Audio Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
October 19, 2010 from Simon & Schuster Audio

Synopsis:
Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but atleast she got a guardian angel out of it: a mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Path hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperatly searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

Review:
Crescendo picks up a few months after Hush Hush leaves off. Nora and fallen angel Patch are hot and heavy and all seems to be a-okay. Of course, danger looms and as new characters enter the picture we know all is not well. One of Nora's childhood friends, Scott, comes back to town and he has a rap sheet that would make a nun blush. Nora and Scott's mother tries to push a friendship on the two, but Scott's attitude is something to be desired. He's rude and cocky and Nora is so wrapped up in Patch that she wants no part of him. Props to her. The mystery behind Scott and his sudden return to Maine is a good addition to the book. I like the tension he carries and I'm sure he will be pivotal to the ending of the series. Not exactly a love triangle here girls, but in the end....Scott is important to Nora.

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations to Laurie Halse Anderson for the release of Forge! 

From School Library Journal:

Gr 6-10-This sequel to Chains (S & S, 2008) opens with Curzon, an enslaved teen who was freed from prison by Isabel, recalling his escape and anticipating the future. After an argument with Isabel about where they should go next, the 15-year-old battles the British at Saratoga and winters in Valley Forge with the Patriots. He reveals many details of the conditions endured by the soldiers during the winter of 1777-1778, including the limited food supply, lack of adequate shelter, and tattered clothing. When Curzon and Isabel meet again, they have both been captured and must devise a plan of escape once again. While the Patriots are fighting for the freedom of a country, these young people must fight for their personal freedom. This sequel can be read alone but readers will benefit from reading the first book, which develops the characters and reveals events leading up to the winter at Valley Forge. An appendix clarifies historical facts and real-life characters. A list of colloquial terms used throughout the novel is appended.Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD 

Congratulations to Andrea Cremer for the release of Nightshade! 

From Booklist:

Werewolves Ren and Calla—the young alpha male and female of two carefully controlled packs—are constantly sparring yet clearly attracted to each other. The plans for their impending union, designed to create a new pack, are upset by the arrival of Shay, a human man, and Calla risks her own safety and the future of her new pack by falling both in love and lust with him. Cremer’s thriller is less overtly romantic than Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series and has minimal character development, but that’s not what will keep readers turning the many pages of this quick read. Though some of the myriad twists and turns are predictable, there’s enough action to engage any reluctant reader. The unresolved ending promises a sequel, and Cremer’s multitiered society of nonhuman creatures with intriguing powers has plenty of room to explore. Her descriptions of werewolves in their wolf state are strongly rooted in their love of nature and the joy of physical strength and freedom, and will no doubt have teens debating the relative merits of werewolves versus vampires. Grades 7-11. --Debbie Carton

Congratulations to Becca Fitzpatrick for the release of Crescendo!

From Amazon:

The sequel to the New York Times Best selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush! 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?

Happy Reading!