Book Review: Cracked by K.M. Walton

Title: Cracked
Author: K.M. Walton

Sometimes there's no easy way out.Victor hates his life. He has no friends, gets beaten up at school, and his parents are always criticizing him. Tired of feeling miserable, Victor takes a bottle of his mother's sleeping pills—only to wake up in the hospital.

Bull is angry, and takes all of his rage out on Victor. That makes him feel better, at least a little. But it doesn't stop Bull's grandfather from getting drunk and hitting him. So Bull tries to defend himself with a loaded gun.

When Victor and Bull end up as roommates in the same psych ward, there's no way to escape each other or their problems. Which means things are going to get worse—much worse—before they get better…. 

I read this book in a little over a day, which, in my world, means I found the characters realistic and likable.  Realistic fiction is my absolute favorite genre, so I knew I'd devour this book about two teen boys who are struggling with their completely opposite lives.  Victor comes from a well-off family and is the object of Bull's anger; Bull lives in abject poverty and is just downright mean (with reason, of course).  Teens (grades 8 and up) will find this book fast-paced, realistic, and easy to read.  The only problem I had with the book is with how fast Bull figured out the error of his ways.  In the beginning Bull doesn't care about anyone or anything, and all of the sudden he feels bad for what he did.  Hmmmmm . . . .  that seemed a little unrealistic.  Overall, I'd rate it 4 out of 5 stars - good message for teens, true to life, and honest.  FYI - There are parts that some parents might find objectionable, but that is true for most YA books, isn't it?