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The Sorrow of Bees
Tell the bees, for they understand heartache.
Dark magic comes at a cost, one that Jelly, warrior mermaid, must pay. After a brutal ritual gives her Fae powers, a vital piece of herself is missing. She must abandon everything and everyone to find it.
If she fails her mission, her lover’s brother will never again see the sun, trapped in a horrifying dimension called the Hellhole. If she fails, her lover Mako may not forgive her. If she fails, she will never forgive herself.
She’s sent to a queendom so foreign she can barely breathe, transformed into a body she can’t possibly understand. Grappling with the enormity of her task, she struggles to appreciate the sorrows of the pollinators.
But she must if she wants to succeed.
A fast-paced magical adventure exploring the world of bees.
Book Two in The Laughter of the Sun Series.
Dark magic comes at a cost, one that Jelly, warrior mermaid, must pay. After a brutal ritual gives her Fae powers, a vital piece of herself is missing. She must abandon everything and everyone to find it.
If she fails her mission, her lover’s brother will never again see the sun, trapped in a horrifying dimension called the Hellhole. If she fails, her lover Mako may not forgive her. If she fails, she will never forgive herself.
She’s sent to a queendom so foreign she can barely breathe, transformed into a body she can’t possibly understand. Grappling with the enormity of her task, she struggles to appreciate the sorrows of the pollinators.
But she must if she wants to succeed.
A fast-paced magical adventure exploring the world of bees.
Book Two in The Laughter of the Sun Series.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2025
1 person is currently reading
1220 people want to read
About the author
Andie Holman
4 books22 followersAs a child, Andie Holman believed faeries lived in the snapdragons, and tree-frogs sang secret messages while she slept.
Her debut, The Mermaid's Wrath, won the 2025 Reedsy Discovery Editors' Choice Award.
She writes eco-fantasy, using science as the worldbuilding for her magical cast of characters, starting with warrior mermaids.
The Laughter of the Sun is an ongoing series.
1. The Mermaid's Wrath
2. The Sorrow of Bees
3. The Unbearable Melt
Her debut, The Mermaid's Wrath, won the 2025 Reedsy Discovery Editors' Choice Award.
She writes eco-fantasy, using science as the worldbuilding for her magical cast of characters, starting with warrior mermaids.
The Laughter of the Sun is an ongoing series.
1. The Mermaid's Wrath
2. The Sorrow of Bees
3. The Unbearable Melt
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 4, 2026
I won this in a giveaway
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2025
The Sorrow of Bees is a slow, reflective story that focuses on emotions rather than fast-moving plot. Jelly is written with depth and realism, making her struggles and decisions feel genuine. Her relationships add tension and warmth, allowing the story to unfold in a very natural way.
The gentle pacing and the symbolism of the bees reflect themes of duty, grief, and connection. This book is best enjoyed slowly and will appeal to readers who appreciate character-driven stories with heart.
The gentle pacing and the symbolism of the bees reflect themes of duty, grief, and connection. This book is best enjoyed slowly and will appeal to readers who appreciate character-driven stories with heart.
February 22, 2026
I read this book with friends of mine in our book club, and we were all of the same opinion that you just don't know where this story will take you. It takes twists and turns no one of us expected, and it was fun to see everything unfold. Most of our theories were absolutely wrong! What I like the most is that Mori got a way bigger part in the 2nd book than in the fir, t and I like her development. I also have to confess that I dislike Mako. He does not have many redeeming qualities and behaves like a huge bitch most of the time. It is firmly stated in the book that Jelly causes the problems in their relationship but I'm 100% convinced that he's the cause of them. I hope we some positive development there in the next book. We also got confused from time to time because there are just so many characters and some of them have very similar sounding names. But other than that it was a very fun read with many surprises, great animal side-characters, lovable magical beings, and amazing world-building. If you want to read a story of another kind, this is for you!
February 22, 2026
Quite enjoyed it more than the first one!
For me the pacing could be a bit slower and I got confused with the amount of people in the book, but otherwise an exciting story.
For me the pacing could be a bit slower and I got confused with the amount of people in the book, but otherwise an exciting story.
April 15, 2025
loved it !! love this series !! love Jelly... this is her mission... she must not fail... all will be lost !!! a fast paced heart breaking drama... and the bees...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 5, 2026
This author is a genius!!! I love love love the message she has presented in these stories. While the first one focused on the damage caused to oceans, this one focused on bees. They are so important to our environment and our survival. Jelly had such anger to what was happening to the world. Something I think we can all do with a little more of. Not only did I enjoy the message and environmental issues, I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Jelly has grown on me even more so than book 1. She wasnt the focus, but she added so much. The other characters, especially Mori, added more balance and light to the world of magic and mystical creatures. Everything about this story fit a narrative and fit a message. Meticulous research and beautifully executed. Andie is definitely being added to my list of auto buy authors!!!
February 16, 2026
The Sorrow of Bees by Andie Holman is a fast-paced, action-packed urban fantasy that immerses readers in a world shaped by loyalty, secrecy, and emotional growth. Told through multiple perspectives, the narrative primarily follows Jelly and Mako, a fated couple learning to navigate the complexities of a new life together. Meanwhile, Mori, their closest friend, grapples with her own sense of isolation as the pair struggle to communicate and strengthen their bond. Relationships are never simple, and within this story, time always feels just out of reach.
When Jelly receives a dream-like message from a higher power revealing that Mako’s brother is trapped in a place inaccessible to anyone but her, urgency takes hold. Jelly is immediately ready to act, while Mako processes the revelation more cautiously before sharing the news. Yet their secret is only one of many concealed within the family. As they journey toward a place of refuge among friends and other magical beings, Jelly must unravel riddles and seek understanding in ways she never imagined, all in an effort to reclaim what was lost in the aftermath of the last great battle.
What makes this story especially memorable is its creativity. This author demonstrates originality through layered storytelling and meaningful undertones that often remain unspoken but resonate throughout the narrative. The author shows strong awareness of her characters, each displaying a range of emotional depth. Jelly, in particular, faces a significant growth trajectory as she learns to step outside of her own internal barriers to build stronger connections—not only with others, but with herself.
There are occasional grammatical and spelling errors, along with some inconsistencies in character language, though these do not significantly detract from the reading experience. Because the novel appears to pick up shortly after the first installment, new readers may benefit from beginning the series at its origin. Additional world-building would have strengthened the story, as the rapid pacing sometimes leaves readers wanting greater context. An advanced reader copy of The Sorrow of Bees was provided to Turning Another Page by Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review. Awarded with three stars; it is undeniably worth the read, particularly for fans of imaginative, character-driven fantasy.
When Jelly receives a dream-like message from a higher power revealing that Mako’s brother is trapped in a place inaccessible to anyone but her, urgency takes hold. Jelly is immediately ready to act, while Mako processes the revelation more cautiously before sharing the news. Yet their secret is only one of many concealed within the family. As they journey toward a place of refuge among friends and other magical beings, Jelly must unravel riddles and seek understanding in ways she never imagined, all in an effort to reclaim what was lost in the aftermath of the last great battle.
What makes this story especially memorable is its creativity. This author demonstrates originality through layered storytelling and meaningful undertones that often remain unspoken but resonate throughout the narrative. The author shows strong awareness of her characters, each displaying a range of emotional depth. Jelly, in particular, faces a significant growth trajectory as she learns to step outside of her own internal barriers to build stronger connections—not only with others, but with herself.
There are occasional grammatical and spelling errors, along with some inconsistencies in character language, though these do not significantly detract from the reading experience. Because the novel appears to pick up shortly after the first installment, new readers may benefit from beginning the series at its origin. Additional world-building would have strengthened the story, as the rapid pacing sometimes leaves readers wanting greater context. An advanced reader copy of The Sorrow of Bees was provided to Turning Another Page by Reedsy Discovery in exchange for an honest review. Awarded with three stars; it is undeniably worth the read, particularly for fans of imaginative, character-driven fantasy.
April 26, 2025
Jelly never realized her actions would manifest at such a cost. Now, she must put herself in danger in order to save her lover’s brother. Transformed, she has a colony of workers to care for and protect. Will she succeed or will the sorrow overwhelm her?
The Sorrow of Bees is a romantasy perfect for our times. It’s one of the most original stories I’ve ever read. Andie Holman takes us on a journey filled with emotional narration, magical world-building, characters who will captivate, all with an eco point of view. Trust me, you’ll never see bees in the same light.
Andie Holman has penned another eco-romantasy with emotional narration that will have you thinking long and hard about the story. It’s a poignant story that brings to light environmental issues but in an approachable way. Compassion and empathy will bubble up in your soul after reading The Sorrow of Bees.
These characters are the prime reason I recommend you reading The Sorrow of Bees. Jelly is a complex heroine with many layers. She’s got a lot of emotion buried within and not every reader’s cup of tea. But there are other characters you’ll enjoy.
The Sorrow of Bees is a bucket list read and one I recommend to all.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
The Sorrow of Bees is a romantasy perfect for our times. It’s one of the most original stories I’ve ever read. Andie Holman takes us on a journey filled with emotional narration, magical world-building, characters who will captivate, all with an eco point of view. Trust me, you’ll never see bees in the same light.
Andie Holman has penned another eco-romantasy with emotional narration that will have you thinking long and hard about the story. It’s a poignant story that brings to light environmental issues but in an approachable way. Compassion and empathy will bubble up in your soul after reading The Sorrow of Bees.
These characters are the prime reason I recommend you reading The Sorrow of Bees. Jelly is a complex heroine with many layers. She’s got a lot of emotion buried within and not every reader’s cup of tea. But there are other characters you’ll enjoy.
The Sorrow of Bees is a bucket list read and one I recommend to all.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
July 9, 2025
This book was a fantastic continuation from the first book in the series. The author continued to build on existing characters while seamlessly adding new ones. Great story line which includes the bonus of actuate facts for us to all learn and hopefully do better in our day to day lives. Looking forward to book three!
June 1, 2025
I loved this book so much! I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good and the characters are fantastic.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews