The Hush by Skye Melkewegner

“He was just a boy—the sherrif could see that—and he clearly couldn’t play real Music. Not the kind of music that came with a capital ‘M.’ Not Music that teased sorcery from the hidden melody of earth and air.”

Chester has taken to the road, traveling from village to village desperately searching for his father, who has disappeared. One night while fiddling to earn a few coins, he accidentally connects to the Song—the music that fuels every aspect of the world, and that it’s illegal for him to interact with. He’s caught and sentenced to death for his crime. Only a licensed Songshaper can bend music to his will. But someone in the crowd—a member of the infamous Nightfall Gang—stages a daring rescue and whisks Chester into the Hush, a shadowy nightmare mirror-world where Music can be deadly and Echoes can kill. Susannah, the Captain of the Nightfall Gang has been watching Chester. She needs him to pull off an elaborate plan that will take down the governing body that keeps her an outlaw and made her the fragment she is. Susanna needs him to exact her revenge, even if he dies doing it.
The Hush was such a captivating read! The idea of the hush in general is so enthralling, and the world-building was strong in this book. The way that the songshapers and the conservatorium is slowly built up in a way that makes it feel like a steady part of the story. What Chester lacks in money, he makes up in pure talent. But his father worked day and night just to put food on the table. This is why his sudden disappearance hits Chester as a shock. I particularly liked the way that the dual perspectives of Chester and Susannah show us both sides of the story. We get the vibe that Susannah knows something that she’s keep to herself … Either way, she’s a great character, and her mixed emotions make it hard to look away. Comparatively, Chester, is a pretty straightforward character with his intentions. Their pair up makes a great read, and I enjoyed the dynamics of the Nightfall Gang. Travis and Dot are especially adorable, and the teen heist aspect kept this book from feeling too heavy. There were enough twists in the plot to keep me flipping pages, but not so many that I was confused. The ending was surprising, and left me completely shocked. The story was tied together well, but with no loose ends, and nothing excessive. Overall, it was a wonderful read, with an absolutely stunning cover.