The word “perfect” itself is subjunctive. It can mean a variety of different things to different people. Something that is ugly to someone could be beautiful to another. Everyone has a different way of discovering what is “perfect” for themselves. Everyone has some place or someone that they’d rather be. For four high school seniors, Cara, Kendra, Sean and Andre, their goals of “perfection” are just as different as their ways of getting there. For Cara, her strict parents have already driven her twin brother, Conner, off the edge. Literally. Their totally unrealistic expectations have her questioning everything about herself. She takes on a new type of “love” and looks for affection that she has never received. Kendra covets a flawless face and perfect body. She’s in beauty pageants and dreams of one day becoming a model, and she doesn’t care what type of drugs or surgeries it takes to get there. Sean is the star baseball player. He dreams of going to college and getting a scholarship. To do so, he needs to bulk up and get stronger, but he ends up sacrificing more than he can ever get back. Andre has always lived under his ancestors’ achievements. His father expects him to follow in the family’s business, when Andre actually has a completely shocking and different career choice in mind – something his parents definitely would not approve of. As these characters’ stories unravel, they discover what “perfection” really means and everything they would give up to achieve it.
Ever since I read Impulse and discovered there was going to be a companion novel, I absolutely could not wait. Not only did I completely fall in love with the characters, but I once again fell in love with Ellen Hopkins’ writing. I love her writing style. It’s beautiful and captivating. While reading Perfect, I found there were times where it was literally impossible for me to put the book down. The format all of Hopkins’ books are written in is really what makes them so unique and enthralling. Also, I think the how real these characters are, how they genuinely seem like real people telling their story is what makes this book so good. All the emotions explained were so heartfelt and honest. There were parts where I was surprised and shocked, parts that were unbelievable, parts that made me sad and even parts that made me smile. The emotions I felt while reading are also what made Perfect a great reading experience. I love how this is a continuation of what happened in Impulse, we as readers get to see the other side of the story of what was happening while Conner was in Aspen Springs after attempting suicide. Seriously, if you loved Impulse, you need to read this book.

**If you haven’t read previous books, don’t read!**

You all know Kristina’s story. How she took a ride with the monster, openly welcoming drugs into her life to tear everything apart. This time, the book is written in the point of view of her three oldest children: Hunter, Autumn and Summer. Hunter, her first child and oldest son, has never known his father and despises his mother for what she did. He lives with Kristina’s parents, who he calls “Mom and Dad”. Hunter himself has a few problems of his own too. He has trouble staying true to his girlfriend, Nikki.
Autumn, Kristina’s first daughter, lives with her father Trey’s sister, Cora and Trey’s father. She has a weird case of OCD and frequent panic attacks. She barely knows her own parents. And Summer, Kristina’s final daughter, has been sent between different foster homes her whole life. She doesn’t really like her father and barely knows her own mother. She doesn’t even know her other siblings exist.
In the end, Hunter, Autumn and Summer realize what connects them throughout their lives will be Kristina’s decisions to accept the monster. When they finally come together, they will find the courage to break the cycle.
Overall, I loved this whole series. But this book has to be my favorite. I love how Ellen Hopkins shows how drugs and alcohol addictions not only affect the person who is addicted, but their children, family and everyone who loves them. I feel like the lesson learned through this book is that the cycle goes on forever, unless you find the courage to stop it. I loved this book so much and I’m sad to see the series end.

Warning: Rated PG-13

Burned is definitely my other favorite book by Hopkins. This book is about Pattyn, a teenage Mormon girl who hates the way her life is. She is constantly taking care of her younger sisters, having to deal with her crazy drunk father, and irritating mother. Pattyn starts to act out in school and disobeying her parents. He father sends her to her aunt’s house in the country for the summer. There she finds love, acceptance and freedom. In the end, everything will change. Pattyn just doesn’t know if it’s for the best.

Warning: Rated PG-13

Identical was a pretty good book with a weird and confusing ending. This book is about two twins who live with their abusive father. Their mother is never home, and they never speak to any of their other family members. As Kaeleigh and Raeanne struggle to figure out what went wrong with their family, they cope in different, yet identical ways. The unexpected ending to these twins’ story is mind boggling.

Warning: Rated PG-13

In my opinion, Tricks wasn’t one of Ellen Hopkins’ best books. It was about five people, and what they do to survive in the worst situations of their lives. All five of them, Eden, Seth, Whitney, Ginger, and Cory live their lives differently, but somehow fall into a similar situation. Having five main characters, and each of their stories different, is definitely a challenge, and I give Hopkins credit for that. But, for me, it was pretty confusing, and by the time I finished reading all five little sections, I forgot what happened to the first person.

Warning: Rated PG-13

**Spoiler Alert! If you haven’t read Crank, don’t read!**

Glass is the well-written sequel to Crank, the continuation of Kristina/Bree’s story. Kristina finally gets off drugs and for a good reason. Her son. She wishes to be like a real mother, loving and caring for her child. But the monster is still calling. And it won’t leave her alone. Kristina ditches her family and son for glass and a guy who she claims she is in love with. Drugs are in her life again. She is her alter ego “Bree” again and starts doing unimaginable things. By the end of the story, Kristina (or is it Bree now?) gets what she really deserves. The third book to Kristina’s story may be coming out sometime in 2010.

Warning: Rated PG-13

Crank is the first book I read by Ellen Hopkins. At first, I thought it was absolutely strange. But as I continued reading, I got addicted. It is written in a poem format, about a girl who meets a guy and gets pulled in by “the monster”­– crank. Drugs. Kristina realizes that she’s addicted, and doesn’t care. Drugs may make her life easier, but they also make her life crazier. She starts acting like her alter ego: “Bree”. In the end, Kristina has to face the facts. Crank is taking over her life.

Warning: Rated PG-13

Impulse is definitely my favorite book by Ellen Hopkins. This book isn’t on the brightest of topics. It is about three teenagers – Connor, Vanessa, and Tony – who tried to commit suicide. All three of them are moved to a home for counseling and therapy. They all become friends, with only one thing in common – wanting to leave this world. At the home, they try to solve their problems; they discover who they really are and what matters to them in life. The ending is really unexpected, but outstanding at the same time.