“Sasha had more to love in this world than at any point in her life. But having more to love meant having more to lose.“

I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up The Last Beekeeper. Maybe a story about bees, but from which angle, I wasn’t sure. This post-apocalyptic, eco-thriller was a pleasant surprise.

The nature writing being the foundation upon which the imagery and story are captured, I was reminded much of my reading experience of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

Through the lens of our main character, Sasha, Dalton effortlessly captures the way the need to belong overrides many of the things we initially have in mind for ourselves. In Sasha’s case, she returns to her childhood home, expecting it to be abandoned. The plan was to build trust with squatters who had occupied the home and eventually reveal her intentions later. However, with time, and experience, the gravitation of gaining a found family and all its attributes proves to be stronger than she expected. This pull is so strong that she ignores every opportunity to be open and honest for fear of losing all that she’s gained. It was a rebuild and a restart that she and I didn’t see for herself.

The Last Beekeeper is a poignant story built around the extinction of bees due to an event dubbed The Great Collapse. As readers, we understand the significance of The Great Collapse in two timelines from Sasha’s perspective, bouncing from ages, 11, 22, and 23.

Shasha’s interactions with her imprisoned father, The Last Beekeeper, her sketchy uncle, and the team of individuals she meets along the way, all merge and progressively reveal several mysteries. Nestled in there is a long-kept secret that Sasha has to take great care in keeping or revealing.

Admittedly, I was afraid that the nature writing would make this story too technical, but it was not. Dalton included her knowledge, but not in a heavy-handed manner. I appreciate them for keeping it simplistic enough for me to understand how impactful this event was and its effect on agriculture and society.

If anything, after reading this book, if you don’t like the mystery or some of the character interactions, one of the takeaways should be a growing appreciation for pollinators and what they contribute to our ecosystem.

Several themes are explored in this book, family secrets, found family, and community were the ones I zoomed in on. Having finished the book, I know The Last Beekeeper is guaranteed to spur conversations centered around ecology and ultimately pose the questions: What would happen if bees were extinct, and is this story plausible? Dalton has made it so with her world-building and characterization.

I look forward to reading other books by Julie Carrick Dalton. With The Last Beekeeper, she showed that there can be beauty in chaos.

Many thanks to Forge Books, Julie Carrick Dalton, and NetGalley for an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review. My review/reaction is voluntary, all thoughts are mine and unbiased, and receiving the Advanced Review Copy does not influence my rating and/or recommendation.

Dystopia Lite! There's hints of danger, inklings of murder, suggestions of starvation but nothing graphic. I enjoyed this book about a possible future when man has to live with the consequences of destroying the world's bee colonies. I don't think it's very realistic, but it was entertaining and very sweet.

Immersive and engaging. This is a recommended purchase for collections where women's and litfic are popular.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton

What would our world look like if the tiny honey bee ceased to exist? For those fans loyal to non-fiction books, this novel reads a bit like non-fiction. This treasure trove of fascinating bee facts is not forced on the reader, but woven into the story in an intriguing manner.

During The Great Collapse, pollinators disappeared from the planet. The power grid failed, agriculture crumbled, and the economy imploded.

What were Sasha and her imprisoned father’s roles in the demise of the last known bee honey bee colony? Sasha returns to her childhood home and discovers her life could have turned out differently if only…

Filled with interesting factoids, this novel motivates me to do my part to save the honey bee—and beetles and butterflies too—from depletion.

Sasha Severn was there the moment the world changed for the worse. It was her father, the last beekeeper, who was taken away, put on trial, and locked up for 23 years for his work with bees. And to make matters worse, after he hid his research he made his young daughter (11 at the time) lie at the trial.

It's more than a decade later, the bees have all disappeared and that means there's a food shortage without their number one pollinator. Life has changed greatly and Sasha has decided to return to her family home (having lived with her uncle since her father was sent to prison). She discovers a group of squatters have taken up residence and, fearing they would run her off if they knew she was the daughter of the last beekeeper, she keeps her identity a secret but asks if she can join them, promising to earn her keep by working.

Hesitant (no one trusts anyone these days), they slowly begin to accept her and they become friends over time. For Sasha, one of her reasons for returning was to locate her father's missing journals - what was so important in those journals that she had to lie under oath? But while at the family home, Sasha is sure she has seen a bee on multiple occasions. She might be one of the few people who actually knows what a bee looks like anymore.

