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bookishchaos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was so well written, I liked it a lot more than I thought I was going to. All the characters were interesting and the stories were easy to keep up with.
Be sure to check trigger warnings.
Be sure to check trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Child death
Moderate: Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Alcoholism
Minor: Infidelity
rebeshelton's review against another edition
3.0
This book left me with mixed feelings. First off, it's important to note that Lexington School District 2's decision to ban this book for lacking educational elements seems a bit misguided. Are teens not allowed to read for fun anymore? While the book may not fit the traditional mold of educational material, it does offer valuable opportunities for teenagers to explore empathy and different life experiences.
I'm increasingly tired of books like "Tilt" being targeted for removal from libraries. One of the strengths of "Tilt" is its ability to promote empathy in teens by delving into the lives of its characters, each dealing with unique challenges and circumstances. It's a powerful tool for helping young readers understand and relate to people with different experiences, and in this aspect, the book excels.
However, there's a significant drawback to "Tilt" that cannot be ignored. The book is overly fixated on sexual elements, at times bordering on explicit. It includes a scene of sexual assault that is deeply troubling. What's particularly concerning is that the book fails to delve into the gravity of this issue or properly address how wrong it is. This omission is a significant flaw, especially for a book targeted at teenagers.
That said, as a parent who believes in actively engaging with their children on important topics, I wouldn't necessarily have an issue with my kids reading this book. In fact, I might encourage it so that we could have an open and honest conversation about the various themes presented, including sex and sexual assault. "Tilt" could serve as a catalyst for discussions that allow parents to guide their children's understanding of these complex and sensitive issues.
Ultimately, this book might be best suited for parents who are willing to actively engage in discussions with their children about its content, and therein lies the problem. People would rather get rid of hard things instead of confronting and teaching them head-on.
I'm increasingly tired of books like "Tilt" being targeted for removal from libraries. One of the strengths of "Tilt" is its ability to promote empathy in teens by delving into the lives of its characters, each dealing with unique challenges and circumstances. It's a powerful tool for helping young readers understand and relate to people with different experiences, and in this aspect, the book excels.
However, there's a significant drawback to "Tilt" that cannot be ignored. The book is overly fixated on sexual elements, at times bordering on explicit. It includes a scene of sexual assault that is deeply troubling. What's particularly concerning is that the book fails to delve into the gravity of this issue or properly address how wrong it is. This omission is a significant flaw, especially for a book targeted at teenagers.
That said, as a parent who believes in actively engaging with their children on important topics, I wouldn't necessarily have an issue with my kids reading this book. In fact, I might encourage it so that we could have an open and honest conversation about the various themes presented, including sex and sexual assault. "Tilt" could serve as a catalyst for discussions that allow parents to guide their children's understanding of these complex and sensitive issues.
Ultimately, this book might be best suited for parents who are willing to actively engage in discussions with their children about its content, and therein lies the problem. People would rather get rid of hard things instead of confronting and teaching them head-on.
jkenna1990's review against another edition
4.0
This book is about three teens who are holding tight to the last vestiges of their childhood. Mikayla is sure she's found the love of her life in Dylan. But by the end of her senior year, things have become increasingly complicated. Shane is out and proud but can he keep his life under control in the face of the ultimate loss? Harley is a good girl with a not so great home life. She wants to have new experiences but doesn't expect for the outcome to be so horrific.
If you have ever read any of Ellen Hopkins' other books then you know what you're in for. But if you haven't just know that this book will rip your heart out in seven different ways. There are no happy endings and no nice clean wrap up at the end of the book. The book just ends (after 603 pages). For me, these books have always shown what life can be like and how the choices that you make can affect the rest of your life. They always come with a good lesson buried inside them but you will have to read a lot of sad and sometimes enraging stuff to get to it. If you are fan of realistic fiction then I think this book would be a good choice for you.
If you have ever read any of Ellen Hopkins' other books then you know what you're in for. But if you haven't just know that this book will rip your heart out in seven different ways. There are no happy endings and no nice clean wrap up at the end of the book. The book just ends (after 603 pages). For me, these books have always shown what life can be like and how the choices that you make can affect the rest of your life. They always come with a good lesson buried inside them but you will have to read a lot of sad and sometimes enraging stuff to get to it. If you are fan of realistic fiction then I think this book would be a good choice for you.
quierocafe's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first Ellen Hopkins book and let me tell you. This is some bomb writing
harasnicole's review against another edition
5.0
So, I have not read the adult companion to this book, Triangles, but after reading Tilt , it's definitely been added to my TBR shelf, as well as all of Ellen Hopkins' books that I want to read at some point. She's the first author I've read who writes in "free prose" or "free verse," and it's quickly becoming my favorite format to read not because I fly through her often 600+ novels, but because of the emotions that are packed into each chosen word. Her novels are definitely not "easy" reads, in regards to subject matter; despite having read the synopses of several of her books, and my first book of hers was Tricks , I'm quickly learning that she's one of those authors who puts a great amount of thought into these subjects that she writes about, and I love her for it.
