A Novel of the Tufa (Tufa Novels Book 1) - The Hum and the Shiver

Lost tribes, Atlantas, Ultima Thule, and now we add fairies that immegrated to America to live in Appalachia. It was a little difficult to wrap my incredulity around, but to her credit, the author makes it palusable enough. People who want to be left alone and the encroaching pressure of the outside world make fertile ground for the story.

I am most impressed with the tale that Alex Bledsoe wove in the HUM AND THE SHIVER. His words take you into a world that is like and unlike our own. It was a book that drew me in, held me captive and I could hardly wait to read the next one. I am anxiously awaiting the third in the triology.

This book kept my attention from the first page to the last page, then I was sorry that the book ended. I felt like I was part of the community. Great read! If you haven't read it yet, do so. You won't be disappointed.

This is another good idea that was not fully realized. A very short story stuffed with tedious details that have nothing to do with the story. We spend a good chapter coming to understand a haint that is visiting a family. Haints cannot be ignored and have important messages which must be heard. This particular haint appears on nearly ever page of the book, described in repetitive (and mostly ridiculous) gory detail. And it is ignored and we never hear its message. Seriously. Never.
Our protagonist is a young, sexually adventurous woman. You'll initially have the idea that this pocket of humanity is a bit more progressive than most- but no. The slut shaming is endless. Every woman in the book is rapaciously horny and every man is a) a docile farm animal who worships his woman or b) a vicious mysogenist filled with baseless, pointless rage.
They're magical...but so what? A lot of shoulder shrugging and guess work about what the "Wind" wants and hiding who they are and constant descriptions of music and people playing music and terrible lyrics to songs that have a lot of meaning to the characters but not to you.
And there are sequels!

Held my attention from beginning to end and stayed up to finish. Didn't like the beginning as the author used true stories from East Tn to weave the storyline and set the stage for this book. Especially didn't like the rename of Sneedville to Needsville. I feel this book begins as historical fiction instead of an original work of fiction; then the story takes flight.

In a remote valley in rural Tennessee, a group of people live quietly, keeping to themselves and uninterested in contact with a bigger world. Collectively, the group is known as the Tufa and rumors are spread about them. All the Tufa have long, black, shiny hair, dark eyes that shine with light and are dark-complected. The other thing known about them is that music plays an integral part in their lives and most of them are accomplished musicians. Some say that when the first settlers made their way to the valley, the Tufa were already there in place. Some say they have supernatural power. But the Tufa don't say much at all.

Things are stirred when one of their own is returned as a military hero. Unlike most Tufa, Bronwyn Hyatt left and joined the army, serving in Iran. When she is injured and rescued after killing ten of the enemy in an encounter, the nation wants to know more about her and how she did what she did. She is returned with great fanfare, injured to the point where months of recuperation and rehabilitation will be necessary. Or at least that's what conventional medicine would say.

The Hyatt family wants only to be left alone. Chloe and Duncan have been married for many years, raising their children, Kell, Bronwyn and Aiden. They don't want the fanfare surrounding Bronwyn's return. They just want to return to their own ways. Signs have been brewing that trouble is coming and they need their family to be intact and ready to face whatever is on the way.

Two outsiders come into the valley at the same time. Don Swayback is a reporter, his career waning as he just hasn't been that interested in years. He's heard family talk that he is related to the Tufa somewhere back in his history and that as well as Bronwyn's return sparks his interest. Craig Chess is a total outsider. He has been assigned to his first post after his ordination as a minister and he knows he has a tough road ahead trying to interest the Tufa in his religion.

As Bronwyn settles in with her family, trouble mounts. Her wild boyfriend from before her military service is fresh out of prison and determined to get her back. She is equally determined to resist him. Is this the trouble that the omens are warning of?

Alex Bledsoe grew up in Tennessee so it is not unusual that he has chosen it as the locale of this fantasy series, currently at six novels with this one as the introduction to the Tufa clan. The Hum And The Shiver was chosen as a Kirkus Best Novel in 2011, and the series continues to win praise. This novel is recommended for readers of modern fantasy.

The Hum and the Shiver was a really interesting premiere -- although it definitely reads more like the pilot to an ongoing (but probably episodic) series than a standalone tale in its own right. This novel introduces us to the Tufa, a reclusive pre-Columbian ethnic group possibly descended from faeries and still living (and dancing and fiddling) in the hills of modern-day Tennessee. Bledsoe’s narrative skills translate well from the sword-and-sorcery novels I had previously known him for into this contemporary setting, and this new batch of characters is fleshed out enough that I could probably overlook the love triangle at its core to keep reading more of their stories. Unfortunately, I think I’m kind of over sex-obsessed female characters written by men, so this may not be the right series for me. I do like Bledsoe’s writing style (and, full disclosure: we’re Facebook friends), but this may be a series I’d rather just hear about rather than read.

