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The Hush
Chester is on the road, searching every town for clues about his father and why he disappeared.
But when he's caught accidentally – and illegally – connecting with the Song as he plays his beloved fiddle, Chester is sentenced to death. Only a licensed Songshaper can bend music to their will. The axe is about to fall . . .
But there is someone else watching Chester. Someone who needs his special talents. Who can use him for their own ends. And who knows the secrets of The Hush, where there is no music, only deadly Echoes who will steal your soul.
Susannah is that someone. The young captain of the infamous Nightfall Gang, Susannah has plans for Chester. Finally, she will have her revenge.
But when he's caught accidentally – and illegally – connecting with the Song as he plays his beloved fiddle, Chester is sentenced to death. Only a licensed Songshaper can bend music to their will. The axe is about to fall . . .
But there is someone else watching Chester. Someone who needs his special talents. Who can use him for their own ends. And who knows the secrets of The Hush, where there is no music, only deadly Echoes who will steal your soul.
Susannah is that someone. The young captain of the infamous Nightfall Gang, Susannah has plans for Chester. Finally, she will have her revenge.
448 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2015
About the author
Skye Melki-Wegner
12 books120 followersHello and thanks for visiting my Goodreads profile! I'm a writer of fantasy/ adventure books from Melbourne, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
August 13, 2017
Thank you @skyhorsepub for sending this book my way in exchange for an honest review!
.
The Hush is a unique, musical fantasy novel where Music is both a powerful tool and a potential weapon; those found using music to practise sorcery without a license are condemned to death. Chester Hayes finds himself narrowly escaping a death sentence only to be initiated into a notorious gang of thieves...
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This novel is so much fun! The gang are a Robin Hood-esque band who misuse Music to steal from the rich and give to the poor, with their ultimate mission being to reveal the sinister secret of the Conservatorium, the prestigious school of Music. I think Skye Melki-Wegner did a great job of gradually explaining the complicated world-system without lots of info-dumps, and the pacing was excellent! There was always some secret or plot dangling to get you turning the pages...
.
At first I thought the dialogue was a bit clumsy, but either you get used to it or it finds its flow a bit better later on. And as for the characters themselves, well, it's always a bit disappointing when the main character isn't your fave, but a fabulous supporting cast more than makes up for it! The captain of the gang, Susannah, is awesome, and I especially loved Dot, a Luna Lovegood-esque Songshaper who always has a new invention up her sleeve.
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The characters were fairly diverse, and I appreciated how the author even worked in issues of LGBTQ+ prejudices without it seeming forced! Overall, a fresh and original fantasy with some great (but sometimes confusing) world-building that keeps you on your toes!
.
The Hush is a unique, musical fantasy novel where Music is both a powerful tool and a potential weapon; those found using music to practise sorcery without a license are condemned to death. Chester Hayes finds himself narrowly escaping a death sentence only to be initiated into a notorious gang of thieves...
.
This novel is so much fun! The gang are a Robin Hood-esque band who misuse Music to steal from the rich and give to the poor, with their ultimate mission being to reveal the sinister secret of the Conservatorium, the prestigious school of Music. I think Skye Melki-Wegner did a great job of gradually explaining the complicated world-system without lots of info-dumps, and the pacing was excellent! There was always some secret or plot dangling to get you turning the pages...
.
At first I thought the dialogue was a bit clumsy, but either you get used to it or it finds its flow a bit better later on. And as for the characters themselves, well, it's always a bit disappointing when the main character isn't your fave, but a fabulous supporting cast more than makes up for it! The captain of the gang, Susannah, is awesome, and I especially loved Dot, a Luna Lovegood-esque Songshaper who always has a new invention up her sleeve.
.
The characters were fairly diverse, and I appreciated how the author even worked in issues of LGBTQ+ prejudices without it seeming forced! Overall, a fresh and original fantasy with some great (but sometimes confusing) world-building that keeps you on your toes!
April 29, 2018
This was the Hush. Its rain was not water, but shadow: a rain of leftover sorcery
* * * * .5
4.5 / 5
There are two things that I loved about The Hush: first, it's essentially a group teen heist novel (think more YA Six of Crows), which I didn't know when I picked it up, and secondly, the idea of the Song, Music, and the Hush is super cool. This book was fantastic and, though it is a standalone, I hope Melki-Wegner returns to write more in this universe.
For Chester, a song was more than just music. It was air. It was food and water, life itself. He inhaled each notes as though it might fill his belly, soak through his skin and paint his bones with starlight
The man. Chester Hays' father has gone missing, leaving Chester on the road with his fiddle. He plays music, with a little 'm', to earn a night at inns as he searches for his father until accidentally playing Music gets him thrown in jail. He's a touch annoying, the sort you want to beat over the head and scream not now you moron, ask questions later! at whilst in the middle of running for your life. He's got a natural ear for Music, for magic and the rhythm of the world, and that makes him valuable.
Susannah was a child of the seaside, of ships and waves, of sunlight and open sky. The darkness made her stomach crawl and the fear of Echoes was constant
The woman. Susannah is a down-and-out criminal looking for revenge. Nineteen years old with a shock of red hair, a knife in her belt and a crew to command. She's strong and reliable but also angry and broken. Susannah helps people, but she also robs them blind; she's the cat burglar of her little gang, scaling the walls and picking the locks. In fact, she'd be and have almost everything except for the fact that she can't hear the Music, and without that she's flying blind.
They were heroes. They were legends. They weren't a bunch of bickering teenagers who crashed their echoships into rivers.
The gang. The Nightfall Gang has risen to notorious fame, even getting a song named after them, in recent years. Robbing the rich, giving to the poor, and fleeing into the darkness. Or, y'know, the Hush, a world accessible only to the most high ranking Songshapers or those who have, illicitly or otherwise, obtained the information about it's existence. The Nightfall Gang consists of Dot, a young gay woman and the only Songshaper of the group, Travis, a young man who trained in medical school with a taste for exquisite tailoring, and Sam, a surly boy who is devoted to Susannah.
For centuries the Song had played. It held the world together. It was a quiet rhythm, a pulse in the earth, the seas, the wind.
The world. Wealthy children are tutored until they are of an age where they can apply to the Conservatorium, the only place in the country that produces Songshapers. Songshapers study Music, when ordinary musical ability and playing becomes magical, and ultimately serve the Song. The Song threads its way throughout the world, the underlying rhythm of nature, the heartbeat of the universe, and to interfere with it through Music is a crime. Chester was not a rich child. Now he's a criminal, scooped up by the Nightfall gang to help with their biggest job yet.
The Hush is quick-paced, action-packed, witty and funny. I laughed aloud a couple of times. The secondary characters are well-written and fleshed out alongside the main ones, the plot is great and has some wonderful twists near the end, and the world is built on an awesome idea. The romance is a pain and I wish it had been left out, but my only other complaint is that it is too short!
My thanks to Edelweiss, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
* * * * .5
4.5 / 5
There are two things that I loved about The Hush: first, it's essentially a group teen heist novel (think more YA Six of Crows), which I didn't know when I picked it up, and secondly, the idea of the Song, Music, and the Hush is super cool. This book was fantastic and, though it is a standalone, I hope Melki-Wegner returns to write more in this universe.
For Chester, a song was more than just music. It was air. It was food and water, life itself. He inhaled each notes as though it might fill his belly, soak through his skin and paint his bones with starlight
The man. Chester Hays' father has gone missing, leaving Chester on the road with his fiddle. He plays music, with a little 'm', to earn a night at inns as he searches for his father until accidentally playing Music gets him thrown in jail. He's a touch annoying, the sort you want to beat over the head and scream not now you moron, ask questions later! at whilst in the middle of running for your life. He's got a natural ear for Music, for magic and the rhythm of the world, and that makes him valuable.
Susannah was a child of the seaside, of ships and waves, of sunlight and open sky. The darkness made her stomach crawl and the fear of Echoes was constant
The woman. Susannah is a down-and-out criminal looking for revenge. Nineteen years old with a shock of red hair, a knife in her belt and a crew to command. She's strong and reliable but also angry and broken. Susannah helps people, but she also robs them blind; she's the cat burglar of her little gang, scaling the walls and picking the locks. In fact, she'd be and have almost everything except for the fact that she can't hear the Music, and without that she's flying blind.
They were heroes. They were legends. They weren't a bunch of bickering teenagers who crashed their echoships into rivers.
The gang. The Nightfall Gang has risen to notorious fame, even getting a song named after them, in recent years. Robbing the rich, giving to the poor, and fleeing into the darkness. Or, y'know, the Hush, a world accessible only to the most high ranking Songshapers or those who have, illicitly or otherwise, obtained the information about it's existence. The Nightfall Gang consists of Dot, a young gay woman and the only Songshaper of the group, Travis, a young man who trained in medical school with a taste for exquisite tailoring, and Sam, a surly boy who is devoted to Susannah.
For centuries the Song had played. It held the world together. It was a quiet rhythm, a pulse in the earth, the seas, the wind.
The world. Wealthy children are tutored until they are of an age where they can apply to the Conservatorium, the only place in the country that produces Songshapers. Songshapers study Music, when ordinary musical ability and playing becomes magical, and ultimately serve the Song. The Song threads its way throughout the world, the underlying rhythm of nature, the heartbeat of the universe, and to interfere with it through Music is a crime. Chester was not a rich child. Now he's a criminal, scooped up by the Nightfall gang to help with their biggest job yet.
The Hush is quick-paced, action-packed, witty and funny. I laughed aloud a couple of times. The secondary characters are well-written and fleshed out alongside the main ones, the plot is great and has some wonderful twists near the end, and the world is built on an awesome idea. The romance is a pain and I wish it had been left out, but my only other complaint is that it is too short!
My thanks to Edelweiss, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.co...
August 31, 2017
Woooooow this book was super good! Music + magic. Two of my favourite things, and both together in the same book. And what's cooler, the Music makes the magic! Such an awesome idea. I also like the It was definitely more family-orientated than couple-orientated. I did get rather confused when but after re-reading that part a few times and thinking about it, it made sense. I am pleased that I was so shocked to find out that It's so terrible to think that everyone I am so pleased that I read this book. It was amazing.
August 1, 2015
Aaaaand here is yet another severely underrated novel from an Australian author! Skye Melki-Wegner has created yet another book with a fantastic world, great characters, a unique magic system and an action-filled plot.
The magic system is quite a creative one: the use of music to produce magic and to hack into "The Hush", a sort of shadow world which is a parallel of the real one. I do have to say though, the world building probably wasn't the best in terms of how the rules of the magic system were laid out, but that might also just be because I normally read a lot of adult SFF where the magic systems tend to be more defined.
The characters were all very interesting, as Melki-Wegner's characters tend to be. They each have their backstories and motivations for joining the Nightfall Gang (which is a sort of Robin Hood of thieving gangs), and they're not going to let anything or anyone stand in their way. There's also a hint of romance, but it's not really explored fully- which I actually appreciated. It wasn't something that was necessarily needed.
The book is sort of a crossover between Young Adult and Middle Grade (think sort of the level of Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan), and I think it could be enjoyed by readers of both. It's certainly a book by a fantastic and emerging Australian author, in any case.
Ratings
Overall: 8/10
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
World Building: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 1/5
The magic system is quite a creative one: the use of music to produce magic and to hack into "The Hush", a sort of shadow world which is a parallel of the real one. I do have to say though, the world building probably wasn't the best in terms of how the rules of the magic system were laid out, but that might also just be because I normally read a lot of adult SFF where the magic systems tend to be more defined.
The characters were all very interesting, as Melki-Wegner's characters tend to be. They each have their backstories and motivations for joining the Nightfall Gang (which is a sort of Robin Hood of thieving gangs), and they're not going to let anything or anyone stand in their way. There's also a hint of romance, but it's not really explored fully- which I actually appreciated. It wasn't something that was necessarily needed.
The book is sort of a crossover between Young Adult and Middle Grade (think sort of the level of Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan), and I think it could be enjoyed by readers of both. It's certainly a book by a fantastic and emerging Australian author, in any case.
Ratings
Overall: 8/10
Plot: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
World Building: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 1/5
July 3, 2017
4½ Stars.
The Hush is a imaginative, engaging and enthralling fantasy, with elements of suspense and science fiction. Skye is one of my favourite authors, she creates vivid worlds in which readers can fully immerse themselves, likable characters and is an advocate for creating strong, but flawed heroines. She makes reading effortless and simply entertaining.
Told as a third person narrative, it follows both Chester and the Nightfall Gang, Susannah, Sam, Dot and the fabulous Travis. They know all too well what the Conservatoruim is hiding, and plan on exposing their secrets and recruiting Chester for their cause. The world building is so incredibly vivid, switching from the realism of our world to The Hush, where sorcery creates a dark and dangerous landscape of rain and Echoes. A cross between middle grade and young adult, I was hooked from the very first page and was torn between flying through the pages and trying to savior the storyline.
I simply loved it. Fabulously written, Skye is the ultimate Australian fantasy fusion author for the young and young at heart. Although the storyline delivers the reader with a satisfied finale, I would love to see The Hush continued in what would no doubt be an epic adventure series. At this point, I'd read this girl's shopping list. She's just that incredible.
The Hush is a imaginative, engaging and enthralling fantasy, with elements of suspense and science fiction. Skye is one of my favourite authors, she creates vivid worlds in which readers can fully immerse themselves, likable characters and is an advocate for creating strong, but flawed heroines. She makes reading effortless and simply entertaining.
Told as a third person narrative, it follows both Chester and the Nightfall Gang, Susannah, Sam, Dot and the fabulous Travis. They know all too well what the Conservatoruim is hiding, and plan on exposing their secrets and recruiting Chester for their cause. The world building is so incredibly vivid, switching from the realism of our world to The Hush, where sorcery creates a dark and dangerous landscape of rain and Echoes. A cross between middle grade and young adult, I was hooked from the very first page and was torn between flying through the pages and trying to savior the storyline.
I simply loved it. Fabulously written, Skye is the ultimate Australian fantasy fusion author for the young and young at heart. Although the storyline delivers the reader with a satisfied finale, I would love to see The Hush continued in what would no doubt be an epic adventure series. At this point, I'd read this girl's shopping list. She's just that incredible.
November 5, 2017
"Sometimes I think true strength is admitting when you're vulnerable."
Aww what a beautiful cover and story :)
Aww what a beautiful cover and story :)
June 16, 2017
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
In THE HUSH, there’s music and there’s Music. One is magical, there other isn’t. Untrained Musicians (capital M) are considered blasphemers. They are hunted down and executed since the only people that should harness the Song are Songshapers. So much of THE HUSH is balanced on the world-building. If you're not completely enthralled then the ending of the novel loses its impact. The book is full of description but I never got a real sense of the world. Towns seem to be in a western, frontier setting. There are farms, cattle barons, sugar barons, trains, and guns. There was real potential for mixing a growing industrial society with a magic system. Unfortunately, neither the world nor the magic system were well-developed enough for that kind of payoff.
Chester is on the road looking for his father. When he performs in a village and is sentenced to death for playing Music, he’s saved by a band of thieves who need his help. Chester is a likeable enough main character but I wish there had been more exploration of his backstory. Knowing more about Chester’s rural home, his exposure to cruel cattle barons, and his father’s life as a soldier, would have added so much. Susanna seems like a competent leader for the Nightfall Gang but doesn't act ruthless, or cunning enough, to be committing these grand exploits. Something goes wrong on every mission we see. I wanted Susanna to commit large-scale crime without missing a beat. Even though Susanna’s tragic past is tied to the plot, and is what drives her to thievery, there’s no real sense of repercussion.
