I didn’t realize this was a sequel. I still was able to sort of follow the story but I’m definitely buying the first one. This is a fast paced book and I loved it. I do think I will understand the characters more in depth after reading the first one.

Here’s the sequel to Hush. A great fast paced magical world.
The world-building was good and the characters at times can seem a little frustrating but they end up redeeming themselves.
Good suspense, good twist. Make sure to read book 1 so you are not lost with Veil.

I was provided a print and audio arc of this book via netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This picks up right were Hush, leaves off so I don't recommend reading this as a standalone.

Much like with the first book I felt that this had a really interesting concept with the magic system and the world, but I did feel that certain things were underdeveloped. I wanted more details and more development of certain aspects, but part of that is my own personal preference when it comes to SFF and books in general. I would have liked a better explanation of the magic system, the tellings were a really interesting concept as was "the book", but I'm still not sure how it all works. I also wanted more in the character development department. There were some inconsistencies with the relationships between characters and within the characters themselves.

I do think YA readers are very much going to enjoy this series. Overall this book has a decent plot, the magic was interesting as was the world. I did enjoy it overall but I felt like something was missing.

As a book reviewer, I was at a disadvantage with this book, since the nove was a second in a duology. I do tend
to migrate to this genre and this novel did not fail. However, I struggled with with the novel. My opinion was that the first in the duology, which was very important, often I can unravel the novel, but Veil was not the case.
Dspite my difficulties with the plot, have found pleasure with the author's writing...""her left [eye] is obscured behind a metalic eye patch. A deep jagged scar bisects her face ina diagonal line from the right side of her forehead..." I enjoyed descrptive writing and Dylan does not fail.
"Book of Days' was a living entity and quickly realized that this was treated like another character that and the important to the story; however,I could not understand the the relevance to the novel. I was hoping that the meaning of the book would emerge, My favorite portion of the novel was the characters, which this novel has many. I enjoy watching watching the charactrs grow and imagine them flesh out, so I enjoyed Dylan Farrow character studies.
I was given an advanced copy NetGalley, the Publisher, and Dylan Farrow the opportunity and post an honest review. I do not score this book by my reading choices, I try to review the character study, the plot, and does it fit the reading audience, as a result I gave this a 4 star

Veil is the second book in the Hush series by Dylan Farrow. This was a great wrap-up to Hush and I absolutely loved the character dynamic and world-building.

In this sequel to Hush, everything Shae knew had been a lie. She thought she knew Ravod, but he stole the Book of Days. Following him with her friends, Shae enters Gondal, the land relegated to myths but is ruled not by magic but by technology. Shae is desperate for answers and wants to restore peace despite the lies.

In Hush, we're introduced to a land where disease is spread by ink, and the language-based magic can only be used by Bards. Shae never wanted comfort in lies as other villagers did, and sometimes put her trust in the wrong people. Veil immediately follows the last one, so read Hush first.

Shae has grown up a bit, but she still has a tendency to trust easily. This means she makes the same mistakes. She's told it's not a flaw, but it does make her life harder. Gondal is nothing like Montane, and more like our world: trains, tunnels, high rises, street signs, parks, cafés, and the like. Shae and her friends are awed by the differences, and it's even more clear that everything Montane believes is a lie. That doesn't automatically make Gondal better; every country has its problems, and Gondal has those of an industrial power. On an individual level, Shae struggles with feeling as though she's worth the sacrifices of others if her choices were the right ones, and what the proper course of action is going to be. She's not too different from most of us in that regard, which makes her an approachable protagonist.

This novel didn't quite go in the direction that I thought it would for the climactic battle scene, but it definitely fit the trajectory of the novels. We see everyone at their most determined, and characters we forgot about from the first book show up again. I thought it was a fun touch to the novel, and helped to give closure on the country that Shae so precipitously left behind.

Veil by Dylan Farrow is the much faster paced adventurous sequel to Hush. It takes place right where Hush ends so read Hush before Veil.

Shae is with her friends hiding and looking for the Book of Days. I read and listened to this one and narrator Emily Shaffer broke my heart with Shae's pain at the loss of a loved one. The author made me gasp in shock at the reveal of one character.

There is deceit, a bit of romance, magic, undying friendship and a very satisfying end.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via #netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dylan Farrow's follow-up to Hush is a well-rounded ending to the duology.

Shae has had enough of the corruption, diseases, and poverty of her home country. To save it, she sets out to Gondal, a place of myth and forbidden to pass one's lips. But Shae knows it's real and knows that the Book of Days is hidden there. This magical book is the only way to save the home she loves. With her friends and sometimes enemy, Shae swears to make it to Gondal, retrieve the book, and take down the High House of Motane that is keeping the citizens poor and scared.

Picking up this book up without reading the first one is not suggested. While Farrow reminds readers of big events in a natural flow, there isn't a summary at the beginning. This is neither good nor bad writing just a statement for readers so they can appreciate the book at its best.

