BOOK REVIEW | The Bees by Laline Paull

***please note, this review may contain spoilers***

I took this to read on my recent holiday to Turkey, as it is one of the shorter books I own. I found the concept of it interesting, and when I was further recommended to read it and push it up my TBR, I felt this was an appropriate way to do so.

In this book we follow Flora 717, a sanitation worker bee, as she goes through her day to day life in the Hive she is born into.

I can't really give too much away, as anything I say will probably severely spoil the book for you! All you need to know is that Flora 717 is not like the others. She doesn't seem to fit as a sanitation worker bee, and grabs every opportunity given to her with open arms. At points, I sympathised with her, rooted for her, cried with her, laughed with her, wanted to sting another bee with her. I went on this rollercoaster ride of emotions, with a bee. Not even a real bee! Once I'd completed the book, I took a step back and asked myself what kept me so interested and wrapped up in Flora 717's story. And the truth is? I have no idea. I guess it just fascinated me to imagine life as a bee, whilst having the trials and tribulations of a human, all under a semi-dictatorship (if not a complete one)of a Queen or Loving Mother.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I would highly highly recommend you read this book. Even if it is just for the idea that it is about bees! That's what intrigued me initially, and when asked what it was about, that's all I could say. I promise you, once you begin to read it, you will be completely and totally sucked in!

Easily a five out of five stars, adding to this years list of 5*'ers, and making that decision of my favourite book of 2015 just that little bit harder.

REVIEW | The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith.

***please note this review may contain spoilers.***

I took this book on my travels this year (as I'm writing we have only just returned from Turkey, beautiful country), as I had already owned The Silkworm for quite some time, until I was informed that this came first. Naturally, as a first time reader of Robert Galbraith, I was dubious about taking both books, so left The Silkworm at home. 

I regret that decision. 

Beginning this in the departures lounge at the airport, I found I only had about twenty minutes reading time before our departure gate opened after looking around the shops and having food. So of course, I challenged myself to read a certain amount of pages. And failed. What little I did read however, I absolutely loved and found myself wanting more.

Initially, I found the plot to be running a little slow. But that is completely understandable for the first in what I truly do hope is a substantial series length. 

For those of you who dont know, Robert Galbraith is not actually a man. Nor is he real actually. He's actually a certain wonderful author who is perhaps one of the most famous (if not the most famous) of the past 20 years. Who, I hear you ask? J.K. Rowling.

I KNOW RIGHT. The Harry Potter lady wrote something not Harry Potter and it is fantastic.

The first book in the Cormoran Strike follows, well, Cormoran Strike, a private detective, who when we meet him, is a little down on his luck. His business is failing, he's recently single, and lives in his office. Sounds like a hoot to work for doesn't he? 

And that's where we meet Robin. Robin is hired through a temp agency to be Strike's secretary, and the two seem to feign interest in one another at first, but without really caring. Until they realise, on seperate occasions, just how much the other person is helping them. For Robin, Strike is providing her with the opportunity to work in a position she's always dreamed of, and for Strike, Robin is providing that little bit of structure and support he really does need in the form of both employee and friend. The development of their characters over the course of the book makes for a great read, as we see Robin coming out of her shell more in the sense of investigating for the case.

The case. The case which Robin is involved in working on with Strike is that of the death of Lula Landry, a famous model (I'm thinking along the lines of Cara Delevigne here {if thats how her name is spelt}). Initial reports from the police, coroner and newspapers all believe and decide it to be suicide, but her brother John Bristow, approaches Strike begging for his help, as he believes it wasnt suicide, it was murder. Surely, if the police believe her death to be unsuspicious, and the coroner ruling the same, there's no need for Strike to intervene? Naturally, he intervenes and begins his investigation into the models death.

We follow Strike and Robin as the case develops, and without a doubt there are a few twists and turns along the way. Although you do feel as though you're on a little bit of a wild goose chase at times, it's worth it in the end. I had my suspicions for the culprit (if there ever was one), but sadly I was proven wrong. It didn't stop me loving following the story though, and I finished the majority of the book in one day whilst lounging around the pool. 

Overall, I would most likely rate this 4.5/5 stars to 5/5 stars. I am currently undecided on which to choose, as for all it is very very worthy of five stars, I felt that perhaps there was something missing. That and I didnt like Robins fiance all too much.

See you all soon with another review!

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Have you read this book? What did you think? I'd love it if we could start a discussion below in the comments!