Book Review: Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

Title: Cracked Up To Be



Author: Courtney Summers



Synopsis: Perfect Parker Fadley isn’t so perfect anymore. She’s quit the cheerleading squad, she’s dumped her perfect boyfriend, and she’s failing school. Her parents are on a constant suicide watch and her counselors think she’s playing games…but what they don’t know, the real reason for this whole mess, isn’t something she can say out loud. It isn’t even something she can say to herself. A horrible thing has happened and it just might be her fault. If she can just remove herself from everybody--be totally alone--then everything will be okay...The problem is, nobody will let her.



Review:



a.) Characters: 5/5 score.  Amazing characters.  Parker is real, edgy, and unforgettable!  She is such a bitch to everyone, and yet I could still feel sorry for her.  The whole book is about her recent problems after her friend Jess goes missing.  The other characters (Jake, Chris, and Becky) are real friends, connecting to a past Parker wants to forget.  Her inner struggles are powerful, knocking the wind out of you with each chapter.



b.) Plot: 3/5 score.  Parker is going down hill and fast, and the only idea is from a party she got completely smashed at.  It’s obvious she blames herself and through the book, your learn a lot about who Parker was, is, and where she is going.  The whole plot is centered around this event that changed Parker for worse.  



c.) Writing style: 4/5 score.  This is not a pretty tale, but the dark of this story is breathtaking.  Even once I finished the book, I chose random spots to read again as if I couldn’t get Parker out of my head.  And that’s what suck with me the most.  The writing curled around her so even when it’s over, it’s not really over.  



Rating: 12/15 total

WARNING:  THIS IS NOT A SAPPY LOVE STORY.  Some people are going to rave it, and others are going to hate it.  What it comes down to is where you stand on anxiety and depression.