Thank you to Wednesday books and NetGalley for this review copy. I still need to collect my thoughts due to being conflicted, full review to come.

I don't know... I enjoyed it, it was faster paced than the first book and so much happens. I think everything up to the end was great, predictable but enjoyable. The end felt very wrapped up with a bow, I didn't get the tension build-up and all those feeling you should have at the climactic last fight scene. Everything up to the end was really good.

I admittedly did not read the first book in this duology, Hush, but heard good reviews about it that made me want to pick up Veil. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first book, as readers are thrown into the book without much recap or explanation. After finishing the book I am still not quite sure how the magical "Tellings" work. I had a hard time connecting with the characters as well, maybe this book relies on backstories that are fleshed out in the first book. I was also not a huge fan of the love interest, it was hardly a romance at all. Too much of that story arc is about how attractive Shae finds him, and there is absolutely no trust in him at all, just a lot of problems caused by miscommunication (which is a major pet peeve of mine in plotlines.)

I did like the magical world and the Book of Days was a fun concept. The Blot wasn't a major part of this book, I think it probably featured more in Hush, but I found that an interesting take on controlling people and causing fear. The world of Montane seemed vast and diverse, but Gondal left me a little confused as it seemed like New York, and yet I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a modern-day world or not.

Overall the book was a fun read and a new take on magic in a fantasy setting. I would definitely start with book one though. I think this book would appeal to younger YA readers the most. I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my opinion.

2.5 stars

I have been anticipating this sequel for some time. This is the second book in the duology Hush series.

Everything is a lie - nothing is as Shae thought it would be. A place that was one of dreams actually exists. Shae heads to Gondal hoping to get answers and to find peace. She journey’s there with her friends Mads, Fionia and Kennan. They seem to be two steps behind Ravod. Can this unknown magical place hold all the answers?

While I loved the first book this one felt a little rushed in getting to the finale. I really enjoyed Shae’s journey but Gondal seemed to be whole other reality like Dorothy landing n Oz.
I can’t wait to see what Dylan comes up with next. I will certainly be on the lookout for future books from her.

I would definitely recommend that one read HUSH or re-read if it's been awhile before starting VEIL.

VEIL starts immediately after the end of HUSH. It's more of a continuation of the story than a stand alone novel. Mayhap they broke it into two for length issues?

Where HUSH was a boulder rolling down the mountain steadily picking up steam, VEIL is paced much slower. In some cases perhaps too slow. Our group of intrepid insurrectionists have fled High House and are attempting to follow the underground safehouse network to Gondol closely pursued by Bards loyal to Cathal.

Gondol itself was NOT what I was expecting. HUSH presented as a high-fantasy. VEIL is steampunk.
Enemies become if not friends at least comrades, friends are found out to be not what one expected. The whole of Shae's known world as she is aware of it is upended and shaken HARD!

I would actually rate this book as a strong 3.5 stars.

Hopefully there will be more stories set in the world of HUSH/VEIL as it is revealed that these 2 countries are but a small corner of a much larger world. Would be interesting to see what bordering countries make of the goings on.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I personally preferred VEIL.

This is a really hard review for me to write. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year! I loved the first book SO much. However this one just left me out to dry.

The author kept the style of writing the same but the story just left a hole in my heart. It just didn’t fit with the first book. It was disconnected from the first book. The story started out so original and exciting but as we continue the story in this book it’s become predictable and mundane. We spent so much time learning and building something to have it ripped away and be almost pointless. So as a reader I can’t help but feel frustrated. It’s unfortunate that transition from book to book was disjointed.

In short:
Did I like it ? Not really. Wish the first book was a stand alone.
Would I recommend it? If you read the first … your going to read this one but beware it may not be what your looking for.
Would I read more but this author? I’m not sure now.

I wish I had realized that this was a sequel before I read it, something I realized about a fifth of the way in. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it, and I'll be going back to read Hush as soon as I can get hold of a copy. While I could tell there were things I was missing, things that obviously happened in the previous volume that had much more detail, there was enough given that I had no trouble understanding what was going on, and yet, I don't think it was so much that I'd have been annoyed at rehashes had I already read Hush - which is a hard balance to reach, and was done very well in Veil.

Shae is an orphan, and a Bard, with the power of Telling - the ability to have what she writes change the world. But she's fleeing her home in Montane for Gondal, because the Bards of Montane are chasing her. All her life, she's heard about the land of Gondal, and she knew it was different - but just how different it was, she had no idea. Her magic doesn't work in Gondal, taking away her greatest advantage, and requiring her to find other ways to reach for her goal.

I truly enjoyed Veil: the world, the plot, and, particularly, the characters. This is a tightly written novel, with interweaving actions by different characters, with enough detail to be interesting and create vivid pictures in the mind of the reader, but not overwritten. Recommended for middle grades through adult.

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my review, which I am leaving voluntarily.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

I think my favorite thing about this book was the way that it talked so much about various deep topics that really added a real-life aspect to it. It touches on grief, friendship, courage, strength, ad so much more, and I loved being able to relate to those parts even in the midst of magic and fantasy. It was refreshing to see such strong female characters and to have their stories include them saving themselves and finding their strength.

I think one of the things I struggled with in this book was the world building. I still am not sure why writing was seen as dangerous. There were just several instances where things were not fully explained and I wanted to understand more about why things were a certain way or what things meant. I do think that part got better in this book than it was in the first one!

I did like the concept of the world with a sort of alternate universe type country, and I found that really fresh and new. It was fun to think about our normal and how that might translate into a fantasy world. I loved the characters, and the romances were very adorable! They each had something unique and very sweet to add to the found family, and I loved that about them!

Overall a great fantasy duology for someone who might just be entering the world of fantasy!

This book has joined the very, very short list of second volumes that fix every issue I had with the storytelling in book 1 and surpass the original with even greater emotional engagement.
Veil takes a running start right where Hush left off and we're dropped right into Shae's emotional turmoil at the events that closed the first volume. It's a fitting way to start the book because it feels like the entire plot is a race for Shae to save herself, her friends, and even the people of Montane.
I say it's a race, but I love how Farrow managed to create a constant state of expectation and urgency that never feels like things are rushed and ebbs and flows to give the story and characters time to breathe. There are so many emotional revelations and moments in the story that I'm afraid to even talk about what happens because I feel like the things that Shae discovers along the way about herself, her friends, and those around her are a big part of what made this such an emotional read.
As this is a second volume that feels like such a continuation of the first, I cannot recommend jumping in without first having experience book one. The world is complex and the character relationships even more so. I don't think a reader jumping straight into book two would have an easy time working out the importance of events or the motivation behind characters' actions.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the action-packed and emotional read!

I will preface this with I felt that I had spent too much time between this releasing and reading Hush. This sequel picked up where the previous book stopped but it struggles to reorient the reader to the world which can leave the reader discombobulated when revisiting the world.

I read an advance copy so maybe some of this could have been smoothed out in a revision version.

I also don’t like wavering(will they won’t they or on again off again) relationships so that was a struggle that I had with the romantic interest.

A good first duology attempt for the author and I appreciate the opportunity to read it ahead of the release. I would recommend this for maybe YA readers who are going to read these back to back for the full impact.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s for the ARC.

Title: Veil
Author: Dylan Farrow
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Shae’s entire world has been turned upside down, and everything she’s ever believed is a lie. More determined than ever, she sets out to the mysterious land of Gondal—a place forbidden to mention and resigned to myth—in search of a dangerous magical book that could alter the fabric of the world.

Following the trail of Ravod, the boy she thought she knew and trusted, Shae discovers there is far more to the young man who stole the Book of Days than she ever realized. Together, with her friends, Mads and Fiona, and a newfound ally in her fierce former trainer, Kennan, Shae crosses the borders of the only home she’s ever had and into a world ruled not by magic, but technology and industry — one fraught with perils of its own.

In a world shrouded in lies, Shae is desperate for answers and to restore peace, but who will lift the veil?

I did not read Hush, but that didn’t really prove to be a problem. I enjoyed the characters, but the last third of the books seemed a bit erratic and far-fetched. Interesting world and setting, it just didn’t totally work for me because it felt jagged, not like a coherent whole.

Dylan Farrow grew up in New York City and Connecticut. Veil is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Veil is the second novel in Dylan Farrow's Hush series, and I love this cover. I know I say that a lot, but seriously, it's so pretty. I love the colors and the inky appearance of it. It's perfect.

Shae's whole life is a lie. People say that all the time, but it is pretty literal in her case. Driven by a need to fix things, she sets off on a quest for Gondal. Gondal will have the magic she needs to put everything back the way it should be with any luck.

The only way she'll be able to make it is to follow Ravod's trail. The thought is painful enough – the path more so. She learns more about the boy and his betrayal by following in his footsteps. Will the answers she seeks be worth all of this?

As somebody that enjoyed Hush, it is safe to say that I was looking forward to Veil. And while I did enjoy the sequel, I feel like it didn't have the same magic as the first. Maybe that is just me? Don't worry, though – I still fully intend to read anything else Farrow comes up with.

Once again, worldbuilding is what captivated my attention and imagination. That isn't to say that I disliked the characters – I'm just a sucker for a well-built fantasy world. In many ways, jumping back into this world felt like coming home. That tells me that I should probably go back and read Hush sometime in the near future.

The characters are also interesting, though I'm still craving a stronger connection with them. I'm listening to them from the other room – I can hear what they're saying, but I don't have a full emotional connection to any of it. I hope that makes sense.

Anyway, I did enjoy Veil, despite that complaint. I would happily read more in this series, given half the chance, if only for another opportunity to visit the world.

Veil the second and final book in the Hush series by Dylan Farrow begins where the first ended. Shea, along with friends Fiona and Mags and Shea’s once Bard trainer, Kennan are heading to Gondal in pursuit of Ravod after he stole the Book of Days.What they find there will completely upend everything they have been taught to believe about magic, the Blot and the origins of the Book of Days.

