Identical (2008) is a novel about abuse. It tells the story of Kaeleigh and Raeanne, two sixteen-year-old identical twins with a seemingly normal life. Their parents are both involved in the prestigious—their father is a district court judge, and their mother is a politician. Beyond the surface, however, their life is anything but perfect. When they were girls, they were in the car when their father got in a car accident. At the time, they thought it was an accident, but it turned out to be more nefarious. Additionally, their mother is never at home, perhaps doing something just as bad. Because of their parent's strange behavior, Raeanne turns to illicit substances. On the other hand, Kaeleigh, whose father has been sexually abused for years, starts cutting herself. The same is true for both girls, though: they will do anything to feel alive and free.
Although Identical isn't as widely read as Hopkins' other works, it still received exceptionally positive reviews—and became an instant bestseller—when it was published. In their review of the novel, Kirkus Reviews said that "Hopkins’s gift with free verse reaches new heights [with Identical]" and said that the novel is "Sharp and stunning, with a brilliant final page."
