Customer Reviews

Crank: Crank + Glass (Crank Series)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These books are intense and thought-provoking, and though they may appeal to more mature readers, they're not to be missed!

Crank

Kristina was an average teen until the monster took hold of her. A visit to her estranged father the summer before her senior year of high school introduces her to the wrong guy, and he gets her hooked on crystal meth. When she's high, her alter-ego, Bree, takes control. She's everything that Kristina is not: promiscuous, rude, assertive--and powerful. After Kristina returns home, she finds herself in a battle for control between what's right and what the monster demands.

Ellen Hopkins' first book is one that will blow you away. Kristina is a character that you get to know intimately through the first person narrative in verse form, making her story quite absorbing and very easy to read. Hopkins tells Kristina's tale in a frank, direct way, leaving nothing out--from her lowest moment to how she feels when she is high and everything in between. Bree is an interesting element to the story, because rather than excuse Kristina's behavior, she magnifies that idea that once you become addicted, the most manipulative and desperate part of you is released, intent on finding that next fix.

Though this book focuses on some of the toughest issues facing society today, it is important and could be used as a tool to educate teens on the horrors of addiction and how easily things can spin out of control. This engrossing, horrifying, and painfully honest book will make you cringe, but also make you laugh with its surprising moments of humor, oftentimes dark, but mostly it'll have you hoping that against all odds, somehow Kristina will straighten up. You had better have Glass on hand for when you finish Crank, because you'll most definitely want it.

Cover Comments: I think this cover is very befitting of the starkness of this book. It's hard to tell in the picture, but in real life, the title is made out of lines of white powder, which is a subtle but affecting sight. This cover is perfect for the subject matter.


Glass

Kristina managed to pull herself out of the horrible downward spiral of drugs and addiction when she found out she was pregnant. Now that she's had Hunter though, she chafes at the restrictions her family still imposes on her, and longs for a place of her own, a guy to love her...and the monster. She finds herself moving to glass, involved with some dangerous people, and falling in love all over again...but not without some serious consequences. Will she get in over her head?

Hopkins' second novel in verse about the troubled Kristina is compelling and heartbreaking at the same time. Kristina wants what most eighteen-year-olds do: independence, income of her own, a place of her own, and love. But how she goes about trying to achieve it is not the path many would take, and as she takes that first step towards the monster, readers can't help but hope for the best and be frustrated at her stupidity and thoughtlessness. The scariest aspect of Glass is how, as the story goes on and Kristina becomes even more hooked, it becomes increasingly apparent that there can be no happy, clean ending, and the struggles and dependence on drugs will always be a part of Kristina's life. This is a gut-wrenching, dark read that reveals the power of true addiction and the pain and havoc it can wreak.

Cover Comments: I do like the grittiness of the cover, and how the title looks like it has been formed out of bits of glass. It's very appropriate to the story, eye-catching, and it goes along with the style of the prequel. Very nice.

This slightly altered "true story" is my story, my bff's story, moms, my brothers, my sisters, my friends, his, hers, yours & thiers. Ive seen addiction happen, to a more than a few people but EVERYBODY who loves them is affected. Meth is THE Monster.
To Parents, read this! then let your teen read it (age 14+, children are children, keep them that way) and then TALK about the BOOK w/them! Dont quiz them & dont dominate the conversation, that drives them away. Tell your opinions on certain parts & how you felt & then Listen to thier opinions/feeling/thoughts/questions. The bond & knowledge you & your teen will get from sharing Kristinas story just might be what gives them the strength/courage to say 'No' & walk away. After all, no mother ever dreames that her daughters gonna grow up to be a junky.

My teenage daughter introduced me to Ellen Hopkins books and I have loved every one of them. I am so excited to read Fall Out. My daughter bought the actual book yesterday at our local book store but I am thinking about downloading it on my Kindle also so that I do not have to wait for her to finish it before I can start reading it. I have never censored what my daughter reads due to the fact that she is a very avid reader and I do trust her judgement. When I first saw her reading Ellen Hopkins I was intrigued and asked her if I could read it when she was done and have been hooked every since. The fact that drugs have affected her family the way they have and that she was able to take the experience and write about it I find amazing! I'm sorry that this has happened in your life Ellen but thank you for enriching my life with your knowledge. And your style of writing is awesome! Very very very easy reading.

Kudos to you for such a wonderful ability you have been awarded in your life.

Both of the books I got were great. I finished them in 2 days. They really get you hooked. If you love to read suspenful books, Please read these books! Then don't forget Fallout, the next bok in the sequel.

I love this series and think everyone with a family should read at least once, especially since it is a quick read. My only gripe is with the kindle version. The physical books are written a few paragraphs to a page and in a poetic form, which you can see a glimpse of if you get about 30% through the sample.This version lacks that, and the "hidden" messages you read in the actual print copy. Read the sample to see if it is for you then buy the pphysical copy for the full effect.

I love Ellen Hopkins' writing! I have read Crank and Glass probably 5 times each now but decided to buy the trilogy because I haven't read Fallout yet but want to read the first two over again. I am very disappointed that there are so many typos in the kindle edition... I have found a few missing words as well as things being misspelled... I'm not sure what happened when the book was formatted for Kindle but it is driving me insane and I'm struggling to stay focused on the story. I am really regretting spending $26.99 on this set!

THE ORDER CAME IN AND IN TIME FOR CHRISTAMAS SINCE MY DAUGHTER REALLY LOVES THAT SERIES. THE ITEM CAME IN PERFECT CONDITION AND WAS SHIPPED OUT IT SEEMED ALMOST AS SOON AS I ORDERED IT. THANKS

I have read both of these books before but wanted them for my collection. If you haven't read them, I highly suggest doing so, if drugs and drama do not bother you.

They came wrapped plastic and in good condition, and on time. I have nothing to complain about!

these books were gripping, shocking and leaves you at the edge of your seat,i kept going why, oh my gosh, and no! it is a great book, in that the writing was good, and the story felt so real, it makes you feel for the people in the book, not to mention, this story happens for real all the time, with nobody to tell it to.

a sad but insightful view into the dark reaches of drug addiction and how it affects not only the user but everyone around them.