Book Two: The Sorrow of Bees
Tell the bees, for they understand heartache.
Dark magic comes at a cost, one that Jelly, warrior mermaid, must pay. It is her journey alone.
If she fails, her lover’s brother will stay trapped in a horrifying Fae prison called the Hellhole, with acidic waters and blistering heat.
Jelly goes 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 challenges of the pollinators. But she must if they hope to free Leif.
Her best friend undergoes her own changes, wrestling with a powerful new magic that’s tuned to the beat of her troubled heart. Mori reveals ancient secrets, and the outcome is anything but predictable.
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Finalist in N.N. Light’s Book Heaven 2025 Awards for the Romantasy category.
Local shops
Cumberland:
Courtenay:
Comox:
Compass Gallery + Gifts (YQQ Comox airport)
Campbell River:
Compass Gallery + Gifts (YBL CR airport)
Vancouver Island Regional Library
Ask your local library if they carry The Sorrow of Bees.
Editorial Reviews
Kirkus review: Get it.
“The detailed depth of the fantasy world will delight those who enjoy all-consuming magical realms that integrate cleanly with contemporary, nonmagical locales… The intricate details and personal growth of major and minor characters make for a welcome continuation of this saga… An often rousing personal quest that will have audiences looking forward to the next book.”
N.N. Light’s Book Heaven review:
“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. Holman has penned another eco-romantasy 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.”
“An imaginative fantasy layered with heart, friendship, and personal growth - perfect for readers who love emotional, adventurous journeys... 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.”