REVIEW: Silence (Hush, Hush,#3) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Publication Date: October 4th 2011

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Hardcover, 438 pages

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The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

Honestly, I don't really know where to start my review of Silence...Reading this book, was a small disaster for me...

First of all,let me just say, that as soon as I started reading Silence,I couldn't remember a single thing about the story apart from some major things.Nothing!And that doesn't happen to me often,usually,even after having read a book as good as a year ago,even if I don't remember everything about the storyline,after a certain point in the book I will catch up and have no problem whatsoever...I mean,from the prologue, I was utterly confused,and that's never a good sign,so before reading any further I consulted a friend about what happened in the previous books.I thought that would suffice...So,I continued on to the actual chapters...But despite the spoilers and having in mind the most crucial parts of the previous books in the series,I was still confused...And for that,there are only three explanations: 1. I'm plainly that stupid!, 2. I have a really short short and long term memory and 3. Silence was unecessarily complicated as my friend Giota from A Story Untold very well put it.

And from those three explanations I'm leaning into the third one...Because I don't fancy myself that stupid and both my long and short term memory are working just fine.Certainly, not remembering all the details didn't help,but since I haven't encountered that problem ever before,I don't see the reason why that would start being such a problem now.Maybe if I had read the other two books right before Silence I wouldn't have a problem whatsoever,but I don't either have the time to do so with all the series I read nor I find it necessary...

Anyway, enough with that!Now, from my review of Crescendo,I had made clear that I pretty much was annoyed with Nora, to put it mildly.In Hush, Hush she was okay I guess,in Crescendo she was annoying and in Silence she acted like a 5 year old kid who does whatever comes to its mind without thinking any consequences...

See, Nora, has just been released from capture, she doesn't remember a thing about the last 5 months of her life and finds it oh so logical to sneak outside of her house, at night, to go the very place she was left when released,a cemetery from all places!!!!!Who does that,huh???Apparently Nora!

A second example: She doesn't remember a thing, as I just said, and when a complete stranger approaches her, again at night, starting telling her all kind of unbelievable things about angels and Nephils and a Black Hand,she isn't screaming "Bloody Murder" and immediatelly start running,she isn't even questioning his sanity.Nothing!She just believes him and takes for granted everything...

Should I continue?I have more examples but I hardly find it necessary.You get my point.Noone acts like that,at least noone sane... But Nora does.And I hate to say it,she only does so because in that way Becca Fitzpatrick could take her story a step further...Because every single time Nora acted in such a way, she just happened to meet someone crucial or something major happened...

So, because of all the things I stated above,I was more occupied being pissed with what I was reading than enjoying the actual story.I also kind of missed the old Patch...He wasn't the bad boy of the previous books with the snarky comments and the attitude I was used to adore. But that wasn't my main problem.I could accept the overprotective and completely smitten Patch if the story progressed more smoothly and more logically if I can say that.

I know once more I'm in the minority of people who didn't enjoy Silence, but I just couldn't take my mind off some things...Should I continue with the next and let's hope final installment?I really don't know...Honestly!I was really disappointed with Silence.

READING: Crescendo (Hush, Hush,#2) by Becca Fitzpatrick

 I had promised you that as soon as possible,after our joint review with Christine from Reading on the Dark Side of Hush, Hush,we would have another one reviewing the sequel Crescendo!Well,that soon was way sooner than i expected!Christine is a really fast reader!So,enjoy our review of Crescendo!

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick


Publication Date: October 19th 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Hardcover, 427 pages


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Feisty teen Nora Grey somehow survived the crises of Hush, Hush!, but dangers just as frightening loom in this standalone sequel. Patch, her guardian angel and love interest, appears to have a dark side and a wandering eye. Worse yet, he seems intent on obstructing Nora as she hunts for the truth behind her father's mysterious death. Even better than the first.

Our thoughts on the characters

Christine:

There were a few scenes in Crescendo where I thought I didn´t recognize Nora anymore. To be honest, I expected their relationship to be all "crazy in love", so I was beyond stunned after their first fight only a few pages into the book. Nora´s behavior seem a little irrational at times, and beyond reckless at others. I wouldn´t have imagined that the same Nora from "Hush, Hush" would oull of things like she did this time. It is somewhat understandable, cnsidering how Patch acts, but still.

Speaking of Patch... I still love him. His bad boy attitude hasn´t changed a single bit and he´s just as sexy as in Hush, Hush. Unfortunetly, he is also just as mysterious and evasive. Combine that with Nora's behavior, and I felt like shouting "JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER ALREADY AND TELL THE F... TRUTH" at them. You could say this book affected me quite a bit.