It’s always fun to read about a heist. Even when each character is a stereotype, it’s still enjoyable because you know the bones of the adventure that you’re tucking yourself into. The world building is what lets the story down. There’s no personal investment in the world. It’s not clear how important it is that this gang is ignoring a religious rite until the end of the novel. Answers that should have been asked throughout the novel are smushed together into the villain's monologue. The prose of the novel is good but it excels when describing music and sounds. You definitely get a sense of the author’s love for music and instruments. Overall THE HUSH is a fun story but it lacks the depth it needs to be the twisty, revolutionary novel it wants to be.
Sexual content: None
In THE HUSH, there’s music and there’s Music. One is magical, there other isn’t. Untrained Musicians (capital M) are considered blasphemers. They are hunted down and executed since the only people that should harness the Song are Songshapers. So much of THE HUSH is balanced on the world-building. If you're not completely enthralled then the ending of the novel loses its impact. The book is full of description but I never got a real sense of the world. Towns seem to be in a western, frontier setting. There are farms, cattle barons, sugar barons, trains, and guns. There was real potential for mixing a growing industrial society with a magic system. Unfortunately, neither the world nor the magic system were well-developed enough for that kind of payoff.
Chester is on the road looking for his father. When he performs in a village and is sentenced to death for playing Music, he’s saved by a band of thieves who need his help. Chester is a likeable enough main character but I wish there had been more exploration of his backstory. Knowing more about Chester’s rural home, his exposure to cruel cattle barons, and his father’s life as a soldier, would have added so much. Susanna seems like a competent leader for the Nightfall Gang but doesn't act ruthless, or cunning enough, to be committing these grand exploits. Something goes wrong on every mission we see. I wanted Susanna to commit large-scale crime without missing a beat. Even though Susanna’s tragic past is tied to the plot, and is what drives her to thievery, there’s no real sense of repercussion.
It’s always fun to read about a heist. Even when each character is a stereotype, it’s still enjoyable because you know the bones of the adventure that you’re tucking yourself into. The world building is what lets the story down. There’s no personal investment in the world. It’s not clear how important it is that this gang is ignoring a religious rite until the end of the novel. Answers that should have been asked throughout the novel are smushed together into the villain's monologue. The prose of the novel is good but it excels when describing music and sounds. You definitely get a sense of the author’s love for music and instruments. Overall THE HUSH is a fun story but it lacks the depth it needs to be the twisty, revolutionary novel it wants to be.
Sexual content: None
December 31, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Full review to come on Books and Ladders!
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Full review to come on Books and Ladders!
August 22, 2017
It's always an exciting thing when a book catches you by surprise in a totally unexpected way. I didn't expect a thing from The Hush; in fact, I'm trying to make my way through the books I am behind on quickly, and I was prepared to DNF this one. Instead, I found myself enraptured by like page ten. It really is that good.
The Hush was first published in Australia, and I do believe this is the author's first published work in America. I'm really thankful, and I hope they publish more because she has a GREAT imagination, and she's exactly the type of author I named my blog after. The Hush is inventive, original, unique, and compelling. The world-building is realllllyyy something, and it's impressive in a whole new way.
Chester gets caught playing illegal Music with his violin in a bar. He's almost executed, but he's saved by a member of the elusive Nightfall Gang who are sort of like Robin Hood, in that they steal from the rich and give to the poor. In this world, the rich are people who are allowed to play Music and create magic by connecting to The Song. The very highest of these are called Songshapers and they train at an academy called the Conservatorium, where they hone their skills.
But people are disappearing from their beds--stolen away in the night. Chester's father is one of these people, and he wants to find his father more than anything. When he is saved by the Nightfall Gang, he joins up with them since they have similar goals. Unbeknownst to Chester, there is a secret world only accessible to those that play Music, called The Hush. The Hush is full of overflow magic, scary creatures, and traps. The Nightfall Gang uses The Hush to hide and sneak so they can secretly complete their heists and burglaries.
What I loved so much about this book was how well thought out and detailed the world-building was, considering this book is a standalone. It was detailed and deep, yet not tedious. The plot was paced well and tense, yet not angsty in the least. Angst is a thing I love sometimes, but not usually. What I want from a YA fantasy is a good story with well-developed characters, decent pacing, a little romance but not too much, and I got all that. In a way, it sort of reminded me of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer in that there was a group of people working together toward a common goal. They banter, they have a great relationship, they are diverse, there is great representation.
I highly recommend this book, and I'm almost sad that it's a standalone because I wouldn't mind having more stories set in this world. I am definitely looking forward toward what this author will do next. She's a brilliant writer.
The Hush was first published in Australia, and I do believe this is the author's first published work in America. I'm really thankful, and I hope they publish more because she has a GREAT imagination, and she's exactly the type of author I named my blog after. The Hush is inventive, original, unique, and compelling. The world-building is realllllyyy something, and it's impressive in a whole new way.
Chester gets caught playing illegal Music with his violin in a bar. He's almost executed, but he's saved by a member of the elusive Nightfall Gang who are sort of like Robin Hood, in that they steal from the rich and give to the poor. In this world, the rich are people who are allowed to play Music and create magic by connecting to The Song. The very highest of these are called Songshapers and they train at an academy called the Conservatorium, where they hone their skills.
But people are disappearing from their beds--stolen away in the night. Chester's father is one of these people, and he wants to find his father more than anything. When he is saved by the Nightfall Gang, he joins up with them since they have similar goals. Unbeknownst to Chester, there is a secret world only accessible to those that play Music, called The Hush. The Hush is full of overflow magic, scary creatures, and traps. The Nightfall Gang uses The Hush to hide and sneak so they can secretly complete their heists and burglaries.
What I loved so much about this book was how well thought out and detailed the world-building was, considering this book is a standalone. It was detailed and deep, yet not tedious. The plot was paced well and tense, yet not angsty in the least. Angst is a thing I love sometimes, but not usually. What I want from a YA fantasy is a good story with well-developed characters, decent pacing, a little romance but not too much, and I got all that. In a way, it sort of reminded me of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer in that there was a group of people working together toward a common goal. They banter, they have a great relationship, they are diverse, there is great representation.
I highly recommend this book, and I'm almost sad that it's a standalone because I wouldn't mind having more stories set in this world. I am definitely looking forward toward what this author will do next. She's a brilliant writer.
December 24, 2017
I literally could not put down this book! I was walking on the street reading it!
April 2, 2017
This was unexpected. I fell headfirst int this novel and whenever I surfaced, I felt lost. Melki-Wegner has crafted some of the most spectacular world-building I've come across in a long while. The magic system is based on music, but it's a lot more than what it first appears. I really wanted to see more of the world because it was absolutely fascinating.
The plot was fast-paced, the characters likable and sympathetic. I was rooting for Chester, Susannah, and the rest of the gang the entire book. This reminded me a lot of Updraft, with a musical organization keeping control of society. But then there was the criminal gang, playing Robin Hood, and the mysterious Hush world where Echos roamed and would kill you if you caught their attention.
This was incredibly fun, and I'm really glad I came across it. I hope to see more from this author.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss.
The plot was fast-paced, the characters likable and sympathetic. I was rooting for Chester, Susannah, and the rest of the gang the entire book. This reminded me a lot of Updraft, with a musical organization keeping control of society. But then there was the criminal gang, playing Robin Hood, and the mysterious Hush world where Echos roamed and would kill you if you caught their attention.
This was incredibly fun, and I'm really glad I came across it. I hope to see more from this author.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss.
February 4, 2019
I purchased this book from Half Priced Books to read. All opinions are my own. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Hush by Skye Kelli Wegner. An amazing fantasy written about two magical worlds that operates on Music. Three teens begin an outlaw gang that travels back and forth between good and evil parts of the world playing Robin Hood basically. Until they rescue an unlicensed songshaper that will lead them on the most impossible mission ever. His rescue and recruitment into their gang costs more than the impossible heist they have to pull off only no one realizes just how much until it's too late to make changes to their plan. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com
May 29, 2017
I really loved the Hush. The main character searches for his father, surviving only by playing the fiddle. In a small town, he is confronted with his own abilities. Unfortunately for him, his abilities are considered blasphemy and so he is arrested. Through a series of events, he finds himself in the middle of the Hush, a mysterious un-world in which dangers loom at every corner. The Nightfall Gang has dragged him there, though what for? Soon, he will have the opportunity to get everything he ever wanted, but will it really be what he wants?
