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The Colony
Tomorrow is the day that I die. I have known this for the 18 months I have been alive, but I'm still not prepared. It all comes down to the final tests, the ones that determine who is the fittest, the fastest, the strongest. I am none of those things. I will never leave the colony, never see outside the imposing grey walls, never even meet a woman.
My entire existence will be summed up as an increment on Eve's spreadsheet, another digit in the failure column. Only a handful make it outside, to witness the world that mankind destroyed. It all started with the bees...
My entire existence will be summed up as an increment on Eve's spreadsheet, another digit in the failure column. Only a handful make it outside, to witness the world that mankind destroyed. It all started with the bees...
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2016
17 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Craig Anderson
14 books72 followersCraig Anderson can't stand writing about himself in the third person. I’m a Brit that lives in Canada, and I moved here via Australia, so no matter where I go people hear my bizarre accent and ask me where I’m from. I have a beautiful wife, two rambunctious kids, a cat called Sydney, and a Sheepadoodle puppy.
I love to write humour (yes that is how they spell it where I am from!) with just a touch of depth. If I can make you laugh and then make you think, I’m on the right track. I have a soft spot for characters with hidden strength, the types that no-one thinks will amount to anything. Give me a nun-chuck wielding elf or a granny hacker any day of the week.
I love to write humour (yes that is how they spell it where I am from!) with just a touch of depth. If I can make you laugh and then make you think, I’m on the right track. I have a soft spot for characters with hidden strength, the types that no-one thinks will amount to anything. Give me a nun-chuck wielding elf or a granny hacker any day of the week.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 12, 2020
*3.5 Stars*
The Colony, a novella by Craig Anderson is about a society/colony where genetically modified male beings are put to test to survive the extremes after a deadly virus wiped out the entire population of men. The story is uncovered through the 1st person narration of a boy (18 months old) who is very sensitive and attached to bees and I loved the idea. A time where bees are on the brink of extinction and humans' survival depends on it (the survival of bees).
Right from the get-go this gives 'Divergent' and 'The Hunger Games' vibe as it follows the same very chosen-one concept with hints of promising 'Bee' concept woven along. With most stories in similar genres, and similarly, in this case, the plotline is very straight forward and predictable which loses my interest.
I would, however, invest in reading a follow up to this novella (if any), solely for the Bees and to see this idea flourish into something great. That's a hope.
*I won this novella in a group giveaway competition, however, that does not influence my opinion.*
The Colony, a novella by Craig Anderson is about a society/colony where genetically modified male beings are put to test to survive the extremes after a deadly virus wiped out the entire population of men. The story is uncovered through the 1st person narration of a boy (18 months old) who is very sensitive and attached to bees and I loved the idea. A time where bees are on the brink of extinction and humans' survival depends on it (the survival of bees).
Right from the get-go this gives 'Divergent' and 'The Hunger Games' vibe as it follows the same very chosen-one concept with hints of promising 'Bee' concept woven along. With most stories in similar genres, and similarly, in this case, the plotline is very straight forward and predictable which loses my interest.
I would, however, invest in reading a follow up to this novella (if any), solely for the Bees and to see this idea flourish into something great. That's a hope.
*I won this novella in a group giveaway competition, however, that does not influence my opinion.*
June 10, 2017
I won this novella in a gr group giveaway. It's a quick read and a very good dystopian story. I really felt for the main character and the horrible situation he was in, and couldn't wait to find out how it all turned out.
Very enjoyable. 5 stars
Very enjoyable. 5 stars
June 29, 2017
Craig Anderson has written a marvelous novella. The Colony is both an engrossing story and a very fast read. It easily done in one sitting. It is that good. On the surface it is very well done post-apocalyptic story told in the first person. Working to "Testing" day, the protagonist becomes more depressed and it shows in the story as the story becomes more maudlin as he realizes there is no chance to pass. Yet, there are moments within The Colony that there is joy and discovery. Craig Anderson plays games with the reader by preaching about the evils of post-industrial society and no one learned a thing. Yet the lecture is a story prop to ensnare the reader. Nothing is as it seems. Pay very close to the details, there is much going on underneath the main story. The Colony has a double twist and I did not see the ending. It also pays homage to many different dystopian stories without becoming a carbon copy. A fresh read on familiar territory.
