Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Crescendo
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
ISBN: 9781416989431
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Page #: 427
Source: From my public library

Summary:
"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 (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's archenemy, 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 feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to questions whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts."
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First Lines:

"The fingers of the thorn-apple tree clawed at the windowpane behind Harrison Grey, and he dog-eared his page, no longer able to read through the racket. A furious spring wind had hurled itself against the farmhouse all night, howling and whistling, causing the shutters to slam against the clapboards with a repetitive bang! bang! bang!"
Page 1
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Review:

If you haven't read the first book in this series, I highly recommend it. Here's my review for Hush, Hush.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this second book in the Hush, Hush series. Honestly, I had forgotten a lot of what the first book was about - probably because I read a few fallen angel stories in quick succession. But it all easily came back to me when I got into Crescendo. It does a wonderful job pulling you back into the story. I got sucked in almost immediately.

Nora is a very interesting main character. She's got lots of people around her who know way more about her life than she does. She depends on them for just about everything - comfort, love, information, and even rides (which is a weirdly huge part of the story). There are times that I wish she would be more independent, but there are others when I know she has to rely on others - because the story wouldn't be as interesting and mysterious.

One thing I really loved about this story (and recall liking in the first one) is the sense of mystery you get through the whole thing. Yes, it talks a lot about angels and rules and Nephil and all that... but the biggest part of the story is the mystery surrounding the murders and family lines. That's what drives this book and I actually got it right in the end of this one. I picked the right person to be the bad one.

But there is one character that I don't remember the way she is written in this second book - that's Vee, Nora's best friend. In this book she was really outspoken and kinda crazy. I don't remember her like that at all. Perhaps she just plays a bigger role in this one, but it made me wonder about the first book. Almost enough to read a few bits again to see if I was making it up. And for her large role in this book, I felt she was so far away at some points that she wasn't at all important. I would have liked to learn more about her, I think.

I think this series does a great job in mixing the mystery and the fantasy, so I highly recommend it to people who are looking for either thing. There's also a bit of action in each of the books, but I'm not sure it's enough to pull in the action lovers. I know I have already seen a lot of reviews for this one and tons of people asking for it at work. So I don't have to do much to get people to read it. But I still will recommend it along.

Check out Becca Fitzpatrick's website for more information on coming titles!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Blkosiner's Book Blog
I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read
Wondrous Reads
Novel Novice
A Bookworms Haven
Candace's Book Blog
This is just a tiny portion of all the reviews out there. Feel free to read all of their opinions. :)