The book was first published on October 19, 2010 through Simon & Schuster and spent ten weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

[1] The book was also voted as one of the Young Adult Library Services Association's Teens’ Top Ten for 2011.

Nora is later given a letter that tells her that the "Black Hand" killed her father and is further distraught when Patch appears to be going out with Marcie.

Critical reception to Crescendo has been mixed, with Kirkus Reviews stating, "Just as the drawn-out plot answers Nora’s lingering questions, it introduces a new dilemma and opener for another sequel".

[4] The Manila Bulletin panned the novel, saying that "plot is an afterthought, while the News de Stars praised the entry as "easy and catchy".