September 22, 2017
This was not a bad story. There were some interesting ideas. It seemed like a YA story until I got to the part where the main character says
June 8, 2017
This was a fun and quick dystopian read. The concept of a virus that wipes out half the population is not new, but Anderson's correlation with the lives of bees was a new and interesting twist. The writing is a bit basic at times and felt a bit choppy in places, but the storyline was fun enough to keep me reading without finding it too distraction.
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I received this book as a giveaway from the author but all ratings and opinions are my own.
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I received this book as a giveaway from the author but all ratings and opinions are my own.
February 25, 2018
Recipe for a cracking good sci-fi novella:
1) Combine two parts Wool with one part The Hunger Games.
2) Add a dash of conspiracy and a close third-person, unreliable narrative.
3) Sprinkle generously with bees, and you get The Colony!
I went into this not knowing it was a novella, but the shorter form is a perfect fit for this tightly focused tale of survival. Ben, or Bumble, is one of around a hundred men living in the colony. In his short 18 months of life he has trained to survive the harsh challenges of the ruined world outside. But first he has to fight one of his own cohort to the death for the privilege of being released into the wild, to continue the human species in a world where all the men have been killed by a mutated virus.
Ben is a sympathetic character, apparently unsuited to the demands being made of him, but under the surface he is intelligent and resourceful. His passion for bee-keeping is a nice touch that resonates thematically throughout the story. Bees are a major theme in this book; I highly recommend this read to anyone with an interest in entomology or apiculture. The mystery surrounding the reason for the colony's existence unfolds with excellent pacing, and the story had me guessing right up to the amazing twist ending.
One issue I had that kept this from getting five stars was that I think it could have used another proofread. There were some punctuation errors, especially around the dialogue tags. The issue was small enough it didn't hinder my enjoyment too much, but I noticed it while reading.
All in all, a quick, exciting read with some interesting ideas. And bees. Can't forget the bees.
Side note: For some reason, Goodreads doesn't have the edition with the awesome mech-bee cover, seen here. This cover was 90% of the reason I acquired this novella, as I'd never heard of the author but fell in love with the cover art.
1) Combine two parts Wool with one part The Hunger Games.
2) Add a dash of conspiracy and a close third-person, unreliable narrative.
3) Sprinkle generously with bees, and you get The Colony!
I went into this not knowing it was a novella, but the shorter form is a perfect fit for this tightly focused tale of survival. Ben, or Bumble, is one of around a hundred men living in the colony. In his short 18 months of life he has trained to survive the harsh challenges of the ruined world outside. But first he has to fight one of his own cohort to the death for the privilege of being released into the wild, to continue the human species in a world where all the men have been killed by a mutated virus.
Ben is a sympathetic character, apparently unsuited to the demands being made of him, but under the surface he is intelligent and resourceful. His passion for bee-keeping is a nice touch that resonates thematically throughout the story. Bees are a major theme in this book; I highly recommend this read to anyone with an interest in entomology or apiculture. The mystery surrounding the reason for the colony's existence unfolds with excellent pacing, and the story had me guessing right up to the amazing twist ending.
One issue I had that kept this from getting five stars was that I think it could have used another proofread. There were some punctuation errors, especially around the dialogue tags. The issue was small enough it didn't hinder my enjoyment too much, but I noticed it while reading.
All in all, a quick, exciting read with some interesting ideas. And bees. Can't forget the bees.
Side note: For some reason, Goodreads doesn't have the edition with the awesome mech-bee cover, seen here. This cover was 90% of the reason I acquired this novella, as I'd never heard of the author but fell in love with the cover art.
June 13, 2017
I have read quite literally hundreds of dystopia novels and novellas and after a while you think that there is nothing new to read in terms of different concepts or ideas, only styles of writing; you'd be wrong. Yes, the idea that a virus wipes out part of the human population is not new, however the way that it has happened is different from anything I've read before. It is the 'why' behind the virus that I found particularly interesting. I am not going to give anything away, because I don't want to spoil things for anyone.
What I will say is that I enjoyed the character of Ben/Bumble very much. He is empathetic, enjoys reading and learning - a man after my own heart - and loves his honey bees more than anything else in his short life. In other words, he isn't particularly meant for the world in which he lives; a world where physical ability is likely to be the only way out of The Colony and into the outside world. Ben is very much the outsider among the hundred young men who are the only companions he has ever known.
Half the population of humanity was wiped out by a virus; the XY virus wiped out all men and left a gaping hole in the world. Now the one hundred young men living in The Colony are about to compete in their final test before those who are successful are let out into the remains of the world. Those who fail the test...
