Acquired Book By: I was truly intrigued by the premise of HIVE when Dave @ The Write Reads first told me about the story. There was a fuller history of the publication of the novel and the series it belongs to as well. There is something wicked about time travel stories – I am properly addicted to seeking them out and to sorting out how the travelling works in each universe an author utilises the concept of travelling in time. Everyone has their own portal, and everyone has their own vision for it which makes it wicked unique. Thereby with an appetite of curiosity for what the story would involve and how it would be carried out, I signed up for the blog tour.
I received a complimentary copy of “HIVE” direct from the author DL Orton in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!
I initially was planning to share a full review of HIVE for this blog tour – however, due to circumstances outside of my control, this month (ie. my Mum’s hospitalisation and surgery) – I found myself losing track of time. The hours the day of her surgery went by in such a flash – my mind and heart just wasn’t locked into my work either – which I hadn’t thought anyone was noticing outside of myself, as my rhythm was just off. Except to say, before the midway point of my shift my kind boss asked if it would help if I went home early that day – it turnt out to be godsend but he didn’t know it then. Ever since that day – it feels like I’ve been running on autopilot and trying to keep my head above water.
I found that between juggling my two jobs and being a caregiver at home isn’t as easy as some might believe it to be whilst still trying to find enough time to rest and have downtime from work too. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been running low on energy and sleep and this past week alone – I felt like a proper zombie because each day bled into the next and sleep was not my friend. I was hopeful to read a bit at night after work, but I was so tired that after just a bit of dinner, I was half asleep already! Oy. Thereby, I knew I wouldn’t be able to post a complete review for this novel – at least, not in time for the blog tour.
I’ve been enjoying reading it – slowly but surely – and decided to offer a bit of glimpse into what the story is about and how it is has resonated with me whilst I’m in the throes of the opening! One reason I enjoy writing these #25PagePreview mini-reviews is that I get to give a first impression of a story right in the midst of discovering the fuller scope of where a novel can take me. I find that if an author can hook me into their story emotionally and visually within those first pages – I’ll feel properly anchoured to carry-on into the finality of the book. If I don’t feel that anchoured into a story in the beginning, it is harder for me to continue to read it. I’m sure most might agree with me on that.
For me, I’ve found my threshold of knowing about a story – if I’ll continue to read it – happens within the first twenty-five pages irregardless of how long or short a novel is – those are the moments in the story that make/break it for me as a reader. Similarly, for an audiobook – it is the first twenty-five minutes. Apparently, I’m a bit consistent when it comes to page vs minutes! Laughs. And, so, what I’m looking for as I begin any story – is how the author sets the stage – how they open up the world they’ve created for us to find and discover and most definitely – what are their characters trying to tell us to convince us to take that journey with them? Descriptive narrative is key but also are wickedly rounded characters and a feeling of a world in search of a visitor to find it. I want to feel as though the story has lived to the brink that by the time I arrive inside – it is fully illuminated and ready to be seen.
The following are my initial impressions of HIVE and the start of the Madders of Time series.
HIVE
Subtitle: Madders of Time (Book One)
by DL Orton
Source: Author via The Write Reads
What if saving the future meant rewriting the past?
In a dying world overrun by microdrones, humanity's last survivors cling to life inside the Eden-17 biodome. Isabelle Sanborn knows her time is running out, but one desperate plan might give humanity a second chance. With the help of Madders, an enigmatic AI built from the memories of a brilliant physicist, Isabelle sends Diego Nadales—the love of her life—35 years into the past. His mission? To change the course of history and prevent their world's collapse.
When Diego arrives in the vibrant yet fragile Main Timeline, he's forced to confront ghosts of the past, including a younger, ambitious version of Isabelle. As he battles to shape a better future, Diego must navigate a delicate web of relationships and events without destroying the very fabric of time.
Brimming with suspense, heart-pounding action, and a poignant love story that transcends time, Madders of Time - Book One is a breathtaking science fiction adventure. Award-winning author DL Orton weaves a tale that explores sacrifice, resilience, and the timeless power of love.
Fans of The Time Traveler's Wife and Dark Matter will find themselves captivated by this unforgettable journey through parallel worlds and intertwining destinies.
The clock is ticking. Can love survive the collapse of time itself?
Prepare to lose yourself in the first installment of the Madders of Time series—a story that will keep you turning pages and leave you hungry for more.
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 978-1941368329
Published by Rocky Mountain Press
on 6th May, 2025
Format: Paperback Edition
Published by: Rocky Mountain Press
Follow them via Insta: (@rockymountainpress)
Available Formats: Paperback and Ebook
Converse via: #SciFi, #ScienceFiction and #TimeTravel
as well as #TheWriteReads & #HIVE
About DL Orton
The BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, D. L. ORTON, lives in the foothills of Colorado where she and her husband are raising three boys, a golden retriever, two Siberian cats, and an extremely long-lived Triops. Her future plans include completing the books in the BETWEEN TWO EVILS series followed by an extended vacation on a remote tropical island (with a Starbucks).
When she’s not writing, playing tennis, or helping with algebra, she’s building a time machine so that someone can go back and do the laundry.
Ms. Orton is a graduate of Stanford University’s Writers Workshop and a past editor of “Top of the Western Staircase,” a literary publication of CU, Boulder. The author has a number of short stories published in online literary magazines, including Literotica.com, Melusine, Cosmoetica, The Ranfurly Review, and Catalyst Press.
Her debut novel, CROSSING IN TIME, has won numerous literary awards including an Indie Book Award and a Publishers Weekly Starred Review. It was also selected as one of only 12 Great Indie Stars by BookLife’s Prize in Fiction.