[b:Tilt|11133791|Tilt|Ellen Hopkins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1346263814s/11133791.jpg|16057047] is told in three separate points-of-view, with different side perspectives chiming in with their thoughts and feelings every now and again. You have Shane, who's gay, and a bit rebellious; he hasn't had a relationship with his father since coming out, and his mom, while she hasn't outright disowned him, she never really acted as if she knew that she had a whole other kid that needs her just as much as her terminally ill daughter. Which I get, truly. I'm not a parent, don't want to be, but I can't imagine the pain that some of them have to go through when it comes to their children being sick and there's literally nothing they can do about it except maybe make them as comfortable as possible. Shane finds love online with a guy who's about a couple years older than him, and who is also HIV-positive, and the closer he and Alex became, the more I loved Alex and his wisdom whenever his point-of-view was thrown in after Shane's sections.
Shelby is the first character I've read about who suffers with Type-I SMA, or spinal muscular atrophy (in fact, I've never even heard of that condition until this book, but it sounds awful), and I was pleasantly surprised that we actually had a point-of-view chapter from her. She may not have been able to do much of anything because of her condition, but she sure had at least some idea of what was going on around, and I quite loved how she didn't understand sadness. She's four, so it wasn't that surprising, the amount of things she didn't know, but I found it interesting, anyway.
Then there's Harley, who's 13-going-on-14, but wants to be an adult because she feels like everyone around her treats her like a baby, so she and her mom go on a diet together, Harley starts to lose weight, and she uses her chance at a makeover to bond with her soon-to-be stepmom, Cassie. Soon, she's running with a fast crowd and her best friend Brianna, whom Harley has always been a little jealous of because of the attention she got, looks on from the sidelines, and essentially watches as her best friend spirals out of control.
And lastly, there's Mikayla, Brianna's older sister. Mikayla seemingly has it all: the perfect looks, the perfect boyfriend, the perfect friends. The boyfriend's a dick, and talks Mikayla into forgoing using a condom for sex a couple of times, promising that he'd pull out before anything happens, and when the inevitable happens, Dylan tucks tail and runs back to his ex-girlfriend because a baby wasn't in the books for him, and then she's left all alone to deal with her pregnancy and more decisions that may or may not reveal themselves.
All three teenagers are all hanging on by a thread, and while some scenarios may seem a bit over-dramatic, it's really kind of not, because these situations happen probably more often than anyone knows, and it paints a picture of hurt, anger, sadness, depression, and any other emotion that I may have forgotten. When I made it to the end of the book, I was kind of disappointed that it ended because I was definitely left wanting more. But I love that it's not just open-ended, but optimistic as well.
My overall rating for this is probably 4.57 out of 5-stars , but I rounded it up to a full 5.0 because, despite my hatred for Lucas, and my hope that Harley would tell someone without feeling so ashamed and feeling like she'd be judged for having her virginity stolen from her while she was blackout-drunk, I get it. I totally get it, and that's why it breaks my heart that more girls and women who are sexually assaulted don't speak up. As much as I want them to, there's still such a stigma against them (and the men too! They have it kind of worse).
annelise07's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lookingforamandaa's review against another edition
4.0
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It’s another book from Hopkins that hits close to home and makes you think about topics that people usually avoid. This book makes you take a hard look at choices that some teens have to make. Tilt talks about things that should be talked about rather than shied away from. With relatable characters and a story so interesting I just couldn’t put the book down until I finished every last page. I recommend this book to every reader out there for sure. Hopkins is an incredible writer and I’m just blown away by her talent every time I read another of her books. If you haven’t read any of Ellen Hopkins works stop what you’re doing and go read any of them right now.
rebeccajade23's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite by Ellen Hopkins, but the writing was the great, the characters were interesting and, as usual, she gives us an accurate look at how lives can change in an instant, and how everyone has to pick up the pieces.
Wouldn't be surprised if she writes a sequel, this one almost seemed like a filler novel.
Wouldn't be surprised if she writes a sequel, this one almost seemed like a filler novel.
minseigle's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book a lot more than the companion book Triangles. It was easier to keep up with the characters and their individual stories! I read all 600 pages in one sitting!! And I am wondering if there will be a follow-up so I can know more about what happens to them all.