Brandi's Reviews > Cracked

I wrote a really impressive review (I'd say one of my best), and then it was eaten, so now I'm going to write a bit, but I might come back and elaborate once the sting wears off. :(


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This was the quintessential book for me: it's funny, bloody, tense, heartfelt, engrossing, entertaining, action-packed, perfectly-paced, and full of characters I can either see myself in or want to be friends with. Eliza Crewe can write! I literally have nothing bad to say about this book. Nothing annoyed me at any point in the entire novel, and though I know the trope of missing parent(s) is there, I feel that it was written skillfully and fit the story perfectly.

The story is about Meda, and she's a complete badass. She is under no illusions about what she is and what she can do, nope, she's refreshingly blunt and honest. She also has one of the best inner dialogues of anyone I've read recently, certainly, but I know it's going to stay as one of my favorites. I love everything about her. I see myself in her (which means I need to get Khanh and JennyJen together so we can all be amazing in the same place), and if I can't be her then I need her to be my bestie. At one point Meda is in a bit of trouble and finds that there's a sexy guy right next to her, but does she go boy-crazy and forget everything important? NO! Hallelujah and can I get an AMEN!

He's good-looking in a bad-boy kind of way -- downright hot, really, not that I'm in a position to care. Impending death has a way of focusing your priorities.

This is one of those sweet-spot books for me, and I already know I'll have to buy the print copy just so I can see it on my shelf. Another one of the things I loved about this book was Jo. She's a violent and angry little thing, and I want her as my bestie too. I saw a lot of myself in her as well, which just means I'm doubly awesome. Actually, every character was written really well, and I'm counting the secondary cast in this; the girl that stops a fight, the girl that plays in the game, the kids that Meda doesn't know what to do with, the demons... everyone.

I can't recommend this book highly enough, and think you should all stop what you're dong and read this right now. In case that wasn't enough, here are some quotes (and I have others in my updates!):

When Mom told me I was special and unique, I thought she literally meant I was special and unique. After all, I never met any other children who could lift cars or chew on steel bolts.
Turns out I'm only 'mom-special'.
Special like a snowflake is special.

Villain that I am, it's only fitting that my first kiss is one I stole.

Good God, children. Can we focus on what's important? Me.

And Jo's so violent and angry, if she had any other career, it could only be at the DMV.

"Men!"
"Err yeah -- men!" I commiserate.
"I don't need him babysitting me. Who does he think he is?"
I hope that's a rhetorical question. She punches a tree. Probably empty agreement is safest. "Um, yeah."
"What an asshole. He almost died!"
"Yeah, asshole."

We fall in a tangle of legs and profanity.

I don't want to jump in with an alternative plan -- I'd rather they do it. It's usually a good idea to let other people think my plan is their plan. I have enough brilliant ones that I don't mind missing out on the credit.

"You're my best friend?" I'm horrified.