Book Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick.

Product details:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Hardcover, 432 pages.
Release date: October 14th 2010.
Rating: 4½ out of 5.
Ages: 14 +
Series: Hush, Hush #2
Other books in series: Hush, Hush.
Source: Received from publisher for review.

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

A compulsive page-turner with non-stop plot twists and relentless action, Crescendo demands to be read in one sitting. Once you start this one, you may not be able to stop till you’re done. Even better than Hush, Hush, here Fitzpatrick’s writing is more refined, the storyline richer, the action more intense and the romance even more sizzling hot than before! Sometimes while reading Hush, Hush, I felt that things got a little predictable, but I can guarantee you that won’t happen here. Hush, Hush fans, this has everything you’ve been waiting for, and more!

We delve back into Nora Grey’s life as she is enjoying her first summer of love with guardian angel, Patch. He’s still a sexy bad boy at heart, but his love for Nora knows no bounds, and things are definitely getting steamy as they spend long summer days and nights on Delphic Beach. Life couldn’t be more perfect, until strangely Patch starts keeping his distance from Nora. Even worse he’s started hanging out with Nora’s sworn enemy Marcie Millar. If that wasn’t enough, Nora’s old childhood friend Scott has returned to the scene and is hiding some dark secrets of his own. Meanwhile, Nora is still haunted by images of her dead father, and her determination to find out what really happened on the night he died could lead to major trouble for her, and the emergence of a whole new set of enemies.

In Crescendo, everybody is hiding a secret or else has their own agenda. Becca Fitzpatrick weaves a tale full of unpredictable plot twists, and in the end, I just didn’t know who to trust. In Patch, Fitzpatrick has created a total enigma. He’s a difficult guy to figure out. When he was first introduced in Hush, Hush, I went weak at the knees for him, but I also had major trust issues with him, and those issues were still there throughout Crescendo. Nora is wise to his ways though, and has developed as a character since she first fell for Patch. She’s stronger, sassier and smarter in this book, although she still takes some stupid risks at times. Vee also returns in this book, and her friendship with Nora provides some welcome comic relief from the non-stop threats to Nora’s safety. With Patch withdrawing from Nora and otherwise occupied, it’s time to introduce some new characters into the mix. Enter mysterious new boy Scott and Patch’s friend Rixon who has a new love interest all of his own. Nora’s old enemy Marcie Millar also features prominently here, and she’s a character you’re really going to love to hate!

Out of all the things I loved about this book, I have to say the best part was the ending which totally caught me by surprise. There are some major plot twists and revelations throughout this book, and then just when I thought Becca Fitzpatrick was all out of surprises, she sprung that ending on me!  Talk about a cliffhanger!  I was not expecting it at all, and I can’t believe I have to wait a whole year to see what happens next. With this book, the Hush, Hush, series has become one of my favourites. It’s a really great read and highly recommended. I can’t wait to read more!

* In Crescendo, you’ll also find out Patch’s real name. I’m not going to tell you what it is (sorry!), but I will say that it's a definite improvement on Patch. :)