Hush shows such great potential and promise and for the most part it delivers, but only on world and magic building, the cover is also beautiful (the only reasons it has stars).

SPOILERS AHEAD.
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The "pain" in Ravod's and Kennan's eyes almost every time Shae looked at them and Shae's need for a romance with Ravod and so quickly upon meeting him conjured so many eyerolls whileI read it, I found it was unsettling and annoying.

I'd say about 95% of this story was so predictable - the villain who you knew was the villain acting as a friend, the friend wanting more than friendship.. the MC not wanting said friend, but instead wanting a guy she just met, the mean girl sabotaging her because she feels threatened but also wants forgiveness from the same person she is sabotaging..

Also, this quote from Goodreads (which I have copied and pasted) is absolutely false and deceitful;
"𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴."

This is not even close to a "powerful feminist fantasy". It is 100% male driven and paints women is a horrid light and at some point made to feel insane or had others make them appear to be so... The only difference is, nobody is allowed to read or write, except certain Bards who are allowed to. Also, the main character (Shae) was saved by a male character in the end.

All in all, I wasn't very impressed with this one.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
All opinions are my own.

I loved this cover and the blurb had me curious. Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan. The story had too little dialogue. Yes, I know it is called HUSH but still. Shae was the only character even remotely developed. Story was very slow, even at the end where it seemed everything happened at once. Nothing was really memorable about it. It had potential but needed to go deeper.

3 Stars

STORY

Characters | 3 stars
Setting | 2 stars
Plot | 4 stars

TECHNICAL

Writing | 3 stars
Editing | N/A
As an ARC, this is not a final version and editing will not be rated.
Execution | 3 stars

Emotional Rating | 2 stars

I’ve just finished Dylan Farrow’s debut YA novel and I’m already looking forward to book 2. Set in a mystical world where books and writing are forbidden, HUSH tells the story of a young woman who is determined to seek justice for her mother’s murder and reveal the truth behind the illusions holding her people captive. Rich with contemporary truths and feminist themes, this is a powerful read.

Hush takes place in a fantasy world where people no longer read because the ink in books causes a disease called the blot. Shay, our heroine, lost her little brother to the Blot and has spent much of her life as an outcast because of this. She eventually decides to seek the help of the Bards, powerful men with the power to speak magical stories, in lifting what she feels is a "curse' on her and is unexpectedly invited to join their ranks. While I think the world of Hush was really interested and I enjoyed this new system of magic, the general storyline was pretty standard with powerful men trying to silence others (particularly women) and the lead of an elite order taking advantage of an incredibly powerful new member. Similarly, while Shay was a really interesting character and you were draw into her struggles to find her place and learn to use her powers, her friends and love interests were pretty one dimensional. Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I'd be interested to see what happens next.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

“Hush is a powerful feminist fantasy full of surprising insights, that casts a ray of light into the shadows of a society based on silencing and lies.” (from the description on GR)

Ummm … no, it’s not.

I read this caption at the end of the synopsis and thought wow. Very cool. I’d like to read that. It sounded so promising, so creative, so intriguing …

But alas, no dice …

I think the creative intrigue was spent on the blurb because this was a boring read. I’m so confused as to how this a “feminist fantasy.” It isn’t. Not at all. Among other things, <spoiler> the heroine is literally saved by a male character in the end. </spoiler>

I really loved how this opened, though. The first couple of pages, showing the reader the scourge that ravages the world of Montane, drew me in. Then bang ... we hit a wall of storytelling in the present tense, an account with so little tension, zero dynamic characters, and voice with no charisma, that I was out. I slogged through the rest because I wanted to write a fair review. By the end, I wasn’t any more invested. The MC is whiny, selfish, directionless, and too moony-eyed over boys to be any sort of female/feminist role model. At some point, I realized it was closer to middle-grade fiction. There is no depth, no gravity. When I hit the 25% mark, all I could think was how tidy and cardboard everything seems. It’s probably a solid read for MG ages. But as YA fiction, it just doesn’t come close to pushing the limits.

But also the plot seems to recycle ideas from well-known novels like “Hunger Games” and “Twilight,” which doesn’t help it in any way. I will say the writing here attempts to be poetic, and sometimes succeeds, but overall it’s pointless to the plot. None of the flourish drives the plot forward. It kind of languishes too long in heavy descriptions that don’t seem necessary. I couldn't invest in any of it. But that’s me. Others may enjoy it. I just didn't find anything to sink my teeth into.

All in all, I found the MC’s interiority unappealing, and so it kind of dipped into wallowing for me, which is never fun to read unless it’s a facet of the character. Here, it’s not. None of the characters are complex, actually. It’s all pretty standard melodrama. Stereotypical villains, love interest, love triangle, reliable friend, etc.

Not my cup of tea. ;-)

"The more I tell you, the more you believe, the more it becomes true. The madness and the idea that women were somehow more susceptible to it, was just another lie to control me."

I have been incredibly hyped to read this book since it was first announced and I'm happy to report that it did not disappoint! I love that Farrow took YA fantasy and used it to look at the power of the written word, whose stories get told and believed, etc. The pacing was good and I was immediately immersed in the world and appreciated that the magic and world-building wasn't overly complicated. I am already looking forward to the sequel and seeing where the story goes from here!

A very interesting concept but overall very lacking in terms of writing and story building. It was an enjoyable read but unfortunately in my opinion not a strong novel from a very courageous person

I liked a lot of things about this book. I think Shae is a compelling character, and I enjoyed following her journey. The world building is interesting and I am a fan of the allegory being built with ink and the written word being "dangerous." Shae's gullibility in the face of obvious evil was a bit hard for me to buy at times. Overall I liked it and look forward to the second book.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this novel early! This book takes you on a ride with a girl named Shae. She is different from the rest by "asking too many questions" and having mystical powers that she believes is the deadly illness, the Blot. Ultimately I loved this book and I loved Shae's refusal to be anything but herself. I need to know more about the mysterious hot guard and why her mother just stopped talking. It was predictable that Cathal was evil and on one hand it is understandable why Shae would be so naive but on the other hand it was annoying at times. Ultimately I will buy the book and look forward to the sequel!!

Hush takes place in a world where Bards use words to weave magic, and they all but control the population. Years ago, a great plague known as the Indigo Death swept the land, yet only the Bards were able to stop it, citing the unregulated use of the written word as the cause of the plague. As a result, anyone found messing around with literacy or forbidden objects is subjected to terrible punishments. After Shae’s mother is murdered by a Bard’s dagger, she goes in search of answers, discovering along the way that she too can wield words.

This story has a similar concept to Melanie Cecilier’s Spoken Mage series, but uses a softer magic system where the power of words as a tool to influence people is emphasized. Thematically, this book tackles the nefarious power of propaganda and fearmongering, along with the easy way women in particular are silenced when they speak up against injustice. Knowing that Dylan Farrow is the author certainly gives a little perspective to this tale, especially with regards to the central villain of the story.

I had a hard time liking the protagonist because she was so straightforward in her actions that I constantly wanted to shake her and tell her to use her head, approach a problem from another angle. She is always going around asking dangerous questions directly, without stopping to consider that there might be a better way that doesn’t get her into trouble. Her use of magic is interesting though.

I did enjoy her budding romance with her LI, although I’m not looking forward to the love triangle that is getting set up. There were also certain character beats that happened offscreen for the side characters, such that when they reappear in the narrative with a 180 personality, I’m more than a little caught off guard.

The plot itself is very standard, and none of the twists are particularly groundbreaking. Honestly, the biggest twist was probably in regards to the narrative choices with the primary LI, as Farrow went against the standard genre conventions for YA fantasy.

Still, this was a fast read, easily digested. I did enjoy this one and I am interested in the sequel.

What an excellent debut novel! I was thoroughly impressed by the unique idea of the Blot and the magic that words yielded. As someone who loves writing, these ideas grabbed my attention and drew me into the story. Shae’s character is someone that most of us who have had to be brave and take risks can relate to. She has such human qualities with her self-doubt and low self-confidence but she’s filled with immense power that she is unaware of.

This book will take you on a thrilling adventure with lots of surprises. It’s an addictive page-turner that will keep you guessing until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this ARC. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store next.

First, I want to say thank you for the complimentary copy of this ebook ARC from the publisher, author and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness! Y'all are not ready for the awesomeness that is Hush by Dylan Farrow! I opened this book and I could not put it down! I wanted to keep reading even though I had to work and do other things that kept getting in the way of a good reading time.

"In the land of Montane, language is literal magic to the select few who possess the gift of Telling. This power is reserved for the Bards."

A land where language is literal magic and the written word is forbidden due to a strange disease called the Blot. A young girl whose life has been riddled with negative events, goes off on an adventure to find the truth, and discovers so much more than what she bargained for!

This world is riddled with uncertainty and it is a woven masterpiece of many levels of hidden secrets. To uncover the truth, is to uncover the world.

I highly recommend this book for those that love fantasy and a magic system that is quite as mysterious as it sounds!

Dylan Farrow’s HUSH is an apt beginning for a fantasy series. Her prose carried me into her world of Montane. At first, I found the plot to drag a bit, but Farrow finds her rhythm as main character Shae’s confidence grows. The themes of speaking up for yourself and conquering self-doubt are good for young teens, or any age. One issue I had was with Shae’s relationship with Bard mentor Ravod; it was a bit too reminiscent of the Tris and Four connection in the Divergent series. However, it is still entertaining. The world Farrow creates reflects concerns about today’s world and threats to democracy, which may impede the escapism some seek in books. Yet the novel provides enough thought and action to leave you wishing the next installment to the Montane story comes along soon.

Wow! What an amazing debut novel! It reminded me some of "The Red Queen" and "Children of Blood and Bone". I adored it. Honestly, it struck fairly close to home during this pandemic at first, but I am so glad I read it!

Murder, magic and books, what more could a reader ask for? I was drawn to this book because an author I follow on social media suggested it. Reading the summary caught me immediately and I found myself instantly wanting to know more.

Do you like fantasy? Do you like learning about languages? Have you ever wondered what would happen if you created a fantastical world based on language? Here is your next book. I was intrigued because I wasn't sure how this world would play out a magic system based on language. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to imagine the world, but as I turned the pages I became lost in Shae's world.

Shae is a 17-year-old female who is in awe of the Bards, the Bards have the magic of storytelling and it is a power reserved for men. Shae also fears the magic because she knows that the Blot is real it killed her younger brother years earlier. I don't want to go into spoilers but Shae's growth was refreshing, when she learns of her mother's murder Shae seeks justice. It is during this quest for justice that Shae learns that not all Bards are men. I won't say anything more because you need to go on this journey with Shae and experience her sense of wonder as she learns through each trial thrown at her. Highly recommend. Look forward to reading more from the author. Grab a copy for yourself you won't regret it.

I don't want to say Hush is *over*hyped, but there definitely seems to be a lot of praise in blurbs going around that I just didn't...get.

Most everything about the book is just okay. The writing is engaging, but not particularly standout. The characters are fairly flat, but not off-putting. The plot is not interesting or original, but I didn't hate it. The system of magic is poorly explained, but it's fine, since it only shows up in the last half, so it wasn't a kiss of death. The hints of romance are heavy handed, but again, aren't there until the halfway point, so...yeah.

Nothing was great, but nothing was egregiously bad. I suppose my biggest issue with the book is that it's being billed as a "feminist" YA book, but there's very little feminist about it. No strong messages of female empowerment or equality in a society rife with disenfranchisement, no strong female relationships to bring balance to a patriarchal society...even the "silencing and lies" part is not all that strong. I suppose if it were being marketed as a YA fantasy--none of the activism bells and whistles--I may have taken more kindly to this. But when I'm being told that this is "a powerful feminist fantasy...that casts a ray of light into the shadows of a society based on silencing and lies" I expect a lot more than what Farrow ultimately offers readers.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This was such a promising premise, a world where magic is possessed by the ruling class (the Bards) and people live in constant fear of a terrible disease. The main character, Shae, lives with her mother in a small village until tragedy strikes and she embarks on a journey to High House, the seat of power where the Bards live. Shae is found to have potential and begins training to be a Bard.

As I said, this was a very promising read. However, I was slightly disappointed. The characters felt two-dimensional, and Shae was not a convincing heroine. She pursues her own investigation into a murder and everything seemed to happen by chance or by her bumbling about.

My dissatisfaction may have also stemmed from the writing style. This was written in present tense (?). It didn't work for me. A couple of random excerpts to illustrate:

"I wait until High House is silent before venturing into the caverns. As I traverse the winding, labyrinthine corridors, the conversation with Kennan turns in my head.
Does she know of the Book of Days?
Has she tried to find it?
The natural next thought follows..."

"A feeling consumes me, like the heat of a distant flame--I'm getting closer. I can feel the truth flickering against my skin, but I cannot see it yet."

Overall, I found it a bit simplistic. However, I could see readers on the younger side of YA enjoying this, as it is still an interesting story..

The full blog review will be posted 7/27/2020.

Let's talk about the good first. The world was not so far from one we would recognize that a ton of world building was needed, and the magic involved was new but understandable. The concepts were intriguing and something I hadn't seen before. Additionally, using the fear of a disease to force order was an interesting tactic (especially given the current timing).

Here's the thing, this book is marketed as a "powerful feminist fantasy full of surprising insights". Unless the definition of feminism has recently changed to "all but one of the girls are incredibly mean to the main character for no reason other than competition", then, I have no idea why this book is being marketed this way. The most feminist thing that happens in this book is when the servant says "We're women- we have to trust each other, right?" That's it.

Honestly, if this book had not been marketed as such, I would have left it with telling you it was mediocre at best, and the character growth was not something that made sense within the story. But the way this book was marketed led me to believe it would be a different tale- when instead I got a relatively same old, same old fantasy YA.