Helpful Score: 6
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Ellen Hopkins does it again! Another page-turning book by this amazing author!
This is a story filled with drugs, promiscuity, and sexual abuse. Not for those that are easily offended or may have issues with the content. That being said, if you can handle the mature content, the book surely will not disappoint.
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins. But beyond the external comparison, internally Kaeleigh and Raeanne are as different as night and day. One twin is the apple of their father's eye. The other twin wonders why her father doesn't love her the same way.
One twin dares to defy their father's rules. Running around with the wrong crowd. Toking up during school hours. Trading sex for favors.
The other twin is the goody-two-shoes. Gets great grades. Is the lead in the high school musical. Has a great guy that loves her.
How could the two girls be so different? It all stems back to "the accident." No one will talk about what happened the night their father drank too much and caused the fatal accident. But ever since that night, things have been far from perfect.
Their mother has basically abandoned the family with ambitions of running for Congress. But could it be she's running from them? Their father forbids any of them to speak to his parents. A secret from his past never to be revealed, at least by him. And his love for one of the girls. A love that no father should share with his own child.
Keeping everything to themselves, the girls are on a course for self-destruction. Somehow, they must come to terms with everything since the accident, and possibly trust those that want to help them. But the secrets can't be revealed to outsiders, can they?
Ms. Hopkins tells her story beautifully. Weaving between sisters, she uses the same key words to blend the thoughts of the two together. Ms. Hopkins writes in free verse. At first the pages may not look like much, but upon reading the words written in the designs, the story unfolds and the pictures the words create give more meaning behind the thoughts. The story builds to a powerful crescendo and the ending comes as a surprise as the inner workings of the two girls are revealed.
Don't let the length of this book put you off. It's an addicting read that will find you thinking to yourself, "just one more page." Before you know it, the story has drawn you in and you are hooked until the final page. Ms. Hopkins' is a great author for those teens that are hesitant or resistant to reading. The story moves quickly, and the topics are those that most authors would be afraid to broach. She speaks honestly and openly to teens, who may come away that much more aware of the world that surrounds them.
Ellen Hopkins does it again! Another page-turning book by this amazing author!
This is a story filled with drugs, promiscuity, and sexual abuse. Not for those that are easily offended or may have issues with the content. That being said, if you can handle the mature content, the book surely will not disappoint.
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins. But beyond the external comparison, internally Kaeleigh and Raeanne are as different as night and day. One twin is the apple of their father's eye. The other twin wonders why her father doesn't love her the same way.
One twin dares to defy their father's rules. Running around with the wrong crowd. Toking up during school hours. Trading sex for favors.
The other twin is the goody-two-shoes. Gets great grades. Is the lead in the high school musical. Has a great guy that loves her.
How could the two girls be so different? It all stems back to "the accident." No one will talk about what happened the night their father drank too much and caused the fatal accident. But ever since that night, things have been far from perfect.
Their mother has basically abandoned the family with ambitions of running for Congress. But could it be she's running from them? Their father forbids any of them to speak to his parents. A secret from his past never to be revealed, at least by him. And his love for one of the girls. A love that no father should share with his own child.
Keeping everything to themselves, the girls are on a course for self-destruction. Somehow, they must come to terms with everything since the accident, and possibly trust those that want to help them. But the secrets can't be revealed to outsiders, can they?
Ms. Hopkins tells her story beautifully. Weaving between sisters, she uses the same key words to blend the thoughts of the two together. Ms. Hopkins writes in free verse. At first the pages may not look like much, but upon reading the words written in the designs, the story unfolds and the pictures the words create give more meaning behind the thoughts. The story builds to a powerful crescendo and the ending comes as a surprise as the inner workings of the two girls are revealed.
Don't let the length of this book put you off. It's an addicting read that will find you thinking to yourself, "just one more page." Before you know it, the story has drawn you in and you are hooked until the final page. Ms. Hopkins' is a great author for those teens that are hesitant or resistant to reading. The story moves quickly, and the topics are those that most authors would be afraid to broach. She speaks honestly and openly to teens, who may come away that much more aware of the world that surrounds them.
Helpful Score: 4
AMAZING. The ending blew me away.
