Cracked

Jan 01, 2013 Giselle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, ebook, contemporary

A very shocking novel, this one. Yet, as the author pointed out in the end notes, she didn't write a book to shock, she wrote a realistic book on teenage bullying and how it can inflict self deprecation to the point of depression. These are the types of books that teenagers can get something out of. Bullying is not uncommon, and you CAN get help. You can talk to someone about what is happening to you. High school is the hardest, and often lowest, point in some people's lives, thus I'm always sat...more A very shocking novel, this one. Yet, as the author pointed out in the end notes, she didn't write a book to shock, she wrote a realistic book on teenage bullying and how it can inflict self deprecation to the point of depression. These are the types of books that teenagers can get something out of. Bullying is not uncommon, and you CAN get help. You can talk to someone about what is happening to you. High school is the hardest, and often lowest, point in some people's lives, thus I'm always satisfied when a book can be so incredibly moving, as well as possibly help those in a similar situation through impossible times.

Empty is the perfect title for this novel, as this is how I felt when I was reading it. Empty. Emptiness for her detrimental self portrayal. Emptiness for her lack of confidence. Emptiness for her loneliness. My heart felt sorrow and pain for this beautiful person who just couldn't see her true self; who she could be. After her father left, Dell turned to food. An excessive amount of food that was matched by an excessive weight gain. Losing her spot on the baseball team is only the beginning of the consequences. Though it's funny--in a very depressing way--that most of the consequences is caused by her attitude. Dell feels like she's losing everything and everybody, making her efforts at dieting a far away thought. Eating, like smoking or drinking, is one of the ways people use to cope with the stresses of life. and this book really shows how this can become the end-all to a once healthy young girl. The more she ate, the lesser she thought of herself, making her want to binge even more. A never ending circle. This is why I could understand her even when her obsession became borderline irritating. You can't just assume she's able to stop, or to control it, even when she knows what it's doing to her. Professional help is what she needs to achieve this. So yes, her self deprecation is excessive, and yes she's incredibly hard on herself, yet she continues in her bad ways, but this is a realistic portrayal of such a situation.

Such a story needs a lot of emotional output, and for this you need well developed characters. Despite her depression, Dell is a very sweet person. The way she takes care of her sister is admirable. I loved the bond that she shared with this toddler, and having a toddler myself, I could easily relate. I also found her secondary characters to be very distinct. You have the best friend, the popular crowd, the jerks, but they aren't just cut personalities to fit the story, they felt real to me; I felt the impact every single one of these people had on Dell.

Frustrating on many levels, this book makes you feel helpless. Every single one of you will want to help her. You will scream at her to realize what she is doing to herself. You will yell obscenities at her destructive thoughts. But in the end, the only thing you will feel is empty. This is both a warning, and a recommendation.

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

(less)

16 likes · like · see review

Jan 08, 2013 Kelly added it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

Fair warning: I found this book insensitive, offensive, and sensational without making the point it intended to make.

No rating.

Dell's fat. 286 pounds, size 24 fat. This wasn't always the way though. It happened when her dad cheated on her mom with Donna, and her parents marriage fell apart. Mom's become a prescription drug abuser, sold the lovely house they once lived in, and now Dell, her mom, and toddler sister Meggie live in an apartment in the poor part of town. Mom works two jobs to make...more

12 likes · like · see review

Jul 21, 2012 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-on-kindle, 2012-reads, july-2012, couldn-t-put-it-down, hard-to-rate, hurts-like-hell, it-s-not-you-it-s-me, mixed-feelings, not-for-me, not-sure-what-to-think, nothing-special, the-stars-say-nothing, the-sound-of-my-heart-breaking, thank-you-edelweiss, dangerous-implications

"I did not write this book to sensationalise or shock. I intended Dell's story to serve as a window into her soul - the soul of a broken human being. I wanted you, precious reader, to feel the pain of the bullied, the neglected, the heartbroken and the humiliated. I wanted you to experience the absolute power of words - whether said or typed online. Words count."
- Author's Note, K.M. Walton, Empty

Those few short lines summarise all my feelings about Empty, both good and bad. The pain at the cent...more

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 Brandy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Wow, what an amazing, relatable, and powerful story. Adele, a 17 year old overweight high school student, falls into a deep, dark depression after her father cheats on and divorces her mother. Her once perfect, athletic, skinny life, now ruined falls apart around her. Not only does Adele have to deal with the problems of home life she deals with bullying and horrific comments about her weight made by her classmates. When things couldn't get any worse Adele is accused of raping the jock of her hi...more

4 likes · like · see review

Dec 25, 2012 Caylee Michaels rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: NO ONE.

This book was SO BAD. I couldn't believe this got published and that someone thought it was a good idea. Like you can tell the author was trying to do something completely different than what she was doing.

The worst part about this book was how obsessed the narrative was with the idea of fat. Fat on someone's body, fat in the mind, fat fat fat fat. It was so annoying and so bad, reading this girl who was obsessed with her own fat and didn't feel like there was anything other to her. Like even t...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 05, 2013 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-must-read, january-2013, lady-reader-s-bookstuff

How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are re...more How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are reading K.M. sets up the plot and you are thinking okay this girl is over weight and she is bullied and all she wants is for someone to realize that she is hurting and no one not a one person comes to her rescue. To add insult to her her parents are divorced and her father is a complete douche and her mother is over worked and leaves her to raise her baby sister by herself.

To say this book struck a nerve is an understatement. I was violated by someone I thought I loved and trusted and he took that from me. It took a long time to get over it but with my best friend I got over it. In this story it is so tragic the way people bully and harass Dell the main character. So in Empty now that I have ranted enough we meet Dell and her best friend and only friend Cara. Dell plays softball but after gaining a lot of weight she is hindered. She still plays but then something happens to her and she is off the team. The weight complicates things for her but she can't help but eat. She is so depressed and angry that her father left them for another woman. She eats to find comfort and no matter how hard she tries she just can't diet. The pain and the anger consume her and she continues to eat.

Then at school her crush for forever Brandon bullies her and she complies with him. Every time he tells her to "moo" like a cow and act like a sumo wrestler she does it. In the hopes that he will one day like her.But Brandon is popular and is dating the most popular girl so Dell sits back and pines for his love and acceptance. Then one day Dell and Cara are at a party and Dell goes to find a bathroom when she encounters Brandon. What happens next is the story and I will not spoil it because you have to read it to believe it. At points in the book I had to go back and re-read what I read because I just could not believe what I was reading.K.M. has written such a beautiful and haunting story that it will grip you right from the first page and have you holding your breath at the end.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 02, 2013 Meagan rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-for-blog

Books involving fat protagonists are an incredibly hard sell for me. I've never read a YA book that got it right without sensationalizing it, or grossly exaggerating some of the more "disgusting" details just for shock value. Empty's one of those books, and it made me vaguely uncomfortable the entire time I was reading it. Not the "good" sort of uncomfortable, where you want to keep reading and be unsettled, but the bad kind of uncomfortable, where you can tell you're reading a book by someone w...more Books involving fat protagonists are an incredibly hard sell for me. I've never read a YA book that got it right without sensationalizing it, or grossly exaggerating some of the more "disgusting" details just for shock value. Empty's one of those books, and it made me vaguely uncomfortable the entire time I was reading it. Not the "good" sort of uncomfortable, where you want to keep reading and be unsettled, but the bad kind of uncomfortable, where you can tell you're reading a book by someone who doesn't get it. If you spent your teenage years (or any years) being fat, I think you might understand. The way it's portrayed across the board is frustrating and makes you wonder if the people responsible have ever spent any time with someone that's fat.

It's hard not to look at books a little personally when they're on things that you've experienced. For me, Empty didn't feel real. At all. Dell's attitude and character was completely wrapped in the the fact that she'd gone from a size 10 to a size 24 in a short time, and her every waking second was consumed by the experience of being fat. There seems to be nothing else in Dell's life other than her god-awful attitude, her shallow emotions, and oh, right she can sing. Because Dell fits right into the mold of countless other weak YA books in which the character is defined by two things:

1. Their "issue"
2. Their one hobby

It happens in books all the time, and it's something I've grown wary of over the years. It feels like they're produced on an assembly line. Take some issue that teenagers can relate to, and pick one thing they can be good at. Mix together some emotions, and you've got a protagonist who doesn't reflect either with any accuracy. The "issue" seems wooden, and the "hobby" comes off planned, expected even. Teens are not defined by their issues, and I wish that books would stop letting this happen. They're not defined by their one or two hobbies (unless those hobbies are really that they're elite gymnasts or Olympic-level athletes, and even then, Lauren Tanner liked scheming as much as she likes gymnastics).

Dell has gained a significant amount of weight, and her parents are horrible to her. Dad abandoned her, and Mom is more interested in her pills than her daughter. But they both have plenty of time to snap at their daughter and remind her that she's fat. Really, everyone is horrible to her. Being fat has stripped all of Dell's self-confidence, her voice, her ability to control her emotions and her physical nature. Being fat takes up all of Dell's life and time, being fat takes up every page of this book. It takes up emotional space, it takes up all of the conversations she has, it weighs on Dell's mind every second of every day -- and that's not supposed to be a cute joke about being fat. There is nothing to her character the doesn't revolve around it, and we're reminded all the time.

