Traffick

As someone who has followed Ellen Hopkins' work since her groundbreaking novel Crank, I was eager to dive into this companion audiobook to Tricks. The storytelling is as powerful as ever, with Hopkins expertly weaving together the individual stories of five teenagers caught in the cruel grip of sex trafficking. The narration is top-notch, with each voice perfectly captured by a different talented narrator. The pacing is well-judged, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the characters' struggles and triumphs. However, the occasional repetition of certain phrases or descriptions feels a bit forced at times, and I found myself wishing for a more nuanced exploration of the characters' relationships with their abusers. Overall, though, Traffick is a must-listen for fans of gritty YA fiction and those looking to educate themselves on the horrors of human trafficking.