This is a beautiful mesmerizing painful book. In the years since I last read anything by Ellen Hopkins, I had forgotten how well she can pack stories with multiple dark experiences without coming off as melodramatic or inauthentic. She has such a solid grasp on the issues she portrays that everything feels extremely realistic which made it easier for me to get sucked into the story and to connect to and care about the characters. I was especially impressed by the issue that pops up near the end as it was very obvious that she had done quite a bit of planning and research to execute the reveal and unpacking of the issue so effectively. My only minor gripe with the book is that the ending felt too rushed. I would've like to have more time to experience the ending--to really feel and see it unfold--rather than being mostly told a lot of new information. ( )

I am so confused about how to rate this book. I could not put it down, but am so disturbed by the content and this troubles my mind and makes me want to wash the memory of this book away. ( )

I absolutely love Ellen Hopkins. She has become my favorite author. She has such a fascinating way of writing. Like the majority of her books, I definitely give it a 5 star review. I was hardly able to out the book down! ( )

Family

The disturbing novel "Identical" by Ellen Hopkins centers on the lives of Kayleigh and Raeanne, two identical twins. The unsettling and inappropriate relationships they have with friends and family, particularly with their troubled father, are explored in the book. They may have the outward appearance of the perfect American dream family, but they actually go through terrible suffering and have no way out.

Thanks to the book's poetic structure, this story transcends typical teenage drama. Even if readers don't personally relate to the characters, it has the ability to put them in relatable situations. The book's raw, unfiltered nature refuses to sugarcoat disturbing or unpleasant details, bravely presenting the characters' feelings as they go through terrifying situations.

I highly recommend reading "Identical" for its gripping plot and remarkable execution of plot twists. The book's impact was so profound that I found myself compelled to revisit its pages to fully appreciate the brilliance of its twists and turns.