The two most interesting "new" characters in the book were Scott and Marcie. Scott is close to Patch in the bad boy scale, but for me, he gave off more of a creepy vibe.
Marcie is just plain mean which would have annoyed me, had me not learned the reason for her behavior.
Vee and Rixon we already knew from the last book, but I have to say, both of them were a surprise for me in this book, one a positive, one a negative ( Don´t want to give away more to avoid spoilers!)

Anna:

Before saying anything else i must ask.... "What happened to Nora????"In Hush, Hush Nora was an ok character,strong,pretty much independent and definitely not anyone's tail or shadow.Nora of Crescendo is like being introduced to a completely new character...She's jealous,whinny,reckless and no matter what happens to her,her priority is where and what and with whom Patch is...Terrible things might happen,in fear she may live,Patch is whom her thoughts are totally consumed with!And ok,i can understand being so in love and acting like a total stranger,but in Nora's case she was acting more like possesed rather than in love...

Patch on the other hand is as good as in Hush, Hush...I only kind of missed him here cause his role is significantly smaller than in the first instalment but at least when he entered a scene in the book,the scene just got more... well better!

What i liked in Crescendo was that more characters got to be better explored and developed,like Vee,Rixon and Marcie.I really liked that,i thought that Fitzpatrick's world got more interesting and complete with the addiction of those characters.Scott,on the other hand (a new character introduced here) has completely confused me...I just can't make my mind about him or find a logical way to explain some of his actions,especially towards the end. 

Our thoughts on the plot

Christine:

After finishing "Crescendo", I had to take a few deep breaths. First, because the story left me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was so fast paced action filled, mysterious and full of twists that I didn't feel one second like I was reading a YA book. Becca Fitzpatrick also succeeds in adding a subtly creepyness to the story by how she describes Nora being stalked and other supernatural incidents Nora comes across in this book.

The second thing that made me take a deep breath was the ending of Crenscendo. One moment I was like crazy happy, the next like WTH??? The Cliffhanger Becca Fitzpatrick leaves us with is really really cruel. Especially since I have a very strong love/hate relationship with cliffhangers. I like them, when I know I don´t have to wait too long before I know what happens next.
I always complain when the relationship between two characters goes too smooth and thus being unrealistic in my opinion. Well, the relationship between our dear guardian angel and Nora is far from smooth, which was not a bad thing.

The story of Crescendo dwells deeper into the mythology of Angels, Fallen Angels and Nephilim and we are introduced to a new force that is to be reckoned with. Also, Becca Fitzpatrick sheds light on Nora´s past and the death of her father and answers some questions only to make the whols story even more full of suspense.

Anna:

The plot was once more, engaging.The writing style remains simple and effective and the story turns to a complete new level.The atmosphere was creepy at times and claustrophobic and in general i think i liked the story even more than in Hush, Hush.The angelic world is more explored and we get to know more about how it functions,something that i've been expecting since the end of the first book.

Nora and Patch's relationship remains a bit static for me,something that doesn't really bother me but i'm not that glad either.Maybe if the reason those two kept fighting was something other than jealousness and stubborness from Nora's part i wouldn't mind it at all,but seeing Nora acting that way just made me wanna scream to her to open her eyes and she how she was behaving.She may had reasons to be jealous but still,she could had tried and listen to Patch,or totally erase him.The forth-back was never my favorite approach of things. 

Our favorite scene

Christine:

Okay, once again, I can´t decide. Instead, I choose several scenes from different categories. DANGER: includes spoilers!!! 

Favorite romantic/hot scene: either Patch´s first appearance in her dream r the scen at the end... Hmmm

Favorite creepy scene: when she hears/sees her dead father at the ausement park

Favorite action scene: Nora vs Marcy. ´nough said.

Favorite WTH scene: again, the end.

Anna:

The scene where Patch gives Nora a ride home and they're standing in the rain...I have a thing for romantic scenes in the rain,what can i say! 

Final Verdict:

Christine:

4 stars. I loved it, was quite obsessiv about reading it (just ask my roommates) and it was a really intense read, but Nora´s behavior was somewhat of a drawback for me. 

Anna:

4 starts again.As i said,in some aspects Crescendo was really better than Hush,Hush but Nora's behavior was a bit annoying.I couldn't enjoy enough this book when i spent half the time wondering why she would act that way.

READING: Hush,Hush (Hush, Hush #1) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Christine from Reading on The Dark Side and myself decided to somewhat make our joint reviews a regular event and i'm really excited about it!I love picking our next books to read and since our TBR pile has many books in common the hard part is deciding on which book to start from!Apart from that i think that the similtaneous review of the same book by two people is more enlightening than reading just one's thoughts!

This time we chose Hush,hush by Becca Fitzpatrick!

