Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush

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...until Patch comes 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 whom 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 far 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.

Okay, I'm going to say this book was entertaining. I read it fast and I liked it a lot. That said, I have a few things to say about it and the topic of 'bad romance'. I read a post (and a few follow-ups) at In Which A Girl Reads. This post, among other things, is the sickly nature that some YA books have taken recently, especially Paranormal.

I liked Nora, I think she was realistic yet I also think she was weak. She was also a walking contradiction. Even though she clearly felt uncomfortable by Patch's stalking and creepy behavior, she didn't want to 'be rude' to him. I get it fine. But here's the thing:

Patch wants to kill her but oh, wait! He's in LOVE with her too. I don't believe this one bit. He's not in love with her, he's just super turned on by her. The difference is monumental. While the attraction between them is one of the things that are very entertaining, there were a few hints and there that were too creepy and to unacceptable in my opinion. Nora was having bad feelings about a guy but so suddenly she turns those around because he doesn't want to kill her anymore...because he's IN LOVE with her.

I'm sorry, but I don't get that. Why would you want that? I've always told myself: "The second that a boyfriend even implies violence on me, he's so gone." So why did it somehow become acceptable in literature? I know this is a rant/review and it's not exactly what you wanted to hear, but hey, I'm here to express my thoughts and concerns after reading a few articles and agreeing with them. My eyes were definitely open.

I liked that book, I said that before and I still say it. But I also understand that it is DANGEROUS and CREEPY and NOT LOVE. I feel like many females today, including Nora, give themselves up because they can't handle stuff. What happened to sticking with your own believes? This does not really ring well with me.

Okay, that short rant said, the book is mysterious and there is a sense of danger that you didn't get in - okay - Twilight (which is one other example of these kinds of books) which made me keep myself at the edge of my seat. I WILL be reading the next installment and I'm not against 'bad romance' per say, it's more of the way that lust is confused by love and that people try to justify it as, "Well, it's okay because he's hot and he did THIS ONE THING."

In one sentence:
"Entertaining and mysterious, yet, cliched and creepy."


Plot: 4
Characters: 3
Writing: 3
Cover: 5
Overall Feeling: 4
Average: 3.8