In this novella Craig Anderson explores an idea - what may happen if humanity continues on its path of destruction, in particular the destruction of the bees. It works well and I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who enjoys dystopia. My only real complaint is that it ended too soon for me, but then again, isn't that the mark of a good story - when you're left wanting more?
I received this from a GR group giveaway by the author; all opinions are entirely my own.
What I will say is that I enjoyed the character of Ben/Bumble very much. He is empathetic, enjoys reading and learning - a man after my own heart - and loves his honey bees more than anything else in his short life. In other words, he isn't particularly meant for the world in which he lives; a world where physical ability is likely to be the only way out of The Colony and into the outside world. Ben is very much the outsider among the hundred young men who are the only companions he has ever known.
Half the population of humanity was wiped out by a virus; the XY virus wiped out all men and left a gaping hole in the world. Now the one hundred young men living in The Colony are about to compete in their final test before those who are successful are let out into the remains of the world. Those who fail the test...
In this novella Craig Anderson explores an idea - what may happen if humanity continues on its path of destruction, in particular the destruction of the bees. It works well and I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone who enjoys dystopia. My only real complaint is that it ended too soon for me, but then again, isn't that the mark of a good story - when you're left wanting more?
I received this from a GR group giveaway by the author; all opinions are entirely my own.
July 15, 2017
A very original dystopian novella, featuring genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, cloning and environmental breakdown. As can be seen from the cover, bees also play an important role in this story.
The plot follows Ben (aka Bumble) who is aware that he is a cloned human male living in an enclosed dome in a world where a deadly virus has eradicated anyone with the Y chromosome. He is in competition with the others of his cohort to be the one who gets to go outside, despite being told that there are few females left, the outside world is no paradise and may not even be survivable. Yet his only skill (and desire) is to care for his beehive.
The book is well-written with good characterisation, an original concept and a surprise ending which I didn't see coming. I understand that there will be a sequel which is good as there are several loose ends to tie up, and I want to find out what happens to our hero.
The plot follows Ben (aka Bumble) who is aware that he is a cloned human male living in an enclosed dome in a world where a deadly virus has eradicated anyone with the Y chromosome. He is in competition with the others of his cohort to be the one who gets to go outside, despite being told that there are few females left, the outside world is no paradise and may not even be survivable. Yet his only skill (and desire) is to care for his beehive.
The book is well-written with good characterisation, an original concept and a surprise ending which I didn't see coming. I understand that there will be a sequel which is good as there are several loose ends to tie up, and I want to find out what happens to our hero.
September 15, 2017
I don't know why it took me so long to get around to reading this. This is a unique storyline and a perfectly crafted novella. I wish there were more. If this ever turns into a full-blown novel, hit me up, because I will buy it no questions.
This whole piece was fun to read but below are a few of my favorite lines:
"I don't have a favorite [weapon], my weapon of choice is my razor sharp wit."
"Surrender is not in his vocabulary. Of course there are lots of words that aren't in his vocabulary. Vocabulary is one of them."
"Some of it feels fabricated or exaggerated. For example, supposedly the human race was in a terrible spiral of self-destruction of decades and nobody thought to try to stop it. We all just sat back and ran our planet into the ground for the sake of next quarter's balance sheet. That just doesn't make sense to me." Me neither, Bumble. Me neither.
This whole piece was fun to read but below are a few of my favorite lines:
"I don't have a favorite [weapon], my weapon of choice is my razor sharp wit."
"Surrender is not in his vocabulary. Of course there are lots of words that aren't in his vocabulary. Vocabulary is one of them."
"Some of it feels fabricated or exaggerated. For example, supposedly the human race was in a terrible spiral of self-destruction of decades and nobody thought to try to stop it. We all just sat back and ran our planet into the ground for the sake of next quarter's balance sheet. That just doesn't make sense to me." Me neither, Bumble. Me neither.
February 3, 2018
I received a free digital copy of The Colony in exchange for a review.
To start off, The Colony has an original and fascinating concept that I don't dare reveal here, as it would constitute a major spoiler. That being said, this story would really have benefited from a serious review by an editor before publication. The story and characters (the most important aspect of any story, in my opinion) are well-rounded and fleshed out, their motivations and reactions clear, concise, and believable. But there were many grammatical and quite a few spelling errors riddled throughout.
Also, some parts became a little repetitive. Somewhat conversely, The Colony is a bit bare-bones and could use fleshing out. I would not have been disappointed had it been a much longer story. Overall, The Colony is a great read, despite a few flaws.
