In the latest hard-hitting YA novel by the New York Times bestselling author, 16-year-old identical twin girls must come to terms with their abusive father.

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are 16-year-old identical twins, the daughters of a district court judge father and politician mother running for Congress. Everything on the surface of their lives seems Norman Rockwell perfect, but underneath run deep and damaging secrets.

Kaeleigh is the good girl—her father's perfect flower, something she has tried so hard to be since she was nine and he started sexually abusing her. She cuts herself and vomits after every binge, desperate to feel something normal. Raeanne uses painkillers, drugs, alcohol, and sex to numb the pain of not being Daddy's favorite. Both girls must figure out how to become whole, but how can they when their world has been torn to shreds?

Writing in her characteristic narrative poetry style, Ellen Hopkins shows once again how well she knows today's teens and the issues that matter to them.

Customer Rating:
Summary: I am in awe
Comment: I have read one other Hopkins book and was very much drawn in. But this book is a whole different story. It's deep. It's dirty. There were times I wanted to stop reading because I can't handle incestuous situations. It's just hard for me to deal with. But this book keeps you in. And I was completely surprised by the ending. Call it ignorance or what have you. I thought the book was brilliant. Maybe not for younger readers but for high school and up...great read.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Simply, AMAZING!
Comment: Simply and amazing book. A must read! I can't wait for the next one!!!! Hope it comes soon.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!
Comment: i thought the book was well written and VERY powerful. there were times when i was just so sucked into the book that i didn't want to stop reading. there are some parts where its very graphic and disturbing to read. the book involves cutting, some pretty explicit sex scenes, molestation, drinking, bulimia, and pill popping. so be warned if you're not ready to read about somethings i listed. you may not want to read it.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: A book that will intrigue from the first page to the last.
Comment: Identical by Ellen Hopkins is a haunting story that revolves around two identical twin sisters - Kayleigh and Raeanne. Upon turning to the first page, i was immedietely disapointed in the free verse style in which the book is written. However, do not be fooled, for i quickly realized what an easy read it turned out to be and the poetry flows perfectly within the story lines.

Kayleigh - the innocent, shy twin who hides under the covers from her daddy who visits her in the night cannot except love, not even from the one boy who would do anything in the world for her. She uses food and cutting as an escape from the horrific reality that is her life, only to realize that nothing will save her except confronting her demons, and accepting them.

Raeanne - the cold, hard ruthless twin who uses sex, drugs and alchohol as an escape from the love she'll never recieve. Jealous of her twins attention from their father, she seeks love from other boys who use and abuse her.

I am so deeply impressed by this book that i read it in less than two days. The shocking twist is played by many pages of foreshadowing but the way in which the book is written kept me oblivious up until the final moment of revelation.

Although the subject isnt suitable for anyone under the age of eighteen (in my opinion) this is an absolute must read. Five stars for Ellen Hopkins.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Beautifully told, an ugly story
Comment: This review is on the audio version of the novel, Identical. It's a long 8 1/2 hour play. As this is delivered in a form of verse, I believe I would have preferred it in book form, allowing me to "interpret" for myself. The audio version is nicely delivered, however . . . an unusual back and forth of the players voices.

In short, it's the story of identical twin sisters in a financially successful, but socially dysfunctional family. There is jealousy and abuse. Much abuse.

The book is marketed toward teens, but the themes are so mature (incest, self-abuse, eating disorders, substance abuse)that it is more adult fare. Yes, these things go on in the world of today's adolescents, and being a father, this was an education for me as well as being reading entertainment. But just because it is based on real experiences of young people out there today, I disagree with the notion of exposing our children to this form of recreational reading.

Well written. Disturbing. Enlightening. I would suggest, "Adults Only".

---