Hardcover, 427 pages Released: October 19th 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.My Rating: 3.5 / 5
The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?
My Thoughts:
Crescendo was my top "must read, can't wait for book of 2010" so you may want to take my review with a grain of salt...I had super high expectations, last year I fell in love with Hush, Hush (click for review).
In Crescendo, Nora and Patch are together, and her crazy side-kick Vee is dating...Patch's best bud Rixon. Sounds great right? Wrong. This book is filled with new characters & many twists and turns as Nora comes closer to understanding who she is and what happened the night her dad was murdered.
Nora's character is much stronger in this book, she is not as dependant on Vee to do everything for her. Vee, whose fun/silly/crazy antics in Hush, Hush had me wishing I had a friend like that, just came off as annoying and way too anti-Patch in Crescendo. Add to this, the connection between Patch & Nora being strained for most of the book. I must say I really missed the Patch I loved in Hush, Hush!
Crescendo gives us insight into Nora's background, why her dad was murdered and we are told of a trouble that is brewing. Besides the introduction to a secret society, it was really only the last 50 or so pages that finally sucked me in. I'm not sure of the correct way to put this, but it seems to suffer the Curse of the Trilogy...I would suggest reading this book knowing you will get some answers, be left with more questions (a cliff hanger ending, of course!) & consider it a bridge book to get us to the guts of the story in the next book.
About Author Mel Boulrice
I'm only 100 pages in but so far I'm agreeing with your thoughts on Patch and Nora, I'm definitely missing the Patch from Hush Hush that was snarky and cocky and fun to read:) Still looking forward to book 3 though! Thanks for this honest review:)
ReplyDeleteYeah I felt the same I read this book in August and I'm still mad at Patch. It's really hard to see character's you love go in directions you would never expect. Great review!
ReplyDeleteGood points! I was wondering if it was just me. Though I enjoyed the book, there was SO MUCH at once...at the book's end, I seriously had to step back and contemplate what just happened. Cie la vie, perhaps snarky-but-oh-so-sigh-worthy Patch will return in full force for book 3. Here's hoping! Happy reading....
ReplyDeleteAh, I'm so scared to buy this one...Maybe I'll wait it out and see if my library gets a copy. Nice honest review :D
ReplyDeleteI am reading this now and I thought Patch seemed a bit too different also. I was hoping there would be an explanation for it later on. I hope he returns to his old ways in the next book. Kind of liked the snarkiness!
ReplyDeleteI read this last month and liked it more than the first book. The ending really left me hanging and now we have to wait a whole year for the next one.
ReplyDeleteJenny - I hope you love it & I, too, can't wait for #3!
ReplyDeleteCari - too funny, but yes I think it was the Patch in this one that didn't sit well with me!
GMR - good point! As I was thinking about this review I realized so much did happen - the things I had expected took a back seat though :(
Lea - oh no! You'll have to read it just to see... & so I can pick your brain after ;)
Beth - there is a reason for it, but I didn't like it LOL I want snarky, confident Patch back too!
Jenny - YAY, I know that ending is killer (she did that with Hush, Hush too!)
Really appreciated your honest review! I think that sometimes our expectations are so high that some books don't stand a chance. I'm struggling with writing a review right now for a book I was really looking forward to, but was disappointed with. Might have been those high expectations...
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
I cant wait to read this! Thanks for the sneak peek! :)
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