While I found the world-building a bit weak, and the dialogue stilted, I still enjoyed this tale very much. I loved the parts about the bees, which put me pleasantly in mind of the Melissa passages in The Fifth Sacred Thing. The book ended in such a way as to invite a sequel, and if one happens, I'll be in line to read it.I liked the character of Chalice a lot, though I never got quite far enough into her head.