This book really touched my heart. Ever so often, a book will touch the soul. This one was like that. It was a rare treasure to find. I’m not sure if it’s because of being set in the Appalachian mountains and I live there or it’s mysterious qualities and folklore. Whatever it was, I could feel it in my bones. The natural beauty of the mountains here and the unexplainable sense I have always felt from nature and being outdoors in the summer have always been something I could just feel. The author brings this alive in his words. He is so amazing in his gift of being able to capture that. I’m so happy he chose to share that with the rest of the world. This is a true masterpiece. And if you read this book and can’t feel the hum or can’t relate and it seems boring, then I guess that means you’re not a Tufa lol.

The Tufa are an enigmatic people, living almost exclusively in Cloud County, in the backwoods of Tennessee. No one knows exactly where they came from, or how they ended up in Cloud County. And the Tufa aren't exactly willing to share their secrets with outsiders. They live their lives in their homes and towns, and have little interaction with the outside world. Except for Bronwyn Hyatt, pure Tufa and First Daughter. who, restless and resentful of a tradition that would dictate her destiny, left Cloud County and enlisted in the Army. Now, wounded and decorated a hero, she returns home to heal. But there are signs that only the Tufa recognize pointing to something terrible about to happen, and it is pushing Bronwyn toward something she may not be prepared for.

This was an interesting book. It is not a big, adventuresome fantasy, with larger-than-life heroes and fast-paced action like Bledsoe's Eddie LaCrosse novels. This is more internal and can seem to be a bit slow in spots. But the characters are true, the mystery is multi-faceted, and the plot, while a bit thin in spots, is quite workable. Bronwyn is a layered character: tough soldier, strong-willed woman, loyal family member, scared little girl, all of whom are battling not only physical scars, but inner ones, too.

The mystery of the Tufa is never completely explained, but it is strongly hinted at, and it is an undercurrent that weaves in and out of the story, and lends it an otherworld quality, even though it is firmly set in the present day Tennessee woods. Music is an integral part of the legend and lives of all the Tufa and the melodies wind through everyone's lives and stories. Part of Bronwyn's struggle is to re-awaken her own music, which she seems to have lost somewhere in her quest to forge her own way.

The Hum and the Shiver is not the story for those looking for high fantasy, adventure, and a quick, fast plot. This one is slower-paced, yes, but that suits the Tufa and Bronwyn's quest to finally find herself and her place in a world that is facing changes it can't deny any longer. It's a good read, a satisfying read, and you will finish wanting to read more.

This is truly an enchanting book. There are very few books that hit me so thoroughly that I want to go FIND the characters and the village, but this was one of those books - the kind I'll still remember years from now. It totally wrapped me up in the location, the mystery of the Tufa, and the characters. I was a little hesitant about buying it, but the many excellent reviews convinced me, and I'm so glad I took the chance. It is very different from other books, especially since it is what you might classify as urban paranormal, but in an extremely rural setting. The way the music is integrated into the story is lovely, and the hints about these strange people come out slowly. When I finished, I was so wrapped up in this world and these people, that I immediately moved on to more of the stories because I didn't want to leave Needsville. If you are old enough to remember Zenna Henderson's stories about The People, the Tufa books are in the same vein and have the same rural enchantment (although the answer to the mystery is not the same at all).

This book was fabulously good! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started to read it. I didn't realize that there was a fantasy component to the book when I started reading it. The story was very entertaining and felt very fresh to me. There is a slight fantasy element to the book, but it not over done. I don't normally keep books after I have read them. I always take them down to a local little free library. I am very tempted to keep this one and not pass it on, but then I would be denying someone else the chance to discover this fabulous book. I already have the next books in this series ready to read.

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but the opinion is all my own.

Having grown up in these Tennessee mountains, books that are set here tend to draw my attention. If that book is well written, it keeps my attention. These novels are set in northeast Tennessee and I grew up in southeast Tennessee but it is the same mountains. A lot of the language that seems 'out of place' to most people was music to my ears. My folks grew up here when it was so much more isolated than it is now so much of Alex's tales are like sitting listening to my mama reminisce about life in these hills.

The tale grabbed me. I finished it and went quickly to the second. Now I am waiting for the third to be delivered. When I finish it, I will go for the next one.

I really wanted to like this book because it came highly recommended by people I trust. BUT ... I just can't like it. The plot is pretty thin and there isn't enough character development to keep my interest. I grew up in that area of the Smokies and love the folklore and stories and song he weaves into the story. But redneck hillbilly fae? Ugh. I just can't wrap my mind around that. Doesn't work for me. And the author doesn't know how to write about a woman who's been traumatized. I'm sorry but I just don't buy that a woman who's been through what Bronwyn has been through would bounce back relatively unscathed after a couple of weeks at home. Not even a magical Fae woman who returns to her land tied space. Nope, don't buy it. Her rape at the hands of her captors is just sort of blown off. And one session with her friend just tuning that mandolin and wham, all the music and magic comes flooding back? Uh ... no. And what was up with the side story of Swayback, the reporter? It never went anywhere. What was his purpose in the story. Just too awkward for me. Glad I got it from the library and didn't spend money on it. I so wanted to like it, but really, I just didn't.

A flesh and blood fantasy for discerning adults. In the first chapter, I really couldn't see where this was coming from (or why) and where it would go. From the second chapter, I was completely drawn in by ‘Hum’s’ believable characters, born of an ancient mythology but thriving in a modern though still mysterious corner of the south. Anne Rice created lush, elegant, magical creatures who seduce in shadows and candlelight, but Bledsoe’s overall-wearing, down-to-earth beings will take you in broad daylight, with hands calloused from farming and fiddle-playing. These are believable, magical folk that you might pass in your grocery store and barely give a second glance to, although you might feel a shiver. Their power, along with the power of the plot, is not to be underestimated. This was the most satisfying fantasy novel I’ve read in years, and I’m looking forward to the music of the rest of the series.

Taking elements of life that all readers can enjoy and find a piece of themselves in, bestselling author Alex Bledsoe returns with the thrilling read THE HUM AND THE SHIVER. We get to meet Bronwyn who had run from her family and its secrets and literary into war---only to be injured both emotionally and physically before having to return home. It is upon her return that she realizes that there is nothing that has seemingly stopped the inevitable nature of her life and her destiny, and it is something that has to be confronted before it destroys them all.

With a cast of characters that have their own torments to deal with, the book also dabbles in the evil that seems all around them, searching for its next victim. For me the story was much more about the way that life happens to us, whether we are prepared for it or not. It is also about the building of character and inner strength, something that not just Bronwyn had to learn but her mother and others as well.

Rich with themes that anyone who enjoys a great read will take in and want to share, THE HUM AND THE SHIVER allows us to leave the cares of our own world and settle into those of the author's creation. A definite must read of the year.

The Hum and the Shiver by Alex Bledsoe is hopefully the first book in a series about the Tufa people of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Bronwyn Hyatt is returning home a decorated war hero and international celebrity after her capture by Iraqis and subsequent rescue. But she's unsure about how she feels returning home to everything that she fled years ago, including her reputation as the Bronwynator. As a Tufa, there are expectations upon her, especially as a First Daughter, that she's spent her life running from, but she finds that being home begins to heal some of the places within her soul. A new pastor has come to the area hoping to lure some of the mysterious Tufa to his church, but their cheerful disinterest makes him curious about this enigmatic people who were here before the Europeans came to America and have an unusual relationship with music. Bledsoe has filled this novel with a fascinating set of characters, but even better a breathtaking view of the Tufa, whose mysteries and traditions fills the novel with fantasy and wonder. Bledsoe has created an unusual character in Bronwyn who is unrepentantly sexy, fiercely independent, and trying to figure out her role in an ancient culture. Bledsoe kept several secrets while also delivering some shocking revelations; I sincerely hope there is another book soon, because I don't know how long I can stand to wait!

