Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Crank

I love the poetic prose of this book. It feels like the perfect portrayal of what it’s like to be on drugs—broken thoughts, beautiful feelings, scattered thought processes, yet incredibly focused. So much happened in Kristina’s life in a very short amount of time. As a teenager growing up, I always rolled my eyes at adults telling me, “Don’t do drugs.” In my naivety, I was not thinking of anything close to this caliber. This book captures the complicated feelings of growing up and how developing brains can easily be talked into choices that have long-lasting effects.

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marie1124's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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inp9extra's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I’m not usually a fan of dark realistic fiction, but Crank is a beautifully written must-read for teens and parents alike. Written my a mother whose daughter was a meth addict the plot is gripping, chilling, and dangerous. The book is hard to put down as we observe a far too common and relatable collision course.

The biggest complaint I’ve seen about this book is that the characters are unlikable, but that serves to drive the point home. The characters themselves start out normal but due to their circumstances it is easy to see why they make the decisions they make even as they lead themselves down a dark and twisted path. The fact that they come to be unlikable people reinforces a perspective of watching someone you love destroy their life, which is the perspective the author writes from. However, if you’re not a fan of unlikable characters, this book may not be for you.

Please give this book a try especially if you’re in your teens and being faced with real and difficult choices. Even if you don’t like it, the uncomfortable lessons it imparts are invaluable.

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ashleyjannet_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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dreamingofreadingx's review against another edition

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dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a re-read for me. I read this back in like 2009/2010. But I still love Ellen Hopkin’s writing.
Also please look up trigger warnings. This is a very dark book.

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lexi2006's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced

4.5

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natsthecats's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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