New Release+Review: The Hive by Barry Lyga & Morgan Baden

Shelly's Book Corner received a review copy from Amazon Vine and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.

Cassie McKinney has always believed in the Hive.

Social media used to be out of control, after all. People were torn apart by trolls and doxxers. Even hackers — like Cassie’s dad — were powerless against it.

But then the Hive came. A better way to sanction people for what they do online. Cause trouble, get too many "condemns," and a crowd can come after you, teach you a lesson in real life. It’s safer, fairer and perfectly legal.

Entering her senior year of high school, filled with grief over an unexpected loss, Cassie is primed to lash out. Egged on by new friends, she makes an edgy joke online. Cassie doubts anyone will notice.

But the Hive notices everything. And as her viral comment whips an entire country into a frenzy, the Hive demands retribution.

One moment Cassie is anonymous; the next, she’s infamous. And running for her life.

With nowhere to turn, she must learn to rely on herself — and a group of Hive outcasts who may not be reliable — as she slowly uncovers the truth about the machine behind the Hive.

New York Times bestselling authors Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden have teamed up for the first time to create a novel that’s gripping, terrifying and more relevant every day.

Review 

I will say that reading this book has made me think twice about my own social media usage.

This book is about a group of people called the Hive who dole out social media justice when needed. Lord. Imagine if an organization like this really existed? A lot of people would be in BIG trouble. In my opinion, social media has given certain people this false sense of bravado to post whatever they want no matter how mean and nasty. With the Hive it would force people to think twice before they post and blast others via social media. I can honestly see this happening down the road but hopefully when I’m long gone.

In this story we are introduced to Cassie who is dealing with a traumatic event and like a regular teenager she is angry and lashes out a lot at her mother. In the beginning my feelings towards Cassie were lukewarm. As the book progressed my feelings towards her pretty much stayed the same. I did kind of find her to be unlikable at times. Rachel (her mother) was a saint and I loved the love she had for her daughter, even through the trying and difficult times.

This was my first time reading these authors and I loved this book SO much! The story line was fast paced, refreshing, thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. At no time while I was reading was I bored and I loved how certain things came together. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next with the characters and I’m sad this book is over. This book will definitely be going on my top reads list of 2019.