Book Review: Crank by Ellen Hopkins

AUTHOR: Ellen Hopkins

SERIES: Series (Glass and Fallout)

PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McElderry Books  

PAGES: 537

SOURCE: Bought

OUTLINE:In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank

:

Quick Thought (or not)

If you haven't read any Ellen Hopkins books you're missing out. I know I say this with just about all her books I've read and reviewed, and it never changes.  

I read Crank at the end of 2013, and although it took me awhile to finish it that in no way portrays my feelings for a book such as this. Normally, I do my reviews with a quick thought, pacing, characters, and ending. This book however isn't that type of review layout I'm going to use because truthfully there's no way to put it into that. 

While I'll admit I love my vampires, werewolves, dystopian, witches, spies and all the others, Crank is not a book to be taken lightly. It is not a love story between a boy and a girl, but a girl and her addiction. It is not a book for the weak of mind, or the heartless. You have to read it with an open mind, and a caring heart. You're probably thinking why should I do that when this girl, Kristina gets addicted to this monster. 

Kristina's life hasn't been easy with an almost absent father, and when she goes and visits him her world as Kristina is turned upside down, and Bree steps up. As Kristina lets Bree take over she soon discovers the monster, and it is soon after that she begins to crave it, need it. willing to do anything for that next high. I can't tell you how she's feeling, but I know from talking to some who have done this that it's not something you'd wish on anyone else. I don't remember Kristina having anybody to lean on, or anyone who would stand beside her, and guide her through this darkness. With a dad not much better, and a 0n/0ff again boyfriend who helps her get that fix Kristina seems to be doomed, but near the end something happens that could pull her out of this slump. The question is will Kristina take charge of her life again and show Bree that Kristina is the stronger one

Now that I've sat here, and done the review I think I should really try and read the last two. The ending to Crank will leave you with questions as to what happens with Kristina/Bree and the obstacles she's facing. Sometimes falling and hitting rock bottom brings hope, and other times it's the place where it ends.