Helpful Score: 2
The audio version has 11 disks. Halfway through the first disk, I figured what the twist would be. Skipped to the final disk. Glad I didn't bother with the in-between. If you spotted the twist in _Gentlemen and Players_, likely you will intuit this one.
Helpful Score: 1
I was shocked at the end. I was not expecting that. The book in itself shocking. These things actually do happen. Besides making me sad it made me so mad. I wanted to help these girls even though I know they are not real. You felt their pain, fear, worry, and loneliness. Ms. Hopkins brought that and more with this book. She made the girls real and their pain. Awesome book. I recommend it. Great ending. Great book overall.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm hardly ever willing to pick up a Young Adult book, though I am slowly trying to get into this genre. This book sounded so good and the cover is awesome even if it is rather plain. My problem with this book is that it was a book of poetry not an actual story, the "story" was told through the poems. And I wanted to read an actual story not a book of poems. :( It should have said "here's their story through poetry" in the blurb.
Helpful Score: 1
When I got this book....I thought someone made a mistake and sent a book with her POETRY.....as I could see it was not your typical written story.....once I skimmed the pages I realized the whole book was written in "prose" which I thought let's see how much I hate this book. WOW! Was I sadly mistaken ! Ellen Hopkins is a GENIUS! The way she wrote this book and set up the pages in prose was nothing less than BRILLIANT!!! I was completely drawn in from page one.......found it so hard to put this book down even to sleep! Yes.....as one reviewer mentions it is a book that deals with many real sensitive issues.....drugs....sex....family issues...but the manner in which she wrote this book is something EVERYONE should experience. Kudos to Hopkins ....she won me over.....loved this book!!!!!
This was a great book with a twist!!!!!!!!
Wow, wow, wow! This book is an emotional roller coaster. I went from hating it, to loving it, to not liking any of the characters to falling in love with two of them. The ending is just a complete twist and I was not expecting it at all. The two main characters draw you in and really make you feel for them. This is a great book!
Such a wonderful book! So raw, so real. She doesn't skip over the important details even if they make you uncomfortable. I am not used to the free verse poetry style that she writes in, but it was alright. The characters are very real, maybe a bit much so. There is a twist but if you think about it, it was a bit predictable, considering other books/movies with the same twist. However, I did like it. The ending! I was so angry at one of the characters but enjoyed it none the less.
This is the first of Hopkins' I've read, I think I'm going to have to read her other works.
This is the first of Hopkins' I've read, I think I'm going to have to read her other works.
Not my most favorite Hopkins' book but I still thoroughly enjoyed this. If I were to rank, in order, I'd put the Kristina books first, Tricks second, and the rest third.
There is no book by Ellen Hopkins not worth reading IMO. I truly think she has talent seeping from her pores. I'm so thankful I found her books when I did and that I've been able to keep up with the new releases. So many works degrade with time and this is not the case with Hopkins'. While some other authors claim to bring better and better novels to the table without actually coming through, Hopkins' doesn't talk it - she brings it.
There is no book by Ellen Hopkins not worth reading IMO. I truly think she has talent seeping from her pores. I'm so thankful I found her books when I did and that I've been able to keep up with the new releases. So many works degrade with time and this is not the case with Hopkins'. While some other authors claim to bring better and better novels to the table without actually coming through, Hopkins' doesn't talk it - she brings it.
Did not like this book, read over 100 pages before I had to give up. The style didn't bother me as much as the subject matter.
My own personal goal is to read some "banned" and "challenged" books. This particular one was targeted in Idaho's last legislative session- HB 666 (appropriate, right?!)
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins. On the surface, to outsiders, they are part of the perfect family. Their dad is a judge, their mom a politician. As we all know, things are not as they seem. Told in alternating points of view between Kaeleigh and Raeanne, I got a sense of each one. The writing style is different from what I am used to (story is told in verse).
This was a hard book to read. This is not lighthearted and deals with serious subject matter. The subject matters (drug use, child sexual abuse, mental disorders) are dealt with well. Abuse does happen and it's important for people to realize they are not alone. It is well written and flows well.
I will also say I didn't see that twist coming.
This is an important book and I'm glad it exists.
