Justine's Thoughts: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)
By Becca Fitzpatrick

Source: Won a signed copy 
Pages:  427

A quote:

Everything had come into sharp focus : his smooth words, his black, glinting eyes, his broad experience with lies, seduction, women. I'd fallen in love with the devil.

Thoughts (Vague Spoilers):

Expectations: I’ve heard many things about Crescendo with the majority being that it is unfortunately not so good as Hush, Hush. And I might have to agree because I still have mixed feelings about the novel.

About Setting: It has a very ominous setting in Coldwater, Maine considering that it is a place where a lot of fallen angels are found. Nora lives in a farmhouse with her mom gone almost at all times, which leaves her alone and free to do anything. In front of the farmhouse is a forest, which would look creepy at night. The overall setting feels like an almost deserted area with a really eerie air.

About Characters: Nora is her usual self. The difference is: she does more of her silly decision making and her emotions are going berserk. Not that I blame her for the latter -- I think I would be utterly confused about the signs Patch is giving. Patch is more mysterious than usual as well. He is keeping things from Nora and it’s obviously driving her insane. The swooning feeling I’ve felt for him has disappeared since it seems like he’s missing in most parts of the novel. Instead, when he comes into a scene I feel a sort of aching that must come from Nora and her pain that Patch is causing.

Vee is still so amazing...how I missed her! I love her attitude and her endless talks and her brilliant comebacks. Marcie, on the other hand, is the root of Vee’s comebacks (since Nora doesn’t do anything about Marcie). She is a selfless bitch who likes making Nora suffer. There is also a new character named Scott who is from Nora’s past and he becomes a part of an important revelation. More information about Nora’s parents is unravelled, but again by the end of the novel I was left with nagging questions about Patch’s actions. But hey, we get to find out Patch’s real name!

About Plot: Like in Hush, Hush the mystery and suspense aspects were ever present. They perfectly went well with the dark setting. I was always curious to know what was going on because I said before that I felt confused almost all the time. Especially with Nora’s emotions jumping to and fro all the time that it seem like she’s PMSing. She just cannot make up her mind! But whoa, the twists are there waiting to spring at you. I for sure was caught up in it. The ending leaves you with a cliffhanger just when it was starting to get good. Ouch for me.

Overall Rating: Y Y Y Y
It was either a 3 or a 4 for this one and I waited until the end before I decided. It turns out that’s when everything became clear. Becca Fitzpatrick can really keep you out of the loop and waiting then she gets you real good. What a talent she has. And what a wait it will be to get my hands on Silence.

Justine's Thoughts: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush
By Becca Fitzpatrick

Pages:

391

Book Description (from Goodreads):

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

A quote:

“Killer skirt, deadly legs.”

Any thoughts:

First of all, I’d like to thank Pixie from Page Turners for giving me a signed ARC of Hush, Hush. *applauds* This is the first I’ve ever gotten and it still feels so special! I shall treasure it always.

Second of all, I’d just like to do one thing. Insert a squeal here that lasts a full minute.

Now that that’s over, we can move on.

The book started out with a prologue and then it began to move fast. Our main guy, Patch (awesome name, yes?) is mentioned from the very beginning and our heroine, Nora, starts the first chapter. I have to admit that there are a few similarities to Twilight, especially in the beginning, but it’s all about how the author delivers it. My verdict? Hush, Hush is better, hotter, more intense than Twilight and I suggest it to all fans of the series who would love a steamy romance.

Anyway, let’s start with the idea of the book. Angels are interesting to write about and that’s what made me want to read this book. Then when I heard about the romance, boy did my desire to read it went increasingly high! The story behind it is interesting, too -- some unexpected turns pop up here and there and I just didn’t know what to guess anymore. I loved that mysterious aspect of it all.

Onto the characters: Nora. I think she’s a pretty good heroine though she is often out of her mind for making silly choices, such as lurking about by herself in an alley at night. She’s independent and I like that about her, actually. Her reactions were realistic, in my opinion, like when she calls the police during certain situations, which she does many times. She knew what to do even in times of panic, although sometimes Patch had the opposite effect on her. Patch is, um, how do I sum it up in a sentence? He is just so...amazing. Haha, what an attempt. Scratch that, please. Patch is mysteriously sexy and dangerous, even Nora can feel it. His smiles send shivers up Nora’s spine, his touch makes the hair on the back of her neck stand up, and his desire for her makes ME want to... Okay, I’ll just leave that sentence be. But beneath the dark, dangerous kind of guy, there’s a soft spot. Nora brings it out from him and it is why I’ve always been rooting for them all throughout the book!

I am now finished this half decent review. Gee, this is probably the first one that has made me berserk enough to insert a squeal in the beginning.

And one more thing. Goodbye Edward, hello Patch!

Steff's Blurbs: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

"Reeling me closer, he didn't stop until I was directly in front of him. Suddenly he lifted me onto the counter. My face was level with his. He fixed me with a dark, inviting smile. And that's when I realized this moment had been dancing around the edge of my fantasies for several days now." pg 126

Babbling Blurb:
A few days ago, my dearest friend Justine sent me a text saying how I must read this new book that she is completely hooked on. She was very insistant and even offered to lend me her copy so how could I refuse? Some of her praises included things like, "You will not be able to put it down!" and "It is SO MUCH better than Twilight!" and after reading it (in less than a day), my verdict is: she's right.

Hush, Hush combines romance and fantasy into one addicting novel. There were parts where I was kept on the edge of my seat while other parts got me squealing like a fangirl. Patch, the hero, (who I admit can be described as a stalker) can probably get any of you girls to swoon over him. After all, what girl can resist the bad boy charm? You can check off mysterious, dark, and handsome down your list of fantasy dreamboat qualities. Throw in a likeable heroine, a great setting, and a dark plot to keep the story going and you've got yourself a page turner.

~A note from Steff: This is my first official post! Woohooo! I am incredibly excited to be a part of this blog! :D Wish me luck? ^.^ And I hope you all like my new "section". Feels like I'm getting my own column on a newspaper. Teehee.