Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

I was a big fan of Hush, Hush and couldn't wait for this to come out, along with a bunch of my female students.

Review from Amazon -

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 Portlan

d 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?

I did generally like this book. And had I read this book last year I would have been crazy about it. However, I recently have become bored with the typical paranormal romance where the girl can only think of her love interest, and that is exactly what Nora is about.

I also didn't like the the section with her father's ghost - I won't give a ton of detail but I felt that this element could have utilized much better. It was a great idea but I felt like it was tossed out at me a few times and then it was over.

I did (and still do) love Patch. I love the fact that he isn't the typical boy in the story that loves the girl uncondtionally and wants to change for the better and does everything in his power to do so. I mean, he does love Nora and always has her interest at heart but he can be shady, a jerk, pompous. In reality no person in a relationship is perfect and each person has flaws. Patch is the character and the reason that I will continue to look for the next in this series.

Another great part about Fitzpatrick is her ability for great twists. In this novel, she def. did not disappoint! and another one happens in the last three pages... be prepared to say "WHAT?!"

Overall, I would say it was 4 out of 5

It's that time of year... my favorite time of year... it's time for the first few weeks of SCHOOL! Yes, I truly enjoy this time of the year. I love getting all my new school supplies, like I was five years old again. There is something about a new notebook with no pages torn, no scribbles in it. And a new pen! How many wonderfully stressful things will I write!?

I'm refreshed and ready to dive into new units and see the familiar faces of my students in

the halls of Ripley. Though high schoolers can be tough, they have an uncanny ability to make me smile a

nd brighten my day!

I did read a few new books in the last week and wanted to take a minute to post about them. The first was a book called Ruined by Paula Morris. This was a great supernatural story that did not have to do with vampires. I thought it captured the "outsider" well and reminded us about New Orleans and the culture that is found there. The ending, though I won't spoil it, was quick. It "vanishes." I would say it was a 31/2 star book.

Another one was Incareron by Catherine Fisher. It's a new Big Brother theme book. It is very imaginative and so well planned the world that Fisher developed. It is most impressive. It does drag at the

end but I needed to know how it ended. The main heroine of the story is bossy, determined, and intelligent. You can't help but want her to succeed against the forces that are trying to control her. And the hero! His identity is predictable but he has a soft, caring heart and you want him to assume his rightful identity.

The last one I am going to mention is my favorite! Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick . This book involves a

new favorite supernatural topic f mine, angels. And Patch, the main character's love interest, oh, he's perfect! Yes, I secretly love him. Fitzpatrick weaves a great story, involves several great twists and left angry that I would have to wait for the sequel! It was very captivating! I mean, LOOK AT THAT COVER! One down side, the main character's best friend is too predictable and very expected. I will say it was the best summer read for me this year. 41/2 star