Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Crescendo (Book 2)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Pages: 432

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Publication Date: October 19, 2010

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described 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.

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?

Nora's life is in shambles. Her relationship with Patch is shattering, her father's murder still haunts her, and a new secret society is hot on her heels. With everything not making sense, she forces herself to find the pieces of the puzzle to the mysteries and secrets of her life. What she finds about Patch is shocking, and more so the truth about her father's death. Will the angels finally tear Patch and Nora apart? Or are they willing to sacrifice everything to be together?

Electrifying, edgy, and emotionally-charged, Crescendo plunges readers into an intoxicating plot of action-filled, striking drama that will leave people completely breathless. The world that Fitzpatrick has forged in Hush, Hush, is further developed with its vivid imagery and thought-provoking flashbacks that have the reader grasping for more, and at the same time, solidifying the mythological concepts in the novel. The conceptualized details and themes are infused tastefully and not to overwhelm the reader, making this sequel an elaborate and intriguing look on angel mythology.

Nora's character in Crescendo is bolder, taking more daring risks than before, and audaciously confronting Patch a number of times. Her primary goal is to figure out the mystery of her father's murder and learn why Patch is slowly pulling away from her. Her determination and perseverance pushes her to find out for herself, but not understanding the dangers that are potent. In her narration, Nora is mature and independent for her age, especially because of what she has been through, and she is perceptive to those around her, but sometimes over-analyzing them. At her core, she is truthfully a practical albeit insecure person who has to deal with the lies, mysteries, and betrayal that surrounds her life.

Externally, Patch is portrayed as a bad-boy with a knack for trouble. His flirty quips and erratic behavior conveys him as the bad-boy stereotype. But as his character develops more fully throughout Crescendo, his love for Nora becomes more palpable and believable. Although he can be manipulative in some ways, he still has his pure values in heart. His constant guard makes him seem distant, but internally, he is fighting for Nora and isn't afraid to put her before himself.

Patch and Nora's relationship in Crescendo is more physical, as well as more emotionally explosive. The secrets that come between them complicate things even more, and eventually forces them apart. As Nora questions Patch's faithfulness, she is made more vulnerable to jealousy and resentment. This renders her as a flawed character, convincing and realistic, making Crescendo exceedingly relative and grounded.

Captivating, riveting, and mysterious, readers will surely gravitate to Fitzpatrick's strong prose. Fitzpatrick's writing emanates a thrilling, dark tone, deriving an intense, tension-ridden atmosphere. Fitzpatrick manages to capture real-life concepts such as decision-making, and relationships as well as adhere a supernatural environment.

Crescendo is a seductive, witty novel that immediately catapults readers into Fitzpatrick's well-developed world of angels and nephilims; a world where anything is possible. With a sensational romance, a staggering plot, and expressive characters, Fitzpatrick finally brings Crescendo to a temporary close with a stunning cliff-hanger.

The Bottom Line: Hush, Hush was a FANTASTIC book. Crescendo is even better.


---Field Report---
Originality: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 9/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 97/100 (A+)