I was sceptical going into this, as I am with most books written by notable people - I constantly have to ask, ‘Was this published because of their name or because it's actually a decent story?’ I think this book is a combination of both.

This is definitely an interesting concept and there is some groundwork laid, but it's very bare bones. I don't feel like the magic system is explored enough, the characters are pretty one-dimensional, and the pacing/flow is off at times. And I couldn't shake the feeling that I was constantly missing something to really connect all the dots throughout.

I think there is enough content to build upon and improve as the series progresses, but the jury is still out as to whether or not I am interested enough to continue reading the books.

“Narnia Meets The Hunger Games” in this dystopia fictional book. Shae is a normal teenager, only she and everyone else around her is trying to escape “The Blot,” which is a pandemic caused by language. The only people who know how to read and who can call things that are not into being are The Bards. Also known as menacing soldiers, The Bardscome to collect food and goods from the villages entrusted to the care of The High House. When Shae’s mother dies, she knows she must risk danger by going to The High House to seek answers from The Bards. However, she’s given a mission by the leader of her world that ultimately leads her to the truth.
The Hunger Games is one of my favorite books, so I was extremely excited when I got accepted by St. Martin’s Press to read Dylan Farrow’s Hush on my Kindle. While I loved a fresh, new spin on the unfathomable, there were parts of the book that I struggled to get through due to lack of interest or unnecessary wordiness. The forbidden love between two characters and the desire to see if Shae accomplished her mission was enough to entice me until the end of the book, however. I give this book 3.5/5 stars and I hope to read more like this from this author.

This was such a solid first book! I was completely drawn in by the tagline: "How do you speak up in a world where propaganda is a twisted form of magic?" Then I realized who the author was and became even more interested in reading this. And it didn't disappoint!

Set in a world where language is a literal magic, that power is reserved for the Bards, who just so happen to also be mostly men. It's the kind of world where the power of truth is held in the hands of only those who have a stake in it, and those left in positions of vulnerability have no choice but to shut up and take it.

I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The main one was because of the message and the delivery thereof. On the first look, this novel can seem very formulaic and familiar. To an extent, it is. And yet, it was unique at the same time. Each moment had a purpose, and conveyed a message, even without the author ever stating it explicitly. This is a book that focuses on the power of our words, on the way those in power can completely change the narrative of history for as long as we let them. There were some sentences that just got me because of how timely they were. Moments when Shae, like so many people, steps back and has to question what she's willing to believe from the people she was taught were never wrong.

While this book wasn't without its flaws, I truly believe the talent of the author more than made up for it. And I can't wait to see where this story goes in the books that follow.

Dylan Farrow is an exceptional writer and I can't wait to read whatever else she writes in the future.

3.5/5 stars (rounded up)

In a world where the written word is dangerous and interacting with ink results in a deadly disease only the Bard's, men and women who can manipulate the world through Tellings, keep the people safe. But when a life-changing event turns Shae's world upside down, she sets out on a quest to find the truth.

While I loved the idea of a magic system based on Tellings, commands brought to life through magic, I felt like there was no structure to what could and could not be done. While the Bards and the MC talk about the magic like it is very difficult to learn and control, the MC seems to pick it up easily and is preforming Tellings in no time.

I enjoyed reading the story, but I was left wanting a bit more from the characters and the world. Shae's insta-love with a male Bard seemed almost onesided and some of the characters and story elements fell a little flat for me. Hopefully, this will be resolved in any potential sequels; which I will be open to reading.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books for sending me this eARC and for giving me the chance to review it

This is a story about bravery & risk.

When I found out Dylan Farrow wrote a book, I knew I had to read it. I deeply admire her, and anyone who speaks truth to power while coping with trauma.

This book was so good! It’s about words, and truth and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances, even when the character is all alone in the world because no one else is ready to be as brave as her. The magic system is unique & it seems fitting that real magic comes from telling. The world is bleak- but the protagonist doesn’t lose hope. It’s a fantasy, murder mystery/thriller... with a tiny hint of romance. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. Looking forward to the sequel!

