few books where animals are the main focus. Watership Down, the Redwall series and Animals of Farthing Wood are those that immediately spring to mind.
This book was quite an entertaining read. The hierarchy of the bees was a particularly unique idea, as was the way they saw the other animals.
I don’t really like buzzing, stinging insects. Bees are something I can just about tolerate, if they stay as far away from me as possible, but wasps are much worse. Still, this book did at least make me think about bees in a different way.
I felt that there were some instances where human phrasing and thoughts came through. At some points, the language used was so alien, it took a little while for me to figure out what any of the points of reference were.
I did like Flora 717. Although a bee, I found her easy to relate to and like. It was also good to see the way she interacted with those around her and the hive.
I felt that the author clearly put a lot of research into this book. Some of the scenes were especially gory and made me cringe. But there were others that were much more heartwarming. The rest of Flora’s kind and their complete support for her, for instance.
I felt that this book was amazingly detailed and well-written. Despite the hive mind, the individual personalities of the bees came through quite well – though with one exception, the drones all acted the same.
This is definitely an author whose other books I would read in the future.
Ink of Blood 