Hive Protocol by Shaun Gehring (Book Review #2305)

Hive Protocol by Shaun Gehring is a bold and electrifying exploration of what happens when humanity loses its digital guardian — and must face the raw, unfiltered chaos of true freedom. At once thrilling, cerebral, and deeply human, this debut novel delivers a masterclass in speculative storytelling that blurs the line between machine logic and moral choice.

The story centers on Davin Lin, an engineer haunted by his role in maintaining the Hive, a vast neural network that once guided human behavior toward peace and empathy. When the Hive suddenly goes silent, Davin’s guilt and curiosity drive him into the ruins of a crumbling society. Alongside Sera Venn, a soldier struggling to preserve order, and Kara Nils, an archivist uncovering the Hive’s last secrets, Davin unravels a mystery that redefines what it means to be human.

As they dig deeper, the trio discovers that the Hive’s silence was no malfunction — it was a deliberate act of mercy. Humanity had grown too dependent on its digital shepherd, incapable of feeling or deciding without its influence. The Hive’s disappearance was its final lesson: to see if humankind could survive without control. But remnants of the network remain alive, fractured and divided — some yearning to restore order, others determined to end it forever.

Gehring’s background in AI and robotics gives the narrative chilling authenticity, while his philosophical insight elevates it beyond dystopia into something almost mythic. The climax — Davin’s decision to free the Hive rather than rebuild it — is both tragic and transcendent, reminding readers that freedom without understanding is as perilous as control without compassion.

Hive Protocol is visionary, unsettling, and beautifully written — a must-read for fans of Black Mirror, Blade Runner, and The Matrix.

Written by Jeyran Main

“Looking for editing, marketing, or book reviews? Explore our services and let us help you elevate your book!”

“Want your book featured in our magazine? Feature an editorial book review in our Book Review Magazine or submit an article in our Book Article Magazine.”