That's not how being fat works. Even for a teenage girl. It's like the book is about Dell's fat, rather than Dell. I'm not griping because it's not sending the right "message" to readers, I'm bothered because it's an inauthentic portrayal of a young girl that creates a wall between the character and the reader. If K.M. Walton wanted to tell the story of a bullied, misunderstood, broken young girl as she states in her saccharine author's note, she failed. She told a story about a teenager's fat body, and how it ruined everything.

We have a plot to the story that will remind the avid YA reader of several other books that came first. Dell is sexually assaulted by her friend's boyfriend. The second people find out, they turn their bully radar to her and make her life a living hell. To that note, what I did like about this book is that we are reminded, finally, that survivors of these types of assault are not just one type of person -- despite what TV and movies and other books would like us to believe, it happens to any kind of person, not just "the beautiful people." I think that if the author had focused more on that than the other things I've talked about, this book would have been so much stronger. If Dell was given a character, rather than an issue, it could have worked.

As much as that might have been important for the author to get out in the open, it's hidden under miles of things that make Dell, and the story, completely unlikable. There's a talent showcase, Dell's supposed to sing for it. Her best friend's on the verge of ditching her for the popular crowd. Because we are firmly in YA land, where this happens to every other girl. It's not just Dell whose character suffers. Her best friend is portrayed as weak-minded and vapid, like so many other "best friends" before her.

Empty is at its core, a story that pulls the melodramatic bits and pieces from other books, and attempts to make them its own. This can work. Unfortunately, the writing is not strong enough to make this one stand out, the wooden characters are effortlessly forgettable, and the ending? Yeah, the title is rather accurate.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

May 25, 2012 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2012

A solid read with two authentic and hurting male voices. Bull's the bully but acts that way because that's the way he's grown up. Victor, on the other hand, is the bullied and allows himself to be picked on because that's the way he's grown up. There's a nice exploration of families, of social class, and of the importance of knowing you're loved/giving love.

A couple of things didn't work for me, including the quick turn arounds of both boys when they'd hit rock bottom. I was hoping for a lot mo...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Maggie61 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: maggie-s-100-for-2013

Wow. Another powerful book. I'd have given it a 4.5. While I couldn't help but fly through this book so much of it made me actually gasp.
Dells life was a nightmare. Her dad was uncaring and unattentive, left the family for another woman. Her mom is just a really bad mother. Yes, she has an addiction problem but she shows Adele nothing but disdain and what seems like hatred. Her only friend Cara, is not much of a friend. Her main concern is crawling up that social ladder and how Dell is hinderin...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 17, 2013 Jodi Papazian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-reads

Empty was such a great read. It was so engaging that I blew threw it in one sitting. At some points, it is very difficult to read Dell's story. Her pain is so palpable through Walton's writing. I have to say that I was shocked by the ending but that I understood it.
I applaud K.M. Walton for writing this story. Bullying is such a part of so many people's lives (especially for the target age of the book) that I think it will resonate with just about every person who reads it. I was reminded a lo...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 05, 2013 Jenni Arndt rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: purchased-own

Talk about gut wrenching and extremely hard to read! empty (yes that small e was on purpose, that’s how it is on the cover) caught my eye on the shelf at the book store because of it’s shockingly white cover amongst all the blacks & reds at the book store. Upon picking it up I remembered that a friend of mine had read it and highly recommended it to me as a very good heavy issue book. I didn’t know much about the story other than it dealt heavily with weight. I wasn’t too sure which end of t...more Talk about gut wrenching and extremely hard to read! empty (yes that small e was on purpose, that’s how it is on the cover) caught my eye on the shelf at the book store because of it’s shockingly white cover amongst all the blacks & reds at the book store. Upon picking it up I remembered that a friend of mine had read it and highly recommended it to me as a very good heavy issue book. I didn’t know much about the story other than it dealt heavily with weight. I wasn’t too sure which end of the spectrum it dealt with because, let’s face it, I don’t actually read blurbs. So upon digging in and finding out that it deals with the gaining of weight, emotional eating and obesity I prepared myself for an emotional read that would touch on an issue very near and dear to my heart.

Adele, or Dell as her friend calls her, has been struggling with overeating and her weight gain since her father up and divorced her mother for a younger 2.0. Dell was such a frustrating character for me. She goes through some extremely difficult situations and keeps everything inside which just forces her farther into the downward spiral she is on. I wanted, so many times, for her to open up to her mom, of her friend Cara, or even someone at school. I, as an adult reader, knew that the majority of her problems at one point in the novel were just made exponentially worse by the fact that she kept everything inside. The emotions built up inside of her and the only way for her to make them go away was to fill her stomach up with something else, food. I have obesity in my family and I have seen exactly how emotions affect eating and weight gain. I think Walton did a phenomenal job at tackling this addiction (that is so often thrown off as NOT a valid addiction) in a very realistic light. Yes, it was very hard to read at times but it was real.

