Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Young Adult Fantasy

Simon and Schuster Children's (Oct 13, 2009)

ISBN: 978-1416989417

400 pages

Synopsis from Amazon.com:

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.

After reading Hush, Hush, it's easy to see why Becca Fitzpatrick has had such success selling her novel worldwide prior to it's release. With it's imaginative plot, dark feel, and complex hero Patch, this one is a standout.

When Nora initially meets her mysterious new lab partner, Patch, she's instantly creeped out - and with good reason. Patch is extremely antagonistic, exudes danger, and may even be a bit of a stalker. These qualities are only magnified the more time that Nora spends around him. Despite the unease that she feels in his presence, Nora can't help but be attracted to him. This is understandable - Patch is quite the magnetic character. Nora, however, isn't. She's likable enough and comes across as an honest depiction of a studious, nice girl teen, but she could benefit from a bit more personality. So much of the first two-thirds of the novel is spent on her interaction with Patch and the buildup of the plot that we never get a complete feel for Nora.

The relationship between Nora and Patch is not simple in the least. They get off to a rocky start, which only gets rockier, yet it seems that their troubles only serve to draw them even closer together. The two of them together become increasingly sexy as the novel progresses and are made even more so by the undercurrent of danger that accents their relationship.

A lot of the action and revelations are unearthed in the final third of the story. While it made me more anxious for the tale to play out, it gave the relationship between Patch and Nora ample time to begin the development process. Once the action begins, all of the interesting secondary characters introduced throughout get to shine, each playing a vital role in the plot. The often foggy seaside town of Coldwater and the local amusement park, Delphic Seaport, are great stages that add to the great atmospheric quality of Hush, Hush.

I greatly enjoyed the world of fallen angels that Fitzpatrick has created with Hush, Hush. This novel mostly sets the scene for Patch and Nora's story and it does a good job of it. I look forward to seeing more growth in the characters and the depth of their relationship.

Grade: B+