Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick Summary

Crescendo is the second book in Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush series, continuing the paranormal romance between seventeen-year-old Nora Grey and Patch, a fallen angel. Published in 2010 by Simon & Schuster, the novel explores the tension and complications in Nora and Patch's forbidden relationship while introducing new supernatural threats and mysteries. The book ends on a cliffhanger, setting up the third installment, Silence.

Becca Fitzpatrick is an American young adult author born in 1979 in Ogden, Utah, best known for the New York Times bestselling Hush, Hush series. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Community Health before pursuing writing full-time after taking an online writing class in 2003. Fitzpatrick's work focuses on paranormal romance and fantasy, with themes of redemption woven throughout her storytelling, influenced by her LDS faith and love for suspense.

Crescendo is ideal for fans of paranormal young adult romance, particularly readers who enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series or the first book, Hush, Hush. The novel appeals to teens and young adults who love forbidden romance, fallen angel mythology, and tension-filled relationships with supernatural elements. Readers should be prepared for dramatic plot twists, cliffhanger endings, and character-driven storytelling focused on romance over action.

Crescendo received mixed reviews, with critics noting persistent issues like two-dimensional characters, illogical plot elements, and awkward phrasing that weren't addressed from the first book. However, fans of the Hush, Hush series who are invested in Nora and Patch's relationship will want to continue the story. The book is worth reading if you prioritize paranormal romance and can overlook inconsistent characterization, but casual readers may find the sequel less satisfying than its predecessor.

Crescendo explores complications and tensions in Nora and Patch's forbidden romance as their relationship faces new supernatural challenges and mysteries. The dynamic between the teenage protagonist and the fallen angel intensifies with heightened emotional stakes and passionate scenes that mirror the chemistry established in Hush, Hush. However, reviewers criticized Nora's characterization as increasingly self-centered, with her focus on her boyfriend overshadowing larger plot developments and personal growth throughout the sequel.

Crescendo amplifies the romantic tension from Hush, Hush but fails to address the original's core weaknesses, according to critics. While the first book achieved New York Times bestseller status despite character depth issues, the sequel doubled down on similar problems—two-dimensional characters, passive voice, and illogical plotting. Readers who overlooked these flaws in Hush, Hush may still enjoy Crescendo's continuation of Nora and Patch's story, but the sequel received notably more negative reviews than its predecessor.

Critics of Crescendo highlighted several recurring issues: the plot was described as illogical with awkward phrasing, clichéd narrative devices, and persistent use of passive voice. Nora's character was criticized as a self-centered heroine more concerned with her boyfriend than meaningful character development. Reviewers noted the unsatisfying cliffhanger ending and the book's failure to improve upon the two-dimensional characterization that plagued Hush, Hush, leading to skepticism about subsequent sequels in the series.

Yes, you must read Hush, Hush before Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick to understand the story. Crescendo is a direct sequel that continues Nora and Patch's paranormal romance and builds on relationships, mythology, and plot threads established in the first book. The series follows a linear narrative arc across four books—Hush, Hush, Crescendo, Silence, and Finale—making it essential to read them in order to fully grasp character motivations, supernatural world-building, and ongoing conflicts.

Crescendo is a young adult paranormal romance novel with fantasy elements. The book blends supernatural mythology—specifically fallen angel lore—with contemporary teen romance and suspenseful mystery plotting. Published by Simon & Schuster in 2010, it targets the same audience as Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, focusing on forbidden love, supernatural danger, and emotional intensity. Becca Fitzpatrick incorporates themes of redemption alongside romantic tension, creating a genre-blending experience for paranormal fiction enthusiasts.

Yes, Crescendo shares significant similarities with Twilight, featuring a forbidden romance between a human teenage girl and a supernatural male love interest. Reviews noted that fans of Stephenie Meyer's series were particularly drawn to the Hush, Hush books due to comparable elements: intense romantic tension, dangerous supernatural dynamics, and a heroine navigating complex feelings for her otherworldly boyfriend. Both series marketed toward the paranormal romance audience that emerged in the late 2000s, though Crescendo focuses on fallen angels rather than vampires.

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick ends on a cliffhanger, which was anticipated by readers but criticized by reviewers as unsatisfying given the sequel's other narrative weaknesses. The abrupt ending was designed to propel readers toward the third book, Silence, published in 2011. This storytelling technique frustrated critics who felt the book already suffered from illogical plotting and awkward pacing, making the unresolved conclusion feel manipulative rather than compelling despite being a common device in YA series.

Becca Fitzpatrick weaves themes of redemption throughout Crescendo and the Hush, Hush series, reflecting her LDS faith background without being explicitly religious. The sequel explores forbidden love, trust in relationships, and supernatural destiny through Nora and Patch's complicated romance. However, critics noted that thematic depth was sacrificed for romantic tension, with Nora prioritizing her relationship over personal growth or larger conflicts. The paranormal elements serve primarily to heighten romantic stakes rather than explore deeper philosophical questions about good, evil, or transformation.