As an avid reader and compulsive book buyer, I have yet to write a review on any book aside from what I mention on my Facebook page, until now. This book can be summed up in four words: Magic, mystery, mountains and music. They are all intertwined and play important roles in the development of both the story and the characters. This book has broad appeal, from fantasy readers, to those interested in people not quite like ourselves, and for anyone who likes to learn the secrets of others even though they might not have the privilege of doing so. The people in the story are loosely based on a real group of people and the Smoky Mountains paint a vivid backdrop to the communities the Tufa keep. The story carries with it hints and suggestions about what the Tufa might actually be, it builds steadily throughout hinting that these people are not, well, people. But that is all I will say regarding the story itself. This story left me feeling that I was learning secrets that I should not be allowed to keep and certainly don't have the right to share. I even posted something related to the end of the story on Facebook last night and then removed it. It felt wrong. The Hum and the Shiver is about the magic carried on the wind and shared in music. The use of magic is subtle but the power carried on a song and in a whisper is powerful. The author does not think the reader a fool, so he does not give secrets away easily. We spend time learning what we need to about the characters across the entire span of the story. Readers will want to know more sooner but are only shown what some of the characters work very hard throughout to understand. We learn what they learn, at their pace and it is at time frustrating. You as the reader know there is something much bigger at work but it takes time. You have to learn the song as it is revealed. I am a fan of King, Crichton, and Gaiman. This story holds its own across the genres represented by the aforementioned authors. More people need to read this book. I will be up front with my biases. I love the Appalachian mountains, especially the Smoky Mountains. I have been aware of and intrigued by the real life people suggested by the Tufa and have a great affection for Bluegrass and Folk music. All of these things combined with their magic create a world not quite like ours, but one that exists within ours. I enjoyed the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss and after his masterful use of music as a character, I longed for a story that again uses music as a central theme. Thus, The Hum and The Shiver by Alex Bledsoe. Even though music plays a different role, it is necessary and powerful, as is the story. I have books 2 and 3, Wisp of a Thing and Long Black Curl lined up on my shelf and ready to go.

This story was so well written, evoked a culture so real that I googled it to make sure that Ms. Bledsoe actually had made it up.

The Tufa are a mysterious mountain folk that aren't mountain folk. There's something almost beyond mysterious... perhaps mystic about them.

This is the story of Bronwyn: a Tufa who left (and they don't do well when they leave), a war hero/victim, a first daughter, and a complete rebel. Her story (back and forward) are wrapped very well in the intricate customs and music of her people.

There are good outside perspectives from a minister and bad ones from a rather trite good-ol-boy-bad-cop. Just to keep it in balance, I suppose, and show how very unreal this people are.

I got caught up in both the plot and the descriptions, and it was a wonderful ride. Highly recommend this book.

(*)>

I expected to love "The Hum and The Shiver," especially based on the glowing reviews I found here. Unfortunately, I found it to be a bit of a letdown. While Bronwen began as a very compelling character, she gradually devolved into a whiny self-involved brat who made it a point of pride to do the opposite of whatever was asked of her. Not the attitude one sees in anyone who has served in the military, or anyone remotely mature. The mystery of the Tufa was handled very badly, and what should have been the central theme of the book was fumbled more often than not. I was left scratching my head at some passages that insinuated that something magical just happened (such as the dancing in the barn -- were they flying? Why wasn't it spelled out?), but without any real idea of what or why. The idea of the Tufa as a people was potentially fascinating -- however the potential was never fully realized and I found the story clumsy and poorly executed. There was a great deal of gratuitous vulgarity and violence that seemed to be a nod to the cliche of the red neck mountain folk, but why the Tufa would be rednecks given their insular community is anybody's guess. The most important aspect of this supposedly ancient people is continuation of the pure bloodline, yet they marry outside the group, which is counter intuitive. They are so insular that they have a secret language of hand signals, and so magical that they can fly and see ghosts, yet they go to college, join the military, and hide in plain sight -- while also behaving like uncivilized, uneducated hicks. To say I found the story confusing would be a great understatement. I am hopeful that since this is the first book of what appears to be a series, perhaps the 2nd book might be better. However, I'm not sure I will be able to trust reviews based on what I've read so far.

I found the ending particularly laughable. In what is meant to be a pivotal scene, two characters meet in a library where they have been sent to see a mysterious painting. The painting turns out to be of fairies and a man with an axe. They describe a woman who is in the painting, and that her face is not visible, yet both recognize her as Bronwen. How do you recognize someone in a painting where the face is not visible when the whole premise of the Tufa is how very much they look alike -- particularly Bronwen and her mother. I do not know Mr. Bledsoe's other work, but so far, I'm less than impressed with his ability to manage a plot.

The Tufa are a fascinating people with secrets hidden underneath their secrets, and Bronwyn is an imperfect and tortured protagonist who nonetheless captures your heart. Bledsoe's writing is as sharp, evocative, and forceful as any author I have ever read; he draws you so deeply into the East Tennessee world of the Tufa, you are shocked to put down the book and find yourself on the couch at home. You live and breath and sing with the Tufa, and ache and cry and wonder with every character in this entralling book. There is magic hidden on the gravel roads of Cloud Country; the kind of magic that could only come from the creative mind of the amazing Alex Bledsoe.

