Heba's Reviews > Impulse

This book bothered me so much.

I was extremely interested in a book written in verse. I had heard good things about Ellen Hopkins, so I decided to buy Impulse and it's sequel, Perfect.

Three extremely troubled teens, in a psych hospital, trying to work through their problems and mental illnesses.

These characters were shallow, and not likable. I didn't like these characters ... I didn't care about them. I couldn't relate to them.

Their language was also aggravating. Teenagers do not talk like this:

..." 'What's it like' I ask. 'Making love to someone?'
Vanessa takes my hand.
"I thought I knew, once or twice before, but now I see there was no love at all between us. I won't know until I make love to you."...

Puh-lease.

One thing that especially bothered me was the lack of accuracy in this book... These kids save their Prozac pills to "get high" later.... Prozac takes WEEKS to take effect- so I don't know where that idea came from. Also, who thought it would be a good idea to take a bunch of troubled teens, seriously depressed, suicidal, or otherwise- on a rock-climbing trip. With cliffs. Without harnesses.
This book didn't paint an accurate description of what actually goes on in a professional health facility.


The plot was focused mainly on the weird love triangle, and not on the actual issues to their depression, and mental illness. The relationship stuff felt EXTREMELY inappropriate and out of place.

Sighhh.
All in all, this book was disappointing, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. This ISN'T an accurate portrayal of troubled teens at all. The so-called "beautiful" writing, was hardly enough for me to not skim the last 150 pages.