REVIEW: Crescendo( HUSH,HUSH #2) by BECCA FITZPATRICK

Title: Crescendo
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Genre: YA (Urban Paranormal Fantasy)

Why did I read the book: I loved the first Book HUSH,HUSH (already reviewed) a lot and couldn't leave the series behind.
[I must say here that all the books of this series have got absolutely catchy cover pictures.]
How did I get the book: Download the Ebook after reading the first book.

The Story:"The fingers of the thorn-apple tree clawed at the windowpane behind Harrison Grey, and he dog-eared his page, no longer able to read through the racket. "

Nora Grey’s life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. But Patch has been acting anything but angelic lately. He’s more elusive than ever and, even worse, he’s started spending time with Nora’s arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who’s moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott’s totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him – despite her lingering feeling that he’s hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her Nephilim bloodlines has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly dangerous situations as she searches for answers. But some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything – and everyone – she trusts.What she doesn't realize is that the person trying to kill her is closer than she thinks.

My Point-Of-View:[#Spoiler Alert]

This eagerly anticipated sequel to Hush, Hush is part love story, part supernatural thriller complete with surprising plot twists. The book picks up with Patch and Nora just a few weeks after the ending of Hush, Hush so there's ot much to miss.

The romantic relationship between Patch and Nora is complicated, titillating, seductive, and at times explosive.  Nora continues to have doubts about her relationship with Patch and she begins to question his loyalty.  Nora is very different now than when we first met her in Hush, Hush.

•  “I tended to be more a romantic than a realist, and chose blind faith over cold logic.”-Nora
• “Any happiness, no matter how brief, seemed better than the long, simmering torture of waking up day after day, knowing I could never have him.”
• “Did I really want to stay on this road longer, knowing it was only going to end in devastation?”

In many ways her character has grown, but at the same time she’s a little immature.This is the part of the book I liked most.It has a tinge of humor, possessiveness and definitely something quick and trendy attitudes.

“Don’t start. I saw Marcie climb inside your Jeep.”

“She needed a ride.”

I adopted a hands-on-hips pose. “What kind of ride?”

“Not that kind of ride,” he said slowly.”

Emotions run high throughout, and I was actually surprised to see Nora fall prey to pettiness, jealously, envy, and selfishness.

•  “Wondered why it was the people that I loved the most who could disappoint me the hardest.”
•  “I needed him like I'd never needed anyone.”
• “The only thing a boyfriend was good for was a shattered heart.”

Some readers have had mixed reactions to Patch.  Some readers have described him as overly aggressive, mean, manipulative, devious, and even gone so far as calling him a sexual predator.

“Touch her,” he said in Scott’s ear, his voice low and threatening, “and it’ll be the biggest regret of your life.”

Before leaving, Patch flicked his eyes once in my direction.

“He’s not worth it.” He paused. “And neither am I.”

Then there's always touch of Vee Sky, Nora's best friend's humors.

• Nora:“I held out my hot dog, which had grown cold."Do you want this?" Vee:"No way.You're going to need it. If anything bad happens, just take a bite.Ten seconds later, you'll fell all warm and happy inside.”
•  “The guy I've got my eye on happens to be hot. Off-the-charts hot. Hotter-than-Patch hot.' She paused. 'Well maybe not that hot. Nobody's that hot.”

Sometimes Fitzpatrick kept the light scenes between first flowing suspense and mystic episodes.

“I’m going to grab a cheeseburger,” I told Patch. “Want anything?”

“Nothing on the menu.”

I smiled. “Why, Patch, are you flirting with me?”

This is a great continuation of the first book. It picks up a mere two weeks after the first one ends, which means that the reader hasn’t missed much. Nora’s emotional strength has obviously grown, which makes her easier to root for and love. Patch’s character will have readers in a love/hate struggle, which makes the story much more interesting. The series can only get better from here, considering the cliffhanger that Fitzpatrick leaves us with in this book!

But what’s really so wonderful about Crescendo, is the way Fitzpatrick balances the everyday — summer school, getting a job, dealing with the bully — with the supernatural — that is, fallen angels, guardian angels, Nephilim and the like. The two aspects of the novel never feel stark or in contradiction; rather, they blend seamlessly into one another. There’s never a jarring jolt out of or into “reality.”
Crescendo is also delightfully action-packed, with a cinematic climax that will get your pulse pounding. Every time it seems like the narrative stops to pause — giving the reader a chance to catch their breath — something happens to get your adrenaline pumping yet again. It’s one of those quintessential “page-turners.” And I do love a good action scene. The climax, itself, is written wonderfully and is extremely visual. Fitzpatrick’s written it so vividly that it was as if the scene itself came to life before my eyes while I was reading. I could see it; I could hear it; I could taste it. It had a very cinematic quality to it. In the last page and a half, Fitzpatrick whisks you away on another whirlwind. It happened so fast, I had to go back the next day and reread the last chapter. 

Notable Quotes:

• “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
• “Sometimes bad things have to happen before good things can.”

Verdict: As it is said "Just as the drawn-out plot answers Nora’s lingering questions, it introduces a new dilemma and opener for another sequel".

I would really recommend this book to teens with a passion for romance, suspense and mysterious lovers.

Rating: My rating for Crescendo is 3.5 stars out of 5.
Next Read: The next book in the series Silence as Nora and Patch's story advances.