Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1)

by Becca Fitzpatrick

A sacred oath, a fallen angel, a forbidden love...This darkly romantic story features our heroine, Nora Grey, a seemingly normal teenage girl with her own shadowy connection to the Nephilim, and super-alluring bad boy, Patch, now her deskmate in biology class. Together they find themselves at the centre of a centuries-old feud between a fallen angel and a Nephilim...Forced to sit next to Patch in science class, Nora attempts to resist his flirting, though gradually falls for him against her better judgment. Meanwhile creepy things are going on with a mysterious stalker following her car, breaking into her house and attacking her best friend, Vi. Nora suspects Patch, but there are other suspects too - not least a new boy who has transferred from a different college after being wrongly accused of murdering his girlfriend. And he seems to have taken a shine to Nora...Love certainly is dangerous...and someone is going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice for it.

• ISBN10: 1416989412
• ISBN13: 9781416989417
• Publish Date: 13 October 2009 (first published 1 October 2009)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

"The higher up, the harder the fall." (Patch Cipriano)

I haven't read a book in a long time so just before my exams started, I was looking for a book to read. I wanted a fast-paced and fun read that I could finish before my exams started and I discovered Hush, Hush. The good thing is that Hush, Hush is an 'out of sigh, out of mind' book. I was so engrossed in Hush, Hush while I was reading it, but the moment I put it down, I forgot about it.

Nora, the main character of Hush, Hush is confusing. She's naive and trusting, but she's also paranoid and suspicious. Nora feels that someone is following her, starts seeing things that aren't there and starts suspecting everyone around her. But, she also blindly follows people that she barely trusts, doesn't listen to the warning bells in her head and does stupid things. Nora could have avoided so many dangerous situations if she had listened to the warning voice in her head. An example of Nora's fickle personality is her reaction towards Patch. Patch scares her because he harasses her and stalks her and a few moments later, she changes her tune, and states that Patch would never hurt her.

Patch is supposed to be a typical bad boy, mysterious and dangerous, but he's actually a terrible love interest who continually harasses and stalks Nora and makes her feel uncomfortable, fearful and unsafe. I hate when abusive, obsessive and possessive characteristics of love interests are romanticized.

Vee, Nora's best friend, is annoying. In the beginning of Hush, Hush, I liked her because she was humourous and outspoken, but her personality ended up suffocating me. Everything that she does or says is extremely annoying and makes her seem like a terrible best friend. One instance that really annoys me is when Vee starts talking to Nora about Patch in a purposely loud tone so that Elliot can hear them at the Delphic amusement park. She then brings Elliot into the conversation about how Patch is obsessed with Nora. What does she want Elliot to do? Get into a fistfight with Patch or something?

Hush, Hush wins the Weirdest Biology Class Ever award. Our very normal protagonist is forced to sit next to the mysterious and not quite human love-interest in Biology. I've never seen that in a book before! This Biology class is not based on research, experimentation, evidence and concrete facts. Instead, it's all about sleuthing and assumptions. The first assignment in this Biology class is to find out about one's Biology partner to prepare one for sleuthing. This is solely so that the protagonist can interact with her Biology partner for the first time. Also, when Nora goes to her Biology teacher and tells him that the seating arrangements isn't working and that Patch is making her feel uncomfortable, he ignores her and tells her to tutor Patch instead. No normal teacher will brush aside the fact that one student is making another student feel uncomfortable.

There is a eerie atmosphere in Hush, Hush and there is also lots of mystery. Nora doesn't know what's real and what isn't, whether somebody is really following her or if it's just a figment of her imagination and if someone is following her, who are they and what they want from her. Everyone in this book is a potential suspect/villain. I like reading about all the craziness and drama that is going on in this book.

The lore surrounding fallen angels is interesting and original. I don't think I've read about fallen angels in other books that are similar to the fallen angels in Hush, Hush. I'm also interested to see where this series goes when it comes to its angel lore.

Hush, Hush is a fun and entertaining read. The dialogue is humourous and the story flows logically and is easy to read. The mystery and angel lore is interesting, but the characters are confusing and annoying. Maybe if I read Hush Hush 5 -6 years ago, when I was a fan of the Fallen series, I would have enjoyed it more.

"There was nothing wrong with fire... as long as you didn't stand too close." (Nora Grey)

I had high hopes for this book, it had a lot of ratings with an average of 4.0 and I saw it on a goodreads list to read and the plot sounded good. In the first part of the book, I almost stopped reading the characters were annoying me but I continued on, hoping that things would get better. Even after everything was revealed, there was nothing there to make me say, this was a great book. I liked the main character Nora for the most part, but every time she had a scene with Patch, I was just so annoyed with her. I did not like the other characters, I found Vee annoying and that doesn't hold a candle to how I feel about Patch. I get he was suppose to be the bad boy but there is a difference between hard core and being a stalker. I did not like how he never listened to Nora, evaded her personal space, grabbed her, chased her and just all around forced his will upon her. He never really listened to her and when he would grab her and wouldn't back off, I just found that creepy and I wished Nora wouldn't have put up with it. She was such a push over when it came to Patch and I wish she would of be a strong girl who would of not let Patch treat her like that. There was a couple of things I liked about the story but overall there was just too much that I didn't like and I just don't get why it has such high ratings.

I've in the past, read the next book in the series because sometimes they get better, but I read the summary of the plot and it just doesn't sound that interesting, even though it has such high ratings.

[Vicki]

3 stars

[littleread1]

2.5 you know those books that you want to put down because they are so incredibly dumb and you wouldn't care if all the characters die, but for some reason you keep reading? that was this book for me. the cover is amazing and from that and the blurb I expected something darker and less ... I don't know. idiotic? unless they are gifted to me and I want some brain bleach I will not be continuing with this series. I wanted so bad to like it. :-(

[nitzan_schwarz]

2013 cleaning my shelves challenge

YOU CAN ALSO FIND THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG

Part #1: Overview
Anybody who loved Hush, Hush, you better leave this review five part rant right now because...

And you know what? I am done apologizing for hating this book. Done apologizing for thinking that the world is effing crazy for loving this... thing. I respect your opinion, and if you like it -- good for you, but I still can't understand it.

I don't even know where to begin, there is so much wrong here. So many ire inducing parts and moments. It's setting my teeth on edge just thinking of this book. But I guess I'll zero in on the characters and the romance. Or whatever the heck that was.

Only, I'm going to do a quick overview here and then proceed to rant in details over each and every agonizing bit in separate posts, because when I finished writing it all it was four times the length of my normal reviews and I didn't have the heart to subject you to that without at least giving you the option to choose whether you really want more of this rant in your life.

In short (because the long version is super long) - Nora is an idiot, Patch is a class A jerk, Vee is the worst best friend in the history of literature and I wish she'd die, and the romance doesn't make sense at all. Unless you have a thing for stalkers who force you against walls.

Seriously, there is not one selling point for this whole mess. And if bad af characters and romance aren't bad enough, there was so much inconsistency. It seemed like Fitzpatrick threw in information and people without a thought, reducing or ignoring them when she felt like it.

Like the school assignment that brought Nora and Patch together, and then conveniently disappeared from the plot. Conversations that Nora was supposed to have with her mother, but didn't. Discussions Vee and her should've had, but didn't. Or the tutoring bit.

That's not okay. Don't just put in things if you're not going to go back to them. If you're going to pretend they didn't exist. So much useless information just clogs up an already murky plot, and for nitpickers like me it just serves to drive us crazy, because we effing remember you put it there.

And the ending... just no. And I'm not even going to elaborate on that part because it just pains me to relive this and I would rather scrub it from my mind. But if you want to read what the ending should've been, check out Kat Kennedy's awesome How It Should Have Ended.

So, this is everything in a nutshell. I'll be posting the links here and on the other posts for each and every part of this elaborate rant, so if you are looking for a hefty dose of sarcasm and frustration (albeit funny ones)... continue on.:

Part #2: Nora

Let's take a look on the main character of this novel - Nora.

Nora, Nora, Nora... congratulations, because you've just received first place for the stupidest af "smart girl" I've ever read of. Studious people, stay far, far away from this book because this character single-handedly ruins our entire reputation, proving that getting good grades does not indicate owning/using a fully operating brain.

Come to think of it, she's not even that good at studying. Who does research on a subject by reading one article???

Oh, you don't believe me? I have examples. Too many of them.

For one, she listens to Vee (which you can read of farther on Part #4). She jumps to conclusions based on zero evidence. When she hears a guy's name is just a nickname, she never asks for his real one. She goes for safety to the guy she suspects might be stalking her.

Oh, and hypothetically, should you be looking for a place and a homeless person tells you you're on the wrong track, would you really bargain your clothes for directions from him? Or would you look for a more reliable source of information that has no ulterior motives (like coveting your coat)?

I'm all for giving to the needy, but this is not exactly that, is it?...

And she brings "indecisive" to a whole new level. Do you hate Patch, or are you weirdly attracted to him?? You can't rant on his creepiness, bad vibes and jerkiness one minute than agree with your "best friend" that there is a dangerous, tempting connection between the two of you. Oh, right. you just did. *face palm*

Also - WHY and WHEN and WHERE is that connection you keep talking about? I can't see it. Buuuut, more that on part #5.

Part #3: Patch
I despair for humanity when I think about the fact people like this guy. People fantasize about this class-A douche-bag. People swoon and sigh at his name. People need their heads checked, pronto. Because can any of you seriously tell me that in RL you'll want someone like this?!

He, on purpose, tries to make Nora fail a school assignment (which was then conveniently forgotten and never mention again). Every time they meet, he acts like an asshole, and not in a likable way. He forces her against walls again and again and doesn't stop when she tells him to (RAPIST! RAPIST! HELP!), stalks her (even if he's not the stalker), tries to scare her to death (in the literal sense of the word), always laughs at her, always mean, always tries to get a rise out of her.

And for Pete's sake, the only reason he got close to her was to convince her to effing kill herself for him, so he could execute his plans. W.T.F.

WHAT ARE HIS REDEEMING FEATURES!? ANYONE!? A morbidly curious part of me seriously want to know what you can possibly see in this guy (and don't tell me he gets better, because that sure af doesn't excuse anything). Honestly, people, there is nothing likable about him. I hated his creepy guts.

And then, he wants me to believe he cares for Nora? After she accused him of following and breaking into her house and he was completely unaffected by it, even though he knew he didn't do it so someone must've? At the very least, he should worry someone would kill her before he could convince her to do it herself!

Before they shared a kiss he couldn't give a rat's ass about her. Very endearing. Very believable. A dream guy. Gag.

Part #4: Vee
I have one thing to say to you, Vee dear -

It is my sincerest wish to read an obituary for this character. Please, someone, tell me she was killed off during the course of this blasted series. Or is that too much to hope for? I honestly want this girl dead.

I have never read of a more horrible, self centered, pushy, idiotic, uncaring, rude, brainless "best friend". And I hope I never will, because the day I will will probably also be the day I kill myself. *shudders*

I kind of worry for the author if she thinks this is a good representation of a best friend. And I also have this desperate need to hug my best friends and thank them for being amazing every time I think of this cursed character.

You must be thinking I am overreacting. That there is no need to spew so much hate over a fictional character. I am certain I can change your mind on that with just a simple, if spoilery, questionnaire demonstrating her actions throughout this novel and showcasing how she is the worst best friend on the face of this earth:

Your best friend tells you GUY A makes her uncomfortable (and not in a good way). Do you:
a. stand by her, supporting her and helping to keep him away from her
b. push him on her and say how hot he is, because that's clearly the truly important thing here.

You're sitting between two guys (one of them GUY A) and your BF makes up a lie about a test to escape because she doesn't want to be there and you know it. Do you:
a. Back her up for a smooth escape, even if you don't understand her deal.
b. humiliate her by calling out her bluff.

Your BF tells you she suspect GUY A is stalking her and has tried to hurt her. Do you:
a. Worry non-stop and try to minimize their contract/threaten him with police if he doesn't stop.
b. Set up a double date with him for your BF because his best friend (GUY B) is rich and you want in his pants.

GUY B asks you to go camping with them. Do you:
a. Politely refuse or at the very least keep your BF out of it
b. force your BF to come with, begging her not to ruin this for you, for three days of you, your BF, the guy stalking her and his BF. Because that's a great plan.

If you answered b on all of the above then congratulations are in order (or maybe more accurately consolations...), you are Vee, worst BF on the planet. You're also not the sharpest toll in the shed because after all of the above you also go with GUY B to a party and then break into your school to play... hide and seek...? huh?...

Why, yes. ALL her plans are THIS brilliant. It's actually sort of impressive, when you think of it statistically. I especially liked the one where Nora tells her she's being followed, possibly by the guy who broke into her house, so she disguises herself as Nora to get the stalker to follow her, and Nora could follow him, and... do... something. What, he might be armed? pfft, never mind that. It's not important.

Hahaha, too bad she didn't get killed right there and then. I bet you no jury out there would've have convicted him.

(Noooo, I don't hate this girl with a passion of the seven fires of hell at allllllll)

Part #5: Is This Supposed to Be Romance?
Know all the "still a better love story than Twilight" jokes? They won't work here.

Guy is a jerk to girl all the time. Girl hates guy. But girl is also.... attracted to guy? An attraction that makes no sense, comes out of nowhere and has no basis in the story? But, yeah. She can't hate him for more than a minute (even though her hate is justified) without thinking about the dangerous, undeniable (I DENY) connection between them. Which I never once sensed/saw/understood/anything.

I don't need fingers to count the amount of times he was even remotely nice to her because there wasn't any. The total sum of their proper conversations will probably amount to -1.

there is not one reason for Nora to care for, relay on or fall in love with him. She's freakin' certain he is her stalker for 90% of the book, for Pete's sake! So can you maybe understand why every time she felt safe with/attracted to/lost in the eyes of Patch or anything of that nature (especially since it usually followed his creeptastic behavior or Nora's questions of his involvement in everything) I literally winched in pain and turned away from the book?

I had a physical reaction to this inconceivable "romance".

After all you've read, in this part and the four leading to it, can you imagine how shocked I was to learn that Patch apparently cared for Nora? Even loved her? Even before he entered her life? Dude, just no.

In all seriousness, all you girls--and boys-- out there, I beg you, don't go looking for a "relationship" like this. This is borderline abusive. Never go for a guy who makes a sport of hurting you. Never go for someone who would ignore your "no"s. You are worth so much more than this. Unless you're Vee.

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[CrowNoYami]

I really enjoyed this book, to be honest it was one of the books that I pushed off to the side and said "If I find it cheap enough I'll read it." My workplace was raising money by doing a book fair and there it was. I can honestly say I love this book, there were some elements that reminded me of Twilight. Unlike Twilight however I enjoyed the main character, who I found personable and fun. Another thing that hooked me in? Patch, he's just what I want in a character, be it a manga, anime, movie or book I love his type of character and although I'm scared the next book will disappoint me I'm already working on getting it. This was a quick read and a very enjoyable one. Love it!!

[mrs_mander_reads]

A quick read. Almost reminded me of Twilight in terms of the Love story. The concept of fallen angels is new to me, though. I really liked the story line. Sometimes I felt like it jumped too quickly, and if have to reread, but that's my only complaint.

[puchunga]

Nothing out of this world. I didn't expect something too fancy though, I imagined it wasn't that good. It is romantically silly, but I can't say I didn't like it. Patch is a really charming character, I like that boy.

[tellemonstar]

Full review here
This was good. I wasn't sure what to expect going into Hush, Hush apart from it having something to do with angels. However it caught my eye at the library and I decided to borrow it.

I have got to say, I really wasn't sure about Patch. I mean, I was pretty sure he wasn't the really bad bad guy, but I didn't think he was exactly a good guy either. I liked him a bit more later on, especially after a couple of other people turned extra creepy. His story was quite interesting, and I am glad that it was revealed in glimpses to start start with, because that made it more interesting to discover, but also kept the intrigue going. I do hope his attitude changes a bit more in the next ones though, because he had a very serial-killer/rapist vibe in quite a few parts.

I enjoyed the angel mythology. It goes along with much of what has been able to be established from the bible about Lucifer and the other fallen angels who were kicked out of Heaven. I thought that the tearing off of the wings by a particular branch of angels was great. I also thought that Patch's scars from his wings was a very interesting way of explaining his wings. I could imagine that having your wings torn off would leave scars, so I thought that made sense.

I think the main plot could have been introduced a bit quicker - 300 pages in is a little slow, and yes Patch was mostly a creep until Nora figured out some of his secrets, but I still found Elliot and Jules way more creepy.

I would recommend this to older YA readers because it is kind of creepy, and there are some more adult themes in this than in a typical YA novel. Anyone who wants a change from vampires and werewolves might also like this.

[Kelly]

Rant, not a review.

I'd like to think I'm a fairy open minded person. Boys look lovely in pink, real men aren't afraid to cry and Lady Gaga is welcomed to wear an ensemble made of small goods found at your local delicatessen if she so wishes. And after reading Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick for the second time...

I'm even open to flamboyant vegetarian vampires who sparkle in the sun.

The first time I read Hush Hush, was just after I had discovered The Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen is the ultimate heroine, strong and sassy with intellect and ability to lead a revolution.

Nora Grey, alas, is not.

It's not that I dislike her character, you almost feel a pathetic pity for her. She's clearly a social outcast with only one friend, one mortal enemy and now not only a supposed smoking hot boyfriend, but a second male party interested as well. For a girl who has never clearly been popular, she seems to take her new found status in her stride without question.

Introducing Patch. Is he worthy of the 'Book Boyfriend' label? No. Why?
Pool playing hustler? Check ✔
Creepy stalker? Check ✔
Being sexually suggestive towards a female minor? Check ✔
It's really not too bad, considering he is a cardboard version of the luminescent Edward Cullen.

And that's isn't a compliment.

The supporting characters are pretty forgettable. We have the cliche best friend Vee, talking the leg off a table. She isn't the brightest crayon in the box, but she makes up for the lack of intellect with peer pressure. Convincing Nora to date Elliot, when Nora has made it clear that she wants nothing to do with him. But as Vee is her supposed best friend forever, Nora caves.

Hello doormat.

Nora's father is dead, her mother works long hours leaving her teen daughter alone overnight. We see a Russian housekeeper for the first few chapters, but apart from the coach who taught biology (which is basically a class on sex to introduce Nora and Patch's attraction to one another), and the new school psychologist, where are all the adults? Nora's mother can hardly question her choice of boyfriend while she's a non existent parent. She's lucky her daughter isn't into hard drugs, unprotected sex and entering a contract with Mr Christian Grey.

While I'm being brutally honest, I loathed this book. Considering I mildly disliked it the first time, I'm even more frustrated for being dimwitted enough to bother to read it again. It's not just the annoying characters that bare the brunt of my loathing, it's also the writing. I don't doubt Becca Fitzpatrick's popularity, and I'm sure she's a lovely person, donating to various charities, helping the elderly cross the street, volunteering at her local homeless shelter. But this book is the equivalent of having a tooth pulled in paperback form. It's finding out that the neighbours ran over your cat. Finding the man of your dreams, only to learn that he's actually your cousin. It's why the bloody hell you bought the Kindle edition, when you already bought the paperback version last year and wasted more money. Why?

Because I'm stupid.