But others who've claimed to have seen a bee have mysteriously disappeared. Does the government, which now carefully controls the growth and distribution of food have a sinister interest in making sure the bees don't make a comeback?

This book is SO good. There is so much going on, all of it subtle and well integrated so we never feel like we've missed out on any detail.

This is a book about people, specifically Sasha, but about her father, her uncle, her friends and acquaintances as well, and everyone is unique and clearly defined. And unlike so many dystopian futures, these people aren't wallowing in self-pity or living as sword and arrow-wielding savages. They are living as normally as possible, concerned with their day-to-day lives but also how to make the future better and brighter.

The science behind this dystopia is also really great. This isn't war. This isn't nuclear atrocity. But there's still a bit of governmental/political conspiracy in the mix. The decline of the bee population has been in the news for a few years now and it's great to see a skilled writer taking a hard look at the possible outcomes of the issue.

There's romance here, but it's ... not exactly subtle but it's not the foremost issue for anyone. Again, this is a book about people and part of such a narrative is their different relationships.

It would be difficult to point out a 'best part' of this book, but I really appreciated the misdirection with some of the characters. We get sucked in to the beautiful prose and we come to believe that our narrative point of view is not only trustworthy but omniscient, though we have no real reason to think this way, so when some of the characters act in a way we don't expect, it is a surprise, but upon reflection, we realize that it's we readers who became too trustworthy.

Science fiction, thriller, mystery, romance ... this book has it all, expertly told. I hope to see this in the hands of everyone on the beach this summer.

Looking for a good book? This is it ... The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton. Do yourself a favor and give it a read. It doesn't matter what type of fiction you normally read, this will likely satisfy your palate.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I was able to get through the first 20 pages but it fell flat for me. I did not care enough for the main character and i just did not find myself reaching for this book that often
May be will pick this up at a different time to give it another chance

The narrative alternates between Sasha's experiences as an 11-year-old living on her family's farm and her life at age 22, recently released from a juvenile care facility and yearning to return home. The past timeline unveils the events leading up to Sasha's father's (The Last Beekeeper) imprisonment and the disappearance of the last remaining honeybee hives in North America. The present timeline follows Sasha's quest to reclaim her childhood home, now occupied by squatters, while seeking answers about her father's arrest and the mysteries hidden within the property.

The Last Beekeeper shines a spotlight on the delicate balance of nature and the devastating consequences of human actions. It delves into the complex web of governmental control and suppression of information surrounding the disappearance of bees, creating a sense of unease and suspicion. Through Sasha's experiences and growing awareness, the novel offers a compelling critique of society's neglect of environmental issues and the importance of preserving the planet's ecosystems.

A big part of this novel I imagine most people won’t fully appreciate is the realistic descriptions of beekeeping. This was clearly written by someone who has kept bees; I could literally smell the hives as I was reading and it really added an authentic touch

Book Summary:

What would you do if the world was falling apart? For Sasha Severn, it was time to go home. Her childhood home that is. It's been over a decade since she's been to this place, yet the calling is too strong to ignore.

Yet Sasha doesn't quite find what she was expecting at this home. For starters, it's full of squatters. More importantly, something impossible is happening here. There's a honey bee. Quite possibly the last.

My Review:

Ow. My heart. The idea of The Last Beekeeper hits hard. After all, we're talking about a dystopian world with no bees – except for the one our wayward character found. That idea hurts, especially as I'm confident Julie Crrick Dalton was thinking about how real this possibility could become.

Still, I have to admit that the overall concept is intriguing. More than that, the writing is beautifully done. It's compelling – one of those books you can't put down, regardless of how late the clock says it is. (Seriously, don't make my mistake. Don't pick this book up at 9 pm to "read a couple of chapters before bed." Ha).

If you're looking for a book that feels too real while giving you all the chills, pick up The Last Beekeeper. You won't regret it.

Highlights:
Bees
Literary Fiction
Perfect for fans of Delia Owens

Trigger Warnings:
Loss of Bees
Dystopian

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The cover is absolutely stunning. I quite enjoyed the book. I thought the writing was interesting and wanted to keep reading to find out more.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton is a captivating novel that explores the beauty and fragility of our world. With a stunning cover, this book tells a story of Sasha Severn, who returns to her childhood home with the goal of finding her father’s hidden research. Along the way, she encounters a group of squatters who quickly become her newfound family, offering hope and security in a world that has come undone.

Dalton expertly weaves together themes of truth versus power, forgiveness and redemption, and the triumph of hope in the face of despair. The found family aspect was heartwarming and made me fall in love with the characters even more. The setting was beautifully described, transporting me into Sasha’s world.

What I loved most about this book was how relevant it felt in today’s world. Although it is set in a dystopian future where bees are presumed extinct, it serves as a reminder to cherish our environment and all its inhabitants.

Overall, The Last Beekeeper was an enjoyable read with beautiful writing and well-developed characters. Even if you’re not usually a fan of dystopian stories (like myself), I would highly recommend giving this one a chance.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Having recently finished “The Last Beekeeper” by Julie Carrick Dalton, I am happy to have had the chance for the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group!

This is an interesting dual timeline story shifting only eleven years between the memories and present world of Sasha Butler (formerly Alexandra Severn) the daughter of the infamous and imprisoned last beekeeper. In a society where the mention of bees is taboo, and their disappearance has created an agricultural collapse and devastated the global food security for millions, we follow Sasha in hopes of discovering that some of nature's pollinators are surviving in the wild. A fascinating story and one that made me appreciative of all the pollinators in our world, especially those living within the amber glow of a honeycomb.

“I want you to look for the beauty in small things and seek balance in what you take, what you give, and how you live.”

I was gifted with this book that was published on my birthday so it was fitting that the theme is something that is near and dear to my heart- bees and what will happen if they disappear. The Last Beekeeper is an amazing story from page one. A no-so-far fetched look at what life would be like with our little buzzing friends, it's also about finding family where we least expect it. Highly recommend!

Wow, absolute chills. This book is incredible. Set 10 years after the last pollinators go extinct. The world is desperate, starving and at war as food is steadily becoming unavailable. And the last beekeeper is being blamed for the overall extinction.

I seriously loved this book so much! All the characters are so great and fit so well together. The story felt so unique and was so well done. Honestly just go ahead and add this gem tonyour tbr!

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review

This story of a world without pollinators hit home for me as I am a beekeeper. Our characters are trying to make their way and save the world. A bit slow to start, I was into the characters but it felt like, come on, let's get some action.... Ultimately things get a bit more exciting, and the ending was so hopeful. Will definitely recommend, and look forward to checking out this authors other books! Thank you NetGalley and Forge books!

I highlighted this book on my Booktube channel. The video can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/v5hTPt_UrA4

It's been more than a decade since the world has come undone, and Sasha Severn has returned to her childhood home with one goal in mind--find the mythic research her father, the infamous Last Beekeeper, hid before he was incarcerated. There, Sasha is confronted with a group of squatters who have claimed the quiet, idyllic farm as their own. While she initially feels threatened, the group soon becomes her newfound family, offering what she hasn't felt since her father was imprisoned: security and hope. Maybe it's time to forget the family secrets buried on the farm and focus on her future.

I suppose this book is a "slow burn" but, at times, I found it a bit too slow. It's quite a thought-provoking read and the way we destroy the environment without thinking about the consequences adds a touch of realism to the tale. I found it easy to read and an interesting concept.

This is a near future post apocalyptic tale that opens over a decade after the Collapse, when bees and other pollinators became extinct, a disaster for world food security.

Sasha's father Lawrence was imprisoned for keeping bees from the authorities and she ended up in state care. As the story opens, she returns to the farm where she grew up, and joins squatters now living there.

Then she sees a real honey bee, but folk who claim to see bees go missing and die - why? Sasha and her friends learn about past genetic manipulation with unintended consequences. They risk everything for the hope of a better world.

This book was captivating from start to finish, the way the chapters from the past and the present intertwined to present us with clue to the story was amazingly well made. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone wanting a good fiction book with a loveable cast of characters and a story of found family.

Very interesting book. Enjoyed the flow and storyline 👌 4 stars 🌟

It took me a bit to get into the story because it's not my typical genre but found it to be unique.