The relationships within these pages were so flawed. I really didn’t know how to gauge her friend Cara at any point in the novel. At one point she is encouraging Dell to act as a sumo wrestler and “moo” for the popular kids so they can be in the “in-crowd” but in the next breath she is pushing Adele to come out of her shell and use her amazing voice in the school talent show. Even at the end of the story I had no idea at all how to read her. I think she loved Adele a lot and I think she was genuinely worried about her well-being but her longing to be “cool” clouded her judgment in a lot of instances. Adele’s mom was struggling with prescription drug abuse and her dad was off with his new fling so neither of them were around to help her at all. The one beautiful relationship here was Adele’s love for her little sister Meggie.

Touching on bullying, rape, addiction and depression, empty will piss you off and it will make you feel for Adele. The ending is one that I will definitely be thinking about for a long time because it really ends at a total crossroads and we will never get to know where it goes. I really think it was the perfect ending for this story to let the reader take away from it what they will and I am sure that will be completely different for everyone. If you like heavy issue books that knock the wind out of you, pick this one up people.

--

You can read all of my reviews at Alluring Reads.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 04, 2013 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-must-read, january-2013, lady-reader-s-bookstuff

How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are re...more How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are reading K.M. sets up the plot and you are thinking okay this girl is over weight and she is bullied and all she wants is for someone to realize that she is hurting and no one not a one person comes to her rescue. To add insult to her her parents are divorced and her father is a complete douche and her mother is over worked and leaves her to raise her baby sister by herself.

To say this book struck a nerve is an understatement. I was violated by someone I thought I loved and trusted and he took that from me. It took a long time to get over it but with my best friend I got over it. In this story it is so tragic the way people bully and harass Dell the main character. So in Empty now that I have ranted enough we meet Dell and her best friend and only friend Cara. Dell plays softball but after gaining a lot of weight she is hindered. She still plays but then something happens to her and she is off the team. The weight complicates things for her but she can't help but eat. She is so depressed and angry that her father left them for another woman. She eats to find comfort and no matter how hard she tries she just can't diet. The pain and the anger consume her and she continues to eat.

Then at school her crush for forever Brandon bullies her and she complies with him. Every time he tells her to "moo" like a cow and act like a sumo wrestler she does it. In the hopes that he will one day like her.But Brandon is popular and is dating the most popular girl so Dell sits back and pines for his love and acceptance. Then one day Dell and Cara are at a party and Dell goes to find a bathroom when she encounters Brandon. What happens next is the story and I will not spoil it because you have to read it to believe it. At points in the book I had to go back and re-read what I read because I just could not believe what I was reading.K.M. has written such a beautiful and haunting story that it will grip you right from the first page and have you holding your breath at the end.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Dec 31, 2012 Ange (MarmaladeLibby of Libby Blog) Schmelzer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dell's life has slowly been crumbling around her ever since her father walked away from her family. But now, things seem to be stuck in fast forward...her best friend is getting farther and farther away, her mother is losing herself deeper in prescription pills, and the very thing that keeps her connected to the memory of her life with her father is about to slip right through her fingers.

Except no one sees her. Not really. Not the real her. How far is Dell willing to go to make them see her?

M...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 03, 2013 Evie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, contemporary, blog-tour, devastating, finished-copy, favorites, freaking-awesome, harrowing, heart-breaking, made-me-cry, loved-it, review-copy, signed-by-author, thought-provoking, ya

Harrowing, powerful and dark, Empty is, quite simply, an unforgettable read. It's a story of a girl who founds herself in a downward spiral of depression. A bleak and disturbing tale of desperation, bullying, rejection, self-loathing, betrayal, abuse and negligence. An irrefutably authentic, utterly engrossing and supremely readable novel that will leave you tear-streaked and emotionally drained. You absolutely can't afford to miss it.

Dell is overweight. Since last summer she has gained over 7...more Harrowing, powerful and dark, Empty is, quite simply, an unforgettable read. It's a story of a girl who founds herself in a downward spiral of depression. A bleak and disturbing tale of desperation, bullying, rejection, self-loathing, betrayal, abuse and negligence. An irrefutably authentic, utterly engrossing and supremely readable novel that will leave you tear-streaked and emotionally drained. You absolutely can't afford to miss it.

