Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Summary: 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?

Why It Is Banned: Sexual references, language, drug use

Review: I think so far this is my favorite Ellen Hopkins book. This is the second time I read this book, and let me tell you that after finding out the end and re-reading it I feel so stupid for not letting everything click the first time. Of course I guess that's what makes Ellen an amazing writer. The story is to die for and I can't stop loving Ian. He is beyond perfect. You want your silly supernatural boyfriend? I'm more than happy with my own personal Ian. Oh and Greta? She is super great. Greta is hands down my favorite character because of everything she does and says in the book. I don't know what else to say without sounding too fangirly. I'll just leave off with I love Ellen's books and I'm so happy I'm re-reading them. I need to get my own copies of all of her beautiful books.

5 howls