Reviewed by: Megan Burkhart, a professional writing student at Taylor University

Introduction

Title: The Hive

Author: John W. Otte

Publisher: Enclave Publishing

Publication Date: October 16, 2015

Format: Paperback

Length: 331 pages

OVERVIEW

When an engineering cyborg named Zain gets detached from her Hive, she’s in for a real surprise: she’s pregnant. But she’s not a breeder, so who ordered the baby? Zain finds a name—Scorn—and searches for him in hopes of finding answers.

Matthew “Scorn” Nelson is just a teen who spends his free time cracking computer systems with his friends and narrowly avoiding catastrophe . . . until Zain shows up on his doorstep telling him she’s carrying his baby.

The two end up running for their lives across the galaxy, caught between two governments who want Zain’s baby for their own reasons. Along the way, Scorn and Zain wrestle with their growing feelings for each other and their newfound faith in a God who runs a different kind of Hive—a Hive free from fear.

This book is full of intriguing tech and characters. However, at times the tech and virtual aspects can be confusing or hard to picture. It’s a quick-paced adventure, but it can feel a bit cliché, especially when it comes to the romance. Overall though, it’s a light read that explores important Christian themes in a unique setting.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

3 out of 5 stars

Suggested Audience

Teens who are new or established in their faith and are looking for an adventurous sci-fi story.

Christian Impact

The characters discuss faith quite a bit throughout the book and what it means to be a true believer in a world where those who are religious give faith a bad reputation.

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