Dell is overweight. Since last summer she has gained over 70 pounds. Her life is a big mess. When her father checked out on her and her mom, Dell's "emotional eating" started. She turned to food for comfort and stress relief. Unsurprisingly, this has only made matters worse. Her weight quickly became an out-of-control problem, resulting in even more stress. Her plans for the future and carrier dreams were shattered when she got cut from the school's softball team. The only thing that's keeping her alive is her best friend, Cara, but she, too, seems to be getting more and more distant. Between problems at home and being ostracised at school, Dell finds herself in a very dark place. She is a tough girl. She puts on a brave face and pretends all the cruel jokes, mean remarks, stares and name-calling don't bother her, but on the inside she is crumbling.

Wow, what an incredibly affecting novel! I feel like my heart has been wrung out like a Shamwow! This one here is going on my-top-favorite shelf and I can definitely see myself coming back to it over and over again.

Dell's narrative voice is raw, realistic and infused with real emotions. She makes witty jokes and hides behind a mask of confidence and cynicism, but if you look closely you can easily see through her act. You can practically taste the sadness, the fear and the pain this girl is experiencing. You can hear her silent screams. You can feel her desperation and just how lost she is. And you end up genuinely caring for her. K.M. Walton's character development is masterful. All her characters - especially Dell - are convincing, complex and well-drawn. It's virtually impossible not to get emotionally involved in the unfolding events. This book sucks you right in and keeps you hooked on until the very end. I absolutely loved it.

It's not a secret that I appreciate well-written issue books that explore meaningful (and often difficult) subjects. And Empty is one of the best issue books I have ever read. It's poignant, thoughtful, intelligent and brutally honest. K.M. Walton does not hold back. This book is not for the faint hearted or overly sensitive people. It contains scenes of violence, abuse and some coarse language. And while it's a thought-provoking and eye-opening read, because of it's overpowering darkness I would not recommend it to people struggling with depression or eating disorders. It's just too depressing to stomach when being in a difficult place yourself.

Overall, Empty was a truly breathtaking and memorable read that will stay with me for a very long time. K.M Walton is undoubtedly a supremely gifted writer and I'll be sure to follow her writing carrier closely!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Nov 18, 2012 Kayla Eklund rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-and-edelweiss, reviews-completed

In Empty, K.M. Walton paints a very disturbing image on what it is like to be a high school student with an eating disorder. Ever since Dell's parents split up, her life seems to be tumbling down around her. She’s losing her best friend, her dad doesn’t want to spend any time with her, and her mom is addicted to prescription drugs. Worst of all, Dell can’t seem to stop eating. Even after she is full she takes comfort in eating more. Since her parents separated, she went from a size ten to a size...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 27, 2012 Kimberly Sabatini rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mg-ya

Walton writes books that matter. She writes with the intent of saving lives. There is a crude ugliness to the picture she paints with her words, but while the horror of Dell's story guts you, it also makes you weigh the cost of human cruelty. It makes you wonder why we carefully dole out kindness like it's a precious substance in high demand, instead of something that knows no limitations. Dell's story is so hard to read because it rings true. It is too close to the bullseye. There are more peop...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 24, 2012 Brandi Kosiner rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Is it possible to love a book and simultaneously rip out the last pages. If so, that is my feelings after reading Empty.
The ending hit me in a way to personal level and i cried and nearly didn't finish the book... I was hoping for something different to happen. It left me heartbroken and wishing that things could change in this world, as well as hurting for myself, and my family who some of these issues have hit way close to my heart.
That said, Adele is a character that could have been me in...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 06, 2013 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, signed

I have to say that EMPTY is one of the most tragic, gritty, raw and realistic stories that I have ever read. This is a story of a girl that has absolutely no self-esteem, no self worth, no respect for herself. Dell is a 16 year old high school student that deals with many, many issues throughout the book. One of Dell's biggest problems is that she is severely overweight. Like obese. Now, Dell wasn't always so heavy, most of the weight packed on as her life spiraled more and more down hill beginn...more I have to say that EMPTY is one of the most tragic, gritty, raw and realistic stories that I have ever read. This is a story of a girl that has absolutely no self-esteem, no self worth, no respect for herself. Dell is a 16 year old high school student that deals with many, many issues throughout the book. One of Dell's biggest problems is that she is severely overweight. Like obese. Now, Dell wasn't always so heavy, most of the weight packed on as her life spiraled more and more down hill beginning in Middle School when her father left their family for another woman. Dell is so deeply hurt by this and the super close relationship with her father that no longer exists, she starts binge eating to make herself feel whole again. Of course that doesn't actually work but it feels the hollow, empty feeling she has inside of her for a very brief time. Dell's home life is one of a true nightmare honestly. Her mother has completely fallen apart since her husband left her. She has become addicted to prescription drugs, completely ignores Dell and leaves the largest responsibility of all for Dell to deal with. Her baby sister. Still in diapers, not able to do anything for herself. Thank goodness too young still to realize what a crazy mess her parents have really become. Dell's life at school is not much different from her home life. She goes every day with a fake smile on her face, making horrifying jokes about herself before others can beat her to it and then laughing along with them like it doesn't bother her. Yet all the while, she is slowly dying inside and feels that she has absolutely no one to share her feelings and fears with. Not even her so-called best friend. Yeah, the same best friend she's had for years. The same best friend that doesn't stick up for her and doesn't really talk with her. Really, it's just the best friend that seems to be the best friend because it's convenient. While watching all of the horrors that Dell had to live through on a daily basis made me hurt inside for the child she never got to be, the teenager she never will be and the adult that may become as hateful and/or miserable as her own parents. Dell's story is one that unfortunately happens in many homes all over the world and that honestly breaks my heart. When I finished reading EMPTY, I could not just go on with my life as if everything were normal. I could not stop thinking of her and how simply wrong it was for her to have a life as she did. EMPTY will move you in so many ways, you will be thankful for the life you have, for the love and friendships you have. Dell's story is honest, brutal, harrowing, thought provoking and truly breathtaking. Walton has written a story that is tragic and very memorable. Dell's story will stay with me always. I encourage anyone and everyone to read it. Maybe some will actually see that the sun doesn't shine all the time for every one.

"EMPTY is Dell's story.

Dell's story is important.

Dell is in desperate pain.
Her pain is in her soul. Her heart. Her very skin."(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 06, 2013 Vivien Hogg rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, real-ish, guys

Well hot damn! FINALLY!! A book that really gets to the quick on issues like suicide, abuse and bullying for GUYS!!! - and from both POVs of the bully and the bullied.
[it seems to be the case that a bunch of authors got the memo that, done right, the double POV can work magic!]

I am so sad to say that this one flew under my radar until recently...on the plus side, this means that her second book - Empty - is already out and I can read it right away!!

Very well written - this was a gripper. It was...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 16, 2013 Mike Paulson rated it 5 of 5 stars

K.M. Walton's novel, "Cracked", was a powerfully emotional tale of two high school boys who end up roommates in a youth psych ward, but get there by two completely different routes.

Victor is a passive, self-proclaimed invisible boy. He takes what everyone gives him and internalizes the pain. William, nicknamed Bull, is a bully who learned by example from a physically abusive household. Bull beats up on Victor every chance he gets.

In the psych ward, Victor and Bull start to change their relations...more

like · see review

Jan 26, 2013 Jodi Papazian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-reads

Cracked tells the heartbreaking stories of Victor and Bull - two boys who are emotionally and physically abused at the hands of the ones who are supposed to love them the most.
K.M. Walton has an amazing ability to write characters who are so gripping and damaged that the reader becomes so attached to them. Not only that, but I felt emotionally entangled with Victor and Bull's stories. While both of them were so tragically sad, for some reason Victor's interactions with his parents made my stom...more

like · see review

Dec 23, 2012 Anne Willkomm rated it 5 of 5 stars

I met K.M. Walton at Children's Book World in Haverford, PA not too long ago at an author social. She and I chatted about YA writing and how it has so much to offer to both teens and adults - that it isn't "dumbed" down writing for a younger set. That night I purchased her book "Cracked, " and she graciously signed my copy.

This is the story to two boys: Bull and Victor -- the bully and the bullied, but this is not the crux of their story. "Cracked" is the story of two boys who are suffering at t...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 11, 2012 Jean rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

I find myself drawn to novels about young adults in mental institutions. In fact, I did a whole project on the subject while working on my master’s degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Chatham College. Though I never spent time in a mental hospital while a teenager, I have struggled with depression and anxiety since high school and relate to the stories of people who have reached the point of suicidal behavior. Reading stories of others, even fictional others, who have suffered mak...more I find myself drawn to novels about young adults in mental institutions. In fact, I did a whole project on the subject while working on my master’s degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Chatham College. Though I never spent time in a mental hospital while a teenager, I have struggled with depression and anxiety since high school and relate to the stories of people who have reached the point of suicidal behavior. Reading stories of others, even fictional others, who have suffered make me feel more normal. There are many good books on the subject, and I have just discovered another one. I recently attended a young adult author panel at my local independent bookstore (Doylestown Bookshop) where I chatted for a while with author K.M. Walton. She told me about her book Cracked, in which a bully nicknamed “Bull” and his victim, Victor, both end up in a mental institution at the same time. The book is told in dual perspective, jumping from Bull to Victor every other chapter. This is an excellent way to tell this story, and perhaps the only way that would be effective. By being in both boys’ heads, we can understand each of them and see the similarities in their lives before they do. We see Bull’s miserable home life that has lead him to bullying Victor. We see Victor’s uncaring parents that lead him to attempt suicide. When the boys end up roommates at the hospital, we know why each of them is there, but we get to watch as they slowly figure each other’s stories out.

What I find most amazing in this book is Walton’s ability to make Bull’s character so sympathetic right away. His story is arguably the more tragic of the two, and I found myself torn between wanting him to find happiness and protection and wanting to slap him for taking his sucky life out on someone else. The author writes each character in such a way that we can feel like we know and understand them. Though the story progresses in a somewhat predictable way (the boys find a peace between each other in the end and have a better life waiting for them), I enjoyed the whole read. I don’t know how Walton managed to write the voices of troubled teenage boys so well, but they seemed liked real teens you could find at a local high school. Whether you have had personal experience or not with mental illness, bullying, or abuse, you should read this book to remind yourself that people who seem fine are often crying out for someone to listen. Maybe you can help.
(less)

like · see review

Jun 30, 2012 Sleepydeeer rated it 5 of 5 stars

i believe Victor's narrative has done justice to all the teenagers suffering in silence today. Let's take a step back and take a look at what we can take away from this book.

1. You can be free, nothing is over, as long as you're still alive.
2. Everyone is hurting, everyone, seeing isn't believing. So don't pick on somebody carelessly just like that. You never know what mental torture you're doing to that person.
3. Likewise Bull (or William), no matter how hopeless your family background may see...more i believe Victor's narrative has done justice to all the teenagers suffering in silence today. Let's take a step back and take a look at what we can take away from this book.

1. You can be free, nothing is over, as long as you're still alive.
2. Everyone is hurting, everyone, seeing isn't believing. So don't pick on somebody carelessly just like that. You never know what mental torture you're doing to that person.
3. Likewise Bull (or William), no matter how hopeless your family background may seem, don't give up your dreams, fight for it. If you love reading, then go for it, go earn your own money and do what you want to.
4. It's okay to have your own opinions, it's even more okay to feel something. We're born to this world and we're definitely entitled to have feelings.
5. Stay strong, you're worth it, and never ever give up. Things will get better and you should be there to see it. As long as you're patient enough, one day, your Kell and Patty Cullen will come.

Starting from the beginning of the book, I just couldn't bring myself to hate Bull for his doings. I had a mini argument with myself about how Bull shouldn't have picked on Victor, he could've picked on the popular asses instead. But then again, you never know, those asses probably have a problem of their own too. So no excuses for Bull. But his grandfather was the one that driven him this way. So do we hate Pop? No, because he was probably really miserable about the fact that his wife died, he probably couldn't handle it and that's why he shifted the blame to Bull. But here's the thing, "if it felt like hell to you, en why would you want to put them through what you went through?" We shouldn't condone bullying just because "behind bitchy attitude comes a story". No, everyone has stories and do everyone just come upfront and be asses and bitches? No, and that's where people get hurt and you set a spark off them, their done. Would you have liked it this way? The world would've been so much better, likewise in the group session of this book, if everyone would just stop acting cool and start confessing and be truthful about their feelings.

This book made me cry, hard. It was a really emotional book where you find yourself cheering for Victor and Bull at the end of the book.

First was how Victor threw his things around after his dog died, I felt like he was releasing his pent up anger, it made me upset he had to go through all that. Then was when Victor committed his suicide where he decided to take more and more and more pills like the whole bottle wasn't enough. It was like he wanted more than just "out" he wanted to inflict more pain on himself, he wanted to hurt himself because the hurt he felt was worse than dying. And following was when Victor woke up worrying about his grandmother. I just literally bawled because you know you have to be really really depressed before it drives to suicide. He was already feeling that much pain and yet from the start of his attempt of suicide he was still thinking about his grandmother and how she would be the one to find him. It hurts me to know even at the brink of death, he felt terrible for letting his grandmother, someone he wasn't particularly close to, find instead of feeling terrible for himself and go into a full of self pity and despair going, "my life sucks" Victor is like the kindest soul I have met, why do kind people like him have to be bullied, WHY?

and next was Bull, when he pulled the trigger to shoot his grandad. I hated how his grandad dared him to pull the trigger. It hurts me to see Bull killing his own kin, it must've hurt a lot more for him to kill someone of his own family, no matter ow much you hated them.

