Book Review- Crescendo

By Becca Fitzpatrick

Published by Simon and Schuster

Released- October 19th, 2010 TODAY

Source- ARC from Simon and Schuster

4.5 Stars- I Highly Recommend Picking This Up

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 as 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? (quoted from Goodreads)

Crescendo is one amazing sequel that I was completely blown away with. Becca Fitzpatrick presented many scenes that completely captured my emotions and had them on edge, more so than in Hush, Hush. I become so invested with Crescendo that I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what was going to happen next. Crescendo is one heck of a wild, twisty, had on my emotions on edge ride. When it was over, I wanted to read it again. Honestly, I didn't want it to be over with.

I really liked that Crescendo picks up right where Hush, Hush left off, but quickly becomes a lot more complicated for Patch and Nora. We learn more about Nora's dad and the dark secrets from his past that shaped his life, and what ties Patch has to that past life. Then there's Marcie Miller. She's one character I haven't cared for, but getting to know her more, I was able to understand her motives a little more clearly. Vee brings the humor to the more serious scenes, as Nora and Vee can't seem to stay out of trouble. Of course, where ever Nora is, Patch isn't too far away and their chemistry is just as good as it was in Hush, Hush.

I liked getting to know the characters more, as they are perceived much differently in Hush, Hush. Crescendo offers many more complex layers to who they are and what some of their twisted motives are. I will admit, I was so frustrated at one of the characters for part of the book. I wanted to reach into the pages and slap some sense into them, but part me also knew that there was some reason for their actions. That's where the plot twist thickens. Just as I thought I had something figured out, Becca threw something else out that had me guessing again. I liked that, as it kept me emotionally invested with the story. I was so absorbed in the story, that I couldn't stop reading to really think about what was really happening. It's one heck of an emotional ride.

Crescendo gave me more than I had hoped for with it's layered characters, twisted plot and a jaw dropping ending that literally had me going, "No way!" Becca did a brilliant job at thrusting me into her world and leaving me hanging at the very end. I'm really looking forward to next year's release, as I need answers. I highly recommend picking up Crescendo TODAY!!