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readinggrrl's review against another edition
4.0
I don't remember The Last Child but this book held up as a stand alone as well. Johnny lives in the Hush, its a strange and powerful place where people have been going missing for years and there is a strange presence that allows Johnny to feel connected to the earth, and heal from wounds almost instantly.
There is mystery and history to this land that goes back to when Johnny's ancestors owned it and slaves. The land was transferred to a slave family and has since reverted back to Johnny when the last male heir to that family died and he is fighting to keep it with the help of his best friend Jack.
Interesting story line that follows Johnny and a young African-American woman who have similar dreams. Their pasts intertwine and everything leads back to the Hush. Characters are well developed and while most of John Harts stories aren't supernatural in nature this one seems to fit. Very well done.
There is mystery and history to this land that goes back to when Johnny's ancestors owned it and slaves. The land was transferred to a slave family and has since reverted back to Johnny when the last male heir to that family died and he is fighting to keep it with the help of his best friend Jack.
Interesting story line that follows Johnny and a young African-American woman who have similar dreams. Their pasts intertwine and everything leads back to the Hush. Characters are well developed and while most of John Harts stories aren't supernatural in nature this one seems to fit. Very well done.
thereadingknitter's review against another edition
Ugh... I can handle some bad language but not GD over and over again.
missypy's review against another edition
5.0
Very good storytelling, paranormal with a touch of magic and curses.
lisadolak's review against another edition
4.0
This was very different for John Hart. While it follows the characters from The Last Child years later, it takes a turn not expected from this author. As long as you are willing to keep an open mind, you will like it. If you are looking for traditional John Hart, you might want to pass.
scnole2021's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
scrappymags's review against another edition
4.0
Scrappymags 3-word review: Supernaturally Thrilling Sequel
4.5 stars
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com
Genre: Mystery/Supernatural/Contemporary Fiction/Crime. A long-awaited sequel to one of my favorite books of all time, The Last Child (5 Stars). Not mandatory to read the first book but highly recommend.
Shortest summary ever: It’s 10 years after tragedy and Johnny Merriman is isolating himself from unwanted fame in his 6,000 acre forest/swamp NC home, one that holds an eerie and spectacular history.
Jack is still his best friend, a newly hired attorney at a prosperous law firm. Johnny requires his help with a legal matter over the land, but Jack senses something amiss on the land, a danger lurking that might not be entirely human... Why is Johnny so connected to this land and is it something worth dying for?
What’s good under the hood: like most sequels, it’s best to start with The Last Child (TLC) a book so astounding, touching, and heart-pounding I successfully converted scads of teenagers (okay 10 ) into readers by the mere thrill of the novel. That relationship helped with my rating as I felt the story jived with characters I connected to in the first book. That foundation was there thus I felt invested.
The suspense in the book is palpable. My dog barked while I was reading and took two years off my life, I was THAT on edge (bad Finnegan!!) That is an element Hart brilliantly retained in his writing from TLC. The suspense... that feeling of “what IS it?” drawn out into agonizing drama??
Damn right, I loved every second!
I also curiously (and pleasantly) enjoyed looking more into Jack's perspective in this novel as he was more the “side kick” to Johnny and eagerly and metaphorically loved kicking around the thoughts from his brain, learning what’s behind his character. I liked what I found.
What’s bad or made me mad:
Can’t say anything major. My 1/2 point off was simply I don’t think any sequel could measure up to TLC and there were a few motivations of characters I struggled with, but ultimately accepted. So in a nutshell, nothing major.
Recommend to:
If you read TLC you MUST read and I’d love to hear your feedback.
Lovers of the genre need to give this a try. It’s different in the irreverent way only Hart can do.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and Mr. Hart for an advanced copy (and delivering a rare and unexpectedly thrilling sequel) in exchange for this completely honest review.
4.5 stars
All my reviews available at scrappymags.com
Genre: Mystery/Supernatural/Contemporary Fiction/Crime. A long-awaited sequel to one of my favorite books of all time, The Last Child (5 Stars). Not mandatory to read the first book but highly recommend.
Shortest summary ever: It’s 10 years after tragedy and Johnny Merriman is isolating himself from unwanted fame in his 6,000 acre forest/swamp NC home, one that holds an eerie and spectacular history.
Jack is still his best friend, a newly hired attorney at a prosperous law firm. Johnny requires his help with a legal matter over the land, but Jack senses something amiss on the land, a danger lurking that might not be entirely human... Why is Johnny so connected to this land and is it something worth dying for?
What’s good under the hood: like most sequels, it’s best to start with The Last Child (TLC) a book so astounding, touching, and heart-pounding I successfully converted scads of teenagers (okay 10 ) into readers by the mere thrill of the novel. That relationship helped with my rating as I felt the story jived with characters I connected to in the first book. That foundation was there thus I felt invested.
The suspense in the book is palpable. My dog barked while I was reading and took two years off my life, I was THAT on edge (bad Finnegan!!) That is an element Hart brilliantly retained in his writing from TLC. The suspense... that feeling of “what IS it?” drawn out into agonizing drama??
Damn right, I loved every second!
I also curiously (and pleasantly) enjoyed looking more into Jack's perspective in this novel as he was more the “side kick” to Johnny and eagerly and metaphorically loved kicking around the thoughts from his brain, learning what’s behind his character. I liked what I found.
What’s bad or made me mad:
Can’t say anything major. My 1/2 point off was simply I don’t think any sequel could measure up to TLC and there were a few motivations of characters I struggled with, but ultimately accepted. So in a nutshell, nothing major.
Recommend to:
If you read TLC you MUST read and I’d love to hear your feedback.
Lovers of the genre need to give this a try. It’s different in the irreverent way only Hart can do.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press and Mr. Hart for an advanced copy (and delivering a rare and unexpectedly thrilling sequel) in exchange for this completely honest review.
fremom3's review against another edition
5.0
This book defies description. Mystery? Horror? Probably more the latter. However you classify THE HUSH, I just really, really loved it!
I’m backtracking now and reading THE LAST CHILD, which is apparently BOOK ONE! Authors/publishers really should be required to put some mention of the fact that books are part of a series!!! (One of my many peeves!)
A bit scary, a bit gross...mystical, magical.... I don’t even know what to say, but I loved the characters, and I could not stop until I was finished!
I’m backtracking now and reading THE LAST CHILD, which is apparently BOOK ONE! Authors/publishers really should be required to put some mention of the fact that books are part of a series!!! (One of my many peeves!)
A bit scary, a bit gross...mystical, magical.... I don’t even know what to say, but I loved the characters, and I could not stop until I was finished!
candiebella's review against another edition
4.0
Audio. Great reader. Atmospheric, creepy mystery set in a swamp. Second of two ( who knew) but I was able to still greatly enjoy it. Going to listen to the first one next.