Book Chick City: Book review: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Book review: Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

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Title: Hush Hush

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Reading Level: Young Adult

Genre: Supernatural, Angels

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 29 Oct 2009

Hardback: 391 pages

Rating: 9/10

Summary (book cover):

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. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgement.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and knows more about her than her closest friends. She cant decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself neat a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of a centuries-old battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and sooner or later, she's going to have to pick a side...

Review:

Okay, so there has been a lot of buzz about this book. I tried not to have high expectations but I did, I couldn't help it. It was impossible not to get excited about reading a book that most bloggers rated 5/5. Unfortunately, for me the first few chapters of the book were quite ordinary. I couldn't really see what all the hype was about. I wasn't gripped and I didn't really take to Nora. Patch didn't come across as the dark and dangerous guy I read about in so many other reviews. To me he was more cocky and even slightly irritating. I could feel the disappointment rising. And then everything changed.

I can't really put my finger on what changed for me. Was it the fact that Nora nearly dies but is then saved that grabbed my attention, or that the Archangel, a fair-ride in town, told the story of the fallen angels in a series of paintings on the side that piqued my interest, or that Elliot, a guy that Nora's best friend keeps pushing on her to date, has a more sinister side that he doesn't really want anyone to know about? And who is Jules...?

I was now intrigued and the story had me captivated. The characters suddenly came to life: Patch was now what I wanted him to be, dark, dangerous, mysterious, and his cockiness became as sexy as hell. I was loving his bad boy attitude and all black ensemble. I also knew that deep down he wasn't a bad person at all. I even began to like Nora. She wasn't particularly outgoing or interesting at the beginning of the book, but her determination and courage she showed when searching for the truth about Elliot and wanting to find out who Patch really was shined through. I also liked her when she became all hot and bothered, and couldn't focus on a single thing, when Patch was around - all that angst, self doubt, sexual tension...

The other characters are all well written, and Nora's best friend, Vee, with her upbeat, outspoken attitude, is a breath of fresh air in what is at times an intense atmosphere due to the relationship between Nora and Patch. The pace picks up considerably half way through and the plot has lots of twists and turns which keeps the momentum of the book crashing forward until the very last page. To be honest I just couldn't stop reading. In fact I read the rest of the book in one sitting. I wanted to find out everything! I loved how it ended and now I want more!

Verdict:

Did this book live up to the hype? I think it's fair to say that after the build up it's had I don't think it had a chance. But for a debut novel I thought it was fantastic! I really, really enjoyed it. This book was so nearly a ten, but as it didn't start as well as I'd hoped, and for the fact it took me a while to get into the story, it will have to settle for a nine.

I would whole heartedly recommend this book, even for the gorgeous cover alone and the beautiful feather designs covering the pages. Simon and Schuster designed this book brilliantly, it really is stunning.

I can't wait for Crescendo, the next installment in this heavenly new series.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me this book to review.

If you would like to find out more about Becca Fitzpatrick and her books then you can visit her here:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Labels: 9/10 Rating, Authors E-H, Becca Fitzpatrick, Book Reviews, Supernatural, Young Adult

18 comments:

Jenny said...: I LOVE this review! Very well done. I've been curious about this book, but it's also not my typical genre and wondered if it would really live up to the hype. I love how you explained it and the side stuff that contributed to how you felt!; 10 November 2009 13:02
Lily Child said...: Oh man, I LOVED this book! I am glad you did too, despite the beginning. :) I, myself, didn't really care for Patch until the "taco" scene. :P I didn't know it was going to be made into a series. How exciting! Lovely review!; 10 November 2009 13:51
elnice said...: I agree with you, this book has had so much hype that it holds very high expectations. I can't wait to read it. Great review.

Elie (Ellz Readz); 10 November 2009 15:08
GMR said...: Great review! Honestly (my opinion only, of course) I believe that in this case the hype might have affected the opening chapters for your read....that's understandable since you couldn't visit a blog upon it's pending release without running into another review. I am glad to see that it turned around for you though (welcome to the "fan" club) and by the end, it made a 9/10 on your scale. I too am anticipating the next release...can't wait! Thanks for sharing!; 10 November 2009 16:35
gapyeargirl123 said...: I've heard so many good things about this book. It's interesting to see that you were disappointed in the start - but really it still makes me all the more anxious to get my hands on a copy of this at some point soon!
~Ailsa; 10 November 2009 16:58
bermudaonion said...: You're right - everyone seems to love this book. I'm still not convinced it's for me.; 10 November 2009 17:15
Maria said...: I really want to read this book.

http://fantasysink.blogspot.com/; 10 November 2009 18:11
Sandy Nawrot said...: I've seen a couple of reviews, and they've been mixed. Perhaps because of the hype. Perhaps it follows a similar recipe as other YA novels. One thing you can't deny...what a killer cover. It is gorgeous.; 10 November 2009 19:00
ParaJunkee said...: Great review. I just read/reviewed this book also and enjoyed reading it. I am also not quite sure about a second installment, this very well could have been a stand alone.; 10 November 2009 19:37
Smokinhotbooks said...: I have to read this one! It's been sitting on my goodreads shelf just waiting patiently for me to read it.

Great review!; 10 November 2009 21:08
Kim said...: It is almost impossible for a book to live up to the hype -- but you hooked me! I'll look into it some more. Thanks!; 10 November 2009 21:55
Emily said...: Great review! It made me more excited to read the book as now I know that it has its good points and its bad points. I'm always afraid that I'll really loathe a book everyone else finds amazing and get hauled away by the book police or something. Thanks for reassuring me!; 10 November 2009 22:10
Melody said...: Great review!
I can't wait to read this book, and yes the cover is gorgeous!; 11 November 2009 00:21
Melissa (My World) said...: It is great to hear this book still hooked and reeled you in. It may not have been from the first sentence but there was that moment that caught you. I was afraid with all the hype that it would not live up to it for me when I get to reading it.

Thanks for the great review.; 11 November 2009 02:07
Tam @ Bailey's and Books said...: Nice review. So glad to hear your thoughts on this.

I am also looking forward to the next one.; 11 November 2009 20:03
Ryan G said...: I liked your honest review. I really liked this book as it got Edward and Bella out of my brain.; 12 November 2009 05:20
Beth F said...: Great review and I think yours is the one that has convinced me to read it! But I won't be getting to it for a while.; 13 November 2009 13:47
Michelle said...: I've read some really scathing reviews of this book and I can see why people find Nora irritating (or less than intelligent) or that Patch isn't all that appealing (which to many I'm sure he's not) but for some reason this book just clicked for me. Could it be that I've never read Twilight, a book that many are calling this a knock off of? Sure I suppose that made the story fresh and new for me. But in the end if I didn't like the overall story reagardless of whether it's a redux or not I wouldn't have enjoyed it.

Glad you did as well! I thought some of the suspence was quite enjoyable.; 16 November 2009 00:09