ISBN-13: 9781847386953
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: October 2009
391 pgs
Source: Personal Library




There have been a lot of hype surrounding this book when it was first released (or maybe way before it was released), and with a premise involving a fallen angel and forbidden love, I can see why Hush, Hush has generated so much interest from most readers. For me I have always been fascinated by angels so naturally I have to read this book.

The story begins when a Nephil took an oath with a mysterious boy way back in the 1560s in France. Fast forward to the present day in Maine, the focus shifted to Nora Grey as she took the role of the protagonist and we get to see things through her perspective. Though Nora is sensible and independent, there is a bout of uncertainty and insecurity in her but who can blame her when her father is murdered years ago and that her mother has to travel a lot to work to make ends meet.

Her peaceful life changes after she met a charismatic new student who later became her deskmate in her Biology class. Patch is mysterious and seems to have an aura of danger surrounding him, and on top of that she finds him unsettling for he seems to know a lot of things about her, and then there is something about him that is not quite right but still, she could not help being intrigued and fascinated by him.

Her doubts in him deepened when she encountered several terrifying incidents because she keeps seeing him everywhere, and at this stage she is more determined to find out about Patch and what his agenda is. To add complexity and excitement to this story, Nora and her good friend Vee will meet another two new male students transferred to their school. Nora will soon find out the truth about fallen angels and Nephilim and why she is being caught in the middle of an age-old feud.

So what is my verdict after reading this book? I liked the story, but I cannot say I loved it. The characterisations are great, and I enjoyed the exchanges between Nora and Patch but somewhat I felt something is lacking. Then again, I think it might be due from my initial expectations, for I did not anticipate the story to go towards another direction. I have to admit the mystery surrounding a masked person who wanted to kill Nora had me pondering, still I was a little disappointed as I expected it to pack with a bit more punch. Anyway, as I mentioned, it is not a flaw and is mainly due to my expectations, that is all. Also, I wanted to know more about Patch's past, but I understand it might be the author's intention to make him more mysterious so I am hoping I could get to learn more about him in the sequel.

Oh, another thing I want to mention is Nora's good friend, Vee. Her bubbly and her ever enthusiastic personality is absolutely contagious; I could just 'feel' her voice simply flipping through those pages. Overall, I find Hush, Hush an entertaining read and I definitely look forward to the sequel, Crescendo, come November.

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