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Delee's Reviews > The Bees
The Bees
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Delee's review
bookshelves: science-fiction, fantasy, ebooks, own, favorites, reviewed, literary-fiction
May 09, 2014
bookshelves: science-fiction, fantasy, ebooks, own, favorites, reviewed, literary-fiction
People who know me even just a little- know how much I love Watership Down...so when I saw THE BEES on one of my friends GRs profile and read some reviews, one review in particular caught my attention- "Watership Down with Beeeeees" it said. I didn't have to read any further than that...
For Flora 717- it is almost over for her as soon as her little life begins. She is not like the others in her hive- she is bigger and darker than the other bees- and being different is never allowed- Deformity is evil. Deformity is not permitted.
...but priestess- Sister Sage- sees something unusual in Flora- yes she is darker and excessively large- but unlike the other Floras- the lowly sanitation workers of the hive- Flora 717 speaks. Sister Sage decides an experiment is in order to see if she can find a greater use for her- and places her in the nursery- to see what other tricks Flora has up her bee sleeve.
Flora will do what ever is asked of her- Accept, Obey, Serve....but after being a nurse for a very short while- she meets The Queen Bee and is rubbing elbows with more favored bees. Flora wants more, and before long she moves up the ladder again- when the Queen grows fond of her. But the bees closest to the Queen have other ideas...and soon Flora will have to use her wit and skill to make her own way in the hive...and hide her secrets from those who would try to harm her.
It probably comes as no surprise that I loved this book!! I originally had it rated at 4.5..because I didn't love it as much as Watership Down...but the more I thought about it- I decided that was kind of unfair- for me it is a 5-star book...and it forever changed the way I will look at beeeeeeeeeees. R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
THE BEES did remind me of a cross between Watership Down with bees and The Handmaids Tale...and although it may sound strange- as I was reading it- Flora sort of reminded me of one of my most beloved protagonists- Amber St. Clair- from another one of my favorite books- Forever Amber. If that sounds at alllllll interesting to you- you might want to pick this one up and give it try.
For Flora 717- it is almost over for her as soon as her little life begins. She is not like the others in her hive- she is bigger and darker than the other bees- and being different is never allowed- Deformity is evil. Deformity is not permitted.
...but priestess- Sister Sage- sees something unusual in Flora- yes she is darker and excessively large- but unlike the other Floras- the lowly sanitation workers of the hive- Flora 717 speaks. Sister Sage decides an experiment is in order to see if she can find a greater use for her- and places her in the nursery- to see what other tricks Flora has up her bee sleeve.
Flora will do what ever is asked of her- Accept, Obey, Serve....but after being a nurse for a very short while- she meets The Queen Bee and is rubbing elbows with more favored bees. Flora wants more, and before long she moves up the ladder again- when the Queen grows fond of her. But the bees closest to the Queen have other ideas...and soon Flora will have to use her wit and skill to make her own way in the hive...and hide her secrets from those who would try to harm her.
It probably comes as no surprise that I loved this book!! I originally had it rated at 4.5..because I didn't love it as much as Watership Down...but the more I thought about it- I decided that was kind of unfair- for me it is a 5-star book...and it forever changed the way I will look at beeeeeeeeeees. R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
THE BEES did remind me of a cross between Watership Down with bees and The Handmaids Tale...and although it may sound strange- as I was reading it- Flora sort of reminded me of one of my most beloved protagonists- Amber St. Clair- from another one of my favorite books- Forever Amber. If that sounds at alllllll interesting to you- you might want to pick this one up and give it try.
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 63 (63 new)
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Ivonne
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May 19, 2014 04:49PM
Looks very odd. The un-secret life of bees?
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ooooooh 4.5 stars!!!! I was veeeery close to picking this one up in the bookstore the other day but I resisted!
Can't wait for the review
It isn't an exact comparison- it is sort of Watership Down with beeeeeeeees...but they are written very differently, and it zeros in only on the character of Flora and her rise up the whole beeeee hierarchy- instead of a whole group.If I was making a simplified comparison- It may sound ridiculous- I would say it is a cross between Watership Down, The Handmaid's Tale....and Forever Amber...lol without the sex, and with bees.
Delee wrote: "It isn't an exact comparison- it is sort of Watership Down with beeeeeeeees...but they are written very differently, and it zeros in only on the character of Flora and her rise up the whole beeeee ..."I don't know how you do it, Delee. You explication is as intriguing as your reviews. Why aren't you writing novels? I mean it!
Ivonne wrote: "Delee wrote: "It isn't an exact comparison- it is sort of Watership Down with beeeeeeeees...but they are written very differently, and it zeros in only on the character of Flora and her rise up the..."I have never had a lot of confidence in my writing. I didn't even review here until about a year after I joined GR- I had to be coaxed into by a GR friend. I fake it with a lot of pretty pictures...lol Shhhhhhhhhh.
..but thank you for the compliment Ivonne. You are sooo sweet to say that. :D
whywhywhywhy did I leave this one on the shelf at B&N???????
