Impulse By Ellen Hopkins

Goodreads 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:
Wow.
No seriously, wow. This book was intense and beautifully written. I have to say I could be bias. The formatting for this book was more like reading a book of continuing poetry. Which worked amazingly well for these characters. The development wasn't through setting a stage with specific details but rather with specific feelings and minor details. I formed my own ideas about the characters rather than being told about them. These kids all tried to kill themselves, they couldn't have been more different in the outside world, but in their treatment center they have a real connection. This is definitely a dark and twisty book and I wouldn't suggest just anyone picking this one up and reading it. I had some flash backs of bad times while reading about Vanessa and Conner in particular. Tony reminded me of so many men I knew while in high school it was shocking to me.

I recommend this book to those who have read Ellen Hopkins in the past or those open to dark and twisty stories. I would again warn against reading this book if you have the emotional trigger of suicide.

While writing this review I was listening to Slim Cessna's Auto Club. If you are interested, Slim Cessna will be in SLC on the 20th at the Urban Lounge. I also hear if you are in the Seattle area Slim Cessna will be joined by Michael Ray and the Plastic Sheets at the Crocodile on the 23rd. I fully recommend checking out both of these bands.