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graysshelves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
abstab's review against another edition
4.0
interesting prose and stanza. easy to follow but sometimes confusing. relatable ideas and issues from the main characters
mozbolt's review against another edition
4.0
Haunting prose and a difficult, character-driven story.
krystalthedealer's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing. Definitely worth reading more than once. My heart aches throughout the book
dani_y3ll's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Sexual assault
atwilling's review against another edition
5.0
"Three
separate highways
intersect at a place
no reasonable person
would ever want to go.
Three
people, with nothing
at all in common
except age, proximity,
and a wish to die."
This is a quote from the book Impulse, by Ellen Hopkins. She has a very interesting way of writing her books, in the form of poems. For the first 40 pages it just about drives you crazy, but then you learn to love how her style brings you into the lives of these three teens in a psychiatric hospital.
The three teens all tried to kill themselves. Conner, the jock who had everything from money to the prettiest girls tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest. Tony, a gay boy, lived on the streets tried to kill himself by a drug overdose. The only main character who is a girl is Vanessa. Vanessa lived with her grandmother because her mother had severe BPD (Bi-Polar Disorder) and her father was in the army. She, like her mother, had BPD and she coped with it by cutting. One day she cut too deep, and almost died.
The story is told in first person by all three characters, and is extremely moving. It shows you a whole world that you may not know anything about. It takes you through the lives of these messed up teens as they move up levels in the rehab and learn the details of each other's lives. As they grow closer and closer, you get more and more attached to them and will be able to feel the pain and problems they have. By the time Conner, Vanessa, and Tony get to the last level and go on a wilderness retreat, you feel like you are in the book with them. It's one of those books that you can't put down. You don't want it to end. You definitely can't help but loving this book.
separate highways
intersect at a place
no reasonable person
would ever want to go.
Three
people, with nothing
at all in common
except age, proximity,
and a wish to die."
This is a quote from the book Impulse, by Ellen Hopkins. She has a very interesting way of writing her books, in the form of poems. For the first 40 pages it just about drives you crazy, but then you learn to love how her style brings you into the lives of these three teens in a psychiatric hospital.
The three teens all tried to kill themselves. Conner, the jock who had everything from money to the prettiest girls tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest. Tony, a gay boy, lived on the streets tried to kill himself by a drug overdose. The only main character who is a girl is Vanessa. Vanessa lived with her grandmother because her mother had severe BPD (Bi-Polar Disorder) and her father was in the army. She, like her mother, had BPD and she coped with it by cutting. One day she cut too deep, and almost died.
The story is told in first person by all three characters, and is extremely moving. It shows you a whole world that you may not know anything about. It takes you through the lives of these messed up teens as they move up levels in the rehab and learn the details of each other's lives. As they grow closer and closer, you get more and more attached to them and will be able to feel the pain and problems they have. By the time Conner, Vanessa, and Tony get to the last level and go on a wilderness retreat, you feel like you are in the book with them. It's one of those books that you can't put down. You don't want it to end. You definitely can't help but loving this book.
ravenyoongi's review against another edition
3.5
Yeah this was definitely written in 2007. I liked the premise, but I felt like the free verse poetry’s only purpose was to distract from the simplistic writing. I don’t know, obviously this book represents experiences people can have, but the subject matter compels me to consider the responsibility of authors. Because, sure, people die by suicide, but showing it happen to the only character whose circumstances didn’t change made this end seem inevitable for him, when it wasn’t. And like yeah, it’s good to explore people reconsidering their sexuality even after they’ve labeled it - but having it be the gay guy realizing he actually isn’t gay grates a little (especially considering the comparative lack of representation at the time). Not to mention the racist dad whose beliefs are barely challenged. Yeaaahhh not sure about this one. Glad I got through it though.
marcosbedbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a complete train wreck... and the ending was completely predictable.