Impulse

Title: Impulse
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Series: Impulse series (#1)
Pages: 666
Publication: January 2007
Summary: Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same.

Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act -- suicide. Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade. Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills. And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun -- and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life -- but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place.

My Thoughts: First going into this book, I had such high expectations because I loved the style rawness with which Ellen Hopkins wrote Crank, but I was kind of let down by this book, sadly.  I expected an emotional, roller coaster of a repeat of Crank when I started this book, but the best parts didn't even come until the last 150 pages.

It dragged in the middle for the most part and didn't pick up until the wilderness challenge part. Also, it was quite cheesy in some parts. Especially when they would not shut up about how so-and-so made them "feel again" or how they "never knew love until they met la-di-da." If it came up only a few times, fine, whatever, that's cool. But it felt never ending. It was in these part, too, where the dialogue felt the most forced, too. However I really did like the ending. It made you feel. Think. Appreciate.  I just wished that was the case about the whole of this book.

Although this book wasn't an easy read for me, considering how dark the themes were, I do hope to read the next installment to this series, Perfect, soon. I want to see where life takes these characters and the changes they must face in order to live a more well-adjusted life. They've been through so much, and it'll be nice to see them make it out okay after all the trials and tribulations that life threw at them. It gives you hope.

On another note to my readers: This can very much be considered a trigger book. I only recommend this book to those who can handle themes such as depression, suicide, sex, drugs, cutting, and mental illness. It's not exactly a light, beachy read by any means and if you aren't comfortable with any of these themes, I don't suggest you read it (especially suicide and depression. It is very heavy and graphic in those areas.)
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars