The Collective: Book One of The Tethered Shards Series by David J Steigelfest is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which the remnants of humanity are trapped by an evil force. The narrative follows Jonathan, whose soul is entangled with the collective consciousness of a beehive, and ten-year-old Jeight, whose unique condition hides a powerful secret. As Jonathan seeks to counter the evil force that has enslaved humanity, Jeight's latent abilities begin to surface. On a thrilling journey across the ravaged California landscape, can they unravel the mystery and find what it takes to protect humanity?

This story elegantly blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and suspense. The premise of a world on the brink of collapse, coupled with the mystery surrounding Jonathan's and Jeight's intertwined destinies, creates a fitting backdrop for the drama that follows. The author explores themes of identity, power, and survival. The characters in The Collective are richly drawn and multi-dimensional, each facing chaos and a world filled with treacherous paths. From Jonathan's enigmatic presence to Jeight's gradual awakening to his true potential, the cast of characters captivates with their complexity. David J Steigelfest deftly explores the relationships, from the bond between brothers Brandon and Jeight to the burgeoning connection between Brandon and Saanvi, imbuing the story with emotional strength. The Collective is a mesmerizing debut that offers a bold promise of what is to follow. I enjoyed the crisp writing and the wonderfully crafted dialogues. There is no doubt that readers will be pulled in by the morally twisted characters and the innocence of the young key characters seeking a path to make the world better.

The Collective is a work of fiction in the dystopian, thriller, and adventure genres, and is the opening novel in The Tethered Shards Series. The work is best suited to mature readers as it contains some dark themes and strong language. Penned by author David J Steigelfest, the plot follows Jonathan, a deceased man whose soul is entangled with a beehive's collective consciousness. He struggles against a malevolent spirit that has collapsed human civilization. Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jeight, perceived as developmentally disabled, is influenced by Jonathan’s attempts to communicate. As their safe haven is destroyed, Jeight, his brother Brandon, and their friend Saanvi journey through a post-apocalyptic California. They discover that Jeight's connection to Jonathan has unlocked a powerful and terrifying potential, offering both hope and danger in their quest for survival.

Author David J Steigelfest utilizes suspense and dark imagination to craft an intense and captivating read. I loved the atmospheric language and descriptions used to portray the post-apocalyptic world around the characters, with brilliant world-building concepts entwined with supernatural elements to keep readers immersed from start to finish. Jonathan’s struggle to combat the malevolent spirit from within a beehive was a unique and intriguing premise that I’ve never read before, and it offered a lot of psychological layers that were really satisfying to explore. The dynamic between the central ensemble cast, as they navigated their perilous journey, was compelling and heartfelt, with plenty of realistic dialogue that moved the plot forward naturally. Steigelfest’s vivid descriptions and well-developed characters made the bleak, dystopian setting come alive in every shadowy corner and chilling new revelation, and the themes of survival, brotherhood, and the intersection of the human and spiritual realms were explored masterfully. Overall, The Collective is a thought-provoking and gripping read that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.