Scan barcode
timinbc's review
2.0
Nope, didn't work for me. And I like Bledsoe's other work a lot.
As an older male, I may not have the right viewpoint, but I am also an experienced reader of fantasy and this sort of semi-fantasy.
First, I see that many outlets are calling this a teen/YA story. For me, that's exactly the problem with it. It *feels* like one. What's wrong with that? Well, for starters, there are other teen/YA stories out there that just tell a story naturally, and you only realize later that it's aimed younger. This feels a tad contrived, as if the author more naturally writes for adults. Which we know he does very well.
What are the tipoffs? Well, first we have overdrawn characters. Dwayne's ridiculously bad, and so is Pafford (more on that later). Rockhouse is just silly, except near the end when he's better. Deacon is a classic, yup, nope, don't push yer luck Father. Bronwyn is just a bit too much of everything she is.
The Tufa are a good thing to hang a story on, but every time they were mentioned I expected, well, you know in Young Frankenstein how the horses whinny whenever Frau Blucher's name is mentioned? Like that. Roads that can't be found by outsiders. Secret hand signals that are never explained. The ongoing feeling is that they have enough funky magic to do ANYthing ANYtime, so where's the tension?
The music stuff, and the haint, and the need to carry it all on, that was all just fine. Bronwyn's struggle with the need to grow up is OK.
Don Swayback's plot arc was ludicrously predictable. But I'll tell you what wasn't: the ending. (This spoiler warning's for real - don't peek if you haven't read the story:
So no. I will NOT read the sequel. I will be all over the next Eddie LaCrosse, though.
As an older male, I may not have the right viewpoint, but I am also an experienced reader of fantasy and this sort of semi-fantasy.
First, I see that many outlets are calling this a teen/YA story. For me, that's exactly the problem with it. It *feels* like one. What's wrong with that? Well, for starters, there are other teen/YA stories out there that just tell a story naturally, and you only realize later that it's aimed younger. This feels a tad contrived, as if the author more naturally writes for adults. Which we know he does very well.
What are the tipoffs? Well, first we have overdrawn characters. Dwayne's ridiculously bad, and so is Pafford (more on that later). Rockhouse is just silly, except near the end when he's better. Deacon is a classic, yup, nope, don't push yer luck Father. Bronwyn is just a bit too much of everything she is.
The Tufa are a good thing to hang a story on, but every time they were mentioned I expected, well, you know in Young Frankenstein how the horses whinny whenever Frau Blucher's name is mentioned? Like that. Roads that can't be found by outsiders. Secret hand signals that are never explained. The ongoing feeling is that they have enough funky magic to do ANYthing ANYtime, so where's the tension?
The music stuff, and the haint, and the need to carry it all on, that was all just fine. Bronwyn's struggle with the need to grow up is OK.
Don Swayback's plot arc was ludicrously predictable. But I'll tell you what wasn't: the ending. (This spoiler warning's for real - don't peek if you haven't read the story:
Spoiler
Really? Dwayne gets taken out into the wayback, taken for a flight, dropped -- and he Lands. On. Pafford. Oh puh-LEEZE.So no. I will NOT read the sequel. I will be all over the next Eddie LaCrosse, though.
ajreads2213's review
4.0
Easy read, interesting, and original. Love the musical tie ins and setting, great summer read to escape in.
subparcupcake's review
3.0
I finished this yesterday, but had to let it settle a little before I decided on a rating. I was going back and forth between a three and a four... Ultimately I decided on three stars. I liked it, at some points I really liked it.. But overall I didn't really think it was anything spectacular, so I went with three.
For about the first half of the book I had no idea where the plot was going. It's not like I was bored.. It just seemed to be meandering around, going no where. And to be honest.. That's how the entire book went. But somewhere after the first half it did grow on me, hence the reason it's getting three stars and not two.
It's definitely not action packed.. There's really no action at all. No intrigue.. I think my friend Ala said it best in his review, it's a slice of life story. There's some mystery surrounding the Tufa people, and that was interesting to delve into.. But other than that there's really not much too it.
