Why do we fall in love with a story? As readers, we have a tendency to search for escape in adventure. Hush Hush by Rebecca Fitzgerald blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The story revolves around a high school sophomore, Nora Grey, whose life changes the day she meets Patch, her new biology partner and earns herself a mysterious and terrifying stalker. One of my favorite things about it is that for most of the book, the reader has almost no notion of fantasy. It is realistic enough to make you question whether the supernatural is actually involved until the very end. It is easy to get lost in a purely fantasy world, but this novel reminds us that we can find our own escape and adventure in the very reality we live in. It is enthralling, but if you like fantasy worlds such as that of Narnia, you might not like this book as much.
However, if you are a sucker for sleuthing for unexpected twists, this book is for you. Although there is some romance in this young adult novel, the theme is definitely built on adventure and mystery. The book not only introduces questions, but stirs up the story in such a way that it is nearly impossible to predict the answers, and that provides a good chase for the reader. The theme of the story takes a darker turn and is reminiscent of horror as the story progresses, but with no gore or real psychological games, it shouldn’t keep you up at night (except for to read more!)
I loved this book, but it was written with the intention of creating a series. My only criticisms revolve only around the conclusion, but fret not as I won’t include spoilers! The conclusion of the first book in a series is designed to lead the reader into the next book with a cliffhanger or loose ends or something. The conclusion focuses so much on a fantastic finale that it barely addresses the one question important left unanswered. By the time the book is over, the reader will be laughing and drying tears, practically having forgotten the one thing that is supposed to draw them further into the series. It concludes with the stereotypical happy ending, but in such a way that you wouldn’t really expect. It is satisfying, but conclusions are supposed to leave you wondering, “Where is the antagonist now?” or “What happened to such-and-such?” and etc. There is no itch to continue reading the story. I will admit, however, that I am looking forward to seeing how Fitzgerald tops this in her next book!
-Recomended by Aisha Burnham (PRHS Student)
However, if you are a sucker for sleuthing for unexpected twists, this book is for you. Although there is some romance in this young adult novel, the theme is definitely built on adventure and mystery. The book not only introduces questions, but stirs up the story in such a way that it is nearly impossible to predict the answers, and that provides a good chase for the reader. The theme of the story takes a darker turn and is reminiscent of horror as the story progresses, but with no gore or real psychological games, it shouldn’t keep you up at night (except for to read more!)
I loved this book, but it was written with the intention of creating a series. My only criticisms revolve only around the conclusion, but fret not as I won’t include spoilers! The conclusion of the first book in a series is designed to lead the reader into the next book with a cliffhanger or loose ends or something. The conclusion focuses so much on a fantastic finale that it barely addresses the one question important left unanswered. By the time the book is over, the reader will be laughing and drying tears, practically having forgotten the one thing that is supposed to draw them further into the series. It concludes with the stereotypical happy ending, but in such a way that you wouldn’t really expect. It is satisfying, but conclusions are supposed to leave you wondering, “Where is the antagonist now?” or “What happened to such-and-such?” and etc. There is no itch to continue reading the story. I will admit, however, that I am looking forward to seeing how Fitzgerald tops this in her next book!
-Recomended by Aisha Burnham (PRHS Student)