The Hum and the Shiver

The Hum and the Shiver follows Private Bronwyn Hyatt, a wounded soldier returning to her hometown in the remote Appalachian mountains of East Tennessee. The story centers on the Tufa people, a mysterious dark-skinned group who inhabited the region before European settlers arrived and whose origins remain unknown to outsiders. Private Hyatt must readjust to life among her people - the secretive Tufa community - while dealing with both her physical injuries and the weight of being labeled a war hero. The Tufa's deep connection to music and their ancient traditions play a central role in the narrative, with songs and melodies serving as both magic and memory. The novel blends elements of contemporary military homecoming stories with Appalachian folklore and supernatural fantasy. This first installment in Bledsoe's six-book Tufa series introduces readers to a hidden world where Irish fairy descendants maintain their ancient ways in modern-day America. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the tension between tradition and change in isolated communities. Through its portrayal of the Tufa people, the story examines how cultural preservation and adaptation can coexist in contemporary society.

Readers describe this as a unique blend of Appalachian culture and fantasy elements. Many found the slow-building mystery and depiction of the Tufa people compelling. Liked: - Complex female protagonist - Authentic portrayal of rural Tennessee life - Musical elements woven throughout - Fresh take on American folklore - Character development Disliked: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Some found the ending rushed - Questions left unanswered about Tufa origins - Sexual content off-putting for some readers Multiple reviewers noted the book defies easy genre classification. Several praised Bledsoe's research into Appalachian culture and music traditions. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (3,400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (150+ ratings) "Like Charles de Lint set in the South," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "The magic feels natural rather than forced, growing organically from the setting."

American Gods by Neil Gaiman Hidden supernatural beings from various mythologies live in modern America, creating a similar exploration of ancient magic persisting in contemporary society.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab The integration of music, memory, and magic mirrors the Tufa's connection to their musical heritage.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen A Southern magical realism tale featuring a family with inherited supernatural gifts living in a small town.

Silver on the Road by Laura Anne Gilman Blends American frontier history with supernatural elements and focuses on isolated communities with their own laws and magic.

The Crow Road by Iain Banks A story of homecoming to a remote community with deep traditions and hidden histories that shape the present.

🎵 The Tufa people in the novel were inspired by the real-life Melungeon people, a mysterious mixed-race group historically found in Appalachia. 🪖 Author Alex Bledsoe drew from his Tennessee upbringing to create authentic Appalachian settings and dialogue in the novel. 🎸 The book is part of the "Tufa Novels" series, which consists of six books total, each exploring different aspects of this mystical community. 🍀 The novel blends Celtic fairy mythology with uniquely American frontier folklore, reflecting the historical migration patterns of Scots-Irish settlers to Appalachia. 🎼 Music plays a crucial role in the story, with each chapter title coming from a traditional folk song or ballad that relates to the chapter's content.