Waiting on Black Ice

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Black Ice

By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Expected Publication: October 7th 2014 by Simon & Schuster

392 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Fantasy, Paranormal, Thriller

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

I still need to finish the last of Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush series. But I'm excited to check this one out. And I'm even more excited that it appears to be a stand alone. What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Silence - Review

Silence (Hush, Hush, # 3)

By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: October 4th 2011 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4 Stars

448 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels

Source: Borrowed from my friend Paula ( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Amazon Description: The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

When I first started Silence, I felt completely lost. I really couldn’t remember what happened at the end of Crescendo. Has it really been that long since I read it? And that was compounded with the fact that Nora begins the book with absolutely no memory of the last 5 months of her life. But as the book went along, I started remembering things just as Nora did. So it almost made the experience more real. I felt just as confused as she did.

I think the whole amnesia aspect was pretty brilliant. It gives the reader an opportunity to fall in love with Nora and Patch, and to see Nora fall in love with Patch, all over again, which is a major improvement from book 2, Crescendo, in my opinion. And that’s exactly what I did—fell in love with Nora and Patch all over again. If you read my review of Crescendo, then you’ll know that I was pretty frustrated with Nora by the end of that book. Silence brings her back around to good standing. She’s not so whiny and vindictive in this book. She makes some hard choices, but I can tell she’s actually grown over these last couple of months. And it’s always rewarding to see the growth of a character.

As always, Silence leaves off with the setup for the next book, Finale as of today set to release 10/23/12, and I’m looking forward to picking back up where Silence left off. Perhaps Finale is another book that I won’t delay in reading. Seems like I’m having to eat my words lately, not that I was ever intending on not finishing this series. But I suppose that means that I’m learning not to be so hasty in writing an author or story off because I’m not a huge fan of one book in the series. Sometimes that happens. I can’t see myself ever dropping a series without seeing it through until the end (though if House of Night doesn’t get any better over the next book or so, I might just find myself in that exact situation), but I’ve definitely put some books off because of the previous one.

Special thanks to my friend Paula for loaning me her Kindle since Silence is not loanable. Don’t worry, I provided her with a paperback in return to read in the absence of her Kindle. Again, Silence gets 4 stars. Check it out.

Hush, Hush
Crescendo

Have you read Silence? What did you think? Let me know!

Updated: February 3, 2015

Crescendo - Review

Crescendo (Hush, Hush, # 2)

By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Publication: October 19th 2010 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

427 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels

Source: Borrowed from my friend Paula

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--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.

Finished Crescendo last night. Rating: 4 Stars.

I typically don’t struggle with wanting to keep reading a book because I know that even if it’s not good at the exact part I’m reading, surely I have to get to the good part eventually. Thus I keep reading. This book definitely kept me reading, but there were several points where I got frustrated with the characters. The thought went through my head to put the book down and take a break since I was frustrated, but it never got to the point where I actually did put it down for that reason.

That being said, my frustration with the characters comes from them making decision I wouldn’t make myself and not seeing things that I, the reader, can see. Nora throws quite the teenage temper tantrum throughout the majority of the book. While that can be very annoying, I also find it to be very on point for an actual teenager. I’ve definitely felt jealousy and pride the way Nora experiences and have thought some of the same thoughts. The whole “you hurt me first so I’m not apologizing until you do” idea and the “you hurt me so I hurt you” themes rang out over, and over, and dare I say over again. I believe it to be true of how most teenagers would feel and react given the situation. However, personally, I prefer my YA to lean a little more toward adult rather than young. Though I’ve felt the same feelings in the past that Nora does in Crescendo, the “you hurt me, so I hurt you” mantra is revealing Nora’s true maturity level. That thought process is not indicative of true love, which undermines the series in my eyes.

I can’t help it. I love a love story…but I love a TRUE love story. I will continue to root for Nora and Patch as the third book comes out, but this isn’t one that I consider an epic love story. And I love a story that makes me feel something. Overall what this story made me feel was frustrated. I’m not saying that’s 100% a negative thing, because some of the best stories are built upon frustration. I’ll just leave it at that and let the reader decide for themselves how they feel about it.

Another complaint is that Becca Fitzpatrick brought the villain out in the same way as the first story. Hush, Hush had its predictable moments, but I spotted the villain in Crescendo a mile away. Now, not all of my predictions were true, and some things I allowed myself freedom not to try to figure out, but I think as a whole it was fairly predictable, which is a downside for me. After years of watching TV shows like 24 and Prison Break, I’ve learned to look for what is not expected, and therefore, the unexpected becomes expected.

I’m still giving this book 4 stars, but it’d be a 4.0 exactly.

Updated: July 7, 2018

Hush, Hush - Mini Review

Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, # 1)

By: Becca Fitzpatrick

Publication: October 13th 2009 by Simon & Schuster BFYR

391 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Angels

Source: Borrowed from my friend Paula

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora 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 seems 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 way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she 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 Nora her life.

I just finished reading Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. I finished it in 3 days if that tells you anything. I can't quite give this book my sacred 5 star rating, but it deserves a very fair 4 1/2 stars. It caught my interest quickly and kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. While there were some aspects I didn't quite expect, some of the plot was predictable. A friend of mine read this before I did and Crescendo as well. She tells me there are more twists in store.

I'm a Patch fan already. Looking forward to reading Crescendo soon. I actually put off reading this book because of a negative review I read on Amazon.com. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but I completely disagree. I love the cover too (which was the only good thing mentioned in the Amazon.com review I read).

That's about it for now...I'm trying not to discuss details too much. I fully believe in experiencing books as they are meant to be. You receive details and information as you progress and that's what makes the story.

Updated: July 8, 2018