“Life was good
before I
met
the monster.
After,
life
was great
At least
for a little while”
-Ellen Hopkins (Crank pg. 5)
If you have read my tittle, you are probably confused. No, I am not the one addicted to the monster and yes, the monster is scary. Its mysterious, too powerful for it's size and it really doesn't have life. But yet; it changes you, and its number one objective? To bring your darkest side to light.
Scary right?
I am talking about crank. Which happens to be the tittle for Ellen Hopkins bestselling book.
Crank is also known as crystal meth.
To be completely honest, I am more of the type of girl who enjoys reading a Nicholas Sparks novel rather than a book about a teenager who becomes addicted to crank and creates an alter ego called Bree.
Either way, I do have to admit that Ellen Hopkins makes you as addicted to her novel as the main character becomes addicted to the drug Crank.
When this novel was recommended to me over a year ago , I immediately turned it down. Why did I want to read a tale about a drug addict? I thought that the book would be awful, and too tragic to withhold. Being as hard headed as I am, it wasn't until a week ago when I finally decided to start reading the book.
Once I opened it, I couldn't put it down. Literally.
So what is crank about?
It's about the summer before Kristina started Junior year. It's about the summer that turned Kristina into Bree. Kristina used to be a pacific teenager, who was good to her parents, got straight A's and had sleepover with her friends.
This is until Kristina visits her dads house in Albuquerque and she meets Adam. Adam, presents her to crank. It's not too long before she becomes addicted, and her life is turned upside down. I don't want to tell you more, rather than its one of the best books I have ever read.
You live, the fears , the adventures and the heartbreak that this young addict goes through in the most thrilling storyline. The depth of the way Hopkins narrates and uses quotes like:
“The monster likes to talk; he jumps into your head and opens your mouth, making it spout your deepest darkest deceptions. Making you say all the things you'd rather not say, at least not in mixed company.
leaves you shattered.
I truly recommend this to anybody who is looking for a good read. I can assure you that you won't regret and you won't be able to put the book down.