Cliff Hannan

All religions have their own imagery: a simple cross, twin interlocking triangles, a crescent moon and star, and countless others, all instantly recognizable symbols of their faith. And the Hive, not surprisingly, has the bee.

In The Hive Codex, a small group of academics set out to create a set of rules to help a world floundering on a sea of apathy and moral decay. These principles, known as the Bees, form the backbone of the Hive and, over time, develop into a religion in their own right.

Rather than choosing the path of prescription and thou shalt not, the founders decided to take a different approach and embrace positivity. Isn’t “be honest” so much more inspiring and easier to uphold than its counterpoint, “do not lie”?

As a symbol of their devotion, each member of the Hive has a bee tattooed on their wrist, an indelible reminder of their true calling. And as the creator of the Hive, I also bear a tattooed bee on my wrist. Every time I see it, it takes my breath away, and I remember that I wrote a book. And that, like the tattoo itself, is something no one can ever take away from me.

I have to thank Pascal for his skill and artistry in bringing my tattoo to life. Everyone who has seen it has been blown away by its simple beauty and delicacy.

Hidden within the pages of The Hive Codex, you will learn the truth of how the Hive started and why. Light can truly be found in even the darkest of places and situations. If you take away nothing from this post, or my book when you read it, other than a little positivity, then perhaps the world will be a slightly better place.

And remember, being kind is so much easier than being nasty!