Review: HUSH, HUSH

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Format:Hardcover

Dimensions:400 Pages, 6.3 x 8.6 x 1.28 in

Published:October 13, 2009

Publisher:Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

ISBN - 10:1416989412
ISBN - 13:9781416989417

List Price: $19.99 CAD, $9.99 US (paperback), $10.87 CAD

Purchase At: Chapters, Amazon, The Book Depository

Rating: 4.5/5

Falling in love was never so easy . . .or so deadly.

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.

Where to begin with this book? I just finished it the other day after only beginning it Monday night. I mean I could have finished it Monday night if I didn’t have to wake up early for that whole work thing. I started this book thinking I would read a bit and then put it down and go to bed. Oh boy how wrong was I? I found myself immediately attached to the story and before I knew it the book was almost finished and the clock read 12:30am.

This story was fascinating and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. I had no idea where the story was going to end up taking me - most of my assumptions were exactly the same as Nora (I'm not very trustworthy I guess). It was a definite page gripping tale of a girl who strives too hard and never takes a break and the boy who makes her see the danger and unexpected, that life has to offer.

I’ve read a few reviews and some people completely disliked Hush, Hush where others LOVED it! And I mean, adored, addictive never give it up type love. I most definitely fall into the latter two of those categories. I actually find it baffling that some people didn’t enjoy Becca Fitzpatrick’s intriguing story but that’s the beauty of books and the internet right? You get to experience how the book you love may have left a different impact on someone else.

Trying to write this review has proven difficult. Main reason being: All I want to do is write how much I love PATCH! ahhh Patch! He is addictive, cunning, sarcastic, endearing and dangerously gorgeous. I began falling in love with Patch from the moment Nora is partnered with him in Biology. By the end of the book I was head over heels in love with him. In fact I feel *bad* just saying that. Patch is the resident bad boy/mysterious guy in Nora’s life who she can’t find herself trusting but is strongly drawn to. Nora actually frustrated me so much when it came to Patch but I’m obviously bias and as you learn she has her reasons for not being able to trust him. There were times when I found myself screaming at Nora to just trust him. However, as a stand alone heroine of the novel, Nora comes a long way to bust out of her shell. I was proud of her at the end of the novel.

Nora and Vee have a great friendship and Vee is hilarious. She lives life and doesn’t really care, unless she's on her "diet" whereas Nora is the complete opposite. I enjoyed how their friendship was written and how close they stayed throughout the duration of the book. They were definitely each others Ying to the other one's Yang. It will be fun to see where Becca takes their friendship and the limits within that bond in Crescendo.

I found the book read extremely well and there was never a dull moment to be had. Becca keeps us as readers interested and intrigued by the many twists and turns, plot structure, and character development. The supporting cast of characters also never disappoints. What I would have liked to see would have been more development in Nora’s relationship with her mother. Possibly Crescendo will elaborate more on the mother/daughter bond that I didn’t feel in Hush, Hush. Becca does give us a nice detailed history of what it means to be a Fallen Angel as well as Nephilim.I'm really thinking that Fallen Angels are going to be the next big thing! They are popping up everyone and I absolutely love that.

I'm really excited for Crescendo and if you haven't read this book yet, I would highly suggest doing so before Crescendo hits shelves October 19th 2010.

-Ashley