To start off, The Colony has an original and fascinating concept that I don't dare reveal here, as it would constitute a major spoiler. That being said, this story would really have benefited from a serious review by an editor before publication. The story and characters (the most important aspect of any story, in my opinion) are well-rounded and fleshed out, their motivations and reactions clear, concise, and believable. But there were many grammatical and quite a few spelling errors riddled throughout.
Also, some parts became a little repetitive. Somewhat conversely, The Colony is a bit bare-bones and could use fleshing out. I would not have been disappointed had it been a much longer story. Overall, The Colony is a great read, despite a few flaws.
March 28, 2018
The Colony was a fantastic dystopian read. Only those who survive the tests get to leave and get freedom. And Ben is the clear underdog in the tests for survival. And that's all I'm going to say because I don't want to spoil the book for you.
I think the best dystopian novels are the ones that seem the most possible. This book was so engaging and seemed so possible. I think with all the news about the bees dying and global warming and the technological aspects of things, the book seemed even more real. I loved the dystopian world that the author created.
The characters were great with distinct personalities. I also loved the writing style, it flowed really well and kept a good pace.
I will say though the ending... I did not expect that double twist there. SO GOOD.
Overall, fantastic read, loved the book!
I think the best dystopian novels are the ones that seem the most possible. This book was so engaging and seemed so possible. I think with all the news about the bees dying and global warming and the technological aspects of things, the book seemed even more real. I loved the dystopian world that the author created.
The characters were great with distinct personalities. I also loved the writing style, it flowed really well and kept a good pace.
I will say though the ending... I did not expect that double twist there. SO GOOD.
Overall, fantastic read, loved the book!
August 22, 2017
Creativity at its finest!
We've all read post apocalyptic books, but you've never read one this creative. This goes into the remaking of humanity. It touches on the darkness of humankind, and highlights the complex beauty of our ability to love our brother and the strength coded into our DNA. You will be forced to look into your own heart and decide whether you would be kind enough to save the one who would do you harm.
We've all read post apocalyptic books, but you've never read one this creative. This goes into the remaking of humanity. It touches on the darkness of humankind, and highlights the complex beauty of our ability to love our brother and the strength coded into our DNA. You will be forced to look into your own heart and decide whether you would be kind enough to save the one who would do you harm.
March 1, 2018
An Unexpected Surprise
I will read anything that I can get my hands on, but to be honest, post apocalyptic or dystopian books aren't at the top of my list. However, this novella captured my attention from the beginning and didn't let go. The whole concept was unique, and I genuinely liked Ben. My only complaint is that it was too short and felt incomplete. I really hope that there's more to come.
I will read anything that I can get my hands on, but to be honest, post apocalyptic or dystopian books aren't at the top of my list. However, this novella captured my attention from the beginning and didn't let go. The whole concept was unique, and I genuinely liked Ben. My only complaint is that it was too short and felt incomplete. I really hope that there's more to come.
March 4, 2018
I didn't dislike this book, but I didn't like it either. I don't normally read this genre because it just doesn't appeal to me. However, the story wasn't bad. I'm sure that anyone who enjoys the genre would really enjoy this story and even want to continue the story since it left me with questions and alluded to more. The concept was very unique.
March 5, 2018
An interesting short read which pushed me out of my comfort zone. It was a very enjoyable book and the concept of 'the colony' was intriguing. A story that had me wanting to see what was going to happen, and although part of it felt slightly predictable, there were elements that surprised me. I was left at the end of the book wanting more though!!
June 18, 2017
I inhaled this on a bus portion of my vacation and it was excellent. A quick read, but a different twist on the dystopian genre. As a beekeeper, I'm also pleased with how well researched the part was. Very well done.
September 15, 2017
Anderson's THE COLONY is a fine little read about AI, the post apocalypse and what does and doesn't make for a survivor. Very readable with a well drawn characters, interesting plot which ends on a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to more.
March 19, 2018
This was definitely not a story I thought I'd enjoy. It was quite interesting. Poor Ben, he's already endured so much. No one is going to see what's coming next. I voluntarily reviewed a copy via Quirky Blind Date with a Book.
March 29, 2018
A wonderful dystopian book. It's hard to describe without giving everything away but it's well written and the comparison of bees to the characters in the story was brilliantly done in my opinion.
Quick read, and a really good YA book. It truly did not disappoint.
Quick read, and a really good YA book. It truly did not disappoint.
