Book Review - Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Look at that cover... Just take a moment to take it in. Why? Because he cover is far better than the actual book and yet has NOTHING to do with it.

Silence is the third book in the Hush, Hush saga and was released in 2011. Regardless, it does still read like a current story. This book really is better than the first two and part of it makes you want more - more of Nora & Patch, more of this bizarre world, just more.

In Silence, Nora has just been returned from being kidnapped and suffering memory loss. It is a bit frustrating at times because she seems to make things far more difficult than they should be. Yes, short term memory loss is tough, but she just seems to make it harder for no reason. She struggles to remember Jev/Patch too much. She almost makes it too painful and unbelievable. It seems she just tries too hard, if that makes sense.

And don't get me started on her inner-monologuing. UGH. Enough of that already. I am starting to realize that it is just part of the author's writing style but it is still annoying.

Nora still has her never-there-for-her Mom, BFF Vee (still don't really like her), Scott, Marcie, and Marcie's dad to "help her" through her memory loss. Yes, these characters play a big part in the overall story (not her Mom...) but they don't seem to develop as characters as the story goes on. They don't seem to grow with the experiences or with life in general. I don't feel I connected with them.

Thankfully this is a quick read and was over before you know it. It does make you want to read the 4th book immediately to find out what happens but only to find out what happens. I don't feel the premise of the story remains focused on Nora and Patch, it feels it has shifted to Nora and her possible future. I thought this was supposed to be a YA romance? Not feeling a lot of that as the book went on. I was disappointed to say the least.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give this 3.

Stay tuned for a quick review on Finale, the last book in the saga.

Book Review - Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

After quickly going through the first book, Hush, Hush, I started Crescendo with moderate expectations. I have to admit I was very surprised! I was hoping for something better, just look at that cover!! A book with a cover like that has to be good.

The story actually kept me interested for longer than a chapter. Granted, I skipped the parts where Nora dialogues herself with a bunch of stupid questions the audience has already though about.

In this story Nora has found out that Patch is a fallen angel turned her guardian angel and some of the consequences that came from being on the outs with Heaven. She has more and more interaction with her mortal enemy - Marcy Millar. Marcie is a rather nasty character that seems to go overboard with her hate for Nora. The back history of the rival is not ever explained so just know it is there. An old childhood friend comes back into Nora's life, Scott Parnell. Scott is another bad egg that you just want to hate. I mean, he is a jerk.

All of these characters intermingle rather well and the story flows. I wasn't left questioning, "What the heck just happened?" Or "Why would they do that?? Why??" I had to remember that the overall storyline is Nora and Patch. Nora is fighting to be with Patch and Patch is fighting to protect her from the world. The chemistry between them is really good to read but always over too quickly. Always keep in mind this is a YA book so it doesn't get over complicated between the two characters. They don't do anything more than kiss and make out.

There were two things that annoyed me more than anything:

1. Nora's inner monologue. She is always thinking the same series of questions to herself. I skipped a lot of this monologue.
2. Why is Nora's mom never home?! I mean NEVER. Yes, she is trying to make a living but it seems like she threw her daughter into adulthood quickly. I hope she realizes she won't win Mother of the Year anytime soon.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give this book a 4. I liked it a lot better than the first book and hope the rest of the series continues to improve.