REVIEW: SILENCE (HUSH, HUSH #3) BY BECCA FITZPATRICK.

Title: Silence (Hush, Hush #3)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Edition: Hardbound (Signed)
Published: October 4, 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 448
Source: Bought from National Bookstore
Genre: Romance, Paranormal (Angels)
Trailer: Here.

Synopsis:

WHEN SILENCE IS ALL THAT'S LEFT, CAN THE TRUTH FINALLY BE HEARD?

Nora Grey can't remember the past five months of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend.

But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows.

And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.

Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again.

Nora woke up in a cemetery not remembering anything in the past 5 months of her life. The last thing she could remember was her biology test. She couldn't settle with what information she was given so she tried to learn what truly happened to her on her own. She found out Hank Millar was dating her mother, she missed school, she became friends with Marcie Millar, Vee lied to her and she couldn't remember who's Patch. In trying to stitch iffy events, her memories were slowly coming back and the truth not only hurt but ignited a rage she didn't know she's capable to feel. She has to do something about the welfare of her mother and the boy she loves most at the expense she's willing to pay -- even if that means she'll have to fight Patch.

The pull I felt while reading Hush, Hush and Crescendo died in Silence. The title did justice to the story but I believe, this is the worse in the series. I didn't truly buy why Nora lost her memories because it didn't add up to anything. A good chunk of the book was dedicated to her, trying to remember. So why shouldn't I just re-read Crescendo, then? Instead of developing into someone who's learned from past mistakes, she became that damsel in distress who needed saving. Thankfully, she didn't do something stupid (as a reader wold expect) despite the memory lost and still trusted Patch, I just simply didn't click with this story. A little boring yes and I can call this book the buffer in the series. You can skip this and the entire series would still make sense.

Patch's development though, gave me butterfly kisses. I adored how vocal he became about his feelings. I loved his ways of showing how he truly cared for Nora and Jesus, the way he held her? Bone-melting. He's full of surprises and I truly, absolutely fell hard for Patch in Silence.

Silence is an okay read. Not too bad but not that good either. Still dark and cunning, one can feel the balance of good and bad. Patch's mushy side appeared and that's all am after.

"The only way I'm going to survive this is by clinging to what I do know."

"How was I supposed to jump forward, when the platform beneath my feet had been yanked out?"

"Piece by piece, I let Jev break down my defenses. I swayed and dipped against him, letting him set the rhythm. I was overly warm, my head clogged with smoke, and the moment began to feel unreal, only making it easier to believe that later, if guilt or regret haunted me, I could pretend it never happened. While I was here, trapped in the club, trapped in Jev's eyes, he made it too easy to succumb."

"I can't move forward until I know what I left behind."

""There's only one thing I know for certain anymore." He turned, his eyes a clear black. "That I would do anything for you, even if it means going against my instincts or my very nature. I would lay down everything I possess, even my soul, for you. If that isn't love, it's the best I have.""

"If you need more reason, I love you. This is uncharted territory for me, but I need to know that at the end of the night, I have you to come home to."

REVIEW: CRESCENDO (HUSH, HUSH #2) BY BECCA FIRTZPATRICK.

Title: Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Edition: Hardbound (Signed)
Published: October 19, 2010
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 427
Source: Bought from National Bookstore
Genre: Romance, Paranormal (Angels)
Trailer: Here.

Synopsis:

Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. A mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's archenemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

**SPOILERS**

What in the world is wrong with Nora?

Seriously?

After being swept away by Hush, Hush (am referring to my lovely experience of re-reading it), I knew that I have to get through Crescendo as soon as possible. I am hooked, seriously hooked to Patch. And I know you can't blame me, people.

So after Nora sacrificed herself to kill Chauncey, Patch's nephilim vassal, this should have made Patch human. But Patch rejected it so Nora wouldn't die and Patch became her guardian angel instead. Everything seemed to be falling into place however, Nora broke up with Patch. She felt like Patch turned his back on her after she confessed she loves him and chose to cheat with Marcie Millar. As if on cue, Scott, her childhood friend, came back to town after his parents divorced and weird things started to happen. Weird things like Nora seeing his dead dad so alive in a cafeteria, Vee dating Rixon and Scott talking to her in her mind.

I have so much hate for Nora in this book. The frustration and anger I never thought I would feel exploded in my face because SHE IS SOOOOOO DARN RIDICULOUS. Her decisions made me want to pluck her out of the book and set her and Marcie on fire together and I wouldn't stop until I see their ashes on the ground! She is unbelievable and impossible. I cannot even tell you how hard she frustrated the heck out of me. People are trying to protect her but she kept toying with danger. She is a death magnet. Gaaaaah!