Often conclusions do not live up to their beginning but Farrow has deviated from that pitfall. Veil is exciting, makes sense to the folklore already created, and gives a satisfactory conclusion to the majority of characters. While there is death, Farrow doesn't kill off characters en mass and that was heartwarming after so many fantasies that kill off a large portion of fan favorites. She also includes a joyful twist that some readers may see coming but are still happy to see it.

Veil does have an epilogue that tells you what happens to the characters in the long run. This is unlike many stories that leave the ending without any long-term consequences. The best part though? Farrow doesn't do some cliche wedding and happily ever after. Instead, she creates an ingenious way to communicate what happened to Motane and its citizen.

Veil is a great conclusion which I loved. I would recommend reading Hush and then Veil if you enjoy fantasy. Farrow creates a world that is both magical and multifaceted.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book picks up where Hush left off with Shae, Fiona, Mads, and Kennan fleeing Montane for the mythical country of Gondal. Everything Shae thought she knew was a lie. She follows Ravod’s trail since he escaped with the sacred Book of Days to Gondal. But when they do arrive, it’s nothing like they imagined. Shae describes the industrialized world she sees with wonder and intricately as someone who has never seen it. The question is, will she get the help she needs to stop Cathal’s reign and the destruction of Montane.
I wish I had reread Hush prior to reading Veil. It had been over 2 years and I had forgotten a lot of the details. Regardless, I was able to figure out most of what had happened previously and did enjoy this one. A very quick read. I would definitely recommend for those who read part 1 of the duology.
#Veil #WednesdayBooks #NetGalley

The beginning is action-packed and gave me high hopes for the rest of the book. It provided some necessary background, and I began to look forward to what was to come. Unfortunately, the rest of the book did not pan out as I hoped. It pales in comparison to the first book, where greater care is given to both character development and plot, where literary devices and symbolism captured my attention even if the main character frustrated me. Shae continued to frustrate me here as well, but the writing was unable to keep my attention enough to lessen the effect of lack of growth. Veil discards the elements that made the first book compelling and focuses on a plot-driven story that quickly jumps from one moment to the next. Pivotal moments did not affect my emotional state when they should have, and the ending was rushed. There are a lot of things I wish had been different, but Veil may be a worthwhile read for individuals who have read the first book and want to find out what happened. It provides an ending and gives closure. (2.5 stars rounded to 3 stars)

Dylan Farrow does it again with #veil. This book is even better than the one before-I couldn’t put it down. Shea, Ravod, Kennan and Fiona are such engaging and believable characters that you want to find out what happens to them. This YA adventure is enjoyable for anyone.
I received a copy of this from #netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review and I thank them.

Veil is the sequel to Hush, and I enjoyed it just as much at the first, if not more! I loved finally seeing Gondal and exploring how different it is from Montane, but also that Ravod emphasizes that neither system is perfect. It was also very fun to see Shae and her friends on this journey together, since book 1 really focused on Shae and her desire to discover what happened with her mother. Both books have their own focus, but they still fit well together and build a wonderful and cohesive story arc. I'm excited to see what Dylan Farrow writes next!

Veil is the final book in the Hush duology. Thank you #NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for a copy of #Veil in exchange for my unbiased review.
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This was a quick read for me and it was nice to wrap up loose ends from Hush. In reminder, the world of Montaine is full of superstition and unique magic, the inhabitants oppressed and fearful overlorded by the Bards. Our main character Shae grew up not knowing she possessed magic and when discovered is sent off for training at a dangerous magical fortress/citadel.
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Veil picks up as Shae and her friends/comrades are on the run and end up in the “fairytale” land of Gondal. It is basically our world. No magic but technology they’ve never experienced before. I did find that quite fun. Here they seek allies, meet new characters, run into old ones, and learn more about their magic. I enjoyed learning more about Shae’s family and her love interest/frenemy Ravod. Romance is a secondary element and hinted at, but the action/storyline is at the forefront. There are a few “reveals” that were well executed and at the end we get a peek into the future which I enjoyed.

It is very rare for me to just say outright that a book is bad, but this one was really, really bad. The first book of this duology, Hush, was formulaic but at least it used its unique premise of magic in ink/words in interesting ways. Veil was just a rushed, meandering mess that made it clear the author must not have had a clear understanding of their world or its magic system prior to starting out on this endeavor. There were plot holes galore, and so much of the story relied upon random unexplained happenings/things or throwaway lines where the characters themselves admit they don't really know why certain things happened the way they did. After all the buildup of Gondal in the first book, I was a bit let down that we didn't get to see more of the world. I think that was a problem with both books throughout; they felt incredibly small even though the stakes were meant to feel world-changing. Overall, the plot and messaging just felt incredibly forced, and it seemed the messaging was driving the plot most of the time. I love having social commentary in the books I read, but I want to it to be included in a good story rather than have a bunch of things thrown in piecemeal to make sure all the hot topics of the day get hit. The characters were also still pretty basic, and, if possible, I actually found Shae to be less compelling of a character in this one than the first book. Ultimately, I only finished because I felt obligated to review it and ended up skimming through a lot of it because the writing just wasn't that great. Therefore, I rate this book 2 out of 5 stars.

