Ellen Hopkins

This is a beautiful mesmerizing painful book. In the years since I last read anything by Ellen Hopkins, I had forgotten how well she can pack stories with multiple dark experiences without coming off as melodramatic or inauthentic. She has such a solid grasp on the issues she portrays that everything feels extremely realistic which made it easier for me to get sucked into the story and to connect to and care about the characters. I was especially impressed by the issue that pops up near the end as it was very obvious that she had done quite a bit of planning and research to execute the reveal and unpacking of the issue so effectively. My only minor gripe with the book is that the ending felt too rushed. I would've like to have more time to experience the ending--to really feel and see it unfold--rather than being mostly told a lot of new information.… (more)

I'm not sure why i waited so long to read this one. I love novels written in verse. I couldn't relate to Kristina or any of the characters, but I was sucked into the story and almost felt as though I was flying right along with them. I learned to hate Brenden, love Chase; especially at the end. For a college bound kid, he really stepped up to the plate even after he found out it wasn't his place to. The ending was very abrupt and I can't wait to start the next book to find out what happens.… (more)