Veil is an enjoyable and fast-paced YA fantasy. The world-building is interesting and the story kept my interest throughout. My one quibble with the story - I did get annoyed with Shea’s constant infatuation with Ravod despite every betrayal. Still, I’m not a fan of romance novels in general so you can take this criticism with a grain of salt. it should also be noted that this is definitely not a standalone as much of the action is dependent on the events of the first book. Overall, a fun read and I give it a high recommendation for fans of YA fantasy.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

It’s been a year and a half since Hush came out, and when it did, I read the entire novel in one day. The same cannot be said for Veil the second book in Dylan Farrow’s duology, which took me a couple of days.

In other words, I should have reread Hush before picking up Veil. You lose a lot by not reading them in quick succession. I’m sure I missed some nuances, and it took a while to really get to know the characters again.

That said, once I got back in the groove, the pace picked up considerably.

There are a number of things that set Veil apart from its predecessor, namely the setting. Hush has a more medieval tone while Veil has a sort of steampunk vibe. It’s a large contrast between a dark age and enlightenment/industrial period.

What connects the two narratives are the characters with Shae at the center. Shae continues to be a strong character worth rooting for. Her growth, and that of her supporting characters, really move the story forward.

Farrow’s decision to make this into a duology was smart, as it didn’t feel as if the author was trying to draw things out. Hush is a stronger book, but the two combined offer a satisfying story arc that is sure to appeal to a large cross-section of readers.

Veil is the second installment in the Hush series. This novel begins at the end of book one, so this series should be read in order. I throughly enjoyed the world building of the two main settings and the Tellings power. I can definitely see the appeal for a YA audience and its strong female lead.

I would've loved to see the Ravod and Shae flushed out more in the story. I'm sure readers would've enjoyed more of them together, and possibly ruling together to better the lands.

Thank you Wednesday Books for the complimentary copy of this novel.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I found this book slightly more enjoyable than the first one, though they both still get a 3.5 star rating. I thought this story was really unique, and the writing really improved from the first book. I also enjoyed discovering the world of Gondal alongside Shae and her friends. We also learned more about the history of Gondal and Montane and how the world is so much more bigger than what Shae realized, and the stories her mother told her are truer than she could have ever imagined. I was so intrigued that Montane seemed to be a practically cut-off and underdeveloped country compared to Gondal and was curious to know how exactly that came to be.

I found Shae incredibly brave and I love that she was able to keep her friends close with her throughout most of the book. There were moments that I wished there had been more romance between Ravod and Shae. Their interactions were very subtle and any desire to act upon their feelings were one another were smothered by the bigger picture. Because of this I struggled to grasp their relationship, especially considering Ravod's dual intentions. I'm glad this book didn't make me continue to dislike Kennan, lol. I wasn't sure what to make of her intentions in book one, so it was nice to see her finally find a place in Gondal considering the misogyny of Montane as a whole.

When the "final battle" took place it felt a little anti-climactic and I think that's because I still felt rather disconnected from both Gondal and Montane, almost like I didn't quite know enough about them to be invested. We only seem to touch the surface of Gondal as a country and I wish the characters were more immersed. But we're so laser-focused on the Book of Days and ensuring Montane's safety that I sort of...get it?

I normally don't comment on the epilogue but I could have done without it. As a matter of fact I think I would have preferred a different POV for the epilogue as it really distances you from the characters when I wanted to be drawn in despite the book ending.

Hmpf…if I had time to re-read Hush, I would because I did enjoy that book. I’m saying this because Veil just did not pull me in like Hush. It took me forever to get into this one. I felt lost at times and didn’t feel like I was reading a sequel and I kept putting it down and read other books instead.

I’m kind of all over the place right now and don’t feel like I understood half of what was happening, because I read Hush a long time ago. I think a quick recap of Hush at the beginning would help readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved the first book but this one just didn’t do it for me sadly. I really wanted to like it but it just fell flat in some areas and I just didn’t feel connected to the characters like I did in the first book.

What a ride. Veil picks right up where Hush lets off in a seamless transition.

The world building in this stepped up in a major way. I found myself completely transfixed in their journey and what they found in Gondal. Absorbing as much as I could as well as imagining the trepidation and wonder of Shae and her companions.

It was fun to see watch these characters grow and change as the world around them also did. I found myself routing for characters that in Hush I wasn’t the fondest of. And fell in love with new relationships that were formed.

Many undertones in these novels are so relevant to the world as we have seen it change the last few years. I found it comforting to be able to put a fantasy twist on things that I have been witnessing in our own society and governments.

The epilogue in this book was executed in the best way I have ever seen done in a novel. It really gave a sense of peace and fulfillment. Instead of wondering and drawing my own conclusions as to what had happened to Shae and her friends I was able to tie up lose ends.

I highly suggest picking up this duology and diving into it head first.

This book was an okay sequel - the potential was there for such a strong showing, and I think I wished it would be something it wasn't.