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

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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.

Book Review: Identical by Ellen Hopkins

AUTHOR: Ellen Hopkins
PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McElderry
PAGES: 565
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone I think
SOURCE: Bought
OUTLINE:
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are 16-year-old identical twins, the daughters of a district court judge father and politician mother running for Congress. Everything on the surface of their lives seems Norman Rockwell perfect, but underneath run deep and damaging secrets. Kaeleigh is the good girl-her father's perfect flower, something she has tried so hard to be since she was nine and he started sexually abusing her. She cuts herself and vomits after every binge, desperate to feel something normal. Raeanne uses painkillers, drugs, alcohol, and sex to numb the pain of not being Daddy's favorite. Both girls must figure out how to become whole, but how can they when their world has been torn to shreds?

Book Review: The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

AUTHOR: Lisa Schroeder
PUBLISHER: Simon Pulse
PAGES: 307
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand Alone
SOURCE: Bought
CHALLENGES: Contempt Challenge
OUTLINE:
Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself. Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.
The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

MY THOUGHTS:
If you haven't read anything by Lisa Schroeder I recommend it. Her writing style is different. Her books are written in verse form, but don't let that stop you from reading them. Trust me I didn't think I would enjoy them so much because honestly how could you tell a story in so few words and still make it unforgettable. At the very least make it something that makes sense and hooks the reader. I was proven wrong in every way.

Review: Unlocked

AUTHOR: Ryan G. Van Cleave
PUBLISHER: Walker and Company
PAGES: 176
SOURCE: Bought
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand alone

OUTLINE: Andy is the janitor's son, an outcast, a nobody. Then the rumor starts—that Blake has a gun in his locker. In a moment of misguided hopefulness, Andy steals the keys from his dad and opens up Blake's locker, hoping that finding the gun will change his own status. But the gun isn't there and Andy remains an outcast. When an unlikely friendship develops between the two loners, Blake shares most of his secrets with Andy

MY THOUGHTS:

I had mixed feelings on this one. I had to pick it up with a tagline like "If you heard a rumor, would you stop the shooter?" and the jacket flap of course.

It was a journey through one social outcasts life becoming friends with another outcast. In the beginning it wasn't to much really to like or dislike. I didn't care one way or another about the characters themselves. I think what kept me reading was wanting to know if something bad was going to happen. I mean what good can come from a supposed gun being in a locker at school. Nothing!

Andy had heard rumors of another boy bringing a gun to school and hiding it in his locker. Of course so had every other student in school so when Becky Ann asks if Andy would take a peek in Blakes locker and he might get something out of it he was if-fy, but when a popular girl tells you she wants something and in return you'll get something do you ignore her? Of course not!

He should have known that things aren't always that easy with the popular kids though. However, some good things did come from I guess you could call it snooping. He became friends with above mentioned outcast. They may have not talked much to each other, but sometimes a friend is someone you just need beside you. They shared their love of mcdonald fries, and games, and oh yeah one other thing that I'll let you read for yourself.

So when things start going south and Andy realizes maybe what Blake does say holds some truth, and things could get ugly if Andy doesn't tell the adults what he may/may not know. Andy questions what he believes to be right and wrong.

Question if you knew something bad might happen would you be that one person that could save your friend and maybe more? Even if it meant your only friend might turn his back on you, and the people who used to treat you like roadkill now have a sudden interest in being friends with you?

All answered as you read Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave.

If you want a book that'll make you think give this one a shot. (No pun intended)