This sound so awesome!!!!!! Great review!!!!
It is awesome Lisa!! I am sure since you read a bit of the beginning and liked it- you will enjoy the whooooooole thing. :)
I still haven't read Watership Down, shame on me!
Rowena wrote: "I still haven't read Watership Down, shame on me!"Shoooosh! Is it at least on your list- to-read?
I'm going to add it to my shortlist, I see I need to rectify this asap!
Yes! Yes you do!! lol
I also adore Watership Down (having been a bunny owner) and this now joins my to-read list!
Ohhhh I hope you like it Wanda!!!
Excellent review! I will read the novel real soon! :D
Delee wrote: "Ohhhh I hope you like it Wanda!!!"I just put a hold on it at my library--I am 10th in line!
Thanks Alejandro- I will be on the look out to see what you think! :)
Wanda wrote: I just put a hold on it at my library--I am 10th in line!"Well that isn't too long a wait at all!
Delee wrote: "Wanda wrote: I just put a hold on it at my library--I am 10th in line!"Well that isn't too long a wait at all!"
Yes, much better than The Martian, where I am 39th!
Delee wrote: "Thanks Alejandro- I will be on the look out to see what you think! :)"Thanks! :)
Wanda wrote: Yes, much better than The Martian, where I am 39th!"I want to read that one too!
Delee wrote: "Wanda wrote: Yes, much better than The Martian, where I am 39th!"I want to read that one too!"
I've just read 2 excellent reviews of it and was inspired to request it too. So many good books out there.
Delee wrote: "Wanda wrote: Yes, much better than The Martian, where I am 39th!"I want to read that one too!"
Me too! Gee! So much good books, so little time! :P
I have been so lucky with the books I have picked to read lately. I am on a rollllllllll!
Delee wrote: "I have been so lucky with the books I have picked to read lately. I am on a rollllllllll!"Awesome! :) I have been on a rollercoaster :P Some really good, some kinda bad :P
Delee wrote: "I have been so lucky with the books I have picked to read lately. I am on a rollllllllll!"Isn't it great when this happens? I have been pretty happy too. Can't wait to see what is up next.
Beeeeeautiful review, Delee! Looking forward to reading this one.
Cherie wrote: Isn't it great when this happens? I have been pretty happy too. Can't wait to see what is..."It is!!! I am about to start Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone...So I think it safe to say, I won't be disappointed with this one. ;D
Susan wrote: "Okay I not only have to read The Bees but also Watership Down and Forever Amber. You're keeping me busy. lol"I do my best. :D
Can't have you lollygagging about Susan. ;)
When I first saw this book on a GR review, I thought ewwwwww! But not that I've seen your review, hmmmmmmm. Still have Watership Down sitting here as my next next read over and over. :-(
Susan wrote: "Delee wrote: "Susan wrote: "Okay I not only have to read The Bees but also Watership Down and Forever Amber. You're keeping me busy. lol"I do my best. :D
Can't have you lollygagging about Susan...."
(Susan, maybe we should switch our buddy read to W.DOWN?)
Susan wrote: "That's a good idea."LET'S DO IT! :-)
Carol wrote: "Susan wrote: "Delee wrote: "Susan wrote: "Okay I not only have to read The Bees but also Watership Down and Forever Amber. You're keeping me busy. lol"I do my best. :D
Can't have you lollygaggin..."
I will now also have to read all 3 and just my luck in stock at BN. Thanks ladies. :)
☯Bettie☯ wrote: "Cue Eddie Izzard"Hilarious!
☯Bettie☯ wrote: "Cue Eddie Izzard"I like my men the way I like my coffee- Covered in Beeeeeeeeeeees!
Susan wrote: "Delee wrote: "Susan wrote: "Okay I not only have to read The Bees but also Watership Down and Forever Amber. You're keeping me busy. lol"I do my best. :D
Can't have you lollygagging about Susan...."
Good luck!!! :)
Have you read Duncton Wood? If you love tales from the animal's point of view, I'd recommend this book about a community of moles.Another book of his that I really enjoyed was The Stonor Eagles.
No, I haven't even hear of either of those. Thanks Janice!
Delee wrote: "I am about to start Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone...So I think it safe to say, I won't be disappointed with this one. ;D "Is this a reread? Or should I be gobsmacked that you haven't read Harry Potter yet?
You should be gobsmacked..lol
Delee, I'm so pleased you connected with my book, and thank you for the wonderful photographs that make me wish there was a big picture book edition. And for taking the time to post a review. And let me say, to you and anyone out there who longs to write but who loves good books so much that they daren't even try: just do. You have the right to write.Best wishes
Laline
Thank you so much Laline. Your book was wonderful, and I can't wait to read your next one!
Her you go again Delee, adding another one to my list. Do I sound like a parrot when I say Great Review!
There, Delee! You have created an entire hive of The Bees readers. Now maybe you'll believe how persuasive -- and excellent -- a writer you are.
Thanks so much Arah-Lynda and No!!..I never tire from hearing from you. :)
