Review: Crank by Ellen Hopkins

 

Publication Date: October 2004

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books

Blurb:  (Goodreads)

In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." 

Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank.

This book has been on my TBR for years. I finally got my hands on a copy from my library and devoured it on a rainy afternoon in May. 

When I first heard of this book all those years ago, there was nothing but rave reviews on Youtube and Goodreads. So to say I went into this with high expectations, albeit rating my other experiences with Ellen Hopkins middling. 

The story shows how easy it can be for teenagers, or anyone, to fall into drug use and addiction. I felt the plot of the novel was a little slow in points, lots of Kristina / Bree bouncing between random boys for what seemed like no reason. But I suppose it did all point back to her need for something more in her life, looking for that rush of excitement she felt was lacking. 

Review: Real Girl by Mutya Buena

 

Publication Date: November 2025

Publisher: Bantam Press

Source: Borrowed from library  [ Goodreads ]

Blurb: 

Mutya Buena was only thirteen when she became one third of the original line up of the iconic girlband, Sugababes.

Launching into fame, her life became unrecognisable overnight. Suddenly she was going straight from the studio to school in the early hours, rubbing shoulders with music royalty, and hearing fans scream her name.

This is the story of the girl the tabloids never saw.

In Real Girl Mutya takes us through the highs of her spectacular career and the lows that came with a life in the limelight and shares for the first time the struggles she’d kept hidden from the public eye.

Now the Sugababes are back and shining brighter than ever, Mutya is ready to share her story on her own terms.

Growing up, I was a big Sugababes fan. Especially the original line up as there was an Irish girl in it, Siobhan, that made me so happy. Nothing will beat the original trio for me and after seeing them perform last year it really cemented that fact that Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan are born entertainers. When I found out that Mutya had written this book, I got onto my library website and ordered it as soon as I could! 

Mutya was always portrayed as the quiet one, and I am so glad she is sharing her voice with everyone now and letting us readers in on the highs and lows of her life. 

Mutya candidly talks about her childhood, being half-Filipino, and living in London. Her time spent at school and how she hung around with the naughty kids. Her parents really fostered a love of music in her and her siblings and encouraged her to reach for the stars. This led to her meeting Keisha and Siobhan and signing a record deal for the girl band Sugababes at only 13 years old. I was shocked when I read that, as I had no idea they were so young when they first became a band. 

The autobiography delves into Mutya's struggles with fame, trying to juggle a normal life while at the same time trying to appear grateful for everything they received, even though sometimes 14-year-old Mutya would have rathered gone to the park with her friends than fly on a plane to the other side of the world to do an interview. 

Mutya also bravely talks about falling pregnant with her daughter at just 20, and how struggles with addiction, self harm, body image and abusive relationships all had an impact on her life. Her leaving the band due to the dark place she was in caused her to spiral further and eventually seek treatment at a facility. I really was amazed at how much she had been through in her life and how she had come out the other end stronger and swinging. Mutya is definitely a fighter and a shining star.