Even though the Hush is considered a YA novel, I would highly recommend it to readers of any age. The book is about family and looks critically at the society it plays in. Even though I didn't feel like I couldn't put the book down, I felt a strong pull towards this musical world whenever I read more than one sentence of this wonderfully written book. The only thing I really thought came short was the character development.
There was a little romance sprinkled on top of some of the chapters which was fine by me, but I would have wished to get a little more insight into the characters. I loved all of them and how they worked and lived together. But it was a shame we couldn't hear more about them or their thoughts.
I would really recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an original book and wants to be sucked into a new world.
Even though the Hush is considered a YA novel, I would highly recommend it to readers of any age. The book is about family and looks critically at the society it plays in. Even though I didn't feel like I couldn't put the book down, I felt a strong pull towards this musical world whenever I read more than one sentence of this wonderfully written book. The only thing I really thought came short was the character development.
There was a little romance sprinkled on top of some of the chapters which was fine by me, but I would have wished to get a little more insight into the characters. I loved all of them and how they worked and lived together. But it was a shame we couldn't hear more about them or their thoughts.
I would really recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an original book and wants to be sucked into a new world.
January 25, 2018
I stayed up late to finish this one. Excellent worldbuilding. Although the idea of music as a source of magic isn't original by any means, the author gives it a nice twist and the idea of the Songshapers controlling music (and using is for societal and religious control) was well done. It's a typical "teen ensemble against authority motif" and could use more character development but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed it and would certainly seek out other works by this author.
April 7, 2021
Wow! This book took me by surprise. It’s been sitting on my shelf for awhile and I wish I picked it up sooner. It reminded me of A Darker Shade of Magic but with music controlling the worlds. Also some heist and a gang going on. It was like several books concepts mixed together. I’m sad this one isn’t more talked about truthfully! If you like adventure and music, this book is definitely for you
September 11, 2023
that WOULD’VE been a 5 star if not for the frankly unecessary lesbian couple….didn’t even add anything to the book and just felt like something the author threw in to be “inclusive.”
on the plus side the premise of this book was so unique and i dig this author’s style.
{full review (maybe) to come}
on the plus side the premise of this book was so unique and i dig this author’s style.
{full review (maybe) to come}
August 30, 2017
A musical twist of what reminded me of Stranger Things! There were parts here that made me hold my breath from suspense. I've never read a book with a darker take on music and musical instruments. It was definitely a unique experience reading this.
May 8, 2019
As a violinist, this book felt like a perfect read for me. Can a book understand a person? Because if so, this one understood me. It's an incredible story of perserverance, secrets, surprises, twists and turns. It has characters that seem real, and people who I would want in my life. This book is definitely a must-read, especially for all those musicians out there!
May 24, 2019
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was confusing and slow in the beginning but picks up. I wish there had been more romance in it, there were a few hints of possible romance, but nothing big like a confession or a kiss. I really hope the author decides to write a sequel to this book about life afterward. But regardless, this book was very action packed and a good read.
December 29, 2014
I love music, magic and Skye’s previous novels so it’s no big surprise I absolutely adored this book. I was hooked from the spine-tingling prologue to the beautifully sweet epilogue. Skye has created a magnificent world once again using magic as subtly as a composer weaves harmonies through a song to create a masterpiece. This new stand alone novel is set in a fantasy world where Music (with a capital M) is magic and only licensed Songshapers can connect to the Song (the heartbeat of the world) after training for 7 years at the prestigious Conservatorium. The penalty for breaking this law is death. The story begins with an execution. The scene so short, but beautifully described, that I couldn’t help but be completely captivated by it. On that snippet alone, less than 2 pages, I was hooked.
The story is shared between two main characters: Chester, a young impoverished teen searching town to town for his father who mysteriously vanished; while Susannah is the leader of the notorious Nightfall Gang, burdened by a dark past. After being caught illegally playing Music and connecting directly to the Song, Chester is rescued by the Nightfall Gang and recruited to help the Gang pull off its biggest heist yet, stealing from the Conservatorium! The contrast of an honest, hardworking and secretly terrified boy with a band of thieves/conmen was fantastic, it pulled the story together perfectly and kept the mystery going. Even when I thought I knew where the plot was going, Skye managed to twist it around so by the end I was completely surprised by what was revealed. Every single thread of plot and titbit of knowledge gathered through the story was perfectly woven into a complete tapestry that made perfect sense. My only complaint would be that this book is stand alone, there is so much more Skye can do with this beautiful world she’s created, and I think the Nightfall Gang still has more left to do, so I have my fingers crossed that Skye will come back to this world in the future.
I loved the world Skye created, not only was there one world complete with rules, magic and unique society structure but she fleshed out a secondary shadow world crucial to the plot yet filled with terrible dangers and wonders. Most of the story is conducted in the Hush, yet most of the crucial steps occur in the real world. I loved that the Nightfall Gang felt a lot like Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Though this is a well used idea in novels, I felt this approach truly suited both the novel and the characters themselves, especially as more is revealed about each of the Gang members’ pasts. None of the Gang chose a life of thieving, each was a victim of Conservatorium, the ultimate target of all their heists. I enjoyed the subtle way Skye revealed the corruption of the Conservatorium. There’s no big feeling of oppression like her previous trilogy where the dictatorship is obvious, instead she employs simple explanations to Chester about how the Nightfall Gang picks its targets and why. This slow revelation works better, especially as you’re learning alongside Chester about the truth behind the Conservatorium and the worlds Skye has created.
I can easily say I loved this book, far more than her previous trilogy (which I still really enjoyed). I would easily put this as one of my top reads for this year, even though it’s the first 2015 release I’ve read. I highly recommend it not just for kids and teens but adults as well. The story has a twisted plot, fantastic world building and an excellent cast of characters, a must read for any lover of fantasy, especially for anyone looking for the rare stand alone fantasy novel.
The story is shared between two main characters: Chester, a young impoverished teen searching town to town for his father who mysteriously vanished; while Susannah is the leader of the notorious Nightfall Gang, burdened by a dark past. After being caught illegally playing Music and connecting directly to the Song, Chester is rescued by the Nightfall Gang and recruited to help the Gang pull off its biggest heist yet, stealing from the Conservatorium! The contrast of an honest, hardworking and secretly terrified boy with a band of thieves/conmen was fantastic, it pulled the story together perfectly and kept the mystery going. Even when I thought I knew where the plot was going, Skye managed to twist it around so by the end I was completely surprised by what was revealed. Every single thread of plot and titbit of knowledge gathered through the story was perfectly woven into a complete tapestry that made perfect sense. My only complaint would be that this book is stand alone, there is so much more Skye can do with this beautiful world she’s created, and I think the Nightfall Gang still has more left to do, so I have my fingers crossed that Skye will come back to this world in the future.
I loved the world Skye created, not only was there one world complete with rules, magic and unique society structure but she fleshed out a secondary shadow world crucial to the plot yet filled with terrible dangers and wonders. Most of the story is conducted in the Hush, yet most of the crucial steps occur in the real world. I loved that the Nightfall Gang felt a lot like Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Though this is a well used idea in novels, I felt this approach truly suited both the novel and the characters themselves, especially as more is revealed about each of the Gang members’ pasts. None of the Gang chose a life of thieving, each was a victim of Conservatorium, the ultimate target of all their heists. I enjoyed the subtle way Skye revealed the corruption of the Conservatorium. There’s no big feeling of oppression like her previous trilogy where the dictatorship is obvious, instead she employs simple explanations to Chester about how the Nightfall Gang picks its targets and why. This slow revelation works better, especially as you’re learning alongside Chester about the truth behind the Conservatorium and the worlds Skye has created.
I can easily say I loved this book, far more than her previous trilogy (which I still really enjoyed). I would easily put this as one of my top reads for this year, even though it’s the first 2015 release I’ve read. I highly recommend it not just for kids and teens but adults as well. The story has a twisted plot, fantastic world building and an excellent cast of characters, a must read for any lover of fantasy, especially for anyone looking for the rare stand alone fantasy novel.
August 1, 2017
I enjoyed the world building and felt like the idea of music vs Music was an interesting concept. I was occasionally confused by the setting, often forgetting that it was supposed to feel like a Western. For some reason I wanted to mentally default to more common fantasy settings that feel more Arthurian.
Most of the characters were well-formed, allowing me to root for their plans. There were some surprising reveals that were interesting, but felt a little hard to connect to given how concise the book felt. Over all this was a solid 3.5 star read for me.
Most of the characters were well-formed, allowing me to root for their plans. There were some surprising reveals that were interesting, but felt a little hard to connect to given how concise the book felt. Over all this was a solid 3.5 star read for me.
September 2, 2015
Finished this a while back now and didn't right a review cause I'm apparently a lazy sod. The important part is i recall my feelings about the book. It reminded me kind of like a YA version of Mistborn, I'm not really sure why cause they dont have all that in common but i feel like its a compliment anyways cause Mistborn is an amazing book/series.
The Idea behind this book is incredible, not executed quite as well as it could have been but in its own right still a really fun and enjoyable read. I love the Hush, the monsters living in the hush, the twist about the monsters, The religion, and the thought behind the song! oh and the music, the music was complicated and lovely and just... all of it was incredible. actually probably the only thing to let this book down was the characters, dont get me wrong they are pretty good, but i feel like i wanted more from them, i know I'm a greedy bastard, but being that this is my review i get to make my demands. They just felt a little YA to me, but that might just be me, or my faulty memory, though i did love to the length they all went to for their own secret purposes and needs, love, revenge, family, fear, anger, hatred. I wouldnt have mind exploring the characters a little more actually, I felt a bit like the main character, we were dumped into this new world, with these new side-kicks who had already formed friendships and done all these incredible things before i arrived then we went on our short little mission, rescued the world and was on our mary way. I want more! i want more stories of previous sneaking and spying and stealing, i want more stories of how people meet and why they joined (well i know why they all joined but i didnt get to slowly unravel it with them, while deciding if they were to be trusted or not) we were the last member to join and there food a good chunk of the story had already happened without us! you know what this book needs? a prequel!! a prequel would be perfect - where we get to watch the 2 captains slowly pick up the other members of the team and all there (what sounds like) mind-blowingly-awesome adventures!! they stole a ship for christ sakes and we didnt even get to be a part of it!
Anyways thats my rant. rating this book 3.5 stars. might slide it up to four, not sure yet.
The Idea behind this book is incredible, not executed quite as well as it could have been but in its own right still a really fun and enjoyable read. I love the Hush, the monsters living in the hush, the twist about the monsters, The religion, and the thought behind the song! oh and the music, the music was complicated and lovely and just... all of it was incredible. actually probably the only thing to let this book down was the characters, dont get me wrong they are pretty good, but i feel like i wanted more from them, i know I'm a greedy bastard, but being that this is my review i get to make my demands. They just felt a little YA to me, but that might just be me, or my faulty memory, though i did love to the length they all went to for their own secret purposes and needs, love, revenge, family, fear, anger, hatred. I wouldnt have mind exploring the characters a little more actually, I felt a bit like the main character, we were dumped into this new world, with these new side-kicks who had already formed friendships and done all these incredible things before i arrived then we went on our short little mission, rescued the world and was on our mary way. I want more! i want more stories of previous sneaking and spying and stealing, i want more stories of how people meet and why they joined (well i know why they all joined but i didnt get to slowly unravel it with them, while deciding if they were to be trusted or not) we were the last member to join and there food a good chunk of the story had already happened without us! you know what this book needs? a prequel!! a prequel would be perfect - where we get to watch the 2 captains slowly pick up the other members of the team and all there (what sounds like) mind-blowingly-awesome adventures!! they stole a ship for christ sakes and we didnt even get to be a part of it!
Anyways thats my rant. rating this book 3.5 stars. might slide it up to four, not sure yet.
February 2, 2017
I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I think it deserves a solid 3 stars for originality.
Magic in this world is created by songs, music and rhythms which is something I've never seen before. I have no musical knowledge, but it was explained simply enough to follow, though you would probably get more out of it (particularly the musical metaphors) if you have a background in music.
For me, the plot and world-building were stronger than the characters. The Hush and the "real-world" are described with great detail and the magic system is really fascinating, but I still felt disconnected from it all somehow. I prefer character driven stories and because the characters were the weakest part, I had a little trouble caring for them, including the MC's (there are two 3rd person POV's in this book). The characters also seemed really young at times; I kept forgetting Chester was 16 or 17 (I think) because Susanna often refers to him as "the boy" even though they are a similar age, so I kept picturing him as really young (like around 10, whoops!) even though I knew he wasn't.
There are some really great twists towards the end, but everything does come together a little too neatly - probably because it is currently a stand-alone. However, the author has a note at the end that there may be more adventures in this world. Will I come back for the ride? We'll see.
Magic in this world is created by songs, music and rhythms which is something I've never seen before. I have no musical knowledge, but it was explained simply enough to follow, though you would probably get more out of it (particularly the musical metaphors) if you have a background in music.
For me, the plot and world-building were stronger than the characters. The Hush and the "real-world" are described with great detail and the magic system is really fascinating, but I still felt disconnected from it all somehow. I prefer character driven stories and because the characters were the weakest part, I had a little trouble caring for them, including the MC's (there are two 3rd person POV's in this book). The characters also seemed really young at times; I kept forgetting Chester was 16 or 17 (I think) because Susanna often refers to him as "the boy" even though they are a similar age, so I kept picturing him as really young (like around 10, whoops!) even though I knew he wasn't.
There are some really great twists towards the end, but everything does come together a little too neatly - probably because it is currently a stand-alone. However, the author has a note at the end that there may be more adventures in this world. Will I come back for the ride? We'll see.
June 18, 2015
Rating: 3.5
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. After all, it's kind of Firefly for YA readers, with Musical Magic! I absolutely loved Melki-Wegner's Chasing the Valley series - they were definitely in my favourite books of last year! I ended this book, though, feeling a bit disappointed.
While I really liked the concept behind The Hush, there were some elements that didn't work for me. The romance was one of the biggest - I can understand why it was included, but didn't feel like it added anything to the plot, and what it did add could have just as easily been explained by a strong friendship. Also, I felt like some relationships were developed at one point of the novel, then ignored for the rest of it.
All in all, this is an enjoyable book. The concept behind it is really interesting, and there was a twist at the end that I did not see coming!b Have a read, give it a go, but if you're after fun adventure/fantasy with high stakes, read Chasing the Valley instead.
I really wanted to like this book more than I did. After all, it's kind of Firefly for YA readers, with Musical Magic! I absolutely loved Melki-Wegner's Chasing the Valley series - they were definitely in my favourite books of last year! I ended this book, though, feeling a bit disappointed.
While I really liked the concept behind The Hush, there were some elements that didn't work for me. The romance was one of the biggest - I can understand why it was included, but didn't feel like it added anything to the plot, and what it did add could have just as easily been explained by a strong friendship. Also, I felt like some relationships were developed at one point of the novel, then ignored for the rest of it.
All in all, this is an enjoyable book. The concept behind it is really interesting, and there was a twist at the end that I did not see coming!b Have a read, give it a go, but if you're after fun adventure/fantasy with high stakes, read Chasing the Valley instead.
