Review: HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush

By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Series: Hush, Hush #1

Published: October 13th 2009 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Paperback copy:  416 pages

ISBN: 1442465131 (ISBN13: 9781442465138)

Personal Purchase: own- $4.99 special price to promote Finale, book #4 10/31/12

                                                                         

A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems 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 she 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 Nora her life

Fast-paced, hard to put down, paranormal mystery that will keep you guessing...


I'm not sure why it took me sooo long to start reading this book. I actually bought it awhile ago and it's been sitting on the shelf staring at me, so after picking up the second book last week I decided to take the plunge, boy, I'm glad I did!

So, I've heard Angel books don't usually fare well with readers, and maybe in the back of my mind I had those same thoughts. I mean you think Angels and the first thing that comes to mind is.. religion! So, not being a huge fan of "religion" in my books, I hesitate to read them, but this one really has very little religious elements.
Over the weekend, I was absorbed into this book the writing style is great, the book flows well, and the story is a definite page turner, filled with mystery.

We have two main characters, Nora and Patch.
Nora is a young teen, coping with the loss of her father while attending high school, coming home to an almost empty house at times, with a part time housekeeper. Her mother struggles to make ends meet, with a job that has her traveling and working long hours.
So, Nora is a responsible girl, with a great but somewhat ditsy best friend. In one of her classes, she is seated with a boy she barely knows, as she tries to get to know him, he sort of pushes her away with short answers, and snarkiness. Having a hard time, keeping him out her thoughts....

Patch is snarky, sexy, and gets under Nora's skin(to say the least). He seems to show up everywhere that Nora is, but manages to underplay the reason why with snarky one liners or excuses.
 He finds her amusing as she is so easily upset over his comments. It's really hard to tell how Patch feels about Nora, I mean Nora thinks he's cute, but she too, has no idea where she stands with him. I enjoyed these two bantering back and forth.


I loved the mystery that was slowly built up throughout the whole book, Becca's writing style is that of one whom throws crumbs on the pages and you must follow and scoop up, picking up bits and pieces of info along the way. At points of this story it was hard to decipher whom the good from the bad really were, and I actually was questioning everyone, in my mind. Is he the one, is she the one, maybe it's the teacher? Thoughts like that had me gripped within the pages. When we do find out the mystery, its a total surprise at first as maybe who we thought was good, really isn't so good, after all. 


A great book filled with many characters, that you will have no problem following, and enjoying. This book can easily be read as a stand alone, as the ending is wrapped up like a neat little package, but, I soo want to see what happens in the next book, Crescendo,  as Patch and Nora's adventure continues, and we are left wondering if all will be safe with these two, after all the secrets that are revealed at the end of the book.
5/5 Stars

Quotes

“Patch wasn't the kind of guy mothers smiled on. He was the kind of guy they changed the house locks for.”



"He hung up on me.
I stared at the phone in disbelief, then ripped a clean sheet of paper from my notebook. I scribbled Jerk on the first line. One the line beneath it, I added, Smokes cigars. Will die of lung cancer. Hopefully soon. Excellent physical shape.
I immediately scribbled over the last observation until it was illegible.”




“You smell good, too,” said Patch
It’s called a shower.” I was staring straight ahead. When he didn’t answer, I turned sideways. “Soap. Shampoo. Hot water.”"Naked. I know the drill.”


“Before I could stop myself, I punched his arm.
“Careful,” he said in a low voice. “They might think
we’re flirting.”