neddieb
Written on Sep 24, 2012
At first I thought I was reading a different version of Twilight. I came to the conclusion that I was in fact reading a twisted version of Twilight.
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 1416989420
- ISBN13 9781416989424
- Publish Date 21 September 2010 (first published 1 October 2009)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Simon & Schuster
- Edition Reprint ed.
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 432
- Language English
Reviews
At first I thought I was reading a different version of Twilight. I came to the conclusion that I was in fact reading a twisted version of Twilight.
Ashley
Written on Aug 16, 2012
Before starting Hush, Hush, I was about 120 pages into Seraphina by Rachel Hartman and totally stuck. So when I cast Seraphina aside unfinished, I was grumpy and wanted an awesome book. Hush, Hush totally sucked me in. It took me two days to get through 120 pages of Seraphina, but only about two hours to get through the same amount of pages in Hush, Hush. Man, I was hooked!
This book is intriguing. Hush, Hush is so full of mystery that it totally draws you in and has you begging for more. I wanted to find answers! I wanted to know the truth! What the heck was going on??
Okay, Vee isn't the main character; she's actually Nora's best friend. But I'm going to start with her because she is awesome! I'll admit she did start annoying me in the second half of the book, but in the first half she is absolutely hilarious! She's a little crazy, and some might say she's a little too carefree, but I adored her! I wish I had a best friend like her! But then in the second half I feel like she became a little clueless and seemed to have very little common sense.
Nora was a good character too, but in hindsight, there wasn't much about her that drew me in. I didn't think about this at all when I was reading, but looking back, she doesn't stand out that much. She is really curious though and I love her determination to get to the bottom of things. I feel like I totally wouldn't be like that. If there was a weird guy in my biology class I'd just write him off as being a weirdo. I wouldn't be determined to find out more and convinced that there was something paranormal about him!
The one thing I didn't like in this book was the romance. I didn't hate it, but I just didn't resonate with it. I felt like it came out of nowhere. I mean, Patch and Nora barely know each other. They never talk. Patch seems to magically know facts about Nora and her life, but she knows nothing about him and they only hung out socially once. Then suddenly he's all like, "I care about you more than anything," and throwing out all sorts of similar phrases that basically equate to "I love you more than my own life." I was just like, "woah, slow down, where did that come from?" I mean other than the sexual tension (which I'd consider lust rather than actual romance/love), I felt like there was very little there. Most of the book is about Nora trying to figure out Patch by interrogating other people about him. They only actually sit down and chat with each other two or three times.
Another thing that caused me to not get sold on the romance was Patch himself. I had a hard time believing in his feelings for Nora when we learned that he'd been in love twice before. I mean, I know it's possible to love more than one person in your life, but seeing it in writing (especially when combined with the almost-insta-love described above) kind of cheapened it for me. I couldn't help but think: how are your feelings for Nora so special when there have already been two other women in your life that you fell head over heels in love with?
I thought that the fallen angel story was absolutely awesome. In fact, I was a little bummed that we didn't get more of it (maybe in later books?). I was dying to learn more about the angels' history, their rules, their hierarchy, and so on.
The main thing that Hush, Hush has going for it is that it's a quick read — not in length, but in the way it hooked me in. I was interested! I wanted to know what happened next so I read and read and read, with very few breaks! If it weren't for the fast moving, totally enticing plot, I probably would have given this book three stars because of all my little annoyances. But most of those things I didn't even think about until afterwards when I was reflecting on the book. In the moment, I was just focused on how addicted I was to reading the book and figuring out what would happen next.
I definitely think there's a cool story here and I'll be picking up the second book! Reading Hush, Hush was also kind of a test because Becca Fitzpatrick will be in London in November and I decided that if I liked Hush, Hush I'd attend her book signing! So it looks like I'll probably be going!
Rinn
Written on Apr 15, 2012
I read reviews of this book here on Goodreads, and as I'm a sucker for trashy YA paranormal romance, I thought I'd give it a try - and the next day, found it in a charity shop for 80p.
My first thought when looking at this book was Twilight - the cover, the font, the plot. Little list of similarities:
- Nora and Patch meet in Biology class
- he wants to kill her AND seduce her
- she finds him dangerous, yet attractive
- Patch has to 'rescue' her from a trip to the nearest big town/city where she cleverly went off by herself
And there are a lot of other similarities, but also some differences.
For one, Nora isn't as annoying a character. She's not a Mary Sue, but it almost feels like the author was trying too hard to make her 'quirky' - writes poetry in secret, plays the cello, only listens to baroque music. She is however, plain stupid. And is apparently applying to Stanford, Harvard and Yale. And then of course there's the token annoying best friend, who is a 'typical' teenage girl (although I don't actually know many teenagers who act like these typical teenage girls...).
