I don't think using an insect hive as an analog for a dystopian world to explore fascist politics and themes of rebellion is very original at all, and I was definitely more into this one for the bug xenofiction aspect. So, the first half of this book didn't really grab me properly since it deals more with the rather straight-forward exploration of the rigid caste system of the bee hive. Granted, it's done well and I feel like the actual biology of the animals is incorporated greatly to find a nice balance between fantastical and naturalistic by the author. But I've seen similar settings before with other bugs, mostly ants, so it didn't really pull me in for a while.
Later on though, as the scope of the story stretches outside the hive and the protagonist explores the outside world more, the book ramped up significantly for me. I'm a huge sucker for exploring the world from a bug point of view anyway and Paull creates some very fun situations and interactions with other creatures.
Bug stories also lend themselves to quite horrific body horror and gore, and Paull is making full use of that, really adding a solid amount of effectively grim nastiness and some cool action scenes. The finale as well goes into pretty exciting territory.

And so the second half of the book really elevated The Bees from a decent read to a great one. If you can make it past the well-structured but somewhat generic initial set-up, you will be rewarded with a very well composed bug xenofiction adventure when it opens up to more variety halfway through.