FIGHT BOOK BANS!
Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins. On the surface, to outsiders, they are part of the perfect family. Their dad is a judge, their mom a politician. As we all know, things are not as they seem. Told in alternating points of view between Kaeleigh and Raeanne, I got a sense of each one. The writing style is different from what I am used to (story is told in verse).
This was a hard book to read. This is not lighthearted and deals with serious subject matter. The subject matters (drug use, child sexual abuse, mental disorders) are dealt with well. Abuse does happen and it's important for people to realize they are not alone. It is well written and flows well.
I will also say I didn't see that twist coming.
This is an important book and I'm glad it exists.
FIGHT BOOK BANS!
** spoiler alert ** Honestly, I was a little surprised by this book. I'm used to her books being about drugs or sexual things, but this book was different. At the beginning you're introduced to these two twin sisters, Kaeleigh and Raeanne. You learn that their father sexually abuses Kaeleigh and Raeanne secretly wants it.
Then you LATER learn, Kaeleigh's mother never forgave their father for the car accident he caused in which Raeanna died & the mother was injured. The mother, Kay, then ran for Congress woman and was never home, which made the fater, Ray, in charge of everything. The daughters both had their major problems: drugs, sex, alcohol, etc. and they both had a hard time loving someone else after what their father did to them.
The sad part is, at the end of the book, or near the end of the book I should say, you learn that Raeanna actually died in the car accident caused by Ray and Kaeleigh had multiple identities, living through herself and her twin sister.
It was a really confusing book and makes me wonder where Ellen Hopkins gets her ideas, you know? I was a little disappointed, but it was an okay book, it kept me reading. Ellen could have done a lot better though
Then you LATER learn, Kaeleigh's mother never forgave their father for the car accident he caused in which Raeanna died & the mother was injured. The mother, Kay, then ran for Congress woman and was never home, which made the fater, Ray, in charge of everything. The daughters both had their major problems: drugs, sex, alcohol, etc. and they both had a hard time loving someone else after what their father did to them.
The sad part is, at the end of the book, or near the end of the book I should say, you learn that Raeanna actually died in the car accident caused by Ray and Kaeleigh had multiple identities, living through herself and her twin sister.
It was a really confusing book and makes me wonder where Ellen Hopkins gets her ideas, you know? I was a little disappointed, but it was an okay book, it kept me reading. Ellen could have done a lot better though
Identical is the story of two identical twin sisters in the midst of their teenage years, growing up in a less-than-ideal family. Kaeleigh is the sweet-natured, obedient twin who craves the maternal love she doesnt receive and fears the paternal love that comes too often. Raeanne is the wild-child, promiscuous twin who seems to be completely ignored by both her parents and actively searches out love in all the wrong places, and with all the wrong people.
Hopkins is extremely talented at making you really care for her characters, and Kaeleigh and Raeanne are no exception. I think the problem with Identical is how much shit these characters go through. Its almost unbelievable, how terrible their lives are; its an introduction to a new kind of misery. While none of the abuse or destructive behaviors are necessarily out of place, its the non-stop assault that makes it difficult to truly connect with the story. Its a page-turner, without a doubt, but thats because youre praying for it to end and for the misery to stop.
The ending is also rather abrupt. While I had guessed the major twist about 100 pages before it occurred, the lack of after was disappointing.
Please note that this book includes a ton of triggering subjects up-to and including: psychological abuse, cutting, bulimia, sexual violence, pedophilia, and incest.
Hopkins is extremely talented at making you really care for her characters, and Kaeleigh and Raeanne are no exception. I think the problem with Identical is how much shit these characters go through. Its almost unbelievable, how terrible their lives are; its an introduction to a new kind of misery. While none of the abuse or destructive behaviors are necessarily out of place, its the non-stop assault that makes it difficult to truly connect with the story. Its a page-turner, without a doubt, but thats because youre praying for it to end and for the misery to stop.
The ending is also rather abrupt. While I had guessed the major twist about 100 pages before it occurred, the lack of after was disappointing.
Please note that this book includes a ton of triggering subjects up-to and including: psychological abuse, cutting, bulimia, sexual violence, pedophilia, and incest.
