Review of Hush by Dylan Farrow

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley/ Audio

Synopsis: "They use magic to silence the world. Who will break the hush?

Seventeen-year-old Shae has led a seemingly quiet life, joking with her best friend Fiona, and chatting with Mads, the neighborhood boy who always knows how to make her smile. All while secretly keeping her fears at bay… Of the disease that took her brother’s life. Of how her dreams seem to bleed into reality around her. Of a group of justice seekers called the Bards who claim to use the magic of Telling to keep her community safe.

When her mother is murdered, she can no longer pretend.

Not knowing who to trust, Shae journeys to unlock the truth, instead finding a new enemy keen to destroy her, a brooding boy with dark secrets, and an untold power she never thought possible."

My Review: I was initially drawn to this book by the stunning cover and then the tag line that it was for fans of Graceling by Kristin Cashore, one of my all time favorite series. Sadly, I really, really struggled with this one. I feel like I have been reading it forever. I tried reading the ebook but it just wasn't working for me, I could not stay focused on this story. It hooks you a bit with the first chapter but after that it is a very slow build up. You don't really get into the meat of the story until about half way through, then if finally starts to make progress. I eventually had to purchase my own audio book to try listening to the story and still I found myself putting it down for a month or more. The story gets very confusing in the later part, both for the character and the reader and we just don't know enough to make much sense of it. This one just really did not work for me, maybe it would have been better if I was a younger reader just getting into fantasy or YA books but I expect quite a bit more out of my books at this point.

My Rating: I struggled so much with this one and honestly maybe should have given up on it but wanted to get caught up on past requested reviews. I really can only give this one a rating of One Paw.

 I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. The above is my honest review and opinion.

You can find out more about Dylan Farrow and her books on her Goodreads Page.

Hush has been available through all major booksellers for quite some time now so you can pick up your own copy in print or digital format or request it at your local bookseller or library and give it a try for yourself.