Rumble
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Poetry
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Summary:
Not in family – his is a shambles after his younger brother was bullied into suicide. Not in so-called friends who turn their backs when things get tough. Not in some all-powerful creator who lets too much bad stuff happen. And certainly not in some “It Gets Better” psychobabble.
No matter what his girlfriend, Hayden, says about faith and forgiveness, there’s no way Matt’s forgiving all those he blames. He’s decided to “live large and go out with a huge bang,” and whatever happens happens. But when a horrific event plunges Matt into a dark, silent place, he hears a rumble – a rumble that wakes him up, calling everything he’s ever disbelieved into question.
With brilliant sensitivity and emotional resonance, bestselling author Ellen Hopkins’s Rumble explores the highly charged landscapes of faith and forgiveness in a story that asks, what if you don’t have faith in yourself, let alone in anyone or anything else? And what if the one person you need to forgive the most is yourself?
First Sentence: In the narrow pewter space between the gray of consciousness and the obsidian where dreams ebb and flow, there is a wishbone window.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
There’s no doubt that I’m a huge fan of Ellen Hopkins’ works. Her earlier work, Burned, is still one of my most favorite books of all time and I’m still scarred for life from Identical after reading it three years earlier. Every time before I start reading an Ellen Hopkins book, I know that I’ll most likely enjoy it, which is why I had absolutely none to very little worries about me enjoying Rumble.
There is one main reason why I was a little worried about reading Rumble – I don’t like reading books talking about religion in big or small ways. Even a paragraph talking about religion in a book will make me shudder and promptly close the book and leave it sitting on my table for awhile. With Rumble, I knew I was going into a book that will talk very deeply about religion and I was prepared for it because well, it’s Ellen Hopkins we’re talking about and I just know she’ll never lead me astray. Imagine my surprise when I wasn’t annoyed with any of the religion talk in Rumble. I think a huge reason why I felt that way is because Rumble didn’t feel preachy to me at all – the topic was treated in a careful manner and it also shared some of my viewpoints on religion.
Normally, I’ll be totally engaged. Instead I keep thinking about foods that start with p. Why p? I seriously have no idea. Pastrami. Pancakes. Plums. (27)
As expected from Ellen Hopkins’ books, Rumble is also full of emotion. It managed to drag so many emotions from me – I felt sad for the situation Matt was in, anger for people who treated him badly, more anger for the injustices in Matt’s life, and a very strong need to set things right for him. Even though I didn’t cry or even tear up a little while reading Rumble like I did previously with Ellen Hopkins’ other books, Ellen Hopkins managed to grab such strong emotions out of me like very few authors have done before.
I only have one problem with Rumble – I felt like the ending was too rushed. Ellen Hopkins’ drops a bomb on us at the end of the book and about fifteen pages later, the book ends. Those fifteen pages she gave us wasn’t nearly enough to resolve the bomb Ellen Hopkins dropped on us. It left the book feeling unresolved and incomplete.
Remind me not to get married in my lifetime! What is it about marriage that makes people start to hate each other? Then again, sometimes I wonder if what initially attracted those two to each other wasn’t, in fact, hate. (90)
I’ve mentioned this when I reviewed other books by Ellen Hopkins like Smoke and Tilt and I’ll just say this again: Don’t let Ellen Hopkins’ poetry style scare you. Even though Ellen Hopkins’ writing style looks like poetry, it isn’t read like poetry. You can read Ellen Hopkins’ writing like it is any other normal book. I feel really sad when I see people say they don’t want to give Ellen Hopkins’ books a try because they don’t like poetry. I don’t like reading poetry either, but trust me, Ellen Hopkins’ books are not poetry. I promise.
Overall, I really enjoyed Rumble with the exception of the rushed ending. If you’re in the mood for a book that’ll drag tons of emotions from you, you should definitely go and give Rumble a try.
Wonderful review Kelly, it really does sound like Rumble was an excellent emotional exploration and I’m glad the religion didn’t bother you one bit. That’s probably closer to how I feel about reading books with religion, so that’s a plus when it comes to this book.
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…The Maze Runner Movie Review
I have to say i haven’t read anything yet by Ellen Hopkins…but i know her previous books got really really good feedbacks. But i am glad you did pointed out that this one isn’t preachy to you as i am also weary of books that has religious themes in it coz it sometimes ruins my reading experience when not handled effectively.
Loved the excerpts from this book. Whilst the summary didn’t really grab me (not my sort of book) – I love the author’s voice captured in the quotes you included. Will definitely check out her other books…
Mikhaeyla recently posted…Tipping the Balance – How to find Plan B and write your Midpoint
Really great review. I haven’t really been sure about weather or not I want to give this book a chance but I really thing you’ve sold me on it. The book sounds pretty good and I do adore Hopkins.
Thank you for this review, I haven’t read Rumble yet but I have read a few of her other books. Crank and Glass stand out as the most powerful reads ever, but it was Tricks that left me in tatters. You are right, they don’t read like poetry, but I think that it is her style of writing that allows the power of the story to pack the punch. The stories are easy to read on the surface but the emotional journey is unbelievable.
Sue Holmes recently posted…YA Book Review: But I Love Him
As always, awesome review! I have wanted to read this for awhile now and I think I’ll go give it a try! Thanks for the great review :)
Hailey C recently posted…CREEPY BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Wow! Great review.. and would love to read this book.. I haven’t read the book of this author.. Thank you
I haven’t read any Ellen Hopkins books before, and I’m not going to lie, books that are written in poetry style DO scare me. I tend to avoid them. But now I’m starting to reconsider based on your review. And I love books that draw out emotions from me! That’s how I know the author actually worked hard to make readers connect to their characters and if this book will do that, than why not? Hopefully I can read some or one of her books soon. Thanks for your sharing your awesome thoughts Kelly!
I read Crank several years ago, but I haven’t picked up any of her books since. I think, even though I have experienced her style, it gets intimidating again, if that makes sense. I need to get over myself, psych myself up, and pick up another one. I remember Crank being exactly what you said: full of emotion. Perhaps this will be just the push I need!
Great review! This book is on my TBR list! :)
I’ve never read a prose novel before, but I think I might give this one a shot!
that was a really nice review! i’ve never read anything by ellen hopkins, but i’ll definitely be picking up some of her work soon. her different writing style interests me, and i also like how she writes about strong topics.
alexandra @ twirling pages recently posted…REVIEW + DISCUSSION: in the afterlight; alexandra bracken
I too love her books! Verse is difficult to pull off with characters and not just like a poem but she does it beautifully and you’re right, it doesn’t read like poetry.
I believe the way she handled religion was wonderful, specific to the character and not generalizing at all.
Lovely review :)
Spectacular review! I haven’t read anything from E. Hopkins, but after reading your review I might put one of the books (maybe this one) on my TBR pile.
Lavinyaa Alexandra Pash recently posted…BOOK TOUR + REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: Romancing My Love, by Melissa Foster
I’ve never read any books by this author but after reading this review, I’ll have to put them on my TBR list! The topic for this book is so relevant for the world today and I love that you said it made you feel so many emotions! Thanks for sharing your comments – I am definitely interested in reading this book!
Thanks for the review, perfect as well for the summary I want it to be in my tbr
I actually have never read a Ellen Hopkins book even though I have heard a lot about them. So yeah, I should try one. I don’t mind books about religion, even if it is not particularly my religion. I like knowing about things people believe in and allow to be such a big part of their life. A book full of emotion definitely sounds like it is my kind of book, I am all for emotional reads <3 It's a shame about the ending being the only negative thing because it was so rushed though. Even though you were wary of this topic, I am happy to see you could enjoy it nonetheless!
Olivia recently posted…Tortured Souls (Review)
I havent read this book but I really want to read it!!!!
Honestly, I’ve never really read a book that has this poetry style in it. But I love poetry and this seems like it would be such an interesting read! I don’t really mind the religion aspect that you mentioned because I read Christian Historical Romances all the time, and I just don’t mind it in general. I’ve never really been one to read emotional books, or ones that are super deep and philosophical, but I don’t know, maybe I will give this one a chance when I don’t have so many TBR books (don’t know when that will be -.-) Thanks for the review though :)
I have not read anything by Ellen Hopkins. I have seen her books every single time I have gone to the library, I have even picked them up, but they all scream HEARTBREAKING and EMOTIONAL to me, and sometimes I just can’t do either. However, I do still want to try out this author who has gotten so much praise. MAybe I can start with this one?
Jaime Lester recently posted…Blog Tour ~ Krymzyn by BC Powell ~ Review (by Jaime!) and Giveaway
I am also a huge fan of ellen hopkins! you right very informative reviews and have gotten me interested in this book when i have put it on the back burner of rone reason or another. I thank you for that!
~brittany T
Brittany T recently posted…Tell Me Tuesday – Never Trust A Fairy!
oh wow great review! :D
Great review! I was about to pick this one up last week at Barnes but I ended up leaving it. I’m kind of regretting that now bc I really want to read a book by E.H. a lot of people have been recommending her books to me.
Which one would you recommend I read first?
I’m got really intrigued by this author a time ago, because of the way she writes, like a poem. But this is another not so good review that i hear about this book. Maybe i should try another one by her?
I hate rushed endings!! I’m like “just wait a sec, slow down please!!” I too don’t normally like books that talk about religion. I treat it like a disease… Hmm but this one isn’t preachy? I feel like I want to read this! The premise sounds quite interesting. I’m ready for an emotional read, so I guess I’ll try this out. Great review!!
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I am not really familiar with the author but your review makes me want to try reading her books. It seems interesting, especially that this book kinda talked about religion because I sort of don’t believe in religion but I am open to this kind of topic. Anyway, thank God it’s not preachy. :D
I haven’t yet tried an Ellen Hopkins book. And this could be a good start! (And.. good cover!)
I always get intrigued whenever I hear the topics from her books. But… why is it written in a poetry format but it’s advised to read it continuously? I would like them better if they rhymed, though.
Nice review, Kelly!
Great review. I like how she uses a lot of emotions in her books. :)