But I did like it. I did enjoy reading it. I feel like it could have been better though.. Still, I'd recommend giving it a try. It's pretty short, a nice relaxing read. Three stars.
For about the first half of the book I had no idea where the plot was going. It's not like I was bored.. It just seemed to be meandering around, going no where. And to be honest.. That's how the entire book went. But somewhere after the first half it did grow on me, hence the reason it's getting three stars and not two.
It's definitely not action packed.. There's really no action at all. No intrigue.. I think my friend Ala said it best in his review, it's a slice of life story. There's some mystery surrounding the Tufa people, and that was interesting to delve into.. But other than that there's really not much too it.
But I did like it. I did enjoy reading it. I feel like it could have been better though.. Still, I'd recommend giving it a try. It's pretty short, a nice relaxing read. Three stars.
mollie_makebelieve's review
5.0
An enchanting story reminiscent of Charles De Lint's work. I quite enjoyed it and look forward to continuing the series!I found the characters to be complex and interesting. The use of music and the importance of it to them struck a chord with me (sorry about the obvious pun!) As a musician myself I am now wanting to unlock my own song from within me!
songwind's review
3.0
A workmanlike paranormal romance novel, mostly character driven but with enough plot to keep things moving.
The book is most notable for its take on its supernatural elements. I don't want to reveal what those are, as its a major point to the book.
The book is most notable for its take on its supernatural elements. I don't want to reveal what those are, as its a major point to the book.
geekwayne's review
3.0
'The Hum and the Shiver' by Alex Bledsoe is the first book in a series about the Tufa, a mysterious group of people living in Tennessee. My online book club read it this month.
Private Bronwyn Hyatt is back from the war in the middle East and in need of healing. Her mother Chloe has seen signs that lead her to believe that death is coming for the family, specifically Chloe herself. There is a new minister in town and a reporter sent to do a story about Bronwyn. What they discover instead is a mystery that is older than they know involving these clans of people with their dark hair and muscical abilities.
It's a slow build, like sitting in a rocking chair on the porch. The reader knows there is more to the story, and it's played out slowly and deliberately. There are a couple story elements that seem like they get dropped altogether and that feels frustrating. The characters feel flawed and real, and I love the use of old folk music and an actual painting to underscore the story given. It's not a normal urban fantasy, but I enjoyed it well enough.
Private Bronwyn Hyatt is back from the war in the middle East and in need of healing. Her mother Chloe has seen signs that lead her to believe that death is coming for the family, specifically Chloe herself. There is a new minister in town and a reporter sent to do a story about Bronwyn. What they discover instead is a mystery that is older than they know involving these clans of people with their dark hair and muscical abilities.
It's a slow build, like sitting in a rocking chair on the porch. The reader knows there is more to the story, and it's played out slowly and deliberately. There are a couple story elements that seem like they get dropped altogether and that feels frustrating. The characters feel flawed and real, and I love the use of old folk music and an actual painting to underscore the story given. It's not a normal urban fantasy, but I enjoyed it well enough.
yiddish_anarchist's review against another edition
2.0
The blatant Pvt Lynch knockoff is a little hard to stomach.
czargasm's review
4.0
Didn't care too much about the main character or the plot, but oh did I love the Tufa. I want to read a million books about the Tufa. I need an equivalent of The History of Middle Earth about the Tufa.
gharrethadekyn's review
4.0
I managed to finish this one off in about 24 hours. It was enjoyable, and it kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. There was a good air of mystery about the story and the characters -- whether because I never read the books description or intentional is debatable. I'd like to lean towards intentional. The story kept a good pace, and I never felt it was dragging. The characters were interesting enough to want to know more, and the background of the Tufa definitely drove the story. I'm interested to see what's next in store for Bronwyn.
violinknitter's review
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I only wish there'd been a playlist to listen to while I read!