Review: Tricks - Ellen Hopkins

Review: Tricks - Book #1 Tricks - Ellen Hopkins - August 2009

Around the time that this book was published and a little earlier I was going through a stage of getting into and reading Ellen Hopkins books as I inched into my early 20s. Now at 35, I decided this year, and with the access to the Libby app after reading Flirtin with the Monster, to go back and re-read her books. The thing that I love about her books is that they are written in poetry format which makes the story flow nicer as we glide from one character to the next. So far, I have read Burned, Impulse, and now Tricks. This one was an interesting ride, not a massive favorite but still, a powerful read which shows what people(teens) will do to survive especially when your choices and freedom are taken away from you. Tricks feature five teens from all different walks of life who have one thing in common, they are all living their lives the best they can but they still yearning for something extra whether it be love, acceptance, freedom, or safety. Tricks is set in Las Vegas and were inspired by the high rate of prostitution aka turning tricks and the runaway youth looking for something more.  The first girl we meet is Eden, her father is a Pastor, and her mum is the Pastor's wife. She falls in love with a boy who is wrong for her in her parent's eyes but deep-down Eden knows he is perfect for her. I have to admit for, Eden's story resonated strongly with me out of all of them as my dad was strict and religious and I fell for a boy just like Andrew but mine didn't even step into a church. Over the years, my dad did come to like him and realized he wasn't going anywhere as it has now been almost 20 years of ups and downs but we are still together and going strong. My Andrew was Bryan. We also have Seth who knows he is gay, but growing up on the farm and in a man's world struggles with his sexuality until he falls in love, and Cody and Cory whose lives are about to be upheaved when their stepdad dies - Cody turns to sex and his brother Cory to crime, Whitney who is beautiful, smart and wealthy but is always compared and made to be treated less than she is and just wants to be loved and Ginger who lives with her Grandma, her six siblings and their mother Iris - Iris is a prostitute and enjoys that life more than being a mother. What happens though when Ginger ends up being sold into prostitution? Despite her strong love for her family, she needs to escape to survive and a road will lead her down a path she never wanted to take.
The overall question of this series is "Can I ever feel okay about myself " or do I need the validation of others to survive and be somebody. Like, Ellen's other books - Tricks is a hard read and touches on some tough subjects.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3903srN