Guest Review: Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick

Today I have a guest review from the lovely Kirsty at The Overflowing Library.  Kirsty is a fab blogger and a great friend so if you've never visited her blog make sure you drop by and see her.  Thanks for letting me post this as a guest review Kirsty!  This review was originally posted on The Overflowing Library here.

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

The Series:

Hush, Hush
Crescendo
Silence

Visit Becca Fitzpatrick's website for more information

Kirsty's Review:
I'm sorry to say I didn't like this as much as Hush Hush. The story picks up where hush hush finished off and continues to follow Nora's story.

I like the character of Nora. She is cute and feisty (albeit a bit dim when it comes to Patch) and I love Vee her best friend. I love their relationship and following the story for their point of view.

I really didn't like Patch in this book. I hated how he acted towards Nora and I really wanted to go and give him slap him and tell him to pull himself together and grow up.

Like Hush Hush the story goes along quite slowly to start with. A lot of ideas where built up (especially the story line involving the new character Marcie. The final part of the book was where it all kicked off and the revelations that came out were awesome. I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.

All in all not bad once you got through the first part which was a bit slow. The scene has been set for a brilliant finale.

Source: Received from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Winners: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick & Dido by Adele Geras

I had 2 giveaways end yesterday and it's time to announce the winners with the help of random.org.

First is the winner of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - we had an amazing number of entries for this one so thank you all for spreading the word.  There were a total of 47 people entered into the giveaway with 419 entries between them and the lucky winner is.....

Blueicegal

Next we have 3 lucky winners for Dido by Adele Geras and I'd like to say a massive thank you to RHCB publisher for offering this giveaway for my readers.  There are 3 winners for this book (2 UK winners & 1 international winner) and the books will be sent out directly by RHCB.

UK winners:

Carly & Dwayne

International winner:

Mariska

A massive congratulations to all of today's winners!  Don't worry if you didn't win - I have several more giveaways coming up soon.  I'm about to send all of the winners an email asking for your addresses so I can arrange for the books to be sent to you.  I'll be sending the copy of Hush, Hush myself but please note that the copies of Dido will be coming directly from RHCB so I'll need to pass your address over to them.  Please respond to my email within 48 hours or I'll have to pick new winners.  Thanks to everyone for taking part.

Giveaway: Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick - GIVEAWAY CLOSED

*UPDATE - THIS GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED - Winners

announced here*

Fallen for the fallen...

For Nora Grey, romance was never part of the plan.  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 isn't sure if she can trust him.  Patch seems to be everywhere she is and to know more about her than her closest friends.  And when she tries to seek answers, she discovers she is right in the middle of a centuries-old battle between the immortal and the fallen...and it's time to take sides.

For more information visit Becca Fitzpatrick's website

I recently received a copy of the new Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick paperback from Simon & Schuster UK for review.  I have already reviewed the hardback of this book here but was really excited to read the sneak preview of the sequel Crescendo which will be released later this year.  I'm really looking forward to reading Crescendo and finding out what happens to Nora & Patch next.

I purchased the hardback when Hush, Hush first came out but to be honest I prefer reading paperbacks (I find hardbacks more heavy & awkward to hold when reading in bed or in the bath).  I'd like to say a massive thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me the paperback.  If you haven't read it yet then I'd recommend you give it a try.

I love the hardback cover but I don't need 2 copies of the book so as I prefer paperbacks I'm going to give my UK hardcover copy away.  This has been read once but is in very good condition and comes in the beautiful shiny silver slipcover.

Giveaway Details:

• The giveaway is international so anyone can enter
• You don't have to be a follower to enter (although of course I'd love it if you were LOL)
• You can get extra entries by spreading the word but that isn't required
• To enter please fill in the form below
• You have until 16th June to enter the giveaway and I'll announce the winner on the 17th. I will email the winner as well as announcing it on my blog and you will have 48 hours to contact me or another winner will be chosen.

Review: Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

Falling for the fallen...

"I knew the names of all my classmates...except one.  The transfer...He sat slouched one desk back, cool black eyes holding a steady gaze forward...

His eyes sliced into me and the corners of his mouth tilted up.  My heart fumbled a beat and, in that pause, a feeling of gloomy darkness seemed to slide like a shadow over me.  It vanished in an instant, but I was still staring at him.  His smile wasn't friendly.  It was a smile that spelled trouble.  With a promise."

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 can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide.  And when she tries to seeks some answers, she finds herself near 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...

The Series:
Hush, Hush
Crescendo
Silence

Visit Becca Fitzpatrick's website for more information

Review:
I brought this book on the strength of the cover alone & I even brought it in hardback which is practically unheard of for me!  I think the cover is beatiful & I was really looking forward to reading the book but I have mixed feelings about it now I've read it. 

Nora wasn't the best heroine I've ever read about.  In some ways she drove me crazy with the way she went on & on about how Patch was dangerous & she couldn't trust him but would then go off on her own (to places she felt weren't safe) just to meet up with him.  I know she was attracted to him but considering all the crazy things that start happening to her in the book you'd think she would have a little more sense when she believes he is behind them!  I also had a real problem with Vee.  At first I thought she was harmless but her attitude when Nora was attacked by a guy really annoyed me.  If you have a best friend like her you certianly don't need enemies!

I didn't get the feeling that either Patch or Nora was in anything other than lust with each other. There just didn't seem to be any kind of emotional connection between them & nothing even hinted that there was real love between them.  There were also a lot of contradictions in the story, just look at the reason why Patch was a fallen angel & then consider the end of the book. I don't want to give anything away to those who haven't read the book but the ending just doesn't make sense in some ways!  This is the first fallen angel story I've read & although I enjoyed finding out about the mythology behind the story there were parts of it that didn't make much sense.  The whole way for a fallen angel to become human just didn't add up for me.

Having said that in some ways I really enjoyed book.  There were a lot of twists and turns & you never knew quite what would happen next. Although Patch was a jerk there was something about him that makes you want to like him. Perhaps it's just the whole bad boy thing but you find yourself wanting him to redeem himself.

Overall, although there were some parts that I didn't like by the end of the book I felt more of a connection with the characters.  I have high hopes that the relationship between Patch & Nora was finally starting to develop & am looking forward to seeing this continued in the sequel.  I will definitely read Crescendo but will wait until it comes out in paperback before I buy it.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
Ink & Paper Fantasy Book Reviews
Books out of the Bookshelves
The Bookette
Laughing Stars
Girls Without a Bookshelf
Tynga's Reviews
Delightful Reviews
Story Wings
I'd So Rather Be Reading
We Adore A Happy Ending
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.