Book Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Remember all the things you loved about Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick? There’s all of that and more in the sequel, Crescendo — in stores October 19th. But be prepared … things are not all rainbows and sunshine for our favorite fallen angel-turned-guardian angel and his human girlfriend. Far from it, in fact.

The book picks up with Patch and Nora just a few weeks after the ending of Hush, Hush — and while things seem idyllic at first, events quickly spiral out of control in a series of shocking new twists and turns. The danger isn’t over. Patch and Nora’s relationship isn’t at its finest. Marcie Millar is more intent than ever on making Nora’s life a nightmare. (I mean really, what is that girl’s problem?! We’ll soon find out …) And then there’s still the mystery of Nora’s father’s murder. Oh, and it seems like someone else may be trying to kill her now, too. Not the best way to spend a summer, eh?

Once again, Fitzpatrick captures the emotional roller coaster of those teen years — while still maintaining her characters (Nora especially) as unique individuals. Likewise, Patch is a perpetual hot and cold — and even while Nora continues to long for him (often against her better judgment), as the reader you can’t help but wonder about his motives. We want him to be good. We want him to make things right. But as events continue to unfold, we continue to question him time and time again — while still feeling that same longing for him that Nora does.

And we do feel that longing with Nora — not only for Patch, but for her murdered father; for wanting to stop the school bully; for wanting to just be left alone and have a quiet, normal existence. The way Fitzpatrick has written from Nora’s perspective draws you in as the reader, so that you are along for the ride with 100% emotional investment. It’s just that sometimes, your emotions may have you wanting to throw the book across the room. Things don’t always go well, and readers may not always be happy with Nora’s decisions.

But what’s really so wonderful about Crescendo, is the way Fitzpatrick balances the everyday — summer school, getting a job, dealing with the bully — with the supernatural — that is, fallen angels, guardian angels, Nephilim and the like. The two aspects of the novel never feel stark or in contradiction; rather, they blend seamlessly into one another. There’s never a jarring jolt out of or into “reality.”

Crescendo is also delightfully action-packed, with a cinematic climax that will get your pulse pounding. Every time it seems like the narrative stops to pause — giving the reader a chance to catch their breath — something happens to get your adrenaline pumping yet again. It’s one of those quintessential “page-turners.” And I do love a good action scene. The climax, itself, is written wonderfully and is extremely visual. Fitzpatrick’s written it so vividly that it was as if the scene itself came to life before my eyes while I was reading. I could see it; I could hear it; I could taste it. It had a very cinematic quality to it.

Now, I couldn’t finish this review without addressing the ending. Oh, the ending. I don’t want to spoil anything. But I will say this: it’s a darn good thing Becca announced a third book. DARN GOOD THING. As with other events in the book — it felt like the action had finally winded down, and moments were feeling sweet again. But in the last page and a half, Fitzpatrick whisks you away on another whirlwind. It happened so fast, I had to go back the next day and reread the last chapter. And then I reread it a third time the day after that — just to absorb every detail of what happened.

Be sure to check back for more about Hush, Hush and Crescendo here at Novel Novice — when the series is featured as our November Book of the Month!

Meanwhile, Crescendo is in stores next Tuesday. Check out the book trailer below: