Identical Audiobook by Ellen Hopkins

Summary

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the pages of this captivating audiobook. Whether you’re an avid reader or a newcomer to the world of audiobooks, this unique listening experience is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and skilled narration, this audiobook transports you into a realm where the boundaries between reality and fantasy seamlessly blur.

Audiobook Info

Author: Ellen Hopkins
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Duration: 12 hours and 30 minutes
Publisher: HarperAudio
Release Date: October 4, 2022

Review

Few young adult thrillers dare to plumb the depths of family secrets and psychological complexity with the raw intensity found in Ellen Hopkins’s “Identical.” While many listeners may approach for the intrigue of a twisted mystery, it’s the combination of nuanced character work and Julia Whelan’s masterful narration that transforms this story into an immersive emotional experience.

Let’s start with what immediately distinguishes “Identical” from its peers: Julia Whelan’s performance. Whelan is no stranger to challenging material, but here she truly outdoes herself. Her ability to channel both Kae and April – the troubled twin sisters at the heart of Hopkins’s labyrinthine narrative – is nothing short of astonishing. Each sister emerges as distinctly individual through tone, pacing, and subtle inflection, giving listeners effortless clarity even as perspectives blur and secrets come tumbling out. Whelan’s delivery captures every tremor of uncertainty, every flicker of hope or dread, so intimately that you’ll feel almost complicit in their unraveling journey.

Hopkins crafts her tale with a deft hand for suspense and emotional resonance. The plot unspools gradually: Kae is haunted by childhood trauma and obsessed with discovering what truly happened all those years ago; April struggles with feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and guilt. Both are ensnared not only by family dysfunction but also by their own unreliable perceptions – Hopkins blurs reality and memory in ways that keep you second-guessing until the very end. The result? A relentless sense of unease that hooks you from chapter one.

What sets “Identical” apart isn’t just its central mystery – it’s how deeply invested you become in these sisters’ fates. Hopkins doesn’t shy away from hard-hitting topics: identity crises, trauma recovery, sibling rivalry taken to chilling extremes. Yet she balances darkness with glimpses of tenderness, grounding even the most shocking revelations in authentic emotion. The pace can ebb at times – some chapters linger on introspection – but for those who savor character-driven suspense with real psychological stakes, every moment feels earned.

Whelan’s narration amplifies these strengths brilliantly. There are passages where her voice quivers with vulnerability or sharpens into accusation so convincingly that it sends chills down your spine. Her reading draws out the lyricism in Hopkins’s prose while never sacrificing narrative momentum – a rare feat in young adult audiobooks.

Ultimately, “Identical” isn’t just about uncovering what happened; it’s about confronting uncomfortable truths within ourselves and our families. For listeners craving more than surface-level drama – for those who appreciate stories where characters leap off the page (and into your headphones) – this audiobook delivers on all fronts.

Download & Listen

Ready to lose yourself in one of young adult fiction’s most haunting tales? Download “Identical” by Ellen Hopkins today from KTAudiobooks.com and let Julia Whelan guide you through every twist, secret, and revelation lurking beneath the surface. This isn’t just another mystery – it’s a deeply human story about identity and resilience that will echo long after the final chapter ends. Don’t miss your chance to experience its full impact – start listening now!

Status: Completed Version: Unabridged Genre: Teen & Young Adult Author: Ellen Hopkins Narrator: Laura Flanagan Updated: 25/11/2025 Listening Time: