A big thank you to Rocky Mountain Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC upon request!

Okay, so this was a book I picked up on a whim. I saw the cover art (which was notably created with an image-generation AI tool) and thought, “You know what? I don’t usually trust books using AI-generated covers, but I know it’s a popular tool with smaller self-published indie authors, so let’s check this out. Who knows, maybe the content inside makes up for it.”

So, I have feelings.

For starters, the AI-generated visuals don’t stop at the cover. Numerous portraits are scattered throughout the book, and start each new chapter with a thumbnail. There is a splash page at the end of the eBook that was likely AI generated, as well as a thumbnail on the first page.

Why does this bother me? Well, aside from being an artist myself, I think AI-generated content is a bad sign for marketing to consumers if you want people to read your book. Apps such as Midjourney may be powerful in creating detailed images with a text-based prompt, but its ease of access has led to the Internet becoming flooded with AI-generated images to the point of being seen as ‘spam’ content. In turn, this has led AI-generated content to have the reputation of being ‘scammy,’ ‘cheap’ and ‘low-effort’; it is also worth noting that many financial scams have occurred with the use of AI.

Anyways, into the book itself.

Some of the things I really liked were the opening and closing chapters, especially the way the prologue introduces the setting of the present day before Diego is sent back in time. I also like the relationship between Matthew “Madders” Hudson and Cassandra - there was something cute about a gay uncle and his niece whom he raised like a daughter. I liked the pets, Lucky and Tolstoy, but that was a guarantee. Of course if you’re going to put cats in your book, I’m going to love the cats. The scenes of Diego in the cabin with Isabel were so cozy, I couldn’t help but enjoy them.To me, the domestic scenes were one of the strongest points in the novel.

If I had to pick the biggest flaw in this book, it would be the character dialogue. Too many of the characters have ‘Marvel movie syndrome’, where almost every single spoken line of dialogue is either trying to be witty banter, or be a pop culture reference. It got grating really fast. This, in turn, became a huge detriment to the protagonists for me, as most of them don’t feel like real people, but a simulacrum of snarky personalities that align with the required character tropes. For example, there is an Inigo Montoya reference gleefully made by a character that, two pages ago, just found out the apocalypse was happening outside and that their parents might be in danger.

The villain is evil to a comical degree and doesn’t feel realistic at all, and while not all villains need to be intricate portraits of madmen, I do think there needs to be more to one than just “I’m Bob Evil and I love preying on barely legal girls (because we need to make him as gross as possible).” The external world, meanwhile, operates like dream logic, and reminded me of, out of all things, Empress Theresa by Norman Boutin, where events happen so the characters can have their one-liners. Characters get detained by the government and talk about/to the agents like a misbehaving student to a teacher.

One big thing: I think this book desperately needs a sensitivity reader, as there are a myriad of racial and gendered stereotypes that I feel could’ve been caught by one. Every Asian woman in this book is referred to as “petite” and “a beauty”, reinforcing the weird, orientalist way Western writers behave about Asian women. An Asian character is mistaken for a boy, only to be called “strikingly beautiful” in the next sentence when it’s revealed that they’re actually a girl. It’s not an egregious mistake but it says a lot that the narrative suddenly calls her ‘pretty’ once it’s revealed that ‘he’ is a ‘she’. Diego himself is a Dashing Hispanic/Latin Lover trope in spades - despite speaking perfectly good English, he drops random words in Spanish during his chapters so we don’t forget that he’s Costa Rican, is a good lover, and can speak Spanish (he never speaks a full line of Spanish, by the way-but he says ‘mierda’ at least once per page). Every woman that isn’t Asian or Isabel is described in a derogatory way, and it made me feel weird, as a woman, to read Isabel judge random women half her age so harshly. It’s the little things, and I think that if a sensitivity reader got a hold of this, they’d be able to point that out. Hopefully that can still be done, since it’s in the ARC phase now, and not formally published yet, but I know ARCs aren’t usually that much different from the final product.

This review has gone on long enough, so I’ll close it out here: if you like D. L. Orton’s previous work, I think you’ll like this book. But as a first-time reader of her stuff, I found myself having issues with it. Maybe take a look at it if science fiction time travel with personal drama is your thing, and it does make a fast read, clocking in at three hundred pages according to my ARC copy. Like I said, there are some really cool elements in here and some nice scenes, but they’re held back by the overly quippy dialogue and character stereotypes, both thematically and culturally.

A well written story with the elements of a love story, with the multiverse, alternate timelines, dystopia and bionics all tossed together and somehow it works! I enjoyed it more than I thought.

(Note: I received an advance copy of this book free for review.)
Ordinarily I give a quick "No Go" on books that seem designed only to coerce you to buy the next book. Far too often they don't give you a book that stands on its own, so it feels like just a marketing scam to get you to buy another book. I will say Hive felt that way, but... after several days consideration, I think the character development and plot led to a reasonable satisfaction at the end of the first book so I am definitely inclined to go the next--without feeling like I have to get a sense of resolution.

I found Hive to be extremely. engaging, and despite all the time switches forward and back, rather than being confusing it really added to the story well. I congratulate Orton on an excellent first book, and a writing technique that drew me in well. The story and the interactions of the characters involved is excellent, and I recommend this book to everyone, If you feel drawn to the next book, great! But if you don't, this book leaves you feeling like there is a sense that things may progress well.

I think that when I started reading Hive, I expected a different kind of book, so it took me a while to immerse myself in its world. But once I got attuned to it, I enjoyed reading Hive. Since this book is the first volume in a new series, we didn’t get all the answers or explanations, which is understandable. However, there were holes in the "plot's tapestry" that bothered me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This book was extremely dystopian but wit periods of normality mixed in. The ability of man to tinker with nature comes in direct conflict with the nature of time itself. All the basic human emotions play out against this with a couple caught up in love and time. A good page turner,

The first book of the Madders of Time series, and I’m already eagerly awaiting the next. Hive follows the connections woven between Isabelle Sanborn, Diego Nadales, and Matt Husdon through the multiverse. I fell in love with the characters and their stories. I felt a little confused trying to keep the names and timelines in order in the beginning, but overall such a good read. Thank you Rocky Mountain Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

Oh my goodness. This book was incredible and I had so much trouble putting it down for real life. Loved the storyline and can’t wait to find out more!

The core concept of *Hive* – a time-traveling, dystopian thriller centered on the fallout from a narcissistic tech billionaire's actions – is undeniably compelling. The character dynamics between billionaire David Kirkland, his ex-wife Isabel, her former boyfriend Diego and physicist Matthew Hudson are intriguing, promising a complex interplay of ambition, betrayal, and redemption. The narrative effectively establishes a high-stakes race against time, fueled by the characters' desperate efforts to avert catastrophic events. The blend of romance and the resilience of hope amidst profound tragedy adds emotional depth, making the main characters relatable despite their extraordinary circumstances.

However, the execution presents some challenges. While the protagonists are engaging and their struggles are palpable, the portrayal of certain secondary characters veers into caricature. Their flaws, though intended to highlight the moral complexities of the story, feel exaggerated to the point of distraction. The novel suffers from an uneven distribution of information; certain details are over-explained, while crucial plot points are left dangling, creating a frustrating cliffhanger. While this cliffhanger undoubtedly serves to entice readers toward the sequel, consideration should be given to strategically revealing more crucial information in this installment to maintain reader engagement.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mindbuck Media and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and DL Orton for the free eARC in exchange for my review.

Reading Hive by DL Orton was quite the journey. I found myself drawn into the story, captivated by the intricate world-building and dynamic characters that kept me turning the pages. The plot had moments of real brilliance, and the author’s ability to blend suspense with emotional depth made it an engaging experience overall.

That being said, there were parts where the pacing felt a bit uneven, and a few plot threads left me wishing for more closure or development. Despite these minor hiccups, the book had enough intrigue and heart to make it a worthwhile read. I genuinely appreciated the themes explored and the moments that made me pause to reflect. If you enjoy speculative fiction with both action and emotional weight, Hive is definitely worth checking out.


37.5 stars rounded to 4 :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Rocky Mountain Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Full disclosure: I had never heard of D.L. Orton nor any of her other books prior to stumbling upon this ARC and being completely intrigued by the summary and cover. After reading it... well, frankly, I think that EVERYONE should have heard of D.L. Orton! This author is a phenomenal writer.

First of all, the premise of this book (and presumably the series) is just really cool. I found it to be a believable future, which I can't often say for time travel books. There are three character POVs that we jump between, and while this is occasionally confusing, I was able to reorient myself within the first few sentences of each new POV. For the first time in a long time, I connected with all three of these main characters, and found myself internally and enthusiastically rooting for some characters and booing others.

Second of all, the writing itself is beautifully done. Descriptions are eloquent and not overly flowery. Dialogue is easy to follow. While I would prefer less cursing (personal taste), I did not feel that the cursing was out of place considering the environment and situations in which these characters found themselves.

I'll admit that I was disappointed to "lose" Madders, a very intriguing character, near the beginning, but the inclusion of log entries connecting the timelines gives me hope that Madders might again become a player later in the series.

Overall I really enjoyed this, and I eagerly await Madders of Time #2!

Content Warnings:
- Terminal illness
- Violence
- Miscarriage
- Cursing
- Alcohol

Let me say right off, I loved this book, and had a hard time putting it down. Shall we look at why?

First off, I’m always intrigued by dystopian time travel stories. But this is a difficult topic to do well, so I always have a certain amount of trepidation in starting these types of books. I needn’t have worried.

So how did the author handle it? She did not bog down the story with made up physics. Instead, it’s told through the experiences of the characters. And she has some really great characters - three very likable viewpoint characters - all scientists - a narcissistic billionaire, a reasonable military man who wants to save the world, and a paranoid government agent.

The chapters switch between the three viewpoint characters, Diego Nadales, Matt Hudson, and Isabel Sanborn. Each chapter is written in first person - my preferred viewpoint to read.

The book begins near end of human time on Earth. There are only two humans - Diego Nadales and Isabel Sanborn - and a AI called Madders, who holds the consciousness of Matt Hudson, left. They decide to send Diego Nadales back in time to see if he can change the timeline. And it is Madders who will watch events unfold to determine if Diego was successful.

Pros

- The viewpoint characters are very likable. It’s easy to become invested in their well being.

- A profound setting: the end of humanity on Earth.

- “May you live in interesting times,” purported to be a curse whose provenance has never been established, is a great description for the events in this book. Terrible for the characters, but a great plot.

- DL Orton is an excellent writer.

Cons

- Maybe I'm quibbling, because this is the first book in a series, but rather than drawing this book to a close, it just seems to stop. I was left feeling rather frustrated. It is why I gave the book a 4.5 rather than a 5.0. (However since you can only provide whole numbers on NetGalley, I will round up to 5.0.)

That said, I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series and plan to add her earlier series to my TBR list. So obviously, I’m not too put off.

Trigger warning: miscarriage

Will I read more of this author? Yes!

Going into “Hive”, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve read a couple of D.L. Orton’s books before and remember enjoying them, so I was excited to leap in, and I was not disappointed!

One of the main reasons I absolutely loved “Hive” was the sweet, pure love story that is set in the realistic world Orton has created. Sometimes it’s hard to find a couple like Diego and Isabel in books. These two have made mistakes, but that doesn’t change how they feel about one another and it never had even after so many years of not seeing one another. Even when Isabel becomes hurt and Diego volunteers to help her, he never takes advantage of the situation, and he makes her feel cared for. I also love how pure and honest they are with each other. Nothing hidden, nothing exaggerated; just honesty and love. Reading from both perspectives gives the reader reassurance that their love is true and wholesome.

Within the other chapters, the reader follows Professor Matthew Hudson and I simply adore his character. He’s scientific, knowledgeable, cares for his niece like his own daughter, and has a lovable sense of dry humor. I loved these chapters where we meet other characters (like Sam and Cassie, Matt’s niece) who add not only a level intelligence to the text (so does Isabel!), but also a balance of lightness and severity of the situation they are in. Time travel and wormholes are not a joking matter, but they personalities were so fun and entertaining to read.

The pacing of the plot was excellent. I never found myself bored. I actually was sad to finish reading because I didn’t want to leave Orton’s world. The time travel and the set up to a dystopian world was perfect! The beginning chapter lured me in to what the future would look like and the time travel back to the past was captivating to find out where it all begin.

I simply cannot wait for the next installment of the “Madders of Time” series!

Orton is a talented author with the ability to create characters you care about, a world where every single aspect is well-thought-out and captivating, and themes that are so relatable to our world today that I found it all easy to connect with and wanted more. I will obviously rate “Hive” a 5 out of 5 stars!

My opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Rocky Mountain Press) for giving me the opportunity to read “Hive”.

Wow. Just wow. I'm honestly not sure what to say. It had comedy, romance and it almost made me shed tears. It made me feel all kinds of emotions.

I'm quite the fan of time-travel and have enjoyed TV series with it as a topic (Timeless and Loki). Hive is the first book I've read that has it as a topic and it definitely won't be the last.

I'm super excited for the next part in this series, Jump, and I have already added the Between Two Evils series to my TBR! I'm curious to read more about Matthew, Isabel and Diego.

I definitely recommend it for people curious about the multiverse, time-travel and changing fate for the good... or bad.

P.S. Could I lend the machine to go to another universe where the second book is already out?

What if you had the power to travel back in time to prevent an unimaginable tragedy—would you get it right the first time? Or would it take multiple attempts to rewrite the outcome? D.L. Orton's Hive (Madders of Time) plunges into the psychological and ethical complexities of time travel, blending sci-fi intrigue with deeply human questions about love, sacrifice, and the cost of second chances.

A Brief Overview of the Plot

At the heart of Hive (Madders of Time) is older Diego, who is tasked with the impossible — traveling back through time to save the world from complete destruction and ensure his children survive. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Diego's mission is far more than just a science fiction quest; it's a harrowing exploration of how far one person is willing to go to change their reality. Alongside Diego's time-bending struggle, there’s an infusion of humor and warmth through the supporting characters, particularly Matthew Hudson, whose quick wit and playful banter with Sam provide much-needed levity in this high-stakes narrative.

Familiar Faces, Changed Dynamics

Following on from Orton’s earlier works, Hive reintroduces familiar figures like Diego and Isabel.
While these two central characters tug at the threads of continuity from the earlier stories, a noticeable shift in their personalities left me reflecting on their growth—or, in Diego’s case, the lack thereof. Diego feels more of a pushover compared to the assertiveness he exhibited in previous installments. Similarly, Isabel has changed into an ‘I am right no matter what. Like it or hit the highway’ person. Maybe these fifteen years with Dave jaded her. I was not a fan of the core changes in Isabel and Diego.

In this edition, Isabel’s life’s work is to create an artificial honeybee, Superdrones. As a person who has owned honeybees in the past, just know this may not be the best idea. I look forward to the future book proving me right. What is that old saying, “Never fool with mother nature”?

That said, Hive introduces a surprisingly delightful new dynamic through Matthew Hudson. His sharp, laugh-out-loud banter with Sam and touching interactions with his niece, Cassie, truly shine as some of the book’s finest moments. Hudson adds a human depth that feels essential against the intense backdrop of time travel and danger.

Key Themes

Orton dives headfirst into the moral dilemmas of time travel. Questions like, "Should you only try once to prevent catastrophe? What happens when things go wrong, and how far is too far?" ripple through the narrative. It’s a poignant and thought-provoking lens through which to view Diego's attempts, particularly when one considers the emotional toll that failure (and retrying) exacts on him.

The human cost of meddling with time is palpable throughout, bringing up debates about responsibility, destiny, and sacrifice. What does it mean to insert yourself into the past repeatedly, knowing the consequences of your actions may ripple far beyond just you?

A New Beginning for the Series

While Hive functions as the launchpad for a new chapter in the Madders of Time series, it carries a sense of nostalgia for returning fans. For newcomers, there are just enough breadcrumbs explaining the backstory, though it’s a richer experience if you’ve read Orton’s earlier books.

The sci-fi elements, though compelling, don’t overshadow the emotional heartbeat of the story. Yes, time travel is central, but it’s the relationships—fractured, humorous, fleeting, and enduring—that anchor the narrative. This balance of technical intrigue and human vulnerability is where Orton truly excels.

Final Thoughts

Hive (Madders of Time) is an ambitious and emotional entry into the time-travel storytelling niche.
The characters of Diego and Isabel frustrated me because I had read the first three previous books. A new reader may love the modern characters where Isabel seemed to know it all (maybe Dave was right about her in that respect) and Diego was just a wimpy, little background character, afraid to say anything to Isabel that would upset her. I miss the old Diego who was the hero. I wanted their future to turn out just a little differently. It was basically the same story.

The dynamic additions of Matthew Hudson and his interactions with Sam, Cassie, and all the other characters in the Colorado military facility fill some of that gap with plenty of Orton’s characteristically funny nicknames for everyone. You know, the names we only say in our head now, because everyone takes themselves so seriously. The humor was much appreciated and kept me coming back for mor.

If you’re a fan of time-travel stories, rich relationships, and probing philosophical questions, this book will tick all those boxes. It sets the stage for bigger things to come (I hope) and leaves just enough unanswered questions that you’ll be eagerly anticipating the next installment.

My biggest question to Orton is where is the old man with the red sneakers when you need him?

Thank you to Netgalley and Rocky Mountain Press for the free copy of the book. All opinions are proudly my own. I was born with that Right.

this was a strong start to the Madders of Time series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters had that element that I expected and was invested in what was going on. DL Orton wrote this well and was glad I was able to go through this story. I'm excited to read more in this series and from DL Orton.

WOW - this book was incredible. From literally the first page, I was sucked in and couldn’t put the book down. DL Orton is an incredibly talented author and I’m definitely going to be reading some of her other books while I wait for the sequel to Hive. The writing style is engaging and evocative and the subtle worldbuilding that permeates the book is some of the best I’ve read recently. The pacing of the book keeps you engaged and the steady building of the stakes - both personal and global - makes every choice the characters make feel like it has weight and importance. Orton also does a great job of giving the reader the necessary scientific background while still maintaining realism - almost every info-dump in the book feels immersive and a part of the natural conversation. The characters feel authentic, and their relationships add emotional weight to a high-stakes story about saving the world.
The one critique I do have is that every single chapter changes the POV between the three main protagonists, which felt a bit jarring and pulled me out of the story a bit. That said, it's a minor critique and this book was certainly a 5/5 read.
If done wrong, alternate timeline stories can get really confusing and messy. This book is a perfect example of how to do it right. I can’t wait to read the sequel!

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. One thing about time travel books is that sometimes you worry the author hasn't done this before and doesn't know what he/she is doing, but that's not the case with Orton. The intros to each chapter were clever and the shifting POV really helped sell the story. Other than the misquoting of Back to the Future at a couple points (which was hard to tell if that was the author or the character), I don't rally have any complaints. On a side note, I like how the British character was written, with proper slang and everything.

D. L. Orton created a wonderfully detailed world with complex and well-written characters. It had a good plot, and was well written, but I wished for more - more setup and more time with the characters before their lives changed rapidly. I still enjoyed the book at the end of the day and I look forward to reading more from Orton.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rocky Mountain Press and DL Orton for the e-ARC!

Hive blends dystopian survival with time travel, delivering emotional depth through its central characters, Isabel and Diego. While the pacing starts slow, the complex relationships and intriguing sci-fi concepts pick up momentum, making it a solid read for fans of character-driven, high-stakes fiction.

Review of Hive: Madders of Time - Book 1 by DL Orton

My thanks to Rocky Mountain Press for the ARC.

I am a new reader of Orton’s sci-fi adventures in time travel. Evidently, there is a previous time-travel trilogy by Ms. Orton (Between Two Evils) involving the same main characters as this novel (the first of another trilogy), Isabel and Diego. In the Preface, Ms. Orton makes it clear that being new to her “world” will not be a problem…and it wasn’t.

I do like science fiction, but I am rather picky about which sci-fi authors I read. Also, full disclosure, I prefer reading murder mysteries and historical fiction novels with the occasional science fiction novel dropped into the mix when I need a change of pace, world, time, etc. I do believe that it takes a different kind of reading for science fiction, and I like that change of pace. I am happy to say that after reading Hive, I have added Ms. Orton to my preferred sci-fi authors list.

I also start reading slowly and carefully when reading sci-fi. I never know if the narrative will be filled with technical jargon that I understand better if I read it slowly at first. I really didn’t feel that was necessary as I read the Prologue of Hive…at least not at first. After the Prologue, chapters are called Entry 1, Entry 2, etc. I couldn’t help but hear in my mind a Star Trek captain saying, “Captain’s log Star date…” as I began each “chapter.” Honestly, it took me about halfway through the book to get a grasp of the beginning of each Entry before the chapter narrative began. Once I did understand the intro to each Entry, I realized that the intro sort of grounds the chapter. The intros ARE helpful.

As with all books with good stories, I found myself reading faster and faster. I loved the story. I loved all of the characters…even the ridiculous government officials and the “bad guys.” It looks like book 2 in this trilogy is coming out November 2025. I can’t wait!