The Hive

In the post-climate change, disaster stricken world of The Hive, rising sea levels mean that the remaining humans live in strictly-controlled, self-sufficient underground colonies built into the mountain tops. In one of these, the Hive colony, Feldspar, a bodyguard or shield, has been brought up with one sole purpose - to serve and protect a possible future queen, her ascendant Euphemie, ensuring her safety with her own life if necessary.

If an ascendant dies then the shield dies too. Until she doesn't. For when Euphemie is killed, Feldspar remains very much alive, plunged into the centre of a thrilling murder mystery where the deaths come thick and fast and Feldspar has just three days to find the elusive killer; three days to live before she herself is burnt alive for treason; three days to prove the impossible.

An investigation to uncover the truth is ordered, led by royal maverick master of the Dark Arts, Niko, who in fact, becomes Feldspar's unlikely defender and ally. Together they unearth treachery, royal corruption, ritual killings of the weakest in society and a shocking family secret….

With Feldspar no longer part of the hive mind, she begins to think for herself, questioning everything she's been brought up to believe in - including ally Niko's innate royal privilege. Could Feldspath, in fact, be the key to a new, more equal world?

The Hive is a high stakes, highly original, superbly imagined 'murder mystery meets dystopian thriller' which really stands out from the rest. Cleverly constructing her society on colonies of bees allows February to explore a myriad of interlocking themes from hierarchy and unjust social systems to the abuse of power, politics, ecology, the environment and the need to fight for the collective good - but in a way which never seems heavy-handed or preachy. This is a book which really makes the reader think, a perfect book club pick.

The first person narration, nailbitingly tense race against time, twisty turny plot and myriad of false clues, as well as the rapidly mounting death count, make for a real pageturner. The characters are engaging from the get-go, the dynamic between Feldspar and Niko intriguing, their slow burn friendship offering a tantalising hint of future romance.

Dystopia is a popular topic choice on the KS3 English curriculum and The Hive is a worthy addition to the canon which will prove highly popular with a wide range of readers. Fans of Suzanne Collins, Neal Shusterman and Holly Jackson will devour it. Fingers crossed for a sequel!

448 pages / Reviewed by Eileen Armstrong, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 14+

Feldspar awaits execution. As shield to an ascendant, a member of the Hive's royal family, she should have died when her charge, Euphemie, was murdered, but she survived. Expecting no clemency, Feldspar is surprised when a member of the royal family, Niko, comes to her defence and starts investigating. They have three days to prove Feldspar's innocence, three days to catch a killer - and in doing so, destroy everything she has been raised to believe.

The Hive is an excellent murder mystery, set in a dystopian society which bases its structure on that of a bee hive. At the top are the queens, the Apex - or council - made up of members of the royal family, and their children, ascendants, known by the position of their birth. Each ascendant has a shield, with whom they are bonded at birth. Shields are conditioned to protect their ascendant above all else - the death of an ascendant results in the death of their shield. So when Euphemie dies, Feldspar should have died as well. Her survival is seen as treason.

This chilling society is well imagined and developed. Feldspar is a compelling and complex character. Initially racked with guilt and grief over her survival and Euphemie's death, her feelings gradually change as she learns more about her world and begins to question everything she has been brought up to believe. It is easy to empathise with her turbulent emotions, making her a very sympathetic character, challenging readers to reflect on her situation and the importance of individuals being allowed to choose for themselves, rather than live in restricted dictatorships.

The murder mystery is extremely well handled and, as the days pass, the reader is kept guessing to the very end, with various false starts and red herrings along the way. My only quibble with this story is the ending. For me, everything ended very quickly so I hope that there will be another story set in this world, showing what happens to Feldspar and Niko next. A gripping and pacy read!

448 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 14+