The forbidden romance between Nora Grey and fallen angel Patch that began in Hush, Hush (2009) remains off-limits in this predictable, repetitive sequel as Patch, now Nora's guardian angel, is warned by the archangels to keep his distance from his charge. Prompted by Patch's furtiveness and recent detachment and fueled by his involvement with Nora's longtime rival, Marcie Millar, their steamy relationship becomes a jealous push-pull for the upper hand. When a former classmate and fallen-angel vassal, known as a Nephilim, returns to Delphic Beach, Maine, and she begins seeing visions of her deceased father, Nora's obsession with Patch turns to finding out more about a secret Nephilim blood society, its Black Hand leader, their possible connection to her father's death and their threat to all of humanity. As in the first novel, Nora is continuously placed or places herself in dangerous situations that leave her vulnerable to physically powerful men and that require being saved. Just as the drawn-out plot answers Nora's lingering questions, it introduces a new dilemma and opener for another sequel. (Supernatural thriller. YA)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Nora searches for the mysterious Black Hand, who murdered her father and heads a secret society of Nephilim. She places herself in mortal peril just as her boyfriend/guardian angel Patch grows increasingly distant. Fans of paranormal romance may overlook two-dimensional characters (including an unabashedly self-centered heroine) for the novel's fast pacing and whopping dose of sexual tension. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 9 Up-In this sequel to Hush, Hush (S & S, 2009), 16-year-old Nora Grey (still leggy, naive, and constantly home alone in her farmhouse, but inexplicably no longer anemic) starts summer school in Coldwater, ME. It's been a few months since her sleazy lab partner, Patch, turned out to be a fallen angel bent on killing her to acquire a human body, then saved her from his murderous Nephil (half-human/ half-fallen angel) vassal and became her guardian angel. Now they're dating, but Nora starts to doubt his love and her safety when she realizes that he's holding back information about a secret Nephilim blood society; its mysterious leader, "the Black Hand"; Nora's mean-girl nemesis, Marcie; and Nora's father's murder. Fitzpatrick jumbles together a large cast of inconsistent, stereotyped characters and familiar teen horror/thriller scenarios as a foolish Nora wrestles with her tortured passion for Patch and gets drugged, shot at, chased, and seduced sleuthing for answers amid teen parties, seedy pool halls, a creepy amusement park, and cryptic dreams. Pseudo-biblical supernatural elements are confusing and underdeveloped, as is the cluttered, illogical plot. Nora's narrative and the story's pacing suffer from awkward phrasing, cliched dialogue, and persistent use of the passive voice. An unsatisfying ending, mid-scene, anticipates a third book, but readers may be unwilling to put in the effort.-Riva Pollard, Prospect Sierra Middle School, El Cerrito, CA (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.