An Emotional Verse Novel
4.5 stars
Exposed is a quick reading, taking me just over an hour to finish, but it's also hard-hitting and emotional. Kimberly Marcus' use of verse wondrously illustrates how quickly 16 year old Liz's life falls apart. How her best friend, her brother, and her photography come crashing down around her.
The thing I love about verse novels is that they're a fast read, but on top of that, they tend to be so well-written that the characters come to life vividly and with startling clarity. Exposed has that. Liz is a complete person in the novel, with a best friend, a family, and a future. She seems to have everything going for her, until she doesn't. I don't want to say exactly what happens, but it's something that tears her in two. The reader will feel how split Liz is about the situation, not knowing who to support and defend and who she should be angry with.
The writing not only tells a good story, but it evokes a great deal of emotion. Liz's disintegrating world will pull the reader along, not sure who to believe or what to feel. Liz's photography within the story strengthens her character even as she's losing it. I love how Liz sees the world through a lens at the beginning, but as the story moves on, her lens becomes clouded, until she can't see anything anymore. The photography aspects allow for some great lines, as well as some great metaphorical musings.
The other characters involved may not be completely fleshed out, but they each add to the story. I couldn't help but find myself angry at Kate, at Liz's brother Mike, at her parents, and her boyfriend, but then I was angry for them to; angry that they had to go through this, that they each have to suffer. Much like Liz, I was constantly torn between two states, not sure which side I was going to land on, or if I could straddle that line forever.
Exposed is a deftly-written, emotional, and somehow hopeful verse novel about losing everything, but still making it. It tackles a hard subject realistically and from an almost outsider's perspective. Liz is outsider in the situation, but beyond close at the same time. The writing is phenomenal and had me near tears at times because this could happen, this does happen, and this is how most people probably handle it. If you're a fan of verse novels or contemporary young adult fiction, then this one is for you.
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