Impulse

Fiction by Ellen Hopkins
Reviewed by Kaitlyn M.
2 available - check it out of the NVHS Library


“Three lives, three different paths to the same direction: Aspen Springs a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act, suicide. These three at one point decided enough was enough, and tried to end their life. They acted on impulse, swallowed the bottle, cut a little deeper, and put the gun to their chest.
Sometimes
you don't wake up.
but if you happen
to, you know things
will never be the
same.”

Vanessa attempted to end her live with a blade, and if not for her brother, Bryan, and her EMT trained grandmother would have never ended up in Aspen Springs. Tony tried to OD on pills woke up to find a cop hovering over, and was sent to Aspen Springs. Conner tried to end his life with a gun. But with bad aim, missed his heart, and was found too soon by his mother, he was sent to Aspen Springs. Once in Aspen Springs the three found each other in therapy classes. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each others help, they can find their way to a better life Three teens, who have never shared a word about their dark past, one character murdered their abuser as a child, another had an affair with a teacher, and the third watched their mentally ill mother die. As there trust grow, more and more of their past comes out, and bonds become strong.

This book is written by Ellen Hopkins, the author of many other fabulous book. Impulse is a hypnotic story about the power of connections and, ultimately, the power of love. This book is an easy read of 666 pages, and is recommended to teens and young adults.