I was up half the night finishing this book and I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Alex Bledsoe never disappoints, but this time he has really surpassed himself. This is a must read book.

Whoa! I read "The Hum and the Shiver", thought about it for a week or two then read it again. I'm hooked, and I want to read more. I love the idea of these 'Tufa' people in the mountains, quietly living alongside the ordinary folk while holding onto their own strange, ancient ways. I love it that they're a matriarchal bunch, where the women run the show and own their own sexuality. I love it that their power and their understanding of the world is deeply rooted in music. I love it that Bronwyn can be both a wild, rebellious and sexually charged woman, and a First Daughter wise enough to see that new ways can and will be found to allow them to continue to flourish in the modern world. So how about it Alex -- are you working on a sequel? Will Wayne Swayback ever take his wife Susie to a barn dance? Will Craig the minister accept it that Bronwyn is willing to marry him but WILL absolutely bear a daughter sired by someone else? And when, oh when, will mountain music be added to the audio versions of what I hope will be a long-running series of books?

There are two main things that bothered me about this book: 1. Basing your fictional character upon a real living person (Jessica Lynch), is uninspired and disrespectful. 2. it is incredibly boring. There's not really much mystery going on, and no one really does anything. Cliches abound (power mad redneck cop anyone?), accompanied by lots of shaming, victim blaming, rape as a character builder, etc.

Lots of things about the "Tufa" culture (hand signals, omens, etc) seem familiar, but I just can't place where I've read something like this before. All that keeps popping in my head is that movie "Practical Magic."

I am very disappointed in this book. I enjoyed Bledsoe's "Eddie Lacrosse" series, which is the only reason I picked this up in the first place. I managed to finish this, but I will not be reading the second.

Slowly pulls the reader into the story, feeding out intriguing tidbits of information. Is it a returned hero from the war story, mountain folk story, mystery? A bit of all plus a sense of fantasy?
I am married to an Appalachian fellah, so I know they like to keep to themselves, big on family and wary of strangers. This is how the story of the Tufa read to me.
I know there's more to it and each reader will have to find out for themselves. Know that it is worth the read. Absolutely worth it. I found characters I admired, some I loathed, some were a bit of both, rooting for them, ready to smack them upside the back of the cranium. All intriguing.
It's more than about one character, each person tells the story.
An outstanding story. Cannot wait to read the rest.
Definitely recommend

I am drawn to the Southern United States, even though I'm born in Toronto, moved to Israel as a teen, and now split my time 70/30 between Israel and Ireland. I love the accent, and find the men hot (at least the young, fit, good-looking ones!).
I'm also drawn to Fantasy and SF. This book was reviewed in one of the SF & Fantasy magazines, and I bought it on my kindle in a few minutes. Then I didn't get a chance to read it for months - I read a lot, and The Hum & the Shiver was a ways down the list. I finally got to the book, and couldn't put it down.
I loved the plot, the characters, the mystery, everything. And after some of the really hot men were described, I wanted to jump on a flight to Atlanta with an onward connection! I read about the Melangeons (spelling?) on whom the Tufa people are styled, and am very impressed with the author's ability to make a whole culture come alive, as if all the characters were personally known to him/her (I don't know the sex of the author).
I can't wait for more in the series.

I chose and purchased The Hum and the Shiver based on a review from Kirkus Reviews. I don't read in the supernatural/fantasy genre much, but was intrigued by the premise of the book, a reluctant and severely wounded (both physically and emotionally) war hero returning to her home and all of the secrets and struggles she had joined the army to leave behind.

The protagonist of the story, Bronwyn Hyatt, is a fascinating character. Throughout the story she struggles with the conflict between the responsibilities she has as a "first-daughter" in the secretive and mysterious Tufa community and her own sense of self and independence. The power she holds by virtue of her pure bloodlines and the supernatural attributes of first daughters in her "race/species?" are vital to the health and balance of her people, but she chafes and the limitations and the expectations that come with this power. The final resolution of the conflict is satisfying and empowering.

At once smart and sexy, Brownyn and the book are both enchanting. This is the best read I have had in a while. There are lots of openings for further novels with this set of characters, plenty unanswered questions about the Tufa, and Brownyn is such a likable character that I am looking forward to and hoping for further installments.