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Hush, Hush
Hush, Hush
Hush, Hush
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Hush, Hush

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About this ebook

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. Not until Patch came 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 who 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 way 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.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 13, 2009
ISBN9781416998204
Author

Becca Fitzpatrick

Becca Fitzpatrick is the author of Black Ice, Dangerous Lies, and the Hush, Hush saga, including Hush, Hush; Crescendo; Silence; and Finale—all four of which debuted as New York Times bestsellers. She graduated college with a degree in health, which she promptly abandoned for storytelling. When not writing, she’s most likely running, prowling sales racks for shoes, or watching crime dramas on TV. She lives in Colorado with her family. Find out more at BeccaFitzpatrick.com.

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Reviews for Hush, Hush

Rating: 3.8159648450175436 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A Year 9 student to,d me I should read "Hush, Hush" so with some trepidation I decided to give it a go. Surprisingly, I liked this book and can understand why it is so popular in our library. Fast paced and an easy read, I had this read in a couple of days. Patch is the usual dangerous paranormal and Nora the human heroine. However, I did like her as a protagonist. Although geeky and uncoordinated, she shows far more intelligence, independence and spunk than many other females in similar books (ie Twilight's Bella) and is not afraid to stand up to herself despite the dangers she finds herself in.Any fan of paranormal romance will find this book a satisfying read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The first time I checked out this book from the library, it didn't go so well... I disliked most of it but I wanted to keep going to see if it picked up. I had to give it back due to time constraints.

    However, the second time was a whole different story. I don't know what changed, but I read it from where I had left it and it was so interesting now! I was engrossed in the plot (not the romance) and the supernatural elements it offers.

    The ending was great and it made me want the sequel NOW! Fortunately, it was available at the library, but that's another story. The ending is full of action and there are plot twists, which was quite fun.

    I find Nora Grey, the main character, to be quite resourceful and strong. And I love Patch, he's quite a lovely "bad" guy. He's ambiguous and that's why he's fun.

    Now, I don't believe in the romance between Nora and Patch. It's just... they're madly in love after only a year of knowing each other? I don't know, this doesn't seem right. I would have preferred it if it happened in the next books of the series. Then, it would have made sense and perhaps I could have rooted for them.

    Besides that, yes, the way the villains explain their whole history and plan is quite cheesy. Nevertheless, if one can put the negative points aside, this is a really fun story. Angels, fallen angels, Nephilim... I just love it! :)
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is another one of those books that have been on my list for quite a while. I actually borrowed it from a friend of a friend a few years ago, but I just never go down to reading it...Boy, do I regret that now....
    This book is one of those "Oh my GOD, just get together already!" books. It did have a HUGE plot twist, well, two plot twists, actually, that I honestly wasn't expecting.
    This is positively one of those "Don't put it down until you turn the last page" books, I finished it in just under six hours....who needs sleep, am I right?... and started the second one...then the third one...then the fourth one...
    My favorite thing about this book has to be....
    You can find the rest of this review (along with many more) here.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I don't often read YA fiction but since browsing multiple book blogs I have noticed that this is a huge trend. Many blogs are based on YA and I thought I better find out what the fuss is all about. I have to say this book lived up to its hype. I couldn't put this book down and immediately ordered the second book in the series Crescendo as soon as I was done this book. I really liked Fitzpatrick's writing style. The book cover pretty much gives away the secret that Patch is some sort of fallen angel but I think Fitzpatrick did a good job of keeping he suspense and mystery around Patch's character. At times Nora drove me a bit bonkers; I just found myself yelling at her in certain situations. That being said, I do remember what it is like to be 16 years old and thinking you are on top of the world and invincible. You are definitely attracted to the unknown and mysterious and while in your brain you know you shouldn't pursue something you find yourself ignoring it anyhow. At this is how I was at the age of 16. I am curious to see how Fitzpatrick tops her first book. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Very good! A little confusing though... <3
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Spoilers-~-~-
    Nora is a book worm with a boy crazy best friend named Vee. They do what any two teenage girls do in high-school that are opposites. Vee wants to push Nora into a social life that includes boys, and Nora pushes Vee into actually doing school work. Nora's father was shot and now Nora is scared to let ppl in.

    She first meet Patch, our fallen angel lover boy. He's got the whole bad boy thing going on. Where it seems like he's teasing Nora. Since he's been keeping tabs on her, it starts out with him knowing a lot about her, and never letting her know about him. He can push thoughts and images into her head. So when she's on a roller coaster ride with him and falls to her death, she doesn't really, it's just what he put into her head.

    Then while at breakfast with Vee she meets, Elliot and Jules. Eliot ends up going to school with the girls after xfering there, after an "incident" at his prep school. The incident being he was accused of killing his girlfriend and hanging her from a tree. He was cleared because in her apartment that had been broken into they found a note. Turns out Elliot did kill his girlfriend because Jules basically made him choose between love and money.

    Jules is a nephilim, who Patch made swear his fealty to him years ago. His real name is Chauncey, but I prefer typing Jules. This allows Patch to possess his body for two weeks a year. Let's just say that Jules is beyond pissed off, and is trying to kill Nora because Patch falls in love with her. What Jules doesn't know is that Nora is a descendant to his own bloodline. What this means, if Nora as a female descendant to one of Patch's vassal bloodlines, if she dies, Patch can become human. Which is what he's wanted for years. That would also kill Jules.

    So in the end Nora kills herself for Patch, to let him become human, and to kill Jules. But Patch does the whole, what's the point of living if i have to live without you bit. That ended up making him refuse her sacrifice, and him saving her in one she-bang. Therefore, making him a guardian angel. Nora's to be specific.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    Some people will like this if they are into stalker-ish kind of love or the paranormal mystery. It was mysterious, yes, but I did not get the feel of liking it.

    Nora thought she was normal until her life was in the brink of death. Some supernatural beings somewhat possesses her and forging her reality. And these supernatural feelings tend to stalk her because they wanted something from her either love or hate. They were angels (fallen or partly angels). Patch was the fallen angel who tried to sacrifice her to have a human body but fell in love with her.

    Nora was full of: Patch looks dangerous but alluring, wanted to run but can not move her body (Run ad infinitum), and Patch have that mysterious thing that draws her into him even though he looks frightening. Frightening? How would you be allured if a guy looks frightening? If a guy looks frightening, I bet he looks like a zombie, a ghost or an anaconda or something. jk.

    On the other hand, her friend Vee was so desperate with boys. I really hate her character, so annoying. A friend should support her friend and not force her to date guys just because, well, good looking. It was always her fault why Nora's always in trouble. And her attitude of very excited to discuss sex was a little disturbing. I mean, could you be more indiscreet? And speaking of that lesson, their biology teacher was teaching them attraction and stuff that will lead to sex, wasn't it a little off? Biology is study of life and not how to make...you got the picture. (but no worries, it does not contain PG stuff)

    But there's humor in it, I find some retorts good. I like the last 1/3 of it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love the mystery and the humour! This series is one my very favourites.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Nora is so whiney and doesn't have what it takes to be a strong female lead character.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    utter crap fest. anyone else think this was creepy and not in a good way? like, stalker/sexual harassment type creepy?
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is my favorite book series ever. Honestly if you love these types of books, read all of them. You will fall in love with the characters, and you might end up re reading the entire book series for your 10th plus time. The series does have some cringy moments, and some bad parts, but over all for sure my favorite book series that I like to read. P.s we all hated the second book, but the third one makes up for it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    amazing book, I nevee expected most lf the stuff that happened. extremely descriptive so i could literally visualize everything in my mind and see it..i couldnt stop reading
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    This was actually worse than Twilight.

    I'm not sure if it is because I am no longer a 12 year old girl but I found everything about this book (plot, writing, characters) to be 'totally LAME'.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed the book when I started reading it, but it did seem choppy later into it.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I read this when I was 15 and I just reread it. It’s still as good as the first time. It brought back that teenage angst!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I read this book not knowing what to think I was going to find. When I finished the book, I told my daughter about it (she loves to read just like her mom) and she wanted to check it out. We read the entire series together. She loved it so much that we went out and bought her the whole series! Now, years later, we both still go back and read the books again and again over the years. I just finished Hush Hush and she is currently reading it to er wife!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I could not put it down! It did take a little while to get to the point but unlike many other books the waiting portion of the book was pretty great!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wonderful story. If you have some great stories like this one, you can publish it on Novel Star, just submit your story to hardy@novelstar.top or joye@novelstar.top
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As a fan of books that write about fallen angels and nephilims and all that stuff, this book was certainly good and entertaining. But the writing style wasn’t as expected. Still a good read. Can’t wait to read the second book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    3rd time reading the series, its definitely in my top collection
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Hush, Hush was a quick easy read. Part of it were pretty creepy but overall I really enjoyed the story. I thought the sexual tension between Patch and Nora was intense. I also wanted their relationship to be more developed and, although that didn't really happen in this book, it looks like it will in the following books. Hush, Hush was kind of a build up as to whether or not Nora could trust Patch or if Patch was the bad guy. Interesting answer to that question but I can't say more or I'd spoil the book. Oh, and the cover is awesome.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Very good! Stayed up until 3:30 in the morning because I couldn’t put it down! I rate it a 4.5 stars!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The book was good. My favorite part was when Nora was in the closest and Mis. Greene was looking for her. And Nora heard foot steps outside the closest. Then the closest door opened and it was Patch. Books that have a good twists are the best because you wouldn't expect it.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I read reviews of this book here on Goodreads, and as I'm a sucker for trashy YA paranormal romance, I thought I'd give it a try - and the next day, found it in a charity shop for 80p.
    My first thought when looking at this book was Twilight - the cover, the font, the plot. Little list of similarities:
    - Nora and Patch meet in Biology class
    - he wants to kill her AND seduce her
    - she finds him dangerous, yet attractive
    - Patch has to 'rescue' her from a trip to the nearest big town/city where she cleverly went off by herself
    And there are a lot of other similarities, but also some differences.
    For one, Nora isn't as annoying a character. She's not a Mary Sue, but it almost feels like the author was trying too hard to make her 'quirky' - writes poetry in secret, plays the cello, only listens to baroque music. She is however, plain stupid. And is apparently applying to Stanford, Harvard and Yale. And then of course there's the token annoying best friend, who is a 'typical' teenage girl (although I don't actually know many teenagers who act like these typical teenage girls...).
    Patch was a seriously disturbing character. If you thought Edward Cullen was twisted, wait until you meet this guy. He is manipulative, abusive and just plain nasty. I'm not sure what it is with these paranormal romances, but when did treating someone like that equate to caring for them? There's looking out for someone, and then there's... that.
    Then there was the situation in Biology class near the beginning, where Nora's teacher essentially puts her on the spot and asks very personal, humiliating questions, and Patch plays along. I'm not sure what teacher would ever think that sort of thing was okay, but I'm sure if they actually did it, it would result in their dismissal.
    Overall, no the book was not original. It's a very overused format, but instead of vampires or whatever we have fallen angels. Cookie cutter characters, very simple writing - yet honestly, I just kept reading. I'm not sure if it was because it was simple and therefore a quick read, because I just wanted to get it over and done with, or because I actually enjoyed it despite all the wrong moral messages it sends out, but I finished this book in just a couple of hours.

    EDIT: A couple of mistakes I noticed. There is one point where Nora is in Patch's Jeep, and decides to look through his glove compartment for more information on him. She mentions how even just his cell phone number would be good enough - but she already has it. He wrote it on her hand on the first day.
    When Jules' parents are described as being away, due to their jobs in the diamond industry, and that they go to Africa and Australia a lot, Nora queries why they would go to Australia since it's not big in the diamond industry. Do you know what country is pretty big in the diamond industry? Here's a few clues: kangaroos, Ayers Rock, kookaburras, the Sydney Opera House, koalas - yes! It's Australia!
    Also posted on my blog, Rinn Reads.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Originally published on my blog, My Urban FantasiesI do not even know where to begin with this review. There are many aspects of this book that I did and did not like. I think I'll take the Clint Eastwood approach, start with the good, the bad then the ugly.Nora Grey is a somewhat typical academic teenage girl. Her mother is constantly out of town because of her job and Nora's father was murdered, other than that completely average. Nora's life significantly changes one day in Biology class. Nora usually sits with her best friend Vee Sky, but the teacher forces everyone to change lab partners. Nora's new partner is Patch Cipriano, the epitome of bad boy, danger wrapped in sexy. Nora is attracted to Patch but there's something dangerous about him that she does not trust. Strange things start happening soon after Nora meets Patch. Nora feels like she's being stalked and thinks Patch might be involved. Nora's suspicions widen as new characters are introduced. The GoodI absolutely loved the paranormal part of Hush, Hush. It was an amazing concept that revolved around angels, fallen angels and nephilim. Unfortunately, other than the prologue it did not really come up till the end of the book. Frankly it was the saving grace of Hush, Hush. During the novel you're never sure exactly which character is involved in this whole stalker thing, so the end was intriguing and exciting as what part everyone played in the story is revealed.The BadWhile some parts of this book were slow my biggest complaint is with the characters. Not only did they lack depth but there was no consistency. There was only one exception and that was Patch. Patch starts out as the bad boy you love to hate. He's cocky and has this bizarre stalker quality. Eventually you learn why Patch behaves the way he does and then he slowly morphs into the bad boy that you cannot help fall in love with. Nora is the smart academic type who embraces her independence. Nora may be book smart but in no way is she street smart. Nora is the perfect embodiment of all the girls who die first in slasher movies. You know the ones I'm talking about. They run up the stairs even though they're standing by the front door or they just stand there screaming as the killer slowly walks up to them and stabs them to death. Nora basically has target tattooed across her forehead. Nora constantly allows people to manipulate her into dangerous situations, or at the very least ones she's uncomfortable with. Now to the most annoying character in the entire book, Vee. Vee is the worst best friend ever! Vee appears to be the perfect BFF until there is a guy involved. It's like her brain short circuits and she becomes egotistical and possibly insane. Who calls in a bomb threat so they can look at a guy's student file? I think Vee's defining moment is when she wants Nora to go camping with very guy that physically threatens Nora. Her excuse "But he was drunk, right?" Like that matters! The UglyThere were parts of Hush, Hush that were just disturbing, mainly the Biology classes. Nora and her class are studying sex ed. I understand what the author was trying to go for, showing that different species share similar traits, at least on some level, when looking for a mate. I'm sure Fitzpatrick was trying to keep everything scientific sounding but it came across a little creepy. The disturbing part was the teacher, Coach McConaughy. The way it was written Coach just sounded perverted, way too into what teenagers are looking for in a mate. Those scenes left you felling uncomfortable and were more unpleasant than useful.The VerdictWhile Hush, Hush did have its flaws all in all it was a good book. There were redeemable qualities that I enjoyed reading. Will I read the next book in the series? Probably, I enjoyed the concept and have hope that the next book will be better. Simply you're either going to like Hush, Hush or you're going to hate it. It's an easy read so "you've got to ask yourself one question 'Do I feel lucky?' well, do ya punk?"
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Original review from Little Book OwlHush, Hush is a humorous and mysterious read. I really loved these two aspects of the story the most, and Becca Fitzpatrick managed to make the two work well together.Out of the cast of characters, I wouldn't say that Nora was my favourite to be completely honest. I found Nora to be a bit contradictory and unable to make up her mind, which could get a bit annoying. Patch, the love interest is so mysterious and dark and probably my favourite character. His bad-boy personality is irresistible - both for Nora and the reader, which is another plus. His conversations with Nora bring light to his cheekiness, as he teases and flirts with her.Vee, Nora's best friend, was definitely a lovable character for me - at least at the beginning. She comes out giggle-worthy one-liners whenever she pops up in the story, and it really brought her character to life. I found myself getting stares on the plane from my brother and a couple of strangers, for giggling to myself over a funny comeback of hers. However, as the story progressed, Vee became pretty reckless and selfish. She would party, and hang out with Elliott and Jules and rely on Nora to come to her rescue if things got out of hand, putting her in dangerous situations more than once.Another great point for the story, is that I found Patch and Nora's relationship is believable and realistic. They would argue and contradict one another at every chance towards the beginning - showing Nora's initial dislike, but also hints towards some flirtation.I borrowed Hush, Hush from a friend who did not enjoy reading it. I can say that I did enjoy Hush, Hush, the story was interesting and unique in comparison to other fallen angel stories. The characters weren't perfect, but they had substance. I will be looking forward to reading the sequel, Crescendo
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I've been mulling over my review for Becca Fitzpatrick's debut, the paranormal thrillermance Hush, Hush for about a week now. It's difficult to talk about a book as controversial as this one without at least touching on the politics. But there's little I can say about the politics that hasn't already been said before, and probably better.Yes, Nora, our heroine, is little more than the traditional victim/cheerleader in a slasher movie. She's both bubble-headed and paranoid, and she alternately cowers and stumbles through our ramshackle plot--a story about how, after she gets a new lab partner in bio (yes, this is a new YA cliche that's already becoming old hat), her life is repeatedly threatened by not only her hot, but creepy, partner Patch but also a bevy of other parties in her small Maine town. And though, yes, Nora has plenty of justification for resisting Patch--he's condescending and smarmy, he threatens her repeatedly, he doesn't even seem to like her most of the time--it does indeed seem like Nora resists Patch only so that she can later relent to him, illustrating once again (ick) how when a teenage girl says no, she really means yes.The truth is, though, that after about a hundred pages of this sort of thing, I fear I started to become immune to it. Because, while my jaw literally dropped during an early scene where Nora is sexually harassed during her biology class by both her classmates and teacher, and while a few flies probably swarmed in after Nora goes to her teacher and protests, but is rebuffed, by the novel's middle I just didn't care any more what happened to Nora, good or bad. I was really just that bored.Hush, Hush's biggest problem, I would say, isn't in its quaintly outdated abhorrent sexual politics but rather in its pacing. There's a vague cloud of "suspense" that hangs over the novel's first two thirds, and Nora is, apparently, endangered by almost every one she encounters. But nothing happens--really, nothing. For two hundred and fifty pages--and though the reader is clued in to Patch's supernatural origins through the cover and the prologue and the blurb, there's really no logical connection between the nebulous dangers she faces and Patch's identity as an angel. This means that the revelations about the book's angelic mythology fall into place with as much grace as a sack of wet laundry. Nora sees scars on Patch's back, thinks "angel!", investigates fallen angels on teh Google (and if you've read my reviews, you know how much I hate internet research scenes; writers, knowing that kids google shit does not equal being hip to the technology of young people), and decides that Patch must be an angel. This requires some logical leaps that would never work this neatly in real life.And then we get about fifty pages of really muddled angel mythology. It's incredibly convoluted and all wedged into such a small space that there's no time for the reader to digest the "rules" of angeldom. I'll put it this way: I have a terminal graduate degree, and I won't pretend for a second that I understood what was happening at the end of this book.The worst bit of this, for me, was the revelation that our anti-hero Patch couldn't feel anything, in a tactile sense. Because I'll say this for Hush, Hush: for all that I thought Patch and Nora's relationship was fucked up, I believed their sexual chemistry. Now I know that quite a few objections to this book have centered upon the adage that sex does not equal love, and that young adult writers shouldn't imply that it does. And I sort of agree with this, but I think it's an attitude that's not entirely tied to reality. Because sex--for teens and adults--very much makes up the foundation of most romantic relationships. And it can certainly draw people together who would--or should--otherwise despise one another. So I bought that Patch lusted after Nora, and vice versa, even if it wasn't necessarily a good match. But when Patch tells us that his feelings for Nora are chaste and entirely pure and all about love, my belief in the relationship flew right out the window. What do they have, if not sex? Not even biology class--because their sexual attraction to one another was all that was ever discussed there.Anyway, I really consider all of this a shame because, despite the above, Becca Fitzpatrick's stylistics are fairly solid. Her writing is readable, even if occasionally silly, even if the content is sometimes squicky. And she does setting extremely well. This foggy little Maine town is the perfect place for a thriller like this . . . if only it was a bit more, well, thrilling.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    For some reason, I had some serious skepticism about reading Hush, Hush. I finally convinced myself to give it a go, and I’m so glad I did! I have no idea where that skepticism came from, but it’s definitely gone now! Hush, Hush, is a fun, action-packed story that is written in such a way that you can’t stop wanting more. From the hilarious exchanges between Nora and Vee to the suspense of Patch’s true identity, Hush, Hush is a non-stop roller coaster ride that you will not want to disembark.One thing I really enjoyed was the relationship between Nora and Patch. Though Patch is portrayed as your typical “bad-boy” character, he does more than just sit around and smolder mysteriously. I loved reading his flirtatious conversations with Nora, and the way he pursued her wasn’t too creepy (it was kind of sweet, actually). Nora herself wasn’t too terribly interesting of a character, but when she was paired up with Patch or Vee, her snarky side came out, and I really liked that about her. (Also, she has some serious guts, which is great in a female protag)Hush, Hush was jam-packed with all kinds of things going on, but Becca Fitzpatrick still somehow pulled everything together smoothly at the end. All the bits and bobs added up, and there was a solid conclusion. I finished reading the book feeling satisfied. But still, the sequel, Crescendo, is sitting on my shelf right now, begging to be read. I’m excited to see what will happen with Nora and Patch now that all the mysteries have been solved! (Originally posted to 365 Days of Reading)
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    why would some choose to write a book like twilight is beyond me. one sec the girl hates the guy and the next his eerie persona has her all hormonal. wow just. why am i even giving it one star?
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Re-reading this book made me remember why this is one of my favorite series. If you love supernatural/bad-boys (who doesn't)/relatable teenage issues/romance I highly recommend this book!!

Book preview

Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

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For Heather, Christian, and Michael.

Our childhood was nothing if not imaginative.

And to Justin. Thanks for not choosing

the Japanese cooking class—love you.

. . . GOD SPARED NOT THE ANGELS THAT SINNED,

BUT CAST THEM DOWN TO HELL,

AND DELIVERED THEM INTO CHAINS OF DARKNESS,

TO BE RESERVED UNTO JUDGMENT . . .

—2 PETER 2:4

PROLOGUE

LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE NOVEMBER 1565

CHAUNCEY WAS WITH A FARMER’S DAUGHTER ON the grassy banks of the Loire River when the storm rolled in, and having let his gelding wander in the meadow, was left to his own two feet to carry him back to the château. He tore a silver buckle off his shoe, placed it in the girl’s palm, and watched her scurry away, mud slinging on her skirts. Then he tugged on his boots and started for home.

Rain sheeted down on the darkening countryside surrounding the Château de Langeais. Chauncey stepped easily over the sunken graves and humus of the cemetery; even in the thickest fog he could find his way home from here and not fear getting lost. There was no fog tonight, but the darkness and onslaught of rain were deceiving enough.

There was movement along the fringe of Chauncey’s vision, and he snapped his head to the left. At first glance what appeared to be a large angel topping a nearby monument rose to full height. Neither stone nor marble, the boy had arms and legs. His torso was naked, his feet were bare, and peasant trousers hung low on his waist. He hopped down from the monument, the ends of his black hair dripping rain. It slid down his face, which was dark as a Spaniard’s.

Chauncey’s hand crept to the hilt of his sword. Who goes there?

The boy’s mouth hinted at a smile.

Do not play games with the Duc de Langeais, Chauncey warned. I asked for your name. Give it.

Duc? The boy leaned against a twisted willow tree. Or bastard?

Chauncey unsheathed his sword. Take it back! My father was the Duc de Langeais. I’m the Duc de Langeais now, he added clumsily, and cursed himself for it.

The boy gave a lazy shake of his head. Your father wasn’t the old duc.

Chauncey seethed at the outrageous insult. "And your father? he demanded, extending the sword. He didn’t yet know all his vassals, but he was learning. He would brand the family name of this boy to memory. I’ll ask once more, he said in a low voice, wiping a hand down his face to clear away the rain. Who are you?"

The boy walked up and pushed the blade aside. He suddenly looked older than Chauncey had presumed, maybe even a year or two older than Chauncey. One of the Devil’s brood, he answered.

Chauncey felt a clench of fear in his stomach. You’re a raving lunatic, he said through his teeth. Get out of my way.

The ground beneath Chauncey tilted. Bursts of gold and red popped behind his eyes. Hunched with his fingernails grinding into his thighs, he looked up at the boy, blinking and gasping, trying to make sense of what was happening. His mind reeled like it was no longer his to command.

The boy crouched to level their eyes. Listen carefully. I need something from you. I won’t leave until I have it. Do you understand?

Gritting his teeth, Chauncey shook his head to express his disbelief—his defiance. He tried to spit at the boy, but it trickled down his chin, his tongue refusing to obey him.

The boy clasped his hands around Chauncey’s; their heat scorched him and he cried out.

I need your oath of fealty, the boy said. Bend on one knee and swear it.

Chauncey commanded his throat to laugh harshly, but his throat constricted and he choked on the sound. His right knee buckled as if kicked from behind, though no one was there, and he stumbled forward into the mud. He bent sideways and retched.

Swear it, the boy repeated.

Heat flushed Chauncey’s neck; it took all his energy to curl his hands into two weak fists. He laughed at himself, but there was no humor. He had no idea how, but the boy was inflicting the nausea and weakness inside him. It would not lift until he took the oath. He would say what he had to, but he swore in his heart he would destroy the boy for this humiliation.

Lord, I become your man, Chauncey said venomously.

The boy raised Chauncey to his feet. Meet me here at the start of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. During the two weeks between new and full moons, I’ll need your service.

"A . . . fortnight? Chauncey’s whole frame trembled under the weight of his rage. I am the Duc de Langeais!"

You are a Nephil, the boy said on a sliver of a smile.

Chauncey had a profane retort on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed it. His next words were spoken with icy venom. What did you say?

You belong to the biblical race of Nephilim. Your real father was an angel who fell from heaven. You’re half mortal. The boy’s dark eyes lifted, meeting Chauncey’s. Half fallen angel.

Chauncey’s tutor’s voice drifted up from the recesses of his mind, reading passages from the Bible, telling of a deviant race created when angels cast from heaven mated with mortal women. A fearsome and powerful race. A chill that wasn’t entirely revulsion crept through Chauncey. Who are you?

The boy turned, walking away, and although Chauncey wanted to go after him, he couldn’t command his legs to hold his weight. Kneeling there, blinking up through the rain, he saw two thick scars on the back of the boy’s naked torso. They narrowed to form an upside-down V.

Are you—fallen? he called out. Your wings have been stripped, haven’t they?

The boy—angel—whoever he was did not turn back. Chauncey did not need the confirmation.

This service I’m to provide, he shouted. I demand to know what it is!

The air resonated with the boy’s low laughter.

CHAPTER

1

COLDWATER, MAINE PRESENT DAY

I WALKED INTO BIOLOGY AND MY JAW FELL OPEN. Mysteriously adhered to the chalkboard was a Barbie doll, with Ken at her side. They’d been forced to link arms and were naked except for artificial leaves placed in a few choice locations. Scribbled above their heads in thick pink chalk was the invitation:

WELCOME TO HUMAN REPRODUCTION (SEX)

At my side Vee Sky said, This is exactly why the school outlaws camera phones. Pictures of this in the eZine would be all the evidence I’d need to get the board of education to ax biology. And then we’d have this hour to do something productive—like receive one-on-one tutoring from cute upperclass guys.

Why, Vee, I said, I could’ve sworn you’ve been looking forward to this unit all semester.

Vee lowered her lashes and smiled wickedly. This class isn’t going to teach me anything I don’t already know.

Vee? As in virgin?

Not so loud. She winked just as the bell rang, sending us both to our seats, which were side by side at our shared table.

Coach McConaughy grabbed the whistle swinging from a chain around his neck and blew it. Seats, team! Coach considered teaching tenth-grade biology a side assignment to his job as varsity basketball coach, and we all knew it.

It may not have occurred to you kids that sex is more than a fifteen-minute trip to the backseat of a car. It’s science. And what is science?

Boring, some kid in the back of the room called out.

The only class I’m failing, said another.

Coach’s eyes tracked down the front row, stopping at me. Nora?

The study of something, I said.

He walked over and jabbed his index finger on the table in front of me. What else?

Knowledge gained through experimentation and observation. Lovely. I sounded like I was auditioning for the audiobook of our text.

In your own words.

I touched the tip of my tongue to my upper lip and tried for a synonym. Science is an investigation. It sounded like a question.

"Science is an investigation, Coach said, sanding his hands together. Science requires us to transform into spies."

Put that way, science almost sounded fun. But I’d been in Coach’s class long enough not to get my hopes up.

Good sleuthing takes practice, he continued.

So does sex, came another back-of-the-room comment. We all bit back laughter while Coach pointed a warning finger at the offender.

"That won’t be part of tonight’s homework. Coach turned his attention back to me. Nora, you’ve been sitting beside Vee since the beginning of the year. I nodded but had a bad feeling about where this was going. Both of you are on the school eZine together. Again I nodded. I bet you know quite a bit about each other."

Vee kicked my leg under our table. I knew what she was thinking. That he had no idea how much we knew about each other. And I don’t just mean the secrets we entomb in our diaries. Vee is my un-twin. She’s green-eyed, minky blond, and a few pounds over curvy. I’m a smoky-eyed brunette with volumes of curly hair that holds its own against even the best flatiron. And I’m all legs, like a bar stool. But there is an invisible thread that ties us together; both of us swear that tie began long before birth. Both of us swear it will continue to hold for the rest of our lives.

Coach looked out at the class. In fact, I’ll bet each of you knows the person sitting beside you well enough. You picked the seats you did for a reason, right? Familiarity. Too bad the best sleuths avoid familiarity. It dulls the investigative instinct. Which is why, today, we’re creating a new seating chart.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Vee beat me to it. What the crap? It’s April. As in, it’s almost the end of the year. You can’t pull this kind of stuff now.

Coach hinted at a smile. I can pull this stuff clear up to the last day of the semester. And if you fail my class, you’ll be right back here next year, where I’ll be pulling this kind of stuff all over again.

Vee scowled at him. She is famous for that scowl. It’s a look that does everything but audibly hiss. Apparently immune to it, Coach brought his whistle to his lips, and we got the idea.

Every partner sitting on the left-hand side of the table—that’s your left—move up one seat. Those in the front row—yes, including you, Vee—move to the back.

Vee shoved her notebook inside her backpack and ripped the zipper shut. I bit my lip and waved a small farewell. Then I turned slightly, checking out the room behind me. I knew the names of all my classmates . . . except one. The transfer. Coach never called on him, and he seemed to prefer it that way. He sat slouched one table back, cool black eyes holding a steady gaze forward. Just like always. I didn’t for one moment believe he just sat there, day after day, staring into space. He was thinking something, but instinct told me I probably didn’t want to know what.

He set his bio text down on the table and slid into Vee’s old chair.

I smiled. Hi. I’m Nora.

His black eyes sliced into me, and the corners of his mouth tilted up. My heart fumbled a beat and in that pause, a feeling of gloomy darkness seemed to slide like a shadow over me. It vanished in an instant, but I was still staring at him. His smile wasn’t friendly. It was a smile that spelled trouble. With a promise.

I focused on the chalkboard. Barbie and Ken stared back with strangely cheerful smiles.

Coach said, Human reproduction can be a sticky subject—

Ewww! groaned a chorus of students.

It requires mature handling. And like all science, the best approach is to learn by sleuthing. For the rest of class, practice this technique by finding out as much as you can about your new partner. Tomorrow, bring a write-up of your discoveries, and believe me, I’m going to check for authenticity. This is biology, not English, so don’t even think about fictionalizing your answers. I want to see real interaction and teamwork. There was an implied Or else.

I sat perfectly still. The ball was in his court—I’d smiled, and look how well that turned out. I wrinkled my nose, trying to figure out what he smelled like. Not cigarettes. Something richer, fouler.

Cigars.

I found the clock on the wall and tapped my pencil in time to the second hand. I planted my elbow on the table and propped my chin on my fist. I blew out a sigh.

Great. At this rate I would fail.

I had my eyes pinned forward, but I heard the soft glide of his pen. He was writing, and I wanted to know what. Ten minutes of sitting together didn’t qualify him to make any assumptions about me. Flitting a look sideways, I saw that his paper was several lines deep and growing.

What are you writing? I asked.

And she speaks English, he said while scrawling it down, each stroke of his hand both smooth and lazy at once.

