| hive Propolis | |
| Author: | Daniel D.W. |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Science fiction and dystopian |
| Publisher: | Mythos Media and HiveTech Media |
| Pub Date: | May 10, 2015 |
| Media Type: | Print (paperback) |
| Pages: | 178 |
| Isbn: | 978-1507569078 |
| Followed By: | hive Camellia |
hive | Propolis is a science fiction and dystopian novel by Daniel D.W. and the first volume of The Hive Transmedia Project. The book was published by Mythos Media and HiveTech Media on May 10, 2015.[1] The book contains decipherable easter eggs as well as scannable QR codes for music, animation, videos and a transmedia storyline.
In the year 2023, Millions connect to Hive (human interface for virtual evolution), an augmented-reality technology that consolidates an individual's devices and technology into a holographic visual display that is projected from their mind. The system creates a collective consciousness with its users and their communication is transferred through a virtual telepathy. Meanwhile, The Disconnected are left in its wake; forced to adapt to a primitive lifestyle in the outskirts of Hive cities. Propolis follows nine-year-old Samantha Plessis, as she witnesses her family opt into beta testing this new product to receive health insurance benefits to treat her immune disorder. Since her disease prevents her from connecting to Hive, she becomes gradually alienated by her family, whose method of communication is now changing. Her mother, father and sister attitudes and moods change from her perspective; becoming less patient with her, and doing things out of the ordinary. Their consequential negligence and alienation lead to choices that threaten her safety, and for two years she compares her family to empty cicada chassis'. During an update for the beta-testers to the full version on Hive Day in 2025, Samantha watches her family and a number of people in her town collapse at once to their death. She then is adopted by her grandfather and moves to his farm, where he informs her of his predictions of an upcoming war.
Meanwhile, HiveTech CEO Miles Parker, struggles for control of his company with his father, Dr. Lewis Dean Parker. Dr. Parker lives omnipresently on the Hive servers, as a digital copy of his human consciousness after he was cryogenically frozen pre-mortem in 2015. After Miles becomes distraught over the millions dying from the update, Dr. Parker uploads a sedative called "propolis".
Geekadelphia said, "If you're looking for 21st century science fiction that escapes the page itself, this is it. Be excited." and "(Do you) feel like print science fiction could use a kick in the pants to propel it into modernity? Local author Daniel Dw may have just published the novel you're looking for."[2] "Rep Radio" called Propolis, "Beautifully written and incredibly unique with its incorporation of multi-media. A game-changer for all future literature."[3]
"hive | Propolis," includes a new and unique twist with dynamic scannable QR codes embedded within the book itself. This provides story-enhancing soundtrack, video and animation, and interactive story clues that invite a reader to take part in a real-world transmedia rabbit hole. This transmedia twist creates an ever-changing and evolving medium, sending you clues to real-world places and events announced through social media accounts that the reader must discover from the story itself.[4]
Using the book, a reader can decipher clues to the transmedia timelines and external sources for a simulated reality story.[5]