I really wanted to love this series. The premise was fantastic and well thought out. The characters are complex and relatable… and despite that, I found I just really couldn’t connect with them at all. I wasn’t emotionally invested in pretty much any of them. The execution was just lacking a little I guess. Overall it’s not a bad read, but I definitely don’t find myself holding on to the characters afterward or see myself coming back to read it again.

Veil picks up right where Hush ends, Shae and her group is escaping the wrath of High House to track down Ravod and the Book of Days. Her journey takes her with strong allies Fiona and Mads along with hesitant ally Kennan to Gondal, the mysterious city that offers freedom from those escaping their city. I reread the end of the first book just to refresh myself on it and it was needed as Veil is a direct continuation of Hush.

Most of this story is set in Gondal, a country nearly the opposite of Montane. Where one relies on magic or telling, Gondal relies more on technology and advancements. For what we got one Montane in the previous book we get very little from Gondal. There is the potential there to explore this new world but it never gets more than potential. This is the most frustrating part to me, this book is filled with potential there are so many interesting story lines to be explored but they never go anywhere. The characters feel flat compared to the previous book. I still liked all the characters, by the end even Kennan had grown on me as she finally found a place that allowed her to do what she did best without feeling like she had to constantly keep everyone at arms length. I wish the same could be said for Mads and Fiona, I liked them in Hush but they felt like they were mostly there to prop up Shae instead of add to the story.

When Shae and the group arrive in Gondal they realized the stories that have been whispered don’t match up with the truth of the situation. I felt like the book really glosses over a lot of parts simple because the plot doesn’t allow it the time it needs to develop. The group is sold as chaotic, barely managing to get anything done without petty squabbles to so hyper focused they can take on their own military in a matter of days it just doesn't make any sense. There are relationships that seem to just come out of nowhere and while they are sweet I can’t tell if Shae was just oblivious and since we are in her POV we didn’t see it or it just wasn’t ever there. The end of the book was so rushed that there is nothing satisfactory about the conclusion to the conflict. The way the book meanders through all its possibilities I felt like this was setting up a third book instead of a rushed conclusion.

Hush felt like a personal story Dylan Farrow wanted to tell, the strength of finding your own voice when so many in power want nothing more than to silence you. Hush hit me with emotions, seeing Shae discover her own strength and yet Veil fell flat. It felt like it was just checking off the boxes for YA fantasy book. For a book that is longer than the previous book it doesn’t properly use its time to tell a well fleshed out story that builds to a satisfactory conclusion.

Hopefully just a case of the second book slump because Dylan Farrow is a good writer and the potential is all there, I look forward to seeing what she writes in the future.

I really liked book 1, so I was excited for book 2, but it wasn't the same experience at all. So much time has passed since I read book 1, which I think is a part of it, but I feel so disconnected from what is going on. In fact, I am not sure what is going on. It's like reading a totally different book than book 1. So it's not tracking with mme and I am unable to finish for these reasons.

Thank you to Wednesday books for sending me an early NetGalley access.

This picks up right where we left off with the first book and all these secrets exposed. If you read my first review for the book than you’ll know I was underwhelmed with it and that continues with this book as well.

The world developed is unique and interesting, but the way it’s thrown together just feels incomplete. So in all honesty it wasn’t for me, and idk what else to add. I liked Shaw but at times didn’t. There was an inner battle of I like and hated parts, so all in all it was just meh.

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This series really impressed me from start to finish. I didn’t see any of the twists and turns coming. Additionally, there is so much heart in these books that I didn’t expect. The second book in this series doesn’t fail to impress just like its predecessor. It sweeps you off your feet immediately and doesn’t let go until the final page. The main characters may change as the pages turn, but their inner core stay the same. They grow into adults before your very eyes and it’s amazing to see. The plot is fast paced and riveting. There is an abundance of description to help keep key images in mind and the setting is a character of its own. I look forward to reading more from this author and expect great thing.

2.5/5⭐️

Unfortunately I failed to notice that this YA fantasy is a sequel, so I began a little lost (but mostly figured things out).

This spoke to several ills of the modern world…civil wars, racism, megalomania, plague, traditional vs. technology, etc. And while that’s great in most instances, I felt a bit bombarded with too much of too many. I also found it dragging in places. All in all, it just didn’t hold my interest/attention.

My thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for providing me the free early arc of Veil for review. The opinions are strictly my own.