June 28, 2016
At first I wondered whether I would connect with this book or not, but "The Hush" quickly turned into a very enjoyable read with a nice mix of fantasy, Sci-fi and music. The world Melki-Wegner created was vivid and detailed where music and magic were fiercely entwined. At the same time, this world was familiar as it had many Wild West elements including saloons, guns, cowboy boots, carriages, sacks of gold, griddlecakes, horses (although these ones could fly), sheriffs and cornfields.
I really liked the members of the Nightfall Gang. Each was a strong character with special talents, an interesting backstory and a quirky, unique personality, and all were united by their past associations with the Conservatorium. Their motto was similar to Robin Hood's: steal from the rich to give to the poor. However, unlike Robin Hood, Susannah and her gang were able to escape undetected by vanishing into a parallel world known as The Hush.
The biggest let-down was the romance between Chester and Samantha; it never felt real. Close friends definitely, but romantic involvement, no. It would have been more believable if Travis was the love interest, if there had to be one. Overall, though, a very enjoyable read.
I really liked the members of the Nightfall Gang. Each was a strong character with special talents, an interesting backstory and a quirky, unique personality, and all were united by their past associations with the Conservatorium. Their motto was similar to Robin Hood's: steal from the rich to give to the poor. However, unlike Robin Hood, Susannah and her gang were able to escape undetected by vanishing into a parallel world known as The Hush.
The biggest let-down was the romance between Chester and Samantha; it never felt real. Close friends definitely, but romantic involvement, no. It would have been more believable if Travis was the love interest, if there had to be one. Overall, though, a very enjoyable read.
May 13, 2019
I'm not going to be able to discuss what I liked and disliked about the book without huge spoilers so....read at your own risk.
Good, that's out of the way. So, this book sure did exist. I’m still trying to figure out why I’m so neutral to it, because it wasn’t bad. The characters were likeable, the setting was well-described and unique, and the plot sped along at a pleasant pace. The eventual plot twist was foreshadowed and made sense in context of the details we’d been given throughout the story. The romances were inoffensive and sweet, if a bit bland. I appreciated the LGBTQ representation and liked that the lesbian character played a major role in the story and had good friendships with the other major characters. The nod to environmental issues was nice, and I have to admit that it was cathartic to imagine a world in which people who have suffered injustice at the hands of a privileged circle of rich, selfish assholes eventually break free of their (quite literal) prison and trample those assholes to death.
But that’s where my appreciation ends. For some reason, although the plot was quick-paced, I couldn’t get through more than a couple of chapters at a time. I’d read a page, start daydreaming about a current crush or wishing for sushi, read another page, wonder what I’d make for dinner, put down the book at the slightest distraction, sometimes not to be picked up again for weeks or months. While reading this, I probably got more plotting done for one of my own abandoned novels than I did in months of sitting and staring at word documents.
I think it has to do with the passiveness of the main character. I was going to include his name, but I just realized that I forgot his name while typing this review. Quentin? Quill? I feel like it’s something with a Q. UPDATE: it’s actually Chester. Fail. Anyway Chester is not a bad character. He’s likeable. But, far from being the hero of his own story, this poor boy gets swept along on the current of the plot and the other characters. His willingness to sacrifice himself for others is noble, but it never really factors into the story aside from providing the jumping off point for the beginning of the novel. Similarly, his special music-making talents are cool, but they’re mostly a plot device, used to get him and his friends in and out of dangerous situations. In the end, although he tries to sacrifice himself for the gang (who by the way have done nothing to warrant this—in fact they’ve lied to him throughout his time with them), the final heroic gamble lies on the shoulders of a character who plays a small role in the previous 350 pages.
Which brings me to the final thing I wanted to discuss. Although this character—Sam—lurks on the sidelines until the final showdown, I think his untimely death could have been handled a lot better. For background, Sam is a part of the outlaw gang Chester has just joined by accident. He’s been there from the beginning, and he’s sworn to get revenge on the Songshapers (vaguely cartoonish villains) for what they’ve done to his mind. Sam’s mind has been warped by their experiments, leaving him perpetually thrown about by nonsensical emotions whenever he encounters magical influence, which is frequent, given his world’s dependence on magic.
Sam ends up sacrificing his life for the others, as the most expendable member of the group and the one with the least to live for. And that’s….well. That’s a lazy writing choice. Sam suffers from emotional distress that is not his fault—something that in my limited experience seems similar to depression or bipolar disorder. And he kills himself at the end, because due to the improbability of his condition ever being cured, he feels that his life matters less than the lives of his companions.
Do you see the problem? It’s not that this scenario isn’t realistic. It does happen. People do decide that because of the battles they fight inside their heads every day, because they may never feel “normal,” their lives are not worthwhile. In my own family it’s happened. To a lesser degree, I’ve struggled with depression on and off for my entire adult life, and it can give you the false impression that your life will never improve—so why bother to live out the rest of it? This situation is entirely plausible. And I think that’s why, if you want to write about it, you have to put some extra thought in.
It’s not that you should never write about people who believe their lives have little value. That’s a reality of the world, no sense avoiding it. For example, in one of my favorite books, The Dream Thieves (massive spoilers for the Raven Cycle ahead), there’s a character who kills himself because, even though he can take anything he wants out of his dreams, he never manages to form connections with other people in the real world. This would probably be due to the obnoxious entitlement, lack of boundaries, and disinterest in other people’s well-being. But even given the fact that this character is a terrible person, his death has weight and nuance. Other characters regret that he died. His arc serves as a counterpoint to that of another character, who shares the same self-destructive impulses but learns to value his own life.
But in this book, Sam is a side character. We never get his POV. He dies as a plot point 30 pages from the end of the story.
Do I think the author intended Sam’s arc to read this way? Nope, not at all. I think she was doing her best to create a fun, interesting book with likeable characters, LGBTQ representation, and a great plot twist. And she did that. It wasn’t a bad novel. But I think there was room for a more interesting novel, a novel in which Sam was the protagonist and came out alive, despite the damage inflicted on him. A novel in which Chester made his own decisions and fought back when the others tried to use him. A novel in which the characters had to face themselves, not just the villain of the week. This book had potential, but I find myself wishing for that imaginary book instead.
Good, that's out of the way. So, this book sure did exist. I’m still trying to figure out why I’m so neutral to it, because it wasn’t bad. The characters were likeable, the setting was well-described and unique, and the plot sped along at a pleasant pace. The eventual plot twist was foreshadowed and made sense in context of the details we’d been given throughout the story. The romances were inoffensive and sweet, if a bit bland. I appreciated the LGBTQ representation and liked that the lesbian character played a major role in the story and had good friendships with the other major characters. The nod to environmental issues was nice, and I have to admit that it was cathartic to imagine a world in which people who have suffered injustice at the hands of a privileged circle of rich, selfish assholes eventually break free of their (quite literal) prison and trample those assholes to death.
But that’s where my appreciation ends. For some reason, although the plot was quick-paced, I couldn’t get through more than a couple of chapters at a time. I’d read a page, start daydreaming about a current crush or wishing for sushi, read another page, wonder what I’d make for dinner, put down the book at the slightest distraction, sometimes not to be picked up again for weeks or months. While reading this, I probably got more plotting done for one of my own abandoned novels than I did in months of sitting and staring at word documents.
I think it has to do with the passiveness of the main character. I was going to include his name, but I just realized that I forgot his name while typing this review. Quentin? Quill? I feel like it’s something with a Q. UPDATE: it’s actually Chester. Fail. Anyway Chester is not a bad character. He’s likeable. But, far from being the hero of his own story, this poor boy gets swept along on the current of the plot and the other characters. His willingness to sacrifice himself for others is noble, but it never really factors into the story aside from providing the jumping off point for the beginning of the novel. Similarly, his special music-making talents are cool, but they’re mostly a plot device, used to get him and his friends in and out of dangerous situations. In the end, although he tries to sacrifice himself for the gang (who by the way have done nothing to warrant this—in fact they’ve lied to him throughout his time with them), the final heroic gamble lies on the shoulders of a character who plays a small role in the previous 350 pages.