I leaned as close to him as I dared, trying to read what else he’d written, but he folded the paper in half, concealing the list.

What did you write? I demanded.

He reached for my unused paper, sliding it across the table toward him. He crumpled it into a ball. Before I could protest, he tossed it at the trash can beside Coach’s desk. The shot dropped in.

I stared at the trash can a moment, locked between disbelief and anger. Then I flipped open my notebook to a clean page. What is your name? I asked, pencil poised to write.

I glanced up in time to catch another dark grin. This one seemed to dare me to pry anything out of him.

Your name? I repeated, hoping it was my imagination that my voice faltered.

"Call me Patch. I mean it. Call me."

He winked when he said it, and I was pretty sure he was making fun of me.

What do you do in your leisure time? I asked.

I don’t have free time.

I’m assuming this assignment is graded, so do me a favor?

He leaned back in his seat, folding his arms behind his head. What kind of favor?

I was pretty sure it was an innuendo, and I grappled for a way to change the subject.

Free time, he repeated thoughtfully. I take pictures.

I printed Photography on my paper.

I wasn’t finished, he said. "I’ve got quite a collection going of an eZine columnist who believes there’s truth in eating organic, who writes poetry in secret, and who shudders at the thought of having to choose between Stanford, Yale, and . . . what’s that big one with the H?"

I stared at him a moment, shaken by how dead on he was. I didn’t get the feeling it was a lucky guess. He knew. And I wanted to know how—right now.

But you won’t end up going to any of them.

I won’t? I asked without thinking.

He hooked his fingers under the seat of my chair, dragging me closer to him. Not sure if I should scoot away and show fear, or do nothing and feign boredom, I chose the latter.

He said, Even though you’d thrive at all three schools, you scorn them for being a cliché of achievement. Passing judgment is your third biggest weakness.

And my second? I said with quiet rage. Who was this guy? Was this some kind of disturbing joke?

You don’t know how to trust. I take that back. You trust—just all the wrong people.

"And my first?" I demanded.

You keep life on a short leash.

What’s that supposed to mean?

You’re scared of what you can’t control.

The hair at the nape of my neck stood on end, and the temperature in the room seemed to chill. Ordinarily I would have gone straight to Coach’s desk and requested a new seating chart. But I refused to let Patch think he could intimidate or scare me. I felt an irrational need to defend myself and decided right then and there I wouldn’t back down until he did.

Do you sleep naked? he asked.

My mouth threatened to drop, but I held it in check. You’re hardly the person I’d tell.

Ever been to a shrink?

No, I lied. The truth was, I was in counseling with the school psychologist, Dr. Hendrickson. It wasn’t by choice, and it wasn’t something I liked to talk about.

Done anything illegal?

No. Occasionally breaking the speed limit wouldn’t count. Not with him. Why don’t you ask me something normal? Like . . . my favorite kind of music?

I’m not going to ask what I can guess.

"You do not know the type of music I listen to."

Baroque. With you, it’s all about order, control. I bet you play . . . the cello? He said it like he’d pulled the guess out of thin air.

Wrong. Another lie, but this one sent a chill rippling along my skin. Who was he really? If he knew I played the cello, what else did he know?

What’s that? Patch tapped his pen against the inside of my wrist. Instinctively I pulled away.

A birthmark.

Looks like a scar. Are you suicidal, Nora? His eyes connected with mine, and I could feel him laughing. Parents married or divorced?

I live with my mom.

Where’s dad?

My dad passed away last year.

How did he die?

I flinched. He was—murdered. This is kind of personal territory, if you don’t mind.

There was a count of silence and the edge in Patch’s eyes seemed to soften a touch. That must be hard. He sounded like he meant it.

The bell rang and Patch was on his feet, making his way toward the door.

Wait, I called out. He didn’t turn. Excuse me! He was through the door. Patch! I didn’t get anything on you.

He turned back and walked toward me. Taking my hand, he scribbled something on it before I thought to pull away.

I looked down at the seven numbers in red ink on my palm and made a fist around them. I wanted to tell him no way was his phone ringing tonight. I wanted to tell him it was his fault for taking all the time questioning me. I wanted a lot of things, but I just stood there looking like I didn’t know how to open my mouth.

At last I said, I’m busy tonight.

So am I. He grinned and was gone.

I stood nailed to the spot, digesting what had just happened. Did he eat up all the time questioning me on purpose? So I’d fail? Did he think one flashy grin would redeem him? Yes, I thought. Yes, he did.

I won’t call! I called after him. Not—ever!

Have you finished your column for tomorrow’s deadline? It was Vee. She came up beside me, jotting notes on the notepad she carried everywhere. I’m thinking of writing mine on the injustice of seating charts. I got paired with a girl who said she just finished lice treatment this morning.

My new partner, I said, pointing into the hallway at the back of Patch. He had an annoyingly confident walk, the kind you find paired with faded T-shirts and a cowboy hat. Patch wore neither. He was a dark-Levi’s-dark-henley-dark-boots kind of guy.

The senior transfer? Guess he didn’t study hard enough the first time around. Or the second. She gave me a knowing look. Third time’s a charm.

"He gives me the creeps. He knew my music. Without any hints whatsoever, he said, ‘Baroque.’ " I did a poor job of mimicking his low voice.

Lucky guess?

He knew . . . other things.

Like what?

I let go of a sigh. He knew more than I wanted to comfortably contemplate. Like how to get under my skin, I said at last. I’m going to tell Coach he has to switch us back.

Go for it. I could use a hook for my next eZine article. ‘Tenth Grader Fights Back.’ Better yet, ‘Seating Chart Takes Slap in the Face.’ Mmm. I like it.

At the end of the day, I was the one who took a slap in the face. Coach shot down my plea to rethink the seating chart. It appeared I was stuck with Patch.

For now.

CHAPTER

2

MY MOM AND I LIVE IN A DRAFTY EIGHTEENTH-century farmhouse on the outskirts of Coldwater. It’s the only house on Hawthorne Lane, and the nearest neighbors are almost a mile away. I sometimes wonder if the original builder realized that out of all the plots of land available, he chose to construct the house in the eye of a mysterious atmospheric inversion that seems to suck all the fog off Maine’s coast and transplant it into our yard. The house was at this moment veiled by gloom that resembled escaped and wandering spirits.

I spent the evening planted on a stool in the kitchen in the company of algebra homework and Dorothea, our housekeeper. My mom works for the Hugo Renaldi Auction Company, coordinating estate and antique auctions all along the East Coast. This week she was in upstate New York. Her job required a lot of travel, and she paid Dorothea to cook and clean, but I was pretty sure the fine print on Dorothea’s job description included keeping a watchful, parental eye on me.

How was school? Dorothea asked with a slight German accent. She stood at the sink, scrubbing overbaked lasagna off a casserole dish.

I have a new biology partner.

This is a good thing, or a bad thing?

Vee was my old partner.

Humph. More vigorous scrubbing, and the flesh on Dorothea’s upper arm jiggled. A bad thing, then.

I sighed in agreement.

Tell me about the new partner. This girl, what is she like?

He’s tall, dark, and annoying. And eerily closed off. Patch’s eyes were black orbs. Taking in everything and giving away nothing. Not that I wanted to know more about Patch. Since I hadn’t liked what I’d seen on the surface, I doubted I’d like what was lurking deep inside.

Only, this wasn’t exactly true. I’d liked a lot of what I’d seen. Long, lean muscles down his arms, broad but relaxed shoulders, and a smile that was part playful, part seductive. I was in an uneasy alliance with myself, trying to ignore what had started to feel irresistible.

At nine o’clock Dorothea finished for the evening and locked up on her way out. I flashed the porch lights twice to say good-bye; they must have penetrated the fog, because she answered with a honk. I was alone.

I took inventory of the feelings playing out inside me. I wasn’t hungry. I wasn’t tired. I wasn’t even all that lonely. But I was a little bit restless about my biology assignment. I’d told Patch I wouldn’t call, and six hours ago I’d meant it. All I could think now was that I didn’t want to fail. Biology was my toughest subject. My grade tottered problematically between A and B. In my mind, that was the difference between a full and half scholarship in my future.

I went to the kitchen and picked up the phone. I looked at what was left of the seven numbers still tattooed on my hand. Secretly I hoped Patch didn’t answer my call. If he was unavailable or unco-operative on assignments, it was evidence I could use against him to convince Coach to undo the seating chart. Feeling hopeful, I keyed in his number.

Patch answered on the third ring. What’s up?

In a matter-of-fact tone I said, I’m calling to see if we can meet tonight. I know you said you’re busy, but—

Nora. Patch said my name like it was the punch line to a joke. Thought you weren’t going to call. Ever.

I hated that I was eating my words. I hated Patch for rubbing it in. I hated Coach and his deranged assignments. I opened my mouth, hoping something smart would come out. Well? Can we meet or not?

As it turns out, I can’t.

Can’t, or won’t?

I’m in the middle of a pool game. I heard the smile in his voice. An important pool game.

From the background noise I heard on his end, I believed he was telling the truth—about the pool game. Whether it was more important than my assignment was up for debate.

Where are you? I asked.

Bo’s Arcade. It’s not your kind of hangout.

Then let’s do the interview over the phone. I’ve got a list of questions right—

He hung up on me.

I stared at the phone in disbelief, then ripped a clean sheet of paper from my notebook. I scribbled Jerk on the first line. On the line beneath it I added, Smokes cigars. Will die of lung cancer. Hopefully soon. Excellent physical shape.

I immediately scribbled over the last observation until it was illegible.

The microwave clock blinked to 9:05. As I saw it, I had two choices. Either I fabricated my interview with Patch, or I drove to Bo’s Arcade. The first option might have been tempting, if I could just block out Coach’s voice warning that he’d check all answers for authenticity. I didn’t know enough about Patch to bluff my way through a whole interview. And the second option? Not even remotely tempting.

I delayed making a decision long enough to call my mom. Part of our agreement for her working and traveling so much was that I act responsibly and not be the kind of daughter who required constant supervision. I liked my freedom, and I didn’t want to do anything to give my mom a reason to take a pay cut and get a local job to keep an eye on me.

On the fourth ring her voice mail picked up.

It’s me, I said. Just checking in. I’ve got some biology homework to finish up, then I’m going to bed. Call me at lunch tomorrow, if you want. Love you.

After I hung up, I found a quarter in the kitchen drawer. Best to leave complicated decisions to fate.

Heads I go, I told George Washington’s profile, tails I stay. I flipped the quarter in the air, flattened it to the back of my palm, and dared a peek. My heart squeezed out an extra beat, and I told myself I wasn’t sure what it meant.

It’s out of my hands now, I said.

Determined to get this over with as quickly as possible, I grabbed a map off the fridge, snagged my keys, and backed my Fiat Spider down the driveway. The car had probably been cute in 1979, but I wasn’t wild about the chocolate brown paint, the rust spreading unchecked across the back fender, or the cracked white leather seats.

Bo’s Arcade turned out to be

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