Thanks Netgalley & , St Martins Press for this advanced e-ARC! Hush will be available for purchase on October

I fell in love this cover while researching other Dark Fantasy books. Thank you to Wednesday Books/MacMillan and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This plot was fascinating and I agree with other reviewers who said it was refreshing to read a book where the female wasn't fawning or distracted from her end goal in her quest. I am very invested in seeing where this series goes and will recommend this to my family & friends who are interested in this genre.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited for this book but was not super impressed with it in the end. The magic system was very cool but wasn't explored in enough detail that I really understood it or could make predictions about it. There's this sort of enemies-to-lovers kind of romance, only the heroine falls for him even when he's still awful to her and it's never really clear why. I just could not get on board with the romance because it felt so shallow and the love interest's personality was so flat.

And just generally, a lot of the plot felt unnatural. Characters would do things that seemed completely out of character to progress the plot. Previous characters would show up in ways that felt random. It felt like plot-driven-plot more than character-driven-plot.

Where do I even begin with this book?

I was so excited when I saw this coming out it got a lot of hype over in the bookstagram community and I immediately added it on my TBR list. When I received this as an eARC from St Martin's Press publishers I was over the moon.

I was unmoved by it if I'm being honest. I loved the plot and it was great to see a female lead that wasn't fawning herself over the male characters and letting it distract her from her end goal. HOWEVER, she did have an interest in one of the male characters and the connection between the two was.....painful. Their contact felt forced and I feel like when it reared its ugly head at certain points in the book it kind of ruined it for me. Overall I loved the story the plot was amazing and I never would have thought to create a bard story like that but it just got muddled down by her sticking that awkward forced romance into the mix.

My opinion? Read it it's a fantastic story and I'm eager for the next one. I just hope she gets the whole romance thing figured out by the next book so that it doesn't water down such a well rounded story.

2.5 stars rounded up

This is a fairly straightforward YA novel. Pretty standard tropes, but a solid debut.

The love story was a bit of a mess, I thought. It was love at first sight from the main female character, although this didn't seem to be quite reciprocated, so she came across as a bit desperate.

The worldbuilding could have been a bit better and more in depth. There was a lot that wasn't explained. It was in the final 10% of the book that I finally understood why the magic was called a Telling.

However, despite the negatives, it was an easy and quick read and while I didn't really connect to the characters, I enjoyed the overall story.

Shae lives in a world that looks down on her due to her family's past. She suffers loss so great, but yet finds the courage to move forward in search of answers in a world where words are magic. Along the way she discovers herself and her abilities. With twists and turns I never anticipated, I couldn't stop turning the pages! Dylan Farrow created an amazing universe with interesting characters. I am excited to see how this story develops and cannot wait for the next installment.

I chose to give this story 4 stars instead of five (although I would rate a 4.5 if I could) because there were so many emotions from the Shae. I felt as if they were turned on and off by a flip of a switch. I like that her emotions were clear and vivid to readers, but for my personal tastes, it was just too overwhelming at times. I believe Shae has a sensitive personality, which many individuals do, so it was interesting to see such a character grow so much despite her traumatic past.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Pretty straight forward YA fantasy. Magical set up which I found a little complex and sometimes had a few holes. Good world-building but the plot stalled in the middle. Fair debut.

I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a feminist dark fantasy where words have all the power. Overall I enjoyed this as an entry to a series, without giving a name to it this book does a great job showing the power of gaslighting, and how when someone speaks up, their own words can be twisted against them. The main character Shae, struggles to find her footing and didn’t connect with me as a character, it feels like she’s meant to be a strong and brave, but I didn’t quite see it. I’m hopeful her characterization will progress to be more bold and smart, not just brash in further entries in the series. The first half speeds along setting up the world and introducing characters, but the plot really gets going in the back half. I wasn’t planning on reading all in one sitting, but I was caught up in the plot and read it straight through. I’m definitely looking forward to the next entry in this series!

Rating: 3.5/5

I really enjoyed this book. I think it has a great premise and a lot of potential of where to go in the future. The story was interesting and well put together, as well as fairly unpredictable as far as the direction of the book.

I really liked Shae as a character. I feel like she was extremely realistic in the way she wasn't sure about anything ever lol. Shae was almost as confused as I was at times, which is what makes her relatable. I also really liked Ravod (because who doesn't love handsome, brooding, strong men??) and the way he seemed protective over Shae, even after not knowing her very long.

My only issue with this book was that I couldn't seem to connect to the characters. I was extremely invested in this story, yet I still felt as if the characters were far away from me. I think it could have been a lack of character development that made me feel this way, but I still really enjoyed the story! It was also a bit predictable there at the end, but again, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.

I will definitely read the next book when it comes out because I really did fall in love with the world. Hopefully in the next I get the chance to fall in love with the characters as well.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Hush is an absolutely stunning debut novel by Dylan Farrow. The world created is so well layered and intriguing that you cannot help but feel slightly sad and disappointed when the novel ends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! Very good and compelling world-building, very action packed with interesting ways of thinking about magic. The end did get a little trippy, and I was left feeling stranded - I wanted more answers by the end of this one, but I suppose that's what sequels are for. A one-night read.

What a great debut novel! I love it when main characters, especially teen MCs, are flawed and I decisive and lack confidence in their abilities - because that real! Even though this is a fantasy, Shae is all of the above, and I found myself rooting for her from the start.

Although she often doubts herself and questions her decisions, Shae is on a mission to find out the truth. This feminist fantasy where everyone has their secrets was a captivating, twisty tale and I look forward to the next book in the series.

I was so excited to see that Dylan was writing a book! I jumped at the chance to get a read in on this.

I find it a solid debut, but it needs a bit of polish?

She has a way of writing, very fluid, descriptive and lush. It's just... the magic and or the plot didn't seem to be as strong as the writing? Let me explain:

I don't understand the Blot exactly. From what I gather, words and or writing in general is something that is used by men (not a lot of females, a few). Meanwhile, there are people who are Bards who can do magic based on something called 'The Telling'. They can say things to create the magic happen, create things to happen - good or bad. So this is where it gets tricky - in a world where writing is banned, and certain words are unspeakable, isn't talking in general unspeakable and or a ban because if you talked then you would be at fault? Some words are known to be unmentionable words, but how do you know what words are unmentionable and are to be unmentionable until after you mention them and or get in trouble? I know, right?

By the end of the book, several characters see, to have complete motivational changes that come out of nowhere and I felt like I Bilbo Baggins-ed the entire battle of the fire armies in understanding how their motivations changed. I can't tell if it's because she was rushed for time on how to get them to that moment or she just was assuming the pieces were all there.

I really think there is an interesting story of manipulation by a world controlled by men in this story, I just think it needs some working.

This story definitely reminded me of a fairytale but an unfinished one. The story ends on a cliffhanger, and I am curious what happens in the sequel. The characters in this book were okay, and the only person I really found interesting was Kenan. Something about the characters just never really drew me in, however they were all okay. I found the pacing to be fine. An interesting aspect of the story was that Shae, our protagonist, is an unreliable narrator. The world building and magic system was okay and the romance kinda came out of nowhere but that’s fine. Overall this was a okay fantasy read about a girl trying to discover who killed her mother and her secret abilities.

Hush lends a new light to the YA sci-fi genre. Shae, a female on the edge of her destiny, chooses truth and answers over following the mundane path. A magical kingdom where ink and the written word can lead to a plague that kills, Hush is the book to read right now... looking forward to the following chapters.

A very good debut book. The writing is very engaging from the beginning: the description of the "Indigo Death" is full of detail. The idea that the plague's beginning and spread are only partially understood is very relevant to present day pandemic mindset. The main character, Shae, is someone you can root for, and you feel bad for her at the beginning because of her brother's death. With the introduction of other characters, and a plot that doesn't quite feel fleshed out yet, you can tell that this is a first novel. It's not a bad thing--I still kept wanting to read, but relationships could have been fleshed out more deeply. There's a lot to unpack here with feminism and censorship, and perhaps it's a bit too much to unpack in a debut novel. I imagine that the next ones in this series will get better and better. You will stay in it for the adventure and interesting world that Farrow has created.