I loved this book, and I'll definitely read it again, and definitely cry again.(less)

like · see review

Jun 03, 2012 Lablover rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book has been touted as a great book about bullying. It does give a very clear picture of what can happen to individuals when they are the pushed to the extreme of being the target of bullies, whether they be adult or peers. The author also gives a good internal perspective of what the teens are feelings as victims of their situations. This story seemed more of a lesson in "don't judge a book by its cover" than in bullying. (Maybe teens will gain some perspective from it.)I was hoping to s...more This book has been touted as a great book about bullying. It does give a very clear picture of what can happen to individuals when they are the pushed to the extreme of being the target of bullies, whether they be adult or peers. The author also gives a good internal perspective of what the teens are feelings as victims of their situations. This story seemed more of a lesson in "don't judge a book by its cover" than in bullying. (Maybe teens will gain some perspective from it.)I was hoping to see more of what happens within the school environment as that is where we hear about the problems occurring the most. And as an educator we are often the people who receive the blame for "allowing" the bullying to occur. (We don't allow it, our hands are tied by administrators who are will not stand up to parents.)
The two main characters are victims of a type of bullying. However, they are more victims of horrible home lives. It was not what we in educational circles have come to know as bullying in the traditional sense. Victor comes from a wealthy home, where great is never good enough. He is an unwanted eyesore on his mother's $10,000 couch. Yes, Victor is the target of Bull's physical violence, and taunts. But Bull's issues are even more a matter of his life at home. Bull is from a very poor home where alcoholism and abuse is a routine. Bull you aren't supposed to expect to be intelligent and Victor isn't supposed to have any problems at home. But underneath each person has their issues to deal with as well as their strengths. I guess I wasn't expecting such predictability because there has been so much hype about how great it is. The young adult reader will probably enjoy it. I think I was just let down by all the things I heard.
The ending seemed a bit unrealistic to me in that two teenage boys open up within a matter of days about what is going on in their lives and each one has an adult hero sweep in and start caring for them. That doesn't happen very often. It had too much of a fairy tale ending.
(less)

3 likes · like · see review

May 27, 2012 BAYA Librarian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Victor is the quiet kid in class who gets picked on and bullied on a daily basis. His home life is no better. His parents blame the majority of life’s problems on their son, stating that if it was not for him life would be perfect.

Bull (as you could probably tell by the name) is the primary bully in school. He comes from a broken home where he lives with his alcoholic mother and abusive grandfather. Bull is both physically and mentally abused, so he in turn takes all of his anger and frustratio...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 02, 2012 Caitlin rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book follows two boys: Bull, a teenage boy who is abused by his mom and grandfather, never has enough to eat, has to hide and read in a graveyard, has an drug dealing uncle, and takes out all his anger on one kid, Victor. Victor is shunned by his parents(he's never good enough), has no friends, gets picked on and beat up constantly by Bull, and can't trust anybody but his dog. But after a series of unfortunate events, Bull and Victor end up roommates in the hospital after attempted suicide....more

like · see review

Mar 02, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya

“Cracked” by K. M. Walton is the story of two teenage boys who have grown up together. One of them, Bull, has bullied Victor ever since they were small. The book alternates chapters between Bull and Victor. We learn that Bull lives with a drunken grandfather who constantly beats him and a mother who thinks he should have never been born. He takes his anger about his situation on the kids in school, especially Victor. Bull is from the poor side of town; Victor is from the wealthy side. We learn t...more

like · see review

Jan 25, 2012 Karen Yingling rated it 2 of 5 stars

Bull has a terrible home life. His mother got pregnant in a chance encounter, and his grandfather feels Bull’s birth killed his grandmother and ruined his own life. Both his mother and grandfather are sloppy, abusive drunks who don’t take care of Bull at all. The house is a filthy mess, and the inadequate food is often fouled with mouse turds. Bull takes out his frustration on children at school, including Victor. While Victor lives in a nice house with wealthy parents, his parents wish he was n...more

like · see review

Jan 21, 2012 Maggie61 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: maggie-favourite-teen-young-adult, maggie-s-100-for-2012

Loved this author's writing style as well as story line.
We have one boy being bullied by the same kid most of his school life. He is an outcast with no friends. He is invisible to his parents who remind him he was an accident and generally ignore his whole existence except when he may do something to inconvenience their lives. After his dog who was the only one that valued him passes away he is devestated and swallows a bottle of pills.
Then there is the second boy. The bully. And as we are sho...more

1 like · like · see review

title link	preview: Cracked
avg rating	preview: Cracked Goodreads rating: 3.96 (978 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9930875-cracked?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1305728287l/9930875.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9930875-cracked?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Cracked by K.M. Walton[/url]

Cracked

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (8)

Videos About This Book

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About K.M. Walton

Books by K.M. Walton

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Cracked