When I began Hush, Hush I was about the age of fourteen or fifteen. I'd just gotten into reading and I was after a particular genre (one word: Twilight). I thought Hush, Hush sounded interesting and so I requested it from the library. *ahem* Let's just say that it was a bit more... mature... than I was looking for.
Don't get me wrong, no one was doing the do. But there were plenty of innuendos that I wasn't used to, and the writing seemed to be leading up to a more sensual theme. Being me, I couldn't put the book down until I was finished. Now eighteen years of age, I place this book under my "runner-up-to-favorites" book list on Goodreads.com.
The first place we see Nora Gray (obviously, the main character) is in her biology class, staring at the words "Welcome to human reproduction (sex)" written on the blackboard. If that's not enough to make one uncomfortable, Nora suddenly finds her lab partner switched from her best friend since childhood to the gorgeous new transfer. To make matters even more awkward, the gorgeous new transfer is a guy. And to make matters even more awkward, the gorgeous new transfer seems to know more about Nora than he could possibly perceive by sitting behind her the entire year. What's more, he refuses to tell her anything about himself besides his name -Patch- and his phone number.
Before she knows it, Nora is swept up in the mystery that is Patch. She is intent on learning who he is, even after their project is turned in. The mystery that intrigues her the most is what are the scars on his back, how did he get them, and what do they symbolize? Also, why can't she shake the feeling that he's after her, and not just in the normal hormonal teenage-obsession way?
This book gets 3.5 stars out of 5 from me.
For the same reason I couldn't put Hush, Hush down I picked Crescendo up. The first book wasn't terrible, and I kinda really wanted to know what was in store for Nora and Patch next. So I requested the sequel from the library.
The most frustrating out of the entire series, in my opinion. Nora has overcome death and gained a guardian angel. All good, right? But things take an unexpected turn when archangels get involved. Soon Nora must put her wants and desires on the back-burner to keep everyone she loves safe. And, before she knows it, she's back in the line of fire, this time threatened by the same man who killed her father so many years ago.
Now the question is: who is the Black Hand, and how is he linked to both her father and the conflict between fallen angels and nephilim?
I think this was the book that initiated the love-hate relationship that I have with the saga. I wanted to yell and scream at the characters, while at the same time cry for their grievances. I found that I could relate to Crescendo more than I had Hush, Hush, so naturally I was more intrigued by this book. Needless to say, I did not put it down. And I really wanted to scream at the end. So of course I needed to read the next one.
This book gets 4 stars out of 5 from me.
The love-hate relationship that I had with the saga continued with the release of Silence. There was a lot of screaming, hair-pulling, book-putting-down (that book was lucky not to get thrown at the wall) while I read (or attempted to read) through to the end. I mean, REALLY? Can I just say how much I loathe Hank Miller? Major plot twists, some of which I was still trying to cope with when I went on to read Finale.
Just rip my heart out, stab it with a serrated blade, put it through a meat grinder, and dip it in acid, why don't you?
And that is all I will write about this book for fear that I will reveal key elements to readers of this post. Aww you should know me by now. No spoilers!
Because this book frustrated me so much, it gets 3.5 stars out of 5. That's right, you lose .5 stars for all the almost heart attacks you gave me, you stupid book! ( I love you!)
Oh, I guess I can leave you with this: by the end of the book Nora is smack dab in the middle of a war.
Because I love to torture myself.
What's a girl practically on death row supposed to do?
Trust the ex-right hand man to the Black Hand, that's what. Nora is a vulnerable girl caught in a brutal war between fallen angels and the Nephilim. Obviously she cannot match either side in strength, and it seems unlikely that she can equal their mental prowess. Even Nora's emotional stability is threatened when she must pretend to break up with the love of her life in order to appease the armies. And how long can she and Patch keep up the charade before it becomes a reality?
Then a weapon comes into play that was previously thought to have gone straight to hell: Devilcraft. Nora starts on an addiction that she can barely admit she has, let alone cure. The only good thing that comes from Devilcraft is that it evens out the playing field, and Nora's hope at surviving. But just how long before the powers of hell become a problem rather than a long, sought-after miracle?
Of course this book was just as aggravating as the preceding ones. Since it was the final book in the series I obviously had to finish it. I did not force myself through the other three books just to stop at the conclusion. Finale contained just as many emotional roller coasters as the others (although I must say Silence was the most nerve-wracking for me) and it took me about a week or two of picking it up, putting it down, picking it back up... to finish. I do think that Ms. Fitzpatrick did a wonderful job wrapping up her series; I am even more impressed that she stayed true to her writing style throughout all four books. Even if that writing style did make me want to set the books on fire. Kidding! (Sorta...)
I must admit: I am very disappointed that after so many years of following Nora and Patch's story there's not another book to look forward to/dread. This was definitely a series that takes you at "Hello" and clings to you even after "Goodbye." I must applaud you, Ms. Fitzpatrick. I truly underestimated you in the beginning.
Finale gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.
Now they better freaking not mess up the movie adaptation!
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