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A review by acidicgoddess
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.
I honestly hate this book SO much. I thought I could push through to at least see what happens because there must be some reason as to why there are so many reviews that gave this book higher than 3 stars — some, baffling enough, five stars — but after reading chapter 12, I called it quits.
The major problem with this book was Patch. Until reading Crescendo, I hadn’t noticed just how poorly these characters were fleshed out. Most of what he does in the book doesn’t make sense and felt like he was out there just to serve as a form of conflict for Nora. I’m so confused about his character that, at the end of chapter 12, I was convinced that Nora wasn’t actually talking to Patch. Unfortunately she was and we realize that Patch is an unfaithful ho. And despite knowing this, and realizing all his excuses were bullshit lies, Nora still loves him. No thanks.
Also, when Patch found Nora at the Z-bar? Yikes. He’s dismissive, aggressive, demeaning, lies, and she still pines after him. Nice job romanticizing abusive relationships. I don’t know why I read YA anymore. 🙄
Patch, as much as I hate his character, wasn’t the only problem of course. Nora was just as infuriating. Nora’s relationship with Vee felt toxic as hell. Vee literally risked her life for Nora and was sent to the hospital, and she couldn’t bother to pick up the phone to talk for a hot second? And yet, when Nora needs something, she just expects Vee to drop everything she’s doing. Vee has to tell Nora like 6 different times that she can’t help her because she’s got a date, and Nora doesn’t listen. She is the most self-centered character I’ve ever read.
Also, I know she’s young and hasn’t had a boyfriend before, but the fact that she wanted to hurt Patch just because he hurt her feelings (before we find out that, yes, Patch has been unfaithful) is alarming and screams “needing to teach her partner a lesson”. RED FLAG.
Lastly, the plot and overall characters. Going into this book blind, I thought the author was planning on redeeming Marcie — then she did a complete 180° and I ended up hating her more. Disappointing. And can we stop with the body shaming?? Ugh. I thought this book was going to give us (well written) Angel lore — we got a “surprise, he’s unfaithful” arc and a whole lot of needless miscommunication instead. Disappointing. It’s almost like the last book never even happened. The characters — as unfleshed out as they’re written — would act out of character at times just because of plot advancement.
My advice? Just read Hush Hush as a stand alone.
The major problem with this book was Patch. Until reading Crescendo, I hadn’t noticed just how poorly these characters were fleshed out. Most of what he does in the book doesn’t make sense and felt like he was out there just to serve as a form of conflict for Nora. I’m so confused about his character that, at the end of chapter 12, I was convinced that Nora wasn’t actually talking to Patch. Unfortunately she was and we realize that Patch is an unfaithful ho. And despite knowing this, and realizing all his excuses were bullshit lies, Nora still loves him. No thanks.
Also, when Patch found Nora at the Z-bar? Yikes. He’s dismissive, aggressive, demeaning, lies, and she still pines after him. Nice job romanticizing abusive relationships. I don’t know why I read YA anymore. 🙄
Patch, as much as I hate his character, wasn’t the only problem of course. Nora was just as infuriating. Nora’s relationship with Vee felt toxic as hell. Vee literally risked her life for Nora and was sent to the hospital, and she couldn’t bother to pick up the phone to talk for a hot second? And yet, when Nora needs something, she just expects Vee to drop everything she’s doing. Vee has to tell Nora like 6 different times that she can’t help her because she’s got a date, and Nora doesn’t listen. She is the most self-centered character I’ve ever read.
Also, I know she’s young and hasn’t had a boyfriend before, but the fact that she wanted to hurt Patch just because he hurt her feelings (before we find out that, yes, Patch has been unfaithful) is alarming and screams “needing to teach her partner a lesson”. RED FLAG.
Lastly, the plot and overall characters. Going into this book blind, I thought the author was planning on redeeming Marcie — then she did a complete 180° and I ended up hating her more. Disappointing. And can we stop with the body shaming?? Ugh. I thought this book was going to give us (well written) Angel lore — we got a “surprise, he’s unfaithful” arc and a whole lot of needless miscommunication instead. Disappointing. It’s almost like the last book never even happened. The characters — as unfleshed out as they’re written — would act out of character at times just because of plot advancement.
My advice? Just read Hush Hush as a stand alone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Toxic relationship