The Last Beekeeper by Rebecca L. Fearnley

This is a review of The Last Beekeeper by Rebecca L. Fearnley. Four other novels with the same title are available. They differ in time periods, locations and target audiences, but they are all inspired by the existential threat hanging over bees and other winged insects. This shows the level of international concern about the outcome for humankind, if bees become extinct.
Fearnley’s novel is a dystopian fantasy aimed at young adults. In the world she creates the worst has already happened. Bees have disappeared from the face of the earth. I rarely read this genre (I chose the book because I care about bees) so it took me a couple of chapters to adjust to its fast pace and dynamic action. The story is set in a future distant enough for bees to have vanished from the face of the earth, but too recent for them to be forgotten. Civilisation as we know it has collapsed, and humanity has reverted to a tribal lifestyle. Because there are no bees, crops have to be pollinated by hand. Food insecurity is a reality of everyday life.
The lead character is Solma, a sixteen year old warrior. Like any teenager, Solma has to deal with clashes in her friendship group and figure out who she can trust. She and her brother Warren, who is only seven, are orphans in the care of their aunt Bell. With the help of the old women in the community, Solma has recovered from a traumatic injury and returned to her post with the guards who protect their village. Her main aim in life is to care for her little brother and keep him safe, so when she realises that Warren has a superpower which exposes him to danger from the ruling caste, her world is turned upside down.
There are other young people with magical powers in the community where Solma and Warren live, but only Warren can communicate with bees. A few chapters are written from the point of view of the queen bee herself. This informs the reader about the bees’ struggle for survival in a relatable and empathic way.
The Last Beekeeper by Rebecca L Fearnley is suitable for students aged eleven to sixteen, especially if they are interested in environmental issues. It is the first book in what promises to be an addictive trilogy.