Madders of Time · #1

Hive

D. L. Orton

Science Fiction Dystopia Post-Apocalyptic Romance Time Travel
8.0 / 10
1 rating

In a crumbling biodome surrounded by endless seas and swarms of microdrones, humanity’s last survivors cling to hope. For Isabel, a dying scientist, and Diego, the man she loves, time is running out—literally. The Earth is ravaged, and the biodome that was meant to save them is failing. But when Isabel stumbles upon a long-lost time bridge, the possibility of changing the past emerges, offering one final chance to rewrite history.

There’s just one problem: only one person can make the journey.

As they grapple with the weight of impossible choices, love, and regret, Isabel and Diego must decide whether altering the course of time is worth the risk. Will their sacrifice save the future, or will tampering with the past ensure humanity’s extinction?

Tense, emotional, and thought-provoking, Hive is a story of survival, love, and the ultimate cost of second chances. When the future is at stake, how far would you go to change it?


Trigger Warnings
Hive contains some sensitive themes that may be triggering for certain readers. The story explores terminal illness, death, and emotional loss, particularly through characters grappling with their own mortality. There are also scenes of environmental collapse, human extinction, and moments of despair as the characters confront the end of the world. Additionally, themes of sacrifice and suicide are touched upon in the narrative. Readers sensitive to these subjects should be aware before diving into the book.

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Published
May 6, 2025
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Discussions (1)

Interview with DL Orton about her book: Hive (Madders of Time #1)

HourglassEyes617 books · 4 posts#1

DL Orton: Hive (Madders of Time #1)

Q: The idea of time-traveling to the past to correct the future is not unheard of in sci-fi, but [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Hive[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b] includes several huge happenings that need to be changed. Where did that idea come from?
A: Honestly? Probably from watching the news too long while muttering “this timeline sucks.” But mostly, it’s about regret—those little “what ifs” that pile up until you need a full-blown spacetime bridge just to sleep at night.

Q: [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Hive[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b] includes many references to popular sci-fi and cult classics, such as [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b], [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Doctor Who[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b], and [b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b][b]Monty Python[/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b][/b]—do you have any special favorites in this genre or a special reason to add them to the story?
A: I grew up with them. They’re like the nerdy godparents who made me who I am. They weren’t just entertainment—they were lifelines. Little reminders that absurdity and wonder can coexist. For me, staying connected—and remembering how to laugh—is what keeps the dark from swallowing you whole. If you’re laughing, you’re still fighting. Still human.

Q: How many parts can we expect to conclude the series, and any rough estimate when the series will be finished?
A: Current estimate: more than one, fewer than 42. If the time machine behaves, Book 4 (yes, it’s coming!) will bring more answers (and unite the two book series). Madders of Time Book 2 should be up for pre-order when Hive launches May 6, and if the stars align, Book 3 will follow this fall 2025.

Q: Any personal comments on the writing process?
A: Writing this book was like herding quantum cats through a wormhole: loud, chaotic, and occasionally life-affirming. Also, I aged 10 years and gained 5 pounds. Worth it. I think.
My tagline? “Saving the timeline one sarcastic AI at a time.”

Visitor-1P51XV1 post#2

Thank you so much for these thoughtful questions—and for letting me ramble about quantum cats, Monty Python, and my deeply complicated relationship with spacetime (and possibly carbs).
You totally nailed the heart of Hive: it’s about regret, resilience, and finding a reason to laugh even when the universe feels like it’s glitching. I’m beyond grateful to every reader who steps into this world and finds something worth holding onto—whether it’s a sarcastic AI, a scrappy cat, or just the comfort of knowing you’re not alone in muttering “this timeline sucks.”
More books are coming (yes, plural!), and I promise I’m feeding the time machine regularly. Thank you for being part of this ride. ????????
—DL

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