Hush,Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick


Publication Date: October 13th 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Hardback, 391 pages


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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...until Patch comes 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 whom 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 far 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.

Our thoughts on the characters:

Christine:

Both Nora and Patch were great characters. Patch is just the right mix of mysterious bad boy without being a total jerk. Even though I kind of knew that Patch wouldn´t end up killing Nora, I was wondering about his motives. I loved his constant innuendos, flirting and dirty smiles. I could totally picture him in his dark clothes! I must admit that I would have probaby fallen for him as well! :)
Nora is incredibly mature but then very much acts like a typical girl at her age, falling in love with the wrong guy. I found it very appealing that she didn´t act all dreamy eyed and crazy in love, but held her own against him. Scenes like her unsuccessful attempts at interviewing or seducing other people in order to get information made her very likeable and realistic.
She did take the news of Patch being a Fallen Angel pretty well, even though she had enough time to get used to all the strange things that happened in her life. I guess I would have been more freaked out if someone would be trying to kill me and stalk me.
I really enjoyed her relationship with Vee (loved the name BTW Vee Sky). Her nosy personality and her well meant warnings did remind me of some of my closest friends.
Elliot and Jules did round up the great cast of characters. 

Anna:

I loved Patch!I don't know if it was because he was an angel and i have a thing for angels, fallen or not, or because he was your so typical bad but at the same time unbelievably sexy boy!He was a consistent character,secretive and with his own motives and agenda but at the same time sweet and sexy as hell!I loved his sarcasm and innuendos and to be honest there were times where i doubted his innocense.Nora on the other hand is a fine character.I just didn't love her as much as i loved Patch.I liked the fact that she was smart and capable of at least trying to hold her own ground and i really enjoyed her relationship with Vee.What i didn't like or rather found unbelievable was yet again the fact that a human totally oblivious to anything supernatural such as Nora just took so easily the news of her crush being a fallen angel and generally the existence of the supernatural element in her perfectly tided little world!Especially when Nora is portrayed as a little control freak,something so huge and strange should have snapped her and cause her a mental breakdown or at least she would have done something else rather than just accepting the unbelievable without questioning...That, plus her reaction when she thought she was a in danger and someone was stalking her...Nora is portrayed as really smart and logical among other traits but what logical person would just keep his mouth shut when such bizarre things kept happening?I gather she didn't want to upset her mother but since she was logical she should have seen that killing herself because she kept her mouth shut would probably upset her somewhat a liitle more.Anyway,i liked Nora's character i just find sometimes some of the characters' reactions in books a bit unbelievable and in contrast with their portrayal and it always bothers me.

Apart Patch and Nora and a little bit Vee all the other surrounding characters weren't really that much developed.The story was completely focused on those two and explaining the world the story is set.

Our thoughts on the plot:

Christine:

Okay, I have a confession to make: some YA books I find slightly boring. *ducks rotten tomatoes* I like books with action, violence and sex. There, I said it. “Hush, Hush” however was never boring to me. At first I was constantly wondering and trying to figure out who was behind the attacks on Nora and enjoying all the Patch/Nora moments and the end had more than enough action even for my taste.
Despite “Hush, Hush” being a Young Adult book, there is so much heat and sexual attraction in this book that my romance lover heart felt totally satisfied. Especially the very last scene between Patch and Nora made me expect only the best from the sequel “Crescendo”. The chemistry between the both of them is just perfect, better than in some PNR books I´ve read. 

Anna:

I liked Becca Fitzpatrick's writing style.It was smooth and easily flowing.There wasn't just a minute where i was bored and this is the second time i read this book (in order to read Crescendo i just had to reread this!).Hush Hush was my first book about angels and since i love them that much this book holds a special part in my heart.The world is quite well built and has potential for more exploring is evident.By the end of Hush, Hush you can easily understand that you haven't read not even the half of the story yet and the politics and mechanics of the angelic society aren't fully explored.I just can't wait to read what happens next and how the story will progrees

Our favorite scene:

Christine:

There were so many good of them, it´s so hard to choose! Among my favorites were the scene in the motel and the pool game between Patch and Nora. 

Anna:

I have to agree with Chiristine on this one...There were many scenes i really liked but my favorite was in the motel.I love stormy days and the combination of storm,no electricity,motel and Patch and Nora in wet clothes just screamed sexy!

Final verdict:

Christine:

4.5 out of 5 stars. This book is near perfection. I´ll save half a star for the next one though!

Anna:

I'll give Hush Hush 4 stars.The only reason i don't give 5 is because as i said i found hard to believe some of Nora's reactions.Other than that the book was amazing!


Both Cristine and myself are now reading Crescendo,the sequel of Hush, Hush,so stay tuned for our other joint review which is about to come shortly!