Patch was a seriously disturbing character. If you thought Edward Cullen was twisted, wait until you meet this guy. He is manipulative, abusive and just plain nasty. I'm not sure what it is with these paranormal romances, but when did treating someone like that equate to caring for them? There's looking out for someone, and then there's... that.
Then there was the situation in Biology class near the beginning, where Nora's teacher essentially puts her on the spot and asks very personal, humiliating questions, and Patch plays along. I'm not sure what teacher would ever think that sort of thing was okay, but I'm sure if they actually did it, it would result in their dismissal.
Overall, no the book was not original. It's a very overused format, but instead of vampires or whatever we have fallen angels. Cookie cutter characters, very simple writing - yet honestly, I just kept reading. I'm not sure if it was because it was simple and therefore a quick read, because I just wanted to get it over and done with, or because I actually enjoyed it despite all the wrong moral messages it sends out, but I finished this book in just a couple of hours.
EDIT: A couple of mistakes I noticed. There is one point where Nora is in Patch's Jeep, and decides to look through his glove compartment for more information on him. She mentions how even just his cell phone number would be good enough - but she already has it. He wrote it on her hand on the first day.
When Jules' parents are described as being away, due to their jobs in the diamond industry, and that they go to Africa and Australia a lot, Nora queries why they would go to Australia since it's not big in the diamond industry. Do you know what country is pretty big in the diamond industry? Here's a few clues: kangaroos, Ayers Rock, kookaburras, the Sydney Opera House, koalas - yes! It's Australia!
inlibrisveritas
Written on Jul 27, 2011
As I’ve seen this is one of those popular books that I find to be on the crappy side. I love books that incorporate gods,demons,angels and so forth so I was honestly looking forward to this. Besides the cover is gorgeous and I would own this only because it’s pretty. However it didn’t really translate to the book. The prologue was interesting and caught my attention but then when it got to the main story it slowed down soooo much. To the point where I simply disliked it because it hadn’t gotten to the point, and by the middle of the book i was still as lost (if not more so). The main character Nora and her best friend Vee are raging idiots to top it off. Nora is the typical “normal” girl you find in these books, and she of course is conflicted because the bad boy she says she has no interest in is showing interest in her. Okay so far it’s the same as everything else. But then you add in the confusing “someone is after her” storyline and then it’s different, but it takes literally the whole book to figure what is going on…I mean I love mystery novels and suspense but this wasn’t suspenseful it was downright annoying. If you suspect someone of something a long the lines of murder or attempt murder do you make a habit of crossing paths with them? Or for that matter “fall” for them? I mean does she have Stockholm Syndrome? I mean I guess I’m missing the romantic connotations here but I just didn’t get it at all. And Vee is just stupid, enough said. Patch is…annoying first and foremost. I understand he’s suppose to be dark and sexy, and sure I suppose he is but uuuughhh. And the nickname “Patch” didn’t work for me either, it’s childish and didn’t fit in with the book. As for actual plot it was slow moving and at times extremely confusing and for me frustrating. You find out that someone is actually the bad guy…and then that he’s not “THE” bad guy so it’s okay, but now there is also a second bad guy who is there to shake things up but is apparently not “THE” bad guy either…so finally you learn who exactly the main bad guy is and the other bad guys become good or disappear and the story is done.
I guess I can recommend this to Twilight fans, seeing as I haven’t met a Twilight fan who didn’t like this book. If the review seems confusing that’s because the book felt the same way too me. Overall I didn’t like it and I don’t think I’ll read the second one unless it comes my way for free.
girlinthepages
Written on Apr 8, 2011
elysium
Written on Mar 3, 2011
Nora Grey’s life changes when she gets new lab partner, Patch. She can’t stand him and at the same time is afraid of him. Her suggestion of a new partner is turned down and eventually she starts have major crush on him. But then stuff starts to happen and it seems Patch might be behind them.
There was some hype about this some time ago and witch such a great cover I just had to try it too. And I’m little surprised how much I liked this! Not great and had it’s falts but I did enjoy it.
Wasn’t huge fan of Nora herself. Bit boring and too naive, or should I say too teen? After she nearly runs ove a guy, her house is burned, nearly shot to death etc. absolutely never tell your parents, police or any adult because that would be stupid. Instead go to this huge investigating mode and speaking of that, the bar scene with wigs and all was so stupid. Seriously, when you are trying to find out about a guy you think is behind trying to kill you maybe your questions shouldn’t be:
“Do you know if Patch has ever had any restraining orders?
Does he have a history of stalking?
Does he have a girlfriend?”
But of course she can’t help but be in love with this mysterious guy! Whatever...
I found this kinda hilarious. When she sees Patch’s scars her first though is: “He must be fallen angel!” Seriously?? That’s your first thought? I have to remember this when I next time see someone with scars...
And naturally when she googles fallen angel the first page up is what se needs. Why this never happens to me?
But I liked Patch. I thought he was funny and I liked his sense of humor. I liked the idea of fallen angel and I wanted to learn more of his background.
For YA novel with such hype this was really good since I don’t usually like those. And good enough for me to read the next book.
thebookdisciple
Written on Dec 22, 2010
celinenyx
Written on Aug 31, 2010
Fitzpatrick has created a world that's quite believable. I was glad it didn't resemble Fallen too much. It starts off the same; mysterious boy at a school that seems unreachable. But where Daniel is really rude, Patch is just being distant, but he is never mean to Nora. He is a tease, but who doesn't like a hot guy teasing you...
The process of Nora accepting that Patch isn't human, and that angels do exist was a bit rushed in my opinion. She only deals with Patch being unhuman, not with that the Bible was right and her whole world is upside down. Shouldn't she doubt what else is real if angels are real? I think this is one of the great gaps in the story.
The Nephelim lore was interesting. I haven't read a lot of books that focus on angels, so it felt quite new for me. It is refreshing to read something different than the old vamp/were stuff. I would like to read more about angels, they are quite interesting (and hot!).
You can just feel the chemistry between our couple. Patch cares for Nora from the beginning of the story, and Nora slowly grows into it. The development wasn't rushed and felt natural. She acts very like her age, which I think is quite an achievement. You see her slowly admitting her feelings for Patch, even though he is dangerous and she knows nothing about him. She does some irresponsible things, but who doesn't at that age? I liked that even though Hush, Hush is a young-adult book they don't act like sex doesn't exist. It isn't that implicit and in-your-face, but you can tell Nora wants more from Patch than just a little kiss.
Okay, the ending might be predictable, we all knew this would be the best solution, but it was sweet. Now we can read more about our new favourite angel-human couple. Give me part two!
lizarodz
Written on Aug 26, 2010
Leah
Written on Aug 23, 2010
Hush, Hush is actually the first book I've read about angels. I know they're a hot topic in YA fiction at the minute, but mainly I've just read about vampires and regular people, and I was a bit hesitant about angels/fallen angels because who was to say I'd enjoy it? I was completely wrong to be worried, though, because fallen angels are actually interesting. I thought there would be a lot of backstory and a complicated history but the book was really straightforward with history only being used when necessary to explain things which was fine by me.
One thing I think Fitzpatrick excelled at throughout the book was building the suspense. The book is jam-packed full of it and it helped to keep the book flowing that's for sure. I did want Nora to confide in someone - Patch or Vee her best friend - about the hooded man following her because it was clear that person was intent on doing damage but the lack of Nora confessing about it just built the suspense all the more. The suspense was so bad I didn't know whether to put the book down for a bit or plough on nonetheless. I ploughed on nonetheless - what can I say I'm a sucker for suspense? - and it just kept building and building until it all exploded into a thrilling ending. I had guessed partly what was going on but for the most part I didn't guess at all.
Because Nora narrates the entire story, I (thankfully) warmed to her immediatly. When authors write the book that way, in the first person, it's imperative to like the narrator otherwise the story just doesn't work so I was happy to find that I loved Nora. When she first met Patch, although she acknowledged he had something about him, she didn't fall hopelessly in love with him right there and then, it took time and a heck of a lot of chemistry in between before she admitted she felt anything for him. Believe me, there was serious chemistry between the pair. Patch is the bad boy everyone is supposed to fall hopelessly in love with, and fall I did, despite his arrogance and cockiness. It actually endeared him to me more to be honest. He had his flaws, don't get me wrong, but he was just so charming you could forgive him anything. The chemistry between himself and Nora really pushed the book and I loved the way they sparked off each other. Another character I loved was Vee, Nora's best friend, she was a fab character and I hope we see more of her in the sequel.
As you can probably tell, I loved Hush, Hush. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did but I did, I adored it and could barely put it down. Everything was done perfectly, it drew me in easily at the beginning, the suspense built up from beginning to end with no let up during the middle of the book and the ending was stunning. It works well as a stand-alone, but a sequel is coming out in October so it obviously leaves us wanting more, too. It has it all; love, humour, fantastic characters and such suspensful suspense that I was dying to finish the book to see how it all ended! If you're a fantasy fan then this is one for you. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel!