Great start to the sequel with the murder of Nora’s father. We wanted to know more since the first novel and it’s immediately revealed that his death is linked to the dangerous world of angels – the plot thickens.
The book then starts from where it left off which is a nice touch. Naturally, everyone wants to know about Patch and Nora and the reader hasn’t missed anything. I hate when stories leave out the ‘happy months’ after the first novel and immediately go into the drama. Great! We knew they happened but a couple of paragraphs about summer days snuggling on the beach doesn’t really cut explain much does it? At least we know the happy period didn’t last long and there’s trouble from the onset. Understandable, when a fallen angel/come guardian angel is trying to have a sneaky relationship with his protected. So although the novel starts with a blissful relationship we all know it inevitably won’t last long. Fitzpatrick tackles this well. It’s usually the guy who’s the sensible one and breaks it off but Nora manages to beat him to it. In light of the Arch Angels threatening Patch if he doesn’t end the relationship she quickly decides to end it herself (lessening the heartache by making it quick and ensuring Patch doesn’t stay with her but at least stays alive!) Clever girl! Reminds me of a Buffy plot! But surely they have to find some way to get back together?
Of course, trying to keep away from the guy you love is never easy. Especially for a teenage girl and especially when he decides to spend his new found freedom in the company of your slutty arch rival – Marcie Millar (cue for girl drama). It’s not often you get a girl fight in a fantasy novel. I found it pretty entertaining! Nora suddenly plays the typical girl writhed with jealously. She becomes consumed with the fact that Patch is suddenly with Marcie and becomes obsessed with finding out what’s going on. This annoyed me a little as it seemed obvious to me that Patch was performing some angelic duty. But fair enough! At least she doesn’t sit sulking in her room and Fitzpatrick really captures the emotional rollercoaster of being a teenage girl in love. The truth is her irate behavior and snap decision are a little annoying and get her in trouble but they also make her character interesting and exciting. I didn’t like the sensible Nora. I like the Nora that goes to pool halls with random boys to prove she’s cool and breaks into people’s bedrooms to find their secrets.
Fitzpatrick’s Patch is as ever, delightfully mysterious, sexy and secretive. His attitude to the break up is handled brilliantly. He comes off uncaring and cold to Nora but to the reader he seems to be acting like an adult trying to handle the situation; it is obvious there is more to the story than Nora is aware of. He refuses to be drawn into the unnecessary drama that Nora creates in her angst.
The great thing about these novels is they manage to mix the everyday drama and angelic drama really well! In the midst of worrying about demonic and angelic attacks, Nora still manages to worry about buying a car, landing a job and getting one over on Marcie Millar.
Another irritation about Nora during the novel is her inability to reaction to threats. During the novel, Nora keeps having glimpses of her dead father. One of these sightings turn into a supernatural attack but at no point does Nora think she should mention it to someone. Anyone. Nor does she realize it’s strange that Patch doesn’t notice the danger and come to the rescue? Stupid things like that get heroines killed. Not to mention she didn’t get a punch in during the girl fight!
The main thread in this novel is Nora’s quest to find out who killed her father. She receives a mysterious note claiming the murderer is The Black Hand. Could it be that Patch is The Black Hand? All clues lead to him… This is a brutal blow to Nora. Fitzpatrick has set up the worst kind of betrayal. I really was swaying from yes to no. He couldn’t have done it? Could he? Maybe? The brilliance of the novel is that Patch really does appear capable of anything.
The end is a good twist. And the setting is great. The mythology of the nephilim, archangels and fallen angels, progresses and it’s a plot that has potential for an epic fantasy if Fitzpatrick hadn’t gone down the Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy root.
I think this is the success and the downfall of a novel like this. People who want a paranormal romance might find it falls short of a novel enthralled in romance whereas readers who love a good plot with a love line thrown in are going to be slightly put off by the huge focus on Patch and Nora. I personally think the Hush Hush series does well to tick all the boxes. It has an original idea that is undoubtedly evolving; a great love story; and a firm grasp on the elements you need for an urban fantasy.
What I also found interesting in the novel is it had the sequel feel to a novel series and not a trilogy. If the series was a trilogy it should have packed more punch. Crescendo sits well against other fantasy series for a sequel. Not as good as the first but leaves you excited for the third. And just over the horizon you feel a bigger plot could immerge. If it is a trilogy I'll be disappointed. It has more potential than that.
Plus, Crescendo has a cliffhanger that guarantees you will be buying the next book! You have been warned.
Can I buy it now please?
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