Which brings me to the final thing I wanted to discuss. Although this character—Sam—lurks on the sidelines until the final showdown, I think his untimely death could have been handled a lot better. For background, Sam is a part of the outlaw gang Chester has just joined by accident. He’s been there from the beginning, and he’s sworn to get revenge on the Songshapers (vaguely cartoonish villains) for what they’ve done to his mind. Sam’s mind has been warped by their experiments, leaving him perpetually thrown about by nonsensical emotions whenever he encounters magical influence, which is frequent, given his world’s dependence on magic.
Sam ends up sacrificing his life for the others, as the most expendable member of the group and the one with the least to live for. And that’s….well. That’s a lazy writing choice. Sam suffers from emotional distress that is not his fault—something that in my limited experience seems similar to depression or bipolar disorder. And he kills himself at the end, because due to the improbability of his condition ever being cured, he feels that his life matters less than the lives of his companions.
Do you see the problem? It’s not that this scenario isn’t realistic. It does happen. People do decide that because of the battles they fight inside their heads every day, because they may never feel “normal,” their lives are not worthwhile. In my own family it’s happened. To a lesser degree, I’ve struggled with depression on and off for my entire adult life, and it can give you the false impression that your life will never improve—so why bother to live out the rest of it? This situation is entirely plausible. And I think that’s why, if you want to write about it, you have to put some extra thought in.
It’s not that you should never write about people who believe their lives have little value. That’s a reality of the world, no sense avoiding it. For example, in one of my favorite books, The Dream Thieves (massive spoilers for the Raven Cycle ahead), there’s a character who kills himself because, even though he can take anything he wants out of his dreams, he never manages to form connections with other people in the real world. This would probably be due to the obnoxious entitlement, lack of boundaries, and disinterest in other people’s well-being. But even given the fact that this character is a terrible person, his death has weight and nuance. Other characters regret that he died. His arc serves as a counterpoint to that of another character, who shares the same self-destructive impulses but learns to value his own life.
But in this book, Sam is a side character. We never get his POV. He dies as a plot point 30 pages from the end of the story.
Do I think the author intended Sam’s arc to read this way? Nope, not at all. I think she was doing her best to create a fun, interesting book with likeable characters, LGBTQ representation, and a great plot twist. And she did that. It wasn’t a bad novel. But I think there was room for a more interesting novel, a novel in which Sam was the protagonist and came out alive, despite the damage inflicted on him. A novel in which Chester made his own decisions and fought back when the others tried to use him. A novel in which the characters had to face themselves, not just the villain of the week. This book had potential, but I find myself wishing for that imaginary book instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
3.5/5.0
- I went into this book without a lot of knowledge of what sort of book it would be, other than the rather confusing synopsis that introduces a concept about music, the Hush, and something about it being illegal to play music. It was intriguing, but I wasn't quite sure where it would lead. But I tried it. The first few chapters were the same, a little slow and shedding little light until the plot really started to pick up when Chester meets the rest of the gang and a solid questline is placed in front of him. Mysteries are revealed; the world is explained; Music is given meaning. And it gets pretty good. The Hush is a wonderful and very different concept, where Music is magic, and where there's plenty of mysteries and politics, and whilst it wasn't a book that stunned me with its greatness, it was a fantastic and very different kind of journey, and a world I was glad I got to experience.
- The world of The Hush : Melki-Wegner fleshes out her fantasy world in some incredible ways, and in other more vague-r ways in other aspects. Throughout the journey, Chester and the gang go through several cities and the Conservatorium. We're introduced to the concept where the majority of the world lives in some sort of relative poverty, with pockets of artistocrats, culminating in the Conservatorium which is where most of the rich reside. Cities are described, people and their professions mentioned, and overall it's a nice overview of the world and its people but does not delve in too deep. Where it's more interesting is after the mystery of The Hush is revealed and the entire backstory to Music as Magic is revealed, involved the idea of two different worlds, one real and one invented, and how Music is the tool to create all that. It's a fascinating idea, but also one that isn't deeply described. All in all, the world is fascinating, but not explored with the depths of a sci-fi novel. And that's okay for this sort of book.
- Music as a form of magic : a fun twist for a magic system. It seems more of a soft system since rules are not clearly defined about how people connect to the Song, and it can be confusing when the author tries to differentiate between music and Music. Overall though, it's nice to see a different sort of magic.
- The characters : are alright. they're distinct and have different backgrounds and personalities that make them stand out from one another, but aren't incredibly deep characters. Chester is a sweet kid who wants to find his father; Susannah wants to complete her mission; Sam is scarred and mistrustful; Dot is bright and clever but also jaded, and Travis is flamboyant but occasionally serious. They're a fun cast, but only Chester and Dot made me care about them. The Songshapers as antagonists seem very black and white evil sort and not much is made for their case of why they control the Song other than because it gives them power.
- The romance : I would rather there had been no romance at all honestly, or at the very least perhaps a hint towards one at the very end. Instead, around one third of the way in, Susannah suddenly develops regret for what she is about to put Chester through and starts to care for him. All of a sudden essentially. it seems a little abrupt, as does Chester's sudden developing feelings for Susannah. I would have liked to see a little more development before they got there, a little more Chester saving Susannah, or Susannah talking to Chester more before it all happens, or maybe they only realize feelings for one another once it's all said and done, but you can't be too mad at it. Penny and Dot's relationship is briefly there, but it's cute and I like how it ties into the plot and why they're on this journey.
- The plot : For the first third, I had no idea what the overarching plot was. Then as the mystery is peeled away and the heist and the rescue and Conservatorium is revealed, it becomes a lot more fascinating, but it definitely isn't a grand prison break story. It's a simple story about a boy who wants to save his father and some kids who want revenge and they work together and get it done with some hiccups along the way. Even so, I was drawn in to the world of the Conservatorium, of the prison and the Hush. The last half was much easier to power through because I wanted to see what would happen, whereas the first half where Chester is still trying to understand what is going on did drag a little. Overall though, it was a decent plot, though I did feel like Sam sacrificing himself instead of Chester felt a little expectent and it would have been interesting if Chester had been the one to sacrifice himself and found himself one with the Song. Then, Susannah, regretting her choices, would go on to try and help others with her gang and Chester beside her in spirit. Who knows. The ending was a happy but predictable one, and it was a nice tie up to the whole story, though as fantasy's go, there could have always been more stakes.
Overall : I had a good time with The Hush, though there were doubts in the first third as things went sluggishly and the plot was unclear. Once the story was revealed and characters like Dot and Sam started to have depth, it became an enjoyable action-packed story to the very end. Parts of the book I feel did hold the book back from being excellent, namely the awkward romance and a lack of real stakes, but the world and the Music and its reveals were all fantastic world lore choices which is what I will remember when I look back on this book - a wondeful concept but a plot that didn't sink its claws all the way in.
- I went into this book without a lot of knowledge of what sort of book it would be, other than the rather confusing synopsis that introduces a concept about music, the Hush, and something about it being illegal to play music. It was intriguing, but I wasn't quite sure where it would lead. But I tried it. The first few chapters were the same, a little slow and shedding little light until the plot really started to pick up when Chester meets the rest of the gang and a solid questline is placed in front of him. Mysteries are revealed; the world is explained; Music is given meaning. And it gets pretty good. The Hush is a wonderful and very different concept, where Music is magic, and where there's plenty of mysteries and politics, and whilst it wasn't a book that stunned me with its greatness, it was a fantastic and very different kind of journey, and a world I was glad I got to experience.
- The world of The Hush : Melki-Wegner fleshes out her fantasy world in some incredible ways, and in other more vague-r ways in other aspects. Throughout the journey, Chester and the gang go through several cities and the Conservatorium. We're introduced to the concept where the majority of the world lives in some sort of relative poverty, with pockets of artistocrats, culminating in the Conservatorium which is where most of the rich reside. Cities are described, people and their professions mentioned, and overall it's a nice overview of the world and its people but does not delve in too deep. Where it's more interesting is after the mystery of The Hush is revealed and the entire backstory to Music as Magic is revealed, involved the idea of two different worlds, one real and one invented, and how Music is the tool to create all that. It's a fascinating idea, but also one that isn't deeply described. All in all, the world is fascinating, but not explored with the depths of a sci-fi novel. And that's okay for this sort of book.