But despite the hate I have for Nora, there were moments I saw sense in her *rolls eyes* decisions. She had these good intentions but her executions were just tough shots. Like how she broke up with Patch. I hated her (after two chapters) when she acted so immature and self-centered though I know she just wanted to save Patch from being banished to hell forever. Like how she kept coming to Vee for help when she knows she's putting her bestfriend in danger and the worst part was her jealously. I understand where all those came from but hell, I couldn't handle her childishness. Even though I wanted to strangle Marcie's neck with my belt, she still should have trusted Patch and she should have known better. Marcie's a bitch and she's capable of ruining someone's life. But Nora took Marcie's words and didn't believe Patch at all. What kind of a person is she really? She couldn't love Patch deeply just like how she claims if she couldn't trust the damn boy! She even had the decency to use Scott to make him jealous! Then she went all that way to steal Marcie's diary but didn't read it! Plus, the fact that she's trying to outsmart the angels gave me headache. What part of "angels" didn't she understand? GAAAAAH NORA!!!!!

I also saw some inconsistencies with the story. What happened to Elliot after the incident in Hush, Hush? I felt like he was totally cut off from the series altogether which find odd because I think, he's an important character, too. Was it also that easy to elude the police about Chauncey's death? How did the oath of fealty truly work? And why is suddenly Rixon the bad guy? I didn't see it coming because it felt off to begin with. Patch and Rixon have been friends for how many centuries and what, just like that Rixon was instantly the villain? I don't buy it. I gave Patch more credit than he deserves so, no. I just wouldn't buy that Rixon the villan part.

Again, despite these conflicting emotions I have for Crescendo, I still rated it 4 stars when it could have been 1 or 2. The reason behind is I strongly liked how Hush, Hush and Crescendo made me cancel everything in my damn boring life to just read it. The story is pulling me that I swam smoothly with its flow. I liked and enjoyed watching Nora ruin her life and push the love of her life away from her, I liked how she learns from her mistakes and what made me connect to the story isn't the Paranormal aspect but more on the contemporary aspect of it. I had this mighty connection to Nora's feelings that covers up the hate I have for her stupidity. Did that make sense? And hello??? PAAAAAAAAAAAATCH!!!! Also, that freaking ending!!!! There is no way she is sisters with that Marcie the bitch. I hope it's just another plot twist.

What I am now expecting from Silence is more maturity and consistency because I would hate to hate this series. Am hoping it wouldn't come to that.

Crescendo got the best of me. The mix of loss, frustration and anxiety nearly drove me mad that putting it down will just add up to the agony! A gripping paranormal story that would put you on the edge, Crescendo didn't disappoint. Crazy plot twists I almost couldn't handle with swoon worth romance my heart couldn't almost take, it was truly, absolutely one heck of a ride!

"..the moment I fell in love with you was the moment you'd leave."

"..I didn't want to spend the rest of my life alone and tortured by the knowledge that everything I'd done meant nothing without [Patch]."

"The anger was beginning to wear off, but mostly I wished I could stay caught up in its fever forever. The emptiness it left behind ached more than the sharp, fiery pain I'd felt when [Patch] walked out."

"I cared about us. But the cold truth was, nothing I said or did could change the stars."

"Just because it's in the past doesn't mean it's easy to forget."

BOOK SIGNING: BECCA FITZPATRICK IN MANILA 2014.

Where I relive the experience and share all the feels before, during and after meeting these fantastic authors WHO ARE BASICALLY LIFE.

I just experienced one of the best days in my bookish life! Yesterday, March 29, 2014, I attended National Bookstore's Bloggers Forum event in Powerbooks, Greenbelt. I met Becca Fitzpatrick up close and this by far has been truly a neat event (not that the past events weren't). The exclusivity of the forum was just so heart-warming that I couldn't stop giggling and fangirling the entire day! It was also super nice to bond once more with my #PHYABookBloggers Team that our friendship grows crazier and crazier! Here are some of the pics we took and I am telling you, WE WILL  BEAT THAT OSCARS SELFIE.

Of course, we had the chance to ask Becca questions and this introvert (she claims it) author isn't just sweet and shy and all that but she's so pretty in person. I love her simple outfit yesterday and OMG HER HAIR?? WE TOUCHED IT. It was just this beautiful golden curly hair that I want to have! I like how she's soft spoken and warm and I really adore her laugh. Okay. Am starting to sound like a creepy stalker already so let's jump over the Q and A!

What is the inspiration behind Black Ice since it is way different from Hush, Hush?

• Her family's camping trip to a mountain in Wyoming when she was in high school. But she was sick and wasn't able to go so she watched a horror movie. Some sort of a Stockholm syndrome. That inspired Black Ice.

