Crash and Burn by Michael Hassan

Release date: February 19th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 544 Pages
Series: None
Format: Hardcover
Source: From the publisher
Reason: For review
Browse Inside: Crash and Burn
Buy the Book: Amazon CA | Amazon| The BD

On April 21, 2008, Steven "Crash" Crashinsky saved more than a thousand people when he stopped his classmate David Burnett from taking their high school hostage armed with assault weapons and high-powered explosives. You likely already know what came after for Crash: the nationwide notoriety, the college recruitment, and, of course, the book deal. What you might not know is what came before: a story of two teens whose lives have been inextricably linked since grade school, who were destined, some say, to meet that day in the teachers' lounge of Meadows High. And what you definitely don't know are the words that Burn whispered to Crash right as the siege was ending, a secret that Crash has never revealed.

Until now.

Michael Hassan's shattering novel is a tale of first love and first hate, the story of two high school seniors and the morning that changed their lives forever. It's a portrait of the modern American teenage male, in all his brash, disillusioned, oversexed, schizophrenic, drunk, nihilistic, hopeful, ADHD-diagnosed glory. And it's a powerful meditation on how normal it is to be screwed up, and how screwed up it is to be normal.

I don't do a rating system anymore. I thought "If someone sees that I rated a book 4 stars, then they won't continue to read the review" Well this is the first time since I took away my rating system, that I just wanted to post a giant 5 star rating and explain to all of you why this book was, in every sense of the word utterly amazing!

It's been a while since I've read a novel that was almost entirely character based. Yes, there is a main storyline taking place in the novel, but it more so surrounds the characters, their stories and how they all connect into the main event. Michael Hassan crafted each character so precisely. Each character has such different personalities. Not one blended into the other.

Let's talk about Steven "Crash" Crashinsky; One of the most real, well written teenage characters I think I have ever read. We all come across characters that we adore, but sometimes there is something unrealistic or sugar coated with them. Not the case with Crash, he is raw, uncensored...Just real. The author didn't sugar coat one moment with Crash. He swears, smokes weed, hooks up with girls...He is vulnerable and deep down, good hearted. There were moments with Crash were you can see his real self, stripped down; Fear, anxiety, anger.

Now it's David "Burn" Burnett's turn. He is truly one unforgettable character. Both Crash and Burn will leave an impact on you in one way or another. There were moments where my heart ached for David. Then there were moments where I was terrified and he actually made my spine tingle!

Crash and Burn takes place over a span of time of about 10 years. From the moment David and Steven meet in elementary school till the moment Steven saves the school in 2008. The novel touches on many subjects, 9/11, sex, drugs, mental illness, etc. It definitely packs a lot of punch! But it is packaged so well, that it seems that every single part of this novel was necessary. Every moment of each characters story was needed to get the full effect!

It is almost shocking that this is Michael Hassan's debut novel. From his writing style in Crash and Burn he pens like a seasoned writer. Crash and Burn is a modern classic; a book with longevity. We are going to be seeing this one stocked along side the literary classics 20 years from now!

Crash and Burn is a good sized novel, but don't let the size fool you. This is one you will lose all sense of time with! If I didn't have to stop to eat, work and sleep I would have devoured this novel in one sitting!

Sum it up with a Song