- Music as a form of magic : a fun twist for a magic system. It seems more of a soft system since rules are not clearly defined about how people connect to the Song, and it can be confusing when the author tries to differentiate between music and Music. Overall though, it's nice to see a different sort of magic.
- The characters : are alright. they're distinct and have different backgrounds and personalities that make them stand out from one another, but aren't incredibly deep characters. Chester is a sweet kid who wants to find his father; Susannah wants to complete her mission; Sam is scarred and mistrustful; Dot is bright and clever but also jaded, and Travis is flamboyant but occasionally serious. They're a fun cast, but only Chester and Dot made me care about them. The Songshapers as antagonists seem very black and white evil sort and not much is made for their case of why they control the Song other than because it gives them power.
- The romance : I would rather there had been no romance at all honestly, or at the very least perhaps a hint towards one at the very end. Instead, around one third of the way in, Susannah suddenly develops regret for what she is about to put Chester through and starts to care for him. All of a sudden essentially. it seems a little abrupt, as does Chester's sudden developing feelings for Susannah. I would have liked to see a little more development before they got there, a little more Chester saving Susannah, or Susannah talking to Chester more before it all happens, or maybe they only realize feelings for one another once it's all said and done, but you can't be too mad at it. Penny and Dot's relationship is briefly there, but it's cute and I like how it ties into the plot and why they're on this journey.
- The plot : For the first third, I had no idea what the overarching plot was. Then as the mystery is peeled away and the heist and the rescue and Conservatorium is revealed, it becomes a lot more fascinating, but it definitely isn't a grand prison break story. It's a simple story about a boy who wants to save his father and some kids who want revenge and they work together and get it done with some hiccups along the way. Even so, I was drawn in to the world of the Conservatorium, of the prison and the Hush. The last half was much easier to power through because I wanted to see what would happen, whereas the first half where Chester is still trying to understand what is going on did drag a little. Overall though, it was a decent plot, though I did feel like Sam sacrificing himself instead of Chester felt a little expectent and it would have been interesting if Chester had been the one to sacrifice himself and found himself one with the Song. Then, Susannah, regretting her choices, would go on to try and help others with her gang and Chester beside her in spirit. Who knows. The ending was a happy but predictable one, and it was a nice tie up to the whole story, though as fantasy's go, there could have always been more stakes.
Overall : I had a good time with The Hush, though there were doubts in the first third as things went sluggishly and the plot was unclear. Once the story was revealed and characters like Dot and Sam started to have depth, it became an enjoyable action-packed story to the very end. Parts of the book I feel did hold the book back from being excellent, namely the awkward romance and a lack of real stakes, but the world and the Music and its reveals were all fantastic world lore choices which is what I will remember when I look back on this book - a wondeful concept but a plot that didn't sink its claws all the way in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2017
A good book. I Stopped reading for a while since I became quite bored of it, and I had to force myself to continue reading.It sort of dragged on, but I would recommend it for a read!
January 28, 2018
“There were creatures in the Hush, creatures of twisted magic, formed from the remnants of real-world sorcery. The Hush was a dumping ground for the leftovers. The residual, dregs of Music and broken tunes …”
A musician traveling with his fiddle, and searching for his father, enters the town of Hamlin. Pegasi patrol the skies. He hopes the locals will like his music enough, he’ll be able to eat that night, and he sets up in the local saloon. Never expecting what would happen when he plays the fiddle, that his music would touch the Song, and he’d be arrested. He didn’t mean to, but he was a natural, raised in the slums by his father. Only Songshapers were supposed to sense the tune of things in a physical way.
Chester is doomed, sentenced to death. The resident Songshaper explains his sentence, while locked behind bars, preparing to be hung. Chester feels music in the stone walls, in the slivers of wood, but there’s no way out. He doesn’t understand how his music connected to Music so quickly. It’s a crime for the untrained in the Song to use it.
Chester stands ready with the executioner, confused about how he got to this point, and the blade comes down, but he’s suddenly someplace else, and not in front of a horde of townspeople ready to watch him die. It’s dark, and he’s with the older teen who requested that difficult song, back at the saloon, the song that got him arrested, and now he’s helping Chester escape. They travel through the Hush, and it’s rife with Echos, and other twisted sorts of magic. Chester meets the others teens in the Nightfall Gang. The legendary gang, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, he hopes they can help find his father, but they need Chester, and the trials begin.
An absorbing, and a beautifully imaginative world, a musical fantasy like none I’ve read before. The characters deal with tough knocks and adventure at every turn, inventing and utilizing fascinating magic devices and inventions.
A musician traveling with his fiddle, and searching for his father, enters the town of Hamlin. Pegasi patrol the skies. He hopes the locals will like his music enough, he’ll be able to eat that night, and he sets up in the local saloon. Never expecting what would happen when he plays the fiddle, that his music would touch the Song, and he’d be arrested. He didn’t mean to, but he was a natural, raised in the slums by his father. Only Songshapers were supposed to sense the tune of things in a physical way.
Chester is doomed, sentenced to death. The resident Songshaper explains his sentence, while locked behind bars, preparing to be hung. Chester feels music in the stone walls, in the slivers of wood, but there’s no way out. He doesn’t understand how his music connected to Music so quickly. It’s a crime for the untrained in the Song to use it.
Chester stands ready with the executioner, confused about how he got to this point, and the blade comes down, but he’s suddenly someplace else, and not in front of a horde of townspeople ready to watch him die. It’s dark, and he’s with the older teen who requested that difficult song, back at the saloon, the song that got him arrested, and now he’s helping Chester escape. They travel through the Hush, and it’s rife with Echos, and other twisted sorts of magic. Chester meets the others teens in the Nightfall Gang. The legendary gang, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, he hopes they can help find his father, but they need Chester, and the trials begin.
An absorbing, and a beautifully imaginative world, a musical fantasy like none I’ve read before. The characters deal with tough knocks and adventure at every turn, inventing and utilizing fascinating magic devices and inventions.
July 3, 2023
This was such a fun romp. It's got music, magic, heists, a diverse cast, and, of course, pegasi. It was satisfying as a standalone, but I can imagine so many more novels being written with this world. The premise is such a great hook!
I LOVE Wegner's writing style. She intertwines the intimate experience of being a musician into the experience of being a Songshaper (sorcerer), which works especially well if the reader is a musician themself (me!). Don't be intimidated if you're not a musician though — you don't have to be a wiz at music theory to understand how Wegner talks about rhythms and melodies.
The main issue I had was pacing. Things happened very quickly, and there wasn't much time to sit with each character.
For a standalone, I must say the world building was on point. It felt expansive, but not too bloated for what it was trying to achieve (i.e. not a 10 book fantasy epic).
All in all, I really enjoyed The Hush! If you're a musician and a fantasy lover, I'd especially recommend reading this book. The premise combined with the stellar writing make it more than worth it as a nice little popcorn read.
I LOVE Wegner's writing style. She intertwines the intimate experience of being a musician into the experience of being a Songshaper (sorcerer), which works especially well if the reader is a musician themself (me!). Don't be intimidated if you're not a musician though — you don't have to be a wiz at music theory to understand how Wegner talks about rhythms and melodies.
The main issue I had was pacing. Things happened very quickly, and there wasn't much time to sit with each character.
For a standalone, I must say the world building was on point. It felt expansive, but not too bloated for what it was trying to achieve (i.e. not a 10 book fantasy epic).
All in all, I really enjoyed The Hush! If you're a musician and a fantasy lover, I'd especially recommend reading this book. The premise combined with the stellar writing make it more than worth it as a nice little popcorn read.
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