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Exposed by RJ Crayton.
Virus series #2.
A good read. Likeable story and characters. Ellaan is growing on me. Just couldn't get into it. 3*.

I really like the way this series is structured, coming out in three shorter, easy to digest parts rather than being a huge 700 page book. That motivates me to keep reading when I think I'm accomplishing it all very quickly!. The plot carried over from Concealed felt a little dull in this second installment. Most of the story followed the three young protagonists making their way from one place to another, but I hope the slower, less interesting details will come back in an important way in the final book. Again, the length of this novel made it very quick and satisfying to read. I think breaking up a dystopian story into smaller parts makes everything easier because a long book can feel like too much to read all at once. Crayton breaks the story at great spots in the narrative where there's a cliffhanger that keeps you wanting to read the next part.

Disclaimer: I received these books from netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Rating: 3/5

Publication Date: May 21, 2016

Genre: YA Dystopian

Recommended Age: u/n as DNFed

Pages: 204

Author Website

Amazon Link

Synopsis: They said it was extremely hard to get. They said it wasn't airborne. They said there was nothing to fear. They were wrong. Seventeen-year-old Elaan Woodson was supposed to be one of the lucky ones. She got one of the few spots in the subterranean protection unit designed to keep select scientists, military officials and their families safe from the deadly virus ravaging the world above. But, how lucky are you really when the people in charge and those you love keep secrets from you? While Elaan has heard that what you don't know can't hurt you, she's beginning to think otherwise. And she should...

I had to end up DNF-ing this book because I just felt that the book moved too slowly for me and I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. There was a lot going on in the book as well and in my opinion I just wouldn’t be happy with the book if I forced myself to continue it. Unfortunately I also requested the other books in this series so I’ll have to DNF them too.

Verdict: DNFed

I actually found the second book of the series a bit more interesting than the first maybe because I knew a bit more of what was going on and was used to the author's style of writing. It is enough that I was interested in going on to read book three. It is a pretty nice apocalyptic series for the YA group.

After the events of concealed, I couldn't wait to get into Exposed as soon as I could. This story immediately picks up where the events of the first left off so it is really easy to see how the characters have progressed through the first novel into the second. I really loved Elaan and Josh although at times I was really confused about their actual ages as they seem far more mature than anyone else their age. There are also several new characters introduced in Exposed and we can see that every characters personality traits play into the overall plot so no one seems useless or surplus to requirement. There are many things revealed about the characters that to an extent provide answers to the questions that popped up while reading Concealed.

The plot also advances in ways I didn't expect. while Concealed dealt with a lot of science Exposed focused more on the humanity of the situations and the characters reactions to different situations which I enjoyed immensely although I felt the scientific elements where needed and they were majorly underplayed in Exposed. Now the problem with any series of books is that some books can suffer from middle book syndrome which Exposed, unfortunately, does as there are massive chunks in the middle of the novel where literally nothing happens and after the action-packed fast-paced first book I was a little disappointed.

Overall though, I found Exposed to be a decent sequel to Concealed, despite the middle book syndrome Exposed has mountains of character developed and the