There’s a particular kind of magic in stories that remind us the world is both fragile and fiercely alive.

The Last Beekeeper pulled me in with its quiet urgency — a world where the bees are gone, trust is a rare commodity, and hope feels like a dangerous act. What stayed with me most wasn’t the urgency of Sasha’s search or the mystery of the bees — it was the deep, aching humanity at the heart of her journey.

This is a novel about what we choose to hold onto when everything else slips away: the possibility of forgiveness, the ache of belonging, and the fragile but relentless pull of hope. Julie Carrick Dalton gives us characters who have been battered by loss yet still manage to reach for each other, finding family in unexpected places. 

I think you’ll find it easy to see yourself in at least one of these characters.

• A World on the Brink — The near-future setting feels both intimate and urgent, drawing you into a world where every small wonder matters.
• Sasha’s Quiet Strength — Her determination to protect her found family and uncover the truth is tender, fierce, and deeply moving.
• Mystery, Memory & Fragile Hope — Hidden research, impossible sightings, and the delicate beauty of a single bee create a story layered with secrets and longing.

• Quiet, emotional dystopias with mystery and heart.
• Fans of Maja Lunde, Lily Brooks-Dalton, and Emily St. John Mandel.
• Found family, environmental themes, and the fragile beauty of hope.