Reviews with content warning for Drug use - Crank

Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

59 reviews

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This just wasn't my cup of tea. While I think it tells an important story and there are teens who will relate to it, there are books that have come out since then that deal more delicately with the issue of drug addiction. I am curious if teens today are still reading this book, though, and if they can find themselves in the story. Also this book has been out for almost 20 years already?? I can still remember when it first came out.

Anyway! The writing didn't exactly capture me, and part of me wonders if verse was the best way to tell Kristina's story. Even though it was in verse, the story still felt too long to me by the end. All I can say is that I likely won't be picking up another book in the series. But it will make some good discussions for book club!

Content Warnings

nalian's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

bluejeepbaby's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

lmc77's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

amandalorianxo's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Middle / high school version of Amanda really liked this book. Re-reading this 10/ 15 ish years later and I don’t find this as engaging as I assumed I did when I was younger. The verse format felt unnecessary. There was no honest intention with this format, just grabbing at what was “popular” and or “different” for a 2010 book. In spite of the pitiful attempt at having a lesbian and gay character in this book, the quotes surrounding homosexuality were pitiful. I also found it impossible to believe that these parents of Kristina had NO IDEA their daughter was doing drugs. Shouldn’t the signs have all been there in her behavior? Also, I strongly did not like the ending. How ludicrous to think a baby would make someone’s life better - especially a 17 year old hard drug addict. Unfortunately we all know that baby is going to be addicted and someone should have sat her down and told her straight up the options / the real risks of taking care of a baby.

Content Warnings