Identical Book Review

Title: Identical

Author: Ellen Hopkin

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction,

Pages: 565 (Paperback)

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.35/5

My Rating: 4.5/5

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are 16-year-old twins, daughters of a politician and a district judge. On the surface they seem like a normal family, they are anything but. The twins hold some dark secrets, Kaeleigh is sexually abused by their father and Raeanne witnesses it. Together they must overcome their demons.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Abuse, Mental Illness, Drug Abuse, Alcoholism, Self Harm

While certainly not my favorite Hopkins book, this definitely was an interesting read. The book deals with sexual abuse, mental illness, drug abuse, alcoholism, and eating disorders, and it was incredibly disturbing. I know similar events happen in real life, but imagining and reading about them doesn't seem real. There were times in the book where I was very confused, but it all gets wrapped up in a unique way. Throughout the book I wasn't terribly impressed; I love Ellen Hopkins but I preferred her other books over this one. However, the ending blew me away. It was something I never would have expected and it was written beautifully. This book is very well done and portrays difficult topics such as sexual abuse in a shocking and effective way.

Thanks for reading!

Hana

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Top Ten Most Owned Authors!

Hello!

So today I'm going to the Top Ten Most Owned Authors Tag that's been circling around Booktube.

10. Agatha Christie

I own After the Funeral, Dead Man's Folly, The Moving Finger, and Murder on the Orient Express. I haven't read any of Christie's books in a while nor do I plan buying anymore of her books but what I have read I've really enjoyed.

9. Tahereh Mafi

I LOOOVE the Shatter me series soso much. I also have the novellas but I've lent it out to a friend. I can't wait for Tahereh to right more books.

8. Veronica Roth

The Divergent series is one of my all time favorite series and I definitely plan on buying more books if Veronica writes anymore.

7. John Green

I own An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska, and The Fault in Our Stars. I own pretty much all his books that he's written on his own and I seriously cannot wait for him to right more.

6. Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins is one of my favorite authors of all time. I have Impulse, Perfect, Crank, Glass, and Tricks. I didn't really like Crank and Glass but the others were AMAZING. I really need to buy the rest of her books.

5. Rick Riordan

I have the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and I realllllllly want to buy the Heroes of Olympus series. I have read them but I don't own them.

4. C.S. Lewis

I haven't read the Chronicles of Narnia in a very long time but I remember I loved it.

3. J.K. Rowling

This is a pretty obvious choice. I remember I really enjoyed this series but I haven't reread it since the last book came out.

2. Cassandra Clare

At number two I have the 9 books of The Shadowhunter Chronicles are sooo good. I love love love Cassandra Clare. I'm so excited for her new books. The Iron Trial comes out it 3 days! I'll basically buy any of her books without hesitation.

1. Lemony Snicket

And coming up at number one I have all 13 of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Who Could That Be at This Hour? (not pictured). A Series of Unfortunate Events was my childhood and I just love the series so much. Who Could That Be at This Hour?, however, was just not for me. It's more suited for a younger audience.

Thanks for reading!

Hana

Crank Book Review

Hey guys!

Last night/this morning I finished reading Crank by Ellen Hopkins.

(The old cover was way better but this is the one I own.)

Crank follows Kristina, a 16-going-on-17 year old girl. She's the perfect daughter: obedient, great grades, on track to graduate early. When away at her father's house on a court-ordered trip, she meets the monster: crank, also known as methamphetamine for those less educated about drugs like me.

I've read three Ellen Hopkins books before (Impulse, Perfect, and Tricks) and I loved them. All of them got 5 out of 5 stars. Crank, however, was somewhat of a disappointment. The main character really annoyed me. Some of her decisions seemed really stupid and something that wouldn't happen in real life, although this novel is based on Ellen Hopkins's actual daughter. The story was also very repetitive. It basically goes like:

Kristina moves.

Kristina gets high with her dad and new boyfriend.
Kristina moves back to Reno.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Kristina gets high.
Multiply by 10.

The writing was beautiful as usual but the plot just bored me. What I did like however, is how Hopkins tackles the subject of teenage drug abuse. Unfortunately, I felt Ellen was trying too hard to steer teens away from drugs because of her personal experience with it. This was her first novel so she definitely has improved and I look forward to reading more of her other books.

Thanks for reading!

Hana