Review Detail

There is no doubt that Ellen Hopkins is an amazing writer. And yet I was still astonished at how well I was able to connect with characters that I had nothing in common with. I felt like I really knew Conner, Tony, and Vanessa. Immediately, I fell in love with each character and wanted them to fight through the urge to end it all.

Conner is what every kid dreams of being. He has the perfect life; on the outside anyways. On the inside he battles himself, his parents, and the world around him. When he finally decides to end everything with a shot to the heart, he misses and hits bone. Conner is now a resident of Aspen Springs. 

Tony had a rough childhood. He eases the pain with pills. He overdoses, but doesn't die. Instead, he throws it all back up, landing him a spot in Aspen Springs.

Vanessa seems average, nothing like your psychiatric hospital patient. She finds beauty in the blade. Comfortable with ending her life that day, she cuts deep and watches the blood run out, ready to die. But then her eight year old brother Bryan walks in. Vanessa winds up at Aspen Springs.

At Aspen Springs they each struggle to conquer their demons, a fight to get better. Conner, Tony, and Vanessa soon cross path, and have nothing in common except a wish to die. Through this they become friends and help each other fight for a better life.