Thursday, November 14, 2013

Mini Review: Cracked by K.M. Walton

Cracked
Cracked by K.M. Walton
Sometimes there's no easy way out.
Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.
Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.
When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better…

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Publishes in US: January 3rd 2012 by Simon Pulse
Genre: YA contemp
Source: bought
Series? No.

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound  Book Depository

Author stalk away: Website Goodreads
Simon & Schuster author page: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K-M-Walton/81347146 
Blog: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kmwalton1/ 
Twitter: @kmwalton1 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cracked-fan-page/225425247511173?sk=wall 
 
    My mini review--I hope that once I am done recovering from Disney and the resulting cold, I hope to more thoroughly review this one.  
    I love how gritty and real Walton writes. The characters are so realistic, flawed and in this case, has serious problems. 
    The bullying is so hard to swallow. I hate it, and I have been on the side of getting picked on, but luckily for me, never severely. I think that especially with boys, it is true to life and could really have happened in a school setting. It is sad to have to live in that fear and the object of hatred and you can tell how that coupled with distant parents who are requiring perfection, and he hopes if he reaches it, they will finally show him affection, leads him to want to end his life. 
   In Cracked, we also get the perspective of the bullyer, although we never really see what is going through his mind when he was being his cruelest, we do see his messed up home life, and see that it is a cycle. Feeling out of control at home, he finds an easy target and has control over something, much like a girl with an eating disorder. There is so much more to his character though, and some surprising twists. I def felt for him, but it was hard to get past what he did to Victor. 
    A good portion of the book is in the mental hospital, and I think that also gives a look into the world of mental illness that is slowly being broached in the world of YA. I don't know how realistic it is, since I have only been in individual therapy, but I did tear through the pages at their realizations, unexpected friendship, healing and ultimately having the unexpected people to stand up on their side. 
    The ending was fitting, and left me satisfied while still sad to leave my character. 
    I loved getting the dual perspective from two guys, with no romantic connection between the two. 
    
Bottom Line: Emotional look into what leads to suicidal thoughts/actions and then healing.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
 Have you ever been bullied?
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19 comments:

  1. I've been picked on enough in my life, which is probably why I tend to avoid issue books. I don't like being taken back to high school if it's not absolutely necessary. :)
    Great review.

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  2. I'm always on the lookout for books written in male pov's and it sounds like Walton does a great job with this book. I also like turning to books which deal with real life issues in a great way. Thanks for putting this book on my radar Brandi! :)

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  3. This one is new to me and I haven't read many books written in male POVs. this one sounds like greatly done. I love books with issues too. Great review, Brandi :)

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  4. I haven't seen this one, but I do think it sounds like an emotional read, and a tough subject too. Great review.

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  5. This one sounds so emotionally, and coming from a guys POV I don't think I've read one like that before. Glad it was well done and that you liked it Brandi!

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  6. I hadn't heard of this one before but it sounds super emotional and really good! I'll definitely have to watch for it!

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  7. It sounds a bit too emotional for me

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  8. Sounds like a good issue book. Not sure if it is for me, but you do make me curious. Brilly review!

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  9. Bullying is such a tough issue but so important, I think I would like to take a crack at this.

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  10. The grit is what pulls me in. But the issues covered scare me a bit.

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  11. This one sounds like such an emotional read! Definitely hits on some issues, but sounds good! Great review!

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  12. Wow, this sounds really good. I like that you get two guys POV, I'm going to have to check this out. Great review :)

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  13. I've heard of this one; I want to read it! Love realistic stories like this.

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  14. This sounds like a great book! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. <3 Amazing review :)

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  15. This one sounds really emotional and intense! I don't know if I'd have the courage to pick this one up. Hope you're feeling better, Brandi!

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  16. My goodness, this does sound emotional, Brandi. I've never heard of Cracked before, so thanks for introducing it to me. Great review!

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  17. oh it sounds like nice book, I didn't know this one... Well maybe I'm not that much into the cover I confess.

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  18. I love gritty, realistic stories with flawed characters, and this one sounds fantastic. I like that this delves into the bully's home life somewhat, because so often you're right, it is a cycle that begins at home. Wonderful review!

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  19. This one sounds interesting and intense. It sounds like an insightful look, and a book that really tries to be real instead of an issue book for an issue book. Thanks for the review!

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