July 13, 2017
Interesting read! The book will draw you in wanting to know more about our friend Ben. If you are wanting a fast read, something you'll remember, as well as entertaining... here you go!
July 17, 2017
Nice read. The ending could've been better, though!
March 4, 2018
Different, but interesting to me. The ending kinda fell flat for me, I felt like there should be more...book 2 maybe?
December 31, 2023
*2.5 stars*
I liked the concept, but something was lacking in the story/writing
I liked the concept, but something was lacking in the story/writing
March 27, 2018
A quick, absorbing read that had me intrigued from the very beginning! I couldn’t help but root for B34721, aka Ben, nicknamed Bumble, as he faced the elimination tests and told his story. He is an 18-year-old who has been in existence for 18 months, and he loves his bees. I really enjoyed his story, especially the way he handled the challenges. And the story’s twists and revelations surprised me to the very end!
July 9, 2017
I liked this story.. I thought it was interesting and had some nice twists. Thanks!
December 27, 2019
Sadly, the Killer Bees In This Story Didn't Kill It For Me!
This was a giveaway win that I won on the very awesome group, Apocalypse Whenever as part of their June giveaway. I'd like to thank both the author and the group for the book!
What I Liked:
I liked the males cloned by the AI, Eve, were programmed to reach maturity within a few months.
Since the AI had been constructed to figure out the bee problem, it likened the maturity rate to like the one found in bees.
The Melior apis were terrifyingly awesome.
I loved the deviousness of the AI i.e. how she figured things out, made the men play poker to learn how to deceive humans, deliberately failed the Turing tests, and her whole plan to clone more men and use them as her army. The last part is problematic though, as you will read below.
What I Didn't Like:
The book started off as YA but that changed by the end of the story.
I almost never notice proofing and editing mistakes but there were quite a few of them so, it was hard to miss. Spelling mistakes etc. are always a big turn off for me!
The events of the story are too predictable. I sighed out loud when the main character, Ben, was pitted against his only friend, Frank, in the final fight.
If the ozone has finally given in and collapsed as the story mentions, then how have humans managed not to become UV-riddled pincushions? If it isn't important to the plot, why mention it?
Another minor quibble, if the Melior Apis is the name of a species, then it should be written like, Melior apis or Melior apis
Say, Eve clones more of Frank-men and sends them to the women for reproduction. How would that work? The women accepted Ben because of his unselfish nature. Why would they treat the Frank-men the same way? Wouldn't Ben tell them what Frank was like?
Moreover, why would the army of Franks want to take over the women camp? Wasn't Frank competing and winning all the contests, so he could get out and get with the ladies?
I think there are some plot issues that need to be sorted out!
This was a giveaway win that I won on the very awesome group, Apocalypse Whenever as part of their June giveaway. I'd like to thank both the author and the group for the book!
What I Liked:
I liked the males cloned by the AI, Eve, were programmed to reach maturity within a few months.
Since the AI had been constructed to figure out the bee problem, it likened the maturity rate to like the one found in bees.
The Melior apis were terrifyingly awesome.
I loved the deviousness of the AI i.e. how she figured things out, made the men play poker to learn how to deceive humans, deliberately failed the Turing tests, and her whole plan to clone more men and use them as her army. The last part is problematic though, as you will read below.
What I Didn't Like:
The book started off as YA but that changed by the end of the story.
I almost never notice proofing and editing mistakes but there were quite a few of them so, it was hard to miss. Spelling mistakes etc. are always a big turn off for me!
The events of the story are too predictable. I sighed out loud when the main character, Ben, was pitted against his only friend, Frank, in the final fight.
If the ozone has finally given in and collapsed as the story mentions, then how have humans managed not to become UV-riddled pincushions? If it isn't important to the plot, why mention it?
Another minor quibble, if the Melior Apis is the name of a species, then it should be written like, Melior apis or Melior apis
Say, Eve clones more of Frank-men and sends them to the women for reproduction. How would that work? The women accepted Ben because of his unselfish nature. Why would they treat the Frank-men the same way? Wouldn't Ben tell them what Frank was like?
Moreover, why would the army of Franks want to take over the women camp? Wasn't Frank competing and winning all the contests, so he could get out and get with the ladies?
I think there are some plot issues that need to be sorted out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2017
the (first person present tense) writing style reminds me strongly of Joss the Seven
the competition lets me think of hunger games
the competition lets me think of hunger games
April 23, 2017
review to follow
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