Book Description: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
Review:
I really was reluctant to read this book. The cover was so beautiful that I really thought that the actual book couldn’t help but pale by comparison. Stupid reason not to read a book, I know. But when Hush, Hush won the Cover of the Year in the Urban Fantasy Cover Art Awards, I decided I couldn't wait any longer to read it. I bought and read it that same day determined to know if the beauty of this book was more than skin deep. The verdict? First off, you need to know three things: Hush, Hush is not Twilight, Becca Fitzpatrick is not Stephenie Meyer, and Patch is not Edward Cullen. Keep all those facts in mind and I think, like me, you'll like Hush, Hush.
His black eyes sliced into me, and the corners of his mouth tilted up. My heart fumbled a beat and in that pause, a feeling of gloomy darkness seemed to slide like a shadow over me. It vanished in an instant, but I was still staring at him. His smile wasn't friendly. It was a smile that spelled trouble. With a promise. –Hush, Hush
There was a big display at my bookstore with a sign that read: if you like Twilight, you’ll love Hush, Hush. Well, I’m not so sure. I love the Twilight books (I do have some issues with Breaking Dawn), but it was the expectation of reading a book like Twilight that initially put me off when I started Hush, Hush. They are very different books and it is a disservice to both to force the comparison. In Hush, Hush the tone is less somber, the protagonist is not as mature, and most importantly, Patch is the opposite of Edward.
As for the book as a whole, the writing is good and the characterizations are better. YA books can often suffer from trying way to hard to be young and teen friendly only to end up drowning in pop culture references and promiscuity. Hush, Hush does neither and yet the teenage characters are completely realistic. I feel like I knew these characters, would have been friends with them in High School (especially Vee, I thought she was hilarious). I think the character of Patch, however, is the make or break factor in this book.
Patch has a line in the book that helped me tremendously in understanding and warming up to his character: "I'm not good, but I used to be worse." He is patronizing, arrogant, aggressive, possessive, manipulative, cocky, insensitive, and he turns everything into sexual innuendo. And yet somehow, by the end of the book, I liked him. The reason is simple: redemption.
In a lot of stories redemption is a common theme, but we often only get to see the before or the after, and with good reason; the during can be hard to watch, and that's true in Hush, Hush. I can't count the number of times I wanted Nora to wake up and smell the restraining order. Patch was not good for her. Even Nora knew that on an intellectual level, and while I appreciated that she truly tried to stay away from him, I still dragged my feet at the inevitability of their union. But as I learned more about Patch, saw him struggling with his own nature, along with Nora, a part of me stopped resisting him so much. And by the end, well I’ll just say I’m really looking forward to Crescendo.
I have to mention the cover art again. As stunning as the cover is, I can't help wishing that a less telling image had been used. It is not immediately obvious from the book that Patch is a fallen angel, yet once glance at the cover told me that before I opened a page. I think I might have enjoyed learning that information gradually along with Nora instead of groaning at her understandable ignorance. But then again, I might not have found out about Hush, Hush if not for the cover.
Sexual Content: (YA titles receive a more thorough breakdown) Suggestive dialogue and innuendo. Two scenes of non-graphic sensuality.
Click HERE to read an excerpt of Hush, Hush
Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 13, 2009)
- Cover By: James Porto
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1416989412
- ISBN-13: 978-1416989417
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The cover really is beautiful. I'm sorry to say this but I kind of have a habit of buying books because of their cover. I can't help it. Yep, Patch is the opposite of Edward Cullen. He's not old fashioned. He doesn't have butterscotch eyes. He's handsome in a rough way. :D ANd I like that!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I'm glad you finally read this!
I adore this book!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Precious. I am drawn to covers and it is what initiated me to actually pick it up to read the blurb. A cover is very important!!!
I couldn't agree with your review more. They are nothing alike really.
ReplyDeletegreat review! I love the trailer.
ReplyDeleteHush, Hush is on my list to read, glad to see you liked it. I remember reading the book summary and trying to make a connection with the cover, it made for an easy guess. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteI am a sucker for a redemption story. This was already on my list, but you just bumped it way up. Great review!
ReplyDelete