How is Hush. Hush series different from other Young Adult novels about fallen angels?

• She have not read any other YA novels inspired by fallen angels. When she gets reader feedback, it is always Patch that they bring up. She thinks Patch is what really draws people to the book.

In Finale, did she plan Scott's death from the start or was it unexpected?

• Scott made this oath in the beginning of Finale that he would do anything to protect Nora. So his death is him fulfilling that oath. She did know from the start that Scott's going to die and that is the only part of Finale that made her cry.

What made her deviate from Paranormal to Psychological Thriller genre and does she think it highlights her diversity as an author?

• It is just so refreshing to try something new, to challenge herself. When she submitted Sapphire Skies' draft to her editor, she was told it was the best book she's written so far which excited her. It made her feel that she can finally branch out to different things and not fail completely.

*teaser from Sapphire Skies*
It tells a story about a girl named Stella from Philadelphia and she witnesses a brutal crime. She's put to a witness protection program in Nebraska. She resents her situation and just wanted to get home. However, she's beginning to fall in love with this handsome cowboy who lives next door. So she's torn to stay for the cowboy or keep moving so the bad guys wouldn't find her.

Is there any vulnerability with Nora and Patch's relationship?

• If she posts new scenes from Patch's point of view, it would be because of Chyna (she's the one who asked this question). There's always vulnerability in every relationship. Like trust and security.

If she could go back and change something in her books, what would those be?

• She wouldn't change the publisher process but there are things she wanted to change. She said she has to think she's done the best she could and let go of whatever she has written and hope that readers would love her stories. Or else, she would just sit in her office and write the books over and over again.

Out of all the characters, to whom she feels so close to?

• Vy. Her character is inspired by two of her childhood best friends. Vy's character takes her back to her childhood because whenever she writes about her, she always knows what the character would say and how she would act because of the inspiration behind the character.

What inspired you to write bad boy Patch?

• Patch was inspired by a guy she knows in high school. When she wrote the very first draft or Hush, Hush, Patch was not a fallen angel. He's just a normal guy but I know Patch has a deep dark secret but she didn't know what it was. She thought at the end of the draft, she would know Patch well enough and know his secret but she didn't. The she thought of his character and realized she wanted him to be a good guy at some point, a guy with morals and someone you look up to. And his fall was literal, he fell from grace. It became perfect for her because Fallen Angels were the original bad boys.

Does she agree to people comparing Nora with Bella from Twilight?

• Since she doesn't read reviews, she didn't know there are comparisons. She personally loves Twilight and she's okay with comparisons. She started writing Hush, Hush even before Twilight was published. Though she didn't have the paranormal aspect in her story back then, it was still about this boy and this girl falling in love, and she feels confident that people will say whatever they want but the story is different. She wouldn't really mind comparisons.

If Patch is real and he wants to take her to a date, what would be her dream date and why?

• She feels she's too old for Patch now but she wants to have a quite and romantic night with him.

 Which of the books she have written is her favorite?

• Probably Sapphire Skies.

If the Hush, Hush movie adaptation will push through, how much hands on would she want to be involved in?

• She feels like her talents aren't in movie making but in writing stories. She would love to visit the set, though.

What is the most challenging part in writing did she encounter?

• Crescendo by far. She was under a lot of pressure after Hush, Hush became successful. To make Crescendo as much as good. She remember turning her draft to her editor and she hated it. It wasn't good enough. She remember feeling demoralized and thinking she will never be able to do this. There was even a point she told her editor, Crescendo will be the last book she'll ever write and she's done, she's retiring from writing. She got through it and she knows she would never hit that low point again. It was a nice experience, to hit rock bottom and only to go up from there. The worst is over and that was when she started to feel a little confident that she could push through. She wouldn't change that experience because that taught her about persevering, believing in herself and keep going.

What are you currently reading?

• Quiet (Non-fiction about introverts), Earthbound and some Nora Roberts book.

Her biggest fears when Hush, Hush was first published.

• She didn't have a lot of fears because she didn't think a lot of people would read the book.

She signed all my books. Even our Polaroid photo (Thanks to Louisse) and the box!

ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT (aside from meeting the Philippines' Sales representative of Simon and Schuster and Alethea of Read Now, Sleep Later) WAS WHEN THEY EACH GAVE US AN ADVANCED READING COPY OF BECCA'S NEW BOOK, BLACK ICE!!!

Selfie with Becca!!

Cannot thank National Bookstore, Simon and Schuster and Becca Fitzpatrick enough for making this day grand!! I am just lost for words. Thank you, thank you!! Definitely one of the best days ever in my bookish life!!