Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Summary:
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 and even worse, he's started spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadnt been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something.

Haunted by images of her murdered father, and questioning whether her nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death, Nora puts herself increasingly in dangerous situations as she desperately searches for answers. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I've had this on my shelf for awhile now, but just haven't read it. I know Hush, Hush wasn't the greatest of literature but I enjoyed it for the most part. However, I was disappointed in Crescendo, which I believe is suffering from middle book syndrome, since there is a third book after this.

Crescendo really didn't have much of a plot. Nora breaks up with Patch pretty early on in the book because he won't tell her what he was doing at Marcie Millar's house one night (the stuck-up popular girl that Nora hates). Not really grounds for a break-up in my book, but go for it, Nora. However, Nora spends the rest of book pining over Patch and getting angry when he gets a new girlfriend. It's never mentioned that it's Nora's doing but I guess it makes for some relationship drama.

With the addition of new guy, Scott, there's supposed to be a love triangle but it's practically non-existent. Scott is not appealing at all and even Nora realizes this (wonder what happened to the book jacket writers?). She pretty much just hangs out with Scott to get back at Patch, even though she knows something is going on with him.

Nora spends a lot of time breaking into people's houses, walking around seedy parts of town, and naturally just finding herself in a whole heap of trouble. There is some more backstory on her murdered father which was kinda interesting but not really well-written and left some plot holes. The ending was a cliffhanger which does make me want to read the next book (darn you!).

Overall, Crescendo was not that great, or even as good as its predecessor Hush, Hush. I might read the next book, but I'm definitely not buying a copy of it.

Rating: 6 out of 10.
FTC: Christmas gift.

2010/Simon & Schuster/427 pages.