Review: Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

Rumble

By: Ellen Hopkins

Pub. Date: August 26, 2014

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderberry Books

Pages: 560

Source: Edelweiss

Eighteen-year-old Matthew Turner doesn't believe in much. Not in family—his is a shambles, after his brother’s suicide. Not in so-called friends who turn their backs when the going gets rough. Certainly not in some omnipotent master of heaven and earth, no matter what his girlfriend, Hayden, thinks. In fact, he’s sick of arguing with her about faith. Matt is a devout atheist, unafraid of some Judgment Day designed by decidedly human power brokers to keep the masses in check. He works hard, plays hard, and plans on checking out the same way. But a horrific accident—one of his own making—plunges Matt into a dark, silent place where the only thing he can hear is a rumble, and eventually, a voice. And what it says will call everything Matt has ever disbelieved into question.

 I received this galley from edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a huge fan of Ellen Hopkins for years. I feel like her last few books have not been as strong as her books from the beginning, but I still love her and will read anything she writes. Which is why I read Rumble. I usually try to stay away from books with a big religious theme, but it's Hopkins, so I had to read it. While I liked it, I didn't love it.

In true Hopkins form, the main character is trying to deal with something major that has happened in his life. Matthew blames himself for his brothers suicide. When Luke came out to his family, Matthew wasn't as supportive as he should have and could have been. Now Luke is dead, and Matthew is trying to figure out how religion plays into his life. His parents, especially his mother, are huge believers of a higher power. Matthew is the other end of the spectrum. He believes there is no way God can exist. He says all you have to do is look at all of the hate in the world to realize it. I actually really liked Matthew and I connected to him. He grew a lot as a character throughout the novel and I enjoyed watching his transformation.

I wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I felt it was very rushed. I actually didn't even realize I was reaching the end of the novel, then all of a sudden I did.  I hate when that happens! I think a few more pages would have been better.

What I love so much about Hopkin's books is she always creates the most realistic characters. They are all going through something terrible and I think many people can connect and relate to them. Even if you have never been in the exact same situation as them, there is still something there that can connect you to them.

I can't wait to find out what Hopkins will write next!