Okay, so, I really liked the book (mostly because of Patch's character and Vee). It's fast-paced, funny, has a lot of suspense, sizzling romantic chemistry, and a very interesting topic (Fallen Angels and Nephilims). This is the third book I've read about Nephilims, and all I can say is that Hush, Hush pulls it off really good. It's a very nice addition.
However, even if I liked this book a lot, it has a lot of issues that keep it away from a five-starred reading. These little things are what keeps me away, too, from putting it on my top list. Such things are:
-Blythe's (Nora's mom) continuous absence. A mother leaving her teenager daughter on her own for several days? In an isolated house where anything could happen, where anyone could be hiding under that thick fog veiling the house, making it even more dangerous? That just doesn't make any sense to me. Ask any Mom.
-Nora's age. Is she 16 or 17? First, we're told she is, indeed, 16, but then, in some part of the book I don't remember, it says she's 17?!!?
-We never get to see a substantial dialogue between Nora and Patch. Don't get me wrong, I love all the witty comments and innuendos, but since this is a love story at the core, a forbidden love one, we should see a meaningful scene between the two of them. Patch's goal was to kill Nora. I mean, that's a hardcore thing, and we don't see that paramount transition from dark to light, from selfishness to love. LOVE. Actually, I don't see where the love is. Yes, there is a lot of chemistry scorching the pages, but it just ends like...that. Shallow, with no profoundness. There should be more depth to it.
-Blythe's characterization is poorly done. We never got the chance to really know her. She's just mentioned here and there, and...that's it. I remember the first time we are introduced to her, it just felt flat. There was nothing there. We just know she looks a lot like Nora, that she works her ass off to pay the house, but--maybe I am the only one in this--I ended the book and I can't say I know her. I just hope her character is more developed in Crescendo.
-The First kiss...the big, heart-racing scene we were all waiting for, but, um, where did it go? I just didn't feel it. For me, it was dissapointing. It was way too fast, flat and...lacking. Maybe it's because Nora's and Patch's relationship is kept on superficial layers, I don't know, but whatever the reason was, it was...lacking.
-The cops issue. I just mentioned it above, on another post.
-There are scenes that end up too abruptly (chapter's 12 ending and Patch's scene at pg. 204)
-Where's the invisible thread between Vee and Nora? It doesn't show. We're just told it's there, but I don't see it anywhere.
-I don't know if they'll keep it like this, or if it was intentional, but there are some parts where Patch is talking to Nora's mind and the use of italics is discarded, whereas at the beginning it wasn't. Is that supposed to be like that, or just a publishing mistake?
-There was this thing that bugged me at the end, where Patch leaves through the window and a feather is on the outer pane. Nora sees it. But, isn't that impossible? Aren't the wings made of spiritual matter, therefore invisible as Patch said to Nora when she couldn't see his wings? Hmm, it doesn't make sense.
-And there are still some tiny typos left on the book, but that's another issue.
Oh, and one more thing. I know everyone is compairing this book to Twilight (which is, right now, every YA writer's curse. I hope it'll pass someday) and I do see the similarities (hey, I am aTwi-fan, I read the books long before it was made into a movie), but for me, this book is a lot more similar to the Mortal Instruments Trilogy than Twilight. Both deal with the Nephilims, in a different way, yes, but still, there is a slight resemblance between Patch and Jace (one of the Mortal Instruments leading character). They're both cocky, arrogant and angel descendants. I am sure I am not the only one who has read it here. Many of you should know what I am talking about.
Tatiana
I want so badly to get into the next first look for teens book club that i endured the plot. I'm not saying that's what you're doing but that's what I'm doing 
But, in reading fiction, to me, one needs to be able to suspend normal belief, and take it for what it is worth. I have heard/participated in plenty of discussion with teens in real life and in what they are reading. Most are able to discern reality and fiction. We have discussed after reading (Twilight) what makes a good 'story' and what is not healthy in the same relationships. I have no issues with a teen reading about what we consider to be an 'unhealthy' relationship, as long as they are able to understand that such relationships are that.So, I, as well as others I presume, suspend the norm, and allow myself to be absorbed into the fantasy for awhile. Fallen angels, vampires, wizards, whatever. It's all just fiction. I remember the bru-ha-ha about "Harry Potter" being about witchcraft, and how that should be banned from schools because of that. (and that is just the most recent that I can recall just off the cuff, never mind others through the years). I had a student that wasn't allowed to read that because of the 'witchcraft' involved.
