Scan barcode
jackthelad's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aplatt23's review against another edition
In 2024 this book just seemed unsubtle in its approach. I couldn’t get past the first few chapters.
freadomlibrary's review
5.0
I am absolutely in love with this book! This was my first Ellen Hopkins book and I am so glad this one is the one I chose to break into first.
A lot of people are talking about the marketing and the title and how they don't really connect. I honestly believe the actual rumble is Matt’s temper, his emotional turmoil after his brother's suicide that pushes the story forward. That is what the story is all about, how what happened in his past cause everything to seem to come undone. His relationships, his school life, everything unravels because of his emotions.
I love the view point Ellen took on faith and what that really means. I feel I don't need a religion to have faith and that's one of the points that resonated with me in the book, that there were religious people with faith and those that seemed outside of religion with faith. It’s nice to have that point of view, it’s refreshing.
The accurateness of her view on some people in Christianity made me want to cheer. Obviously, it's never ok to make a generalization about anyone, but this particular stand point on religious people and the way they sometimes handle the things they don't agree with speaks of truth to me.
I loved that she didn't shy away from those tough topics that people are usually quiet about, like suicide, hypocrisy, divorce, cheating, etc.
I sincerely hope for a sequel, because I want to see more of Matt, how he moved forward after his accident, how he and Alexa grow as a couple, the family relationships and how they hopefully improve after the two tragedies that occurred within them. Can't wait to delve into another of her books!
A lot of people are talking about the marketing and the title and how they don't really connect. I honestly believe the actual rumble is Matt’s temper, his emotional turmoil after his brother's suicide that pushes the story forward. That is what the story is all about, how what happened in his past cause everything to seem to come undone. His relationships, his school life, everything unravels because of his emotions.
I love the view point Ellen took on faith and what that really means. I feel I don't need a religion to have faith and that's one of the points that resonated with me in the book, that there were religious people with faith and those that seemed outside of religion with faith. It’s nice to have that point of view, it’s refreshing.
The accurateness of her view on some people in Christianity made me want to cheer. Obviously, it's never ok to make a generalization about anyone, but this particular stand point on religious people and the way they sometimes handle the things they don't agree with speaks of truth to me.
I loved that she didn't shy away from those tough topics that people are usually quiet about, like suicide, hypocrisy, divorce, cheating, etc.
I sincerely hope for a sequel, because I want to see more of Matt, how he moved forward after his accident, how he and Alexa grow as a couple, the family relationships and how they hopefully improve after the two tragedies that occurred within them. Can't wait to delve into another of her books!
wordsunbound's review against another edition
5.0
For me, this book being the first Ellen Hopkins book to I've ever read, was what I needed to read. I've felt guilty for not seeing my mom for a week and then she died the day I was going to see her. Matt being angry and controlling made a lot sense. He just wanted people to live and to be happy unlike Luke. Many people that can't relate to Matt may have not experienced this type of feeling before where you're angry at the world for taking someone important away from you in a blink of an eye.
I don't believe Matt's behavior was acceptable, but I can relate on a large level why he was so angry. Sometimes the only way to find forgiveness is without the help of others and therapy. Like Matt, I've had dreams where my mom tells me that she's fine and she understood why I didn't come. Dreams where I've cried until I wake up in a cold or hot sweat. I've felt alone myself when everything is spiralling out of control without my own accord.
This book not only has made me open my eyes, but feel forgiveness myself with everything that happened. You can't control things and people's actions no matter what. You can save a life but not every life out there.
I don't believe Matt's behavior was acceptable, but I can relate on a large level why he was so angry. Sometimes the only way to find forgiveness is without the help of others and therapy. Like Matt, I've had dreams where my mom tells me that she's fine and she understood why I didn't come. Dreams where I've cried until I wake up in a cold or hot sweat. I've felt alone myself when everything is spiralling out of control without my own accord.
This book not only has made me open my eyes, but feel forgiveness myself with everything that happened. You can't control things and people's actions no matter what. You can save a life but not every life out there.
sarmende's review against another edition
4.0
Ellen Hopkins has and always will be my favorite author. I began reading her books while I was in middle school, attracted to the mature content I’ve never read anywhere else. As a child, I enjoyed the free verse because it was less words on a page. As I grew up, I savored every page because verse had meaning.
This book was different than most in my opinion. If it was not written by Hopkins, I simply would not read it. The premise of religion does not intrigue me, especially in a fictional novel. I tend to move towards spiritual rather than biblical ideas. And this book proved to be a pleasant surprise!
Ellen Hopkins tackles a very controversial topic, especially in the time it was written. As a 2023 reader, it took me awhile to pick up this book. I purchased almost every book of hers a few years ago and have finished many of them in less than a week. This book took some time to indulge, to understand, and to appreciate.
It was not very fast-paced, I struggled to connect with the main character, BUT I believe I didn’t need that to enjoy the plot. I enjoyed the themes of this novel. I wouldn’t choose this book to be your first Ellen Hopkins’s book, but I hope readers do appreciate the level of openness and vulnerablity towards religion.
This book was different than most in my opinion. If it was not written by Hopkins, I simply would not read it. The premise of religion does not intrigue me, especially in a fictional novel. I tend to move towards spiritual rather than biblical ideas. And this book proved to be a pleasant surprise!
Ellen Hopkins tackles a very controversial topic, especially in the time it was written. As a 2023 reader, it took me awhile to pick up this book. I purchased almost every book of hers a few years ago and have finished many of them in less than a week. This book took some time to indulge, to understand, and to appreciate.
It was not very fast-paced, I struggled to connect with the main character, BUT I believe I didn’t need that to enjoy the plot. I enjoyed the themes of this novel. I wouldn’t choose this book to be your first Ellen Hopkins’s book, but I hope readers do appreciate the level of openness and vulnerablity towards religion.
aliciasirois's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how this book contained pretty much every current controversy, but that ending. Man, it was just too quick.
jemappelleliz's review against another edition
5.0
At first, I really thought I wasn’t going to like this book because Matt was such a frustrating main character. I hated his relationship with Hayden and I found myself wanting to reach into the book and help him fix his life.
This book hit home to me with it’s mental illness in relation to bullying theme and Ellen Hopkins did a wonderfully and realistic job of portraying it!
That Hopkins twist did get me and moved me in the end—trying to stay spoiler free here. When I finished this book, I felt completely satisfied. I highly recommend reading this book
This book hit home to me with it’s mental illness in relation to bullying theme and Ellen Hopkins did a wonderfully and realistic job of portraying it!
That Hopkins twist did get me and moved me in the end—trying to stay spoiler free here. When I finished this book, I felt completely satisfied. I highly recommend reading this book
eatingwords's review against another edition
3.0
Initial thoughts:
1. The topic of religion was very prominent and interesting to read about.
2. Alexa was a great character that I would have liked to see more of.
3. The family dynamic and also the problems in the Turner family were depicted in an authentic way.
4. The writing could have also been written as an ongoing text, the verse didn't make much sense to me in this one.
5. In the end not all was well, but that was only a part of Matt's life and in real life it isn't always as rosy as well.
Check out my full review on my blog!
1. The topic of religion was very prominent and interesting to read about.
2. Alexa was a great character that I would have liked to see more of.
3. The family dynamic and also the problems in the Turner family were depicted in an authentic way.
4. The writing could have also been written as an ongoing text, the verse didn't make much sense to me in this one.
5. In the end not all was well, but that was only a part of Matt's life and in real life it isn't always as rosy as well.
Check out my full review on my blog!