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heathercottledillon's review
4.0
This is one of my favorite Ellen Hopkins books. Whereas some of the others become repetitive and don't have a lot of memorable plot points, this is a fresh story with an interesting twist. Admittedly, I figured the twist out after about 50 pages due to some clues I'd overheard, but I still enjoyed it. Also, I like that Hopkins is looking at an extremely difficult subject from multiple angles this time as opposed to having one perspective like she usually does. The verse format still bugged me with this one, as it mostly reads like prose that just happens to be divided up in random places. There are a few parts that actually sound poetic or have some cool text design on the page, but a lot of it sounds just like a regular novel when you read it out loud. That distracts me and bothers me because it makes me feel like the novel-in-verse thing is just a gimmick. That said, I still like this book a lot and will definitely be recommending it to readers of gritty realistic fiction.
hannymarieee's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
duderun's review against another edition
5.0
WHAT WAD THAT ENDING?!?!? The plot twist got me. I would never have guessed it. 5/5 stars. I’ve been in an Ellen Hopkins binge and have read 3 other books of hers. I will be reading more. All her books have a very deep message and I really like that.
itsabritt's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Was a four star read up until the ending
camille570912's review
It was boring and not my cup of tea
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Rape, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Incest, and Toxic relationship
jacdavis's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
doomergf's review
2.0
*2.5 stars. I stopped reading on page 293, as i literally could not bring myself to continue reading the book. It definitely was interesting, but the pacing just felt off to me and was always either to fast or way too slow, but that couldve just been me. The book also unfortunately was very relatable in some aspects with me experiencing similar things to the characters in this book. I think i would like to continue this book eventually, but now is not the time as its just not grabbing my interest like i need.
bibliobrandie's review
2.0
I read this book because it was being challenged in a local high school. This book is disturbing. Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins who struggle with dark secrets. Their politician mother is both physically and emotionally absent, and their father, a district court judge, sexually abuses Kaeleigh and has other secrets the family has been forced to keep quiet. Self-destructive behaviors accelerate and as you spiral to the climax. The book is overly long and explicit in description, adult characters are undeveloped, and trigger warners abound: incest, drug abuse, alcoholism, bulimia, promiscuity, S&M, cutting, suicide, and mental illness.
aagbunn's review
2.0
I read this book in high school, and it was really good as a teen I was hooked but it was VERY disturbing.