Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in return for an honest review.

This is a solid 4.5 for me and I suspect the next installment will be a 5 star review as everything is now set up and ready to go.

This is a different concept to your standard YA dystopian. Here the written word is what causes a disease. What else is different is this feels like the past rather than the future. There is no tech and the village set up reminds me of the middle ages. This is a nice touch which helps to create a picture of this unique world. The characters are good. The protagonist is a strong character and despite her tendency to repeat things she is quite likeable. She isn't the smartest I'd say and it's different to have a hero who isn't a proficient fighter.

The concept is also different. I've read similar ish ideas but this "telling" adds a twist on the standard fantasy magic idea. The world created is multi faceted and again seems to be taken from history in many respects. I don't think all had been revealed yet. I have to say I'm a little disappointed by the sudden reappearance of certain characters and I hope they will be developed further on. I'd also like to find out about Shae's mum and dad and why they ended up in the situation they end up in.

Overall this is well written and has a good pace. The characters feel real and there is a developing story which will hopefully unfold in book 2. Well worth a read.

I have heard about this book a lot, and let me say I am so very glad that I read this book.

It was a beautifully stunning fantasy, with worlds that ,made you feel like you lived in them, characters like Shae that made you feel like you were living in the book, and it was truly an intoxicating read. I couldn't stop turning the pages and when it ended, my heart craves for more. I think it's a ;lovely debut in which I definitely can't wait to read more! Definitely recommend this to more readers!

This is obviously a deeply personal and important story to Dylan Farrow, and I appreciate her honesty, strength, and dedication to giving a voice to anyone who has experienced abuse and manipulation.

That being said, I don't think this is a good book.

There's an incredibly promising premise that could use a little more polish. The system of magic seems to shift with the narrative to be what best serves the plot at that moment, and I really don't understand the correlation between the Blot and the Tellings. I think I might know what the intended connection is but it's not exactly clear in the text, rather feeling like two unconnected plots that just happen to coexist in the same story, with the former being vastly underutilized after being given such a massive importance in the beginning chapters. The rest of the story is rather standard YA fantasy, the protagonist as the Chosen One, unknowingly possessing a great power; the trope of her being so "dark and plain" in comparison to her "beautiful and fair best friend" (a trope that has always had some... less than okay implications, but is absolutely tone-deaf given the current social and political climate); a sort-of love triangle.. etc. I'll actually give props on the fact the love triangle isn't as formulaic, even if it's still grating, because I can't seem to feel any genuine connection between Shae and Ravod, other than Shae finding him attractive, but both Ravod and Mads are incredibly boring characters. I don't feel like Ravod actually does anything other than be described as handsome.

I can definitely see the intention of the story, and why it's billed as a feminist fantasy, but it just misses that mark with its tendency to fall back onto stereotypes and safe tropes and an incomplete world. There's a lot of potential and absolutely a lot of emotion, but it still feels a little hollow in some places. I think with some tightening of the lore and a little less of a dependency on expectations from the genre, this could be the empowering series it's described as; I've rounded up to three from 2.5 because of that belief.

i wont be finishing this book. im over a quarter of the way through and just flat bored.There isnt a lot of world building done and the role of the High House and Bards in the life of the villagers really makes no sense.

What a fascinating concept! The world-building in this is just amazing. I feel like not a lot happened plot-wise (it's clear this is merely the opening salvo for a much larger story), but the characterization was so strong I didn't care--I just wanted Shae to be okay.

Wow, is this cover gorgeous. That is what initially drew me into the story was the cover, but while the cover is breathtaking unfortunately the same can not be said of the story.

While Hush has a good premise and even an interesting magic system that is about it for it because everything was predictable and underwhelming. I saw everything coming and nothing really stood out to me, in the end the whole story kind of bland.

The magic system was by far the most interesting part of the story, the idea of the blot (an ink disease) and a written magic system was super interesting, it sucked that Shae had pre-developed powers sucked as I could have learned more as she did.

Shae came across as a typical Mary Sue, falling in love with a boy she just met, being misunderstood by those around her. It was all the same stuff we have seen in older YA novels, there was no fresh take on it.
I was really grabbed by the fact that this was a feminist story, but then while reading it nothing came across as feminist. In fact the way the girls were portrayed in this story sent them all back years.

Overall, the book came across as the typical run of the mill YA nothing that hasn't been done before and that won't be done again.

It seems almost unfair that the entire Farrow family should be this talented. Dylan Farrow definitely has a gift for the written word. This book is very well-written and entirely original.

This is a YA fantasy book centering on seventeen-year-old Shae. In the world of this book, a disease called “the Blot” is thought to be caused by exposure to ink (so really, exposure to the written word). Shae also believes she is cursed - her brother and mother have both died, and her mother was killed with a weapon apparently owned by a Bard. So Shae’s journey begins to solve the mystery of her mother’s murder and to learn more about the Bards and storytelling under threat of this inky disease.

I thought this book made some beautiful and thoughtful allegories about our real world: the current spread of misinformation and “fake news,” the prevalence of violence, and the way women are sometimes treated when they search for and speak the truth. The book is very much about girls who want to be believed. It’s also about family. These themes are all the more resonant if you know Farrow’s personal story, which is discussed a little bit in her Author’s Note following the book.

Throughout the book I was consistently impressed with Shae’s strength and power in the difficult and scary world in which she found herself. I definitely think young girls will relate to her and be inspired to emulate her power and pluck.

I also thought this book’s writing flow was lovely. My problem with many fantasy books is that they sometimes tend to resort to an artificial or medieval way of speaking that feels unnatural (“sire, may I present to ye old town’s fair maiden...”) To me such language interrupts the tone and flow of the story. There’s none of that here - it’s written in a beautiful and modern way that still manages to captures the atmosphere and unique world of the book.

I see this book as resonating with a lot of young women. It also seems like it could be the beginning of a great series. If you enjoy fantasy of the feminist variety, and like to read about girls speaking up and speaking their truth, be sure to check this book out.

Thanks to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and Dylan Farrow for the advance copy of this lovely and unique book.

Thank you to Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s for my netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

So this one was a bit different than I was expecting, but in a good way. The premise drew me in and the world and characters kept me invested.

The world itself is set in a valley surrounded but mountains and forests. A small village that has seen better times. But our story is based on a sickness called the Blot, it is said to come from forbidden things. The forbidden things are ink, paper, books anything with writing, even stories. All of these are banished here. The ruler and his soldiers known as Bards all possess gifts call the Telling. This are the whisper of the Bards that can weave magic into the world. This magic isn’t permanent though. But if you can imagine it, you can make it happen.

I really enjoyed Shea our MC. She’s a little firecracker and doesn’t back down. She’s stronger than she knows and is very inquisitive. So much so, it sometimes get her in trouble. Ravod is still a mystery to me, he’s the brooding, trouble, and loyal type. I just couldn’t get a good feel for him. Mads and Fiona are interesting side characters that I wanted to see more of, and Kennan and Niall I feel we’ll see more of too. The characters all intrigued me. But this being the first book focused on Shea, but I can’t wait to find out more and see where this story takes all of them!

This story has murder, secrets, lies, betrayal and the unwavering strength to find the truth.

I couldn’t give this one 5⭐️ because I found myself at times getting confused and having to reread multiple times. Reality can be bent and skewed in this world. In those times the writing wasn’t always clear to me. Other than this I truly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to continue Shea’s story and find out more about these characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

There is a disease in this world, called the Blot. It is spread by contact with ink and books and the written word. Well, I know I would have been one of the first victims if I had been there! Fast forward to the time of Shae and her search for the truth about her mother's death in a world that can be changed by a bard's Telling. That power is pretty cool but too easy to twist to keep people in power.

I enjoyed this story and I hope Shae can find the truth and hopefully change the world to be a better place, with the help of her friends.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! Unfortunately, I didn't love it. I liked the concept that words can affect reality, and that written words affect reality more deeply and for longer than spoken words. However, I felt that the way the magic system was portrayed in the book was a little haphazard and convoluted. Words can affect reality, but only certain words? And only if spoken by people who have a gift for Telling? So then why are certain words forbidden for everyone? And why is everyone not allowed to read or write, except the Bards? There didn't seem to be a particular reason for the system working the way that it did or didn't in any given scenario. I also didn't love the main character, Shae. She just dashed headlong into things, but everything came together nicely for her anyway. I felt like this was one of those books that relied too much on the concept being interesting, and didn't really have anything else particularly going for it. If you like YA fantasy, you might like it, but there are definitely better books out there of a similar type.

Shea begins to notice strange things happening around her after her brother dies of the Blot (a deadly disease thought to be caused by ink) Her mother has stopped speaking, the village is suffering from a severe drought, and, strangest, of all, many of the things she embroiders appear in reality. Convinced this is being caused by a curse, and despite being shunned by the village, she decides to seek out the Bards to get them to lift it. Unfortunately, when she is finally able to speak to one, he tells her to leave. Hours later, she discovers her mother dead, murdered by a golden dagger used by Bards.

She moves into the village but her insistence that her mother was killed by a Bard causes the villagers to insist she leave. She decides to find High House, the home of the Bards, to seek justice for her mother. Instead, she discovers secrets about the curse, her mother's death, and herself.

Hush is the debut fantasy novel by Dylan Farrow and, honestly, I liked it but I didn't love it. There was a great deal of potential especially in her description of a world where education and even writing are considered dangerous and where a legend that has sustained people for centuries is now banned. The biggest problem with the novel is Shea herself. Many of her actions seems, at best, naive and I found myself questioning many of her actions which contradict everything she should know to be, at best, very unlikely and, at worst, extremely dangerous and not just to her.

Still, as I said, it is a debut and, if it frustrated me at times, it kept me reading to the end and wanting to know what will happen next so, overall, I would give it two stars for character development and four stars for world building and plot so three and a half stars it is.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

This book was so insanely good. I really appreciated the entire premise and the characters. It was a well-developed and well-written. I can't wait for this book to be published!

If you didn't read the blurb, in 'Hush" we follow seventeen-year-old Shae who wholeheartedly believes she's cursed after the death of her younger brother five years prior. Tragedy strikes again when her mother is found murdered with a golden dagger—a weapon used only by the Bards. She ventures out to seek the truth and after locating the Bards whereabouts, she later discovers the truth behind the murder was a lot closer to home then what she initially thought.

Overall, this was an impressive debut from a celebrity that I have seen in a long time. Their track record ahem hasn't been great *side-eyeing Evelyn Lozada and KUWTK trash crew 'works of art'* and this was surprisingly well written and more so up my alley. It almost had me shook.

The plot was satisfactory. It was predictable at times but it still kept me mildly entertained. The romance portion. Meh. It could've been better but then again my heart was set on Mads because I mean… Mads was the book boyfriend of all book boyfriends and I will fight anyone that says otherwise! He was so sweet, endearing and swoonworthy! Why oh why didn't Shea fall for him?! Why did she have to go fuck up a good thing?! I understand he doesn't have the typical leading hero looks but c'mon, Ravod was alright but he didn't stand a chance against Mads. Ugh. So disappointing. Anyway I digress…

Moving along to the MC—Shae, the lead heroine, wasn't very likable. Side characters were great but something about her just rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was her rash behavior that led to the disruption of her friendships with Mads and Fiona. It's understandable that her mother's death was absolutely gut-wrenching especially after losing her father and brother years prior but her approach, behavior and actions were abrupt and too rash for my liking. Her problem was that she never thought things through (not the brightest as you can see) and nearly put her loved ones and their families lives at risk. And in all honestly I would have probably reacted the same way her childhood friends did and distance myself from her and her mother's murder.

So to sum it all up, Dylan Farrow's 'Hush' has promise and I can't wait to follow this story with the upcoming installment. And if you still unsure if this is right for you, keep in mind that this is ideal for readers who enjoy young adult fantasy, adventure, magic, and a bit of mystery all bundled into one. So if you're a fan of all of that, jump aboard, you won't regret it.

A beautifully written debut from a stunning new voice in YA fantasy. I came into this book with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the author's writing, plot construction, and character development. This was a powerful story of justice, power, and truth, and I recommend fans of YA fantasy pick this one up.

I received a galley copy of this book from Netgalley and was excited to get into this. I, like other people, am aware of Farrow’s history and was certain she would bring a great deal of dimension to her book, irrespective of its genre or content. I was partly correct.

The fact that this book is written by a woman is apparent by the utter lack of sexualisation of the female characters. I was a little surprised that the two main female characters were described in as much detail as they were, but the author didn’t dwell on it.

She also gave Fiona a lot of agency in her romantic pursuits, despite them being little more than a footnote in Fiona’s story. Even for Shae, she is not loved because someone sees how special her beauty is, but because she’s a good and brave person.

What surprised me was how the author leaned into describing how handsome some of the male Bards were. The female Bards were more academically described, but a few of the men’s beauty was emphasized. I love that subversion of the trope.

I think that some of the central themes that were expected to be explored were dumbed down too much in the book. First, let me just say that the author must be commended for removing any implications of sexual assault or harassment among the Bards.

But I’m uncertain if the gaslighting of the female Bards really fit within the context of the book. I know the author is reflecting the gaslighting and undermining of women in the real world, but we can trace the motives behind it in the real world. Why are the male Bards so resistant of women in the book?

Farrow’s world in the book is wistful and melancholic but part way through it turns into a YA book with petty people. The dialogue suddenly becomes colloquial and the banter devolves to The CW levels. This complete departure from the set up broke the spell this book had bound up until then.

It’s evident this book sets up a sequel, as the mission has not reached a conclusion, and I feel like the second book might be more immersive since the set up of heroes and villains has already taken place.

I would recommend this book for its atmospheric writing and fantasy elements but it needed a stronger editor and better world-building. The plotting was almost formulaic. Pick up any YA novel or watch a YA film and you’ll understand the structure of this book. I also don’t think the central themes of this book were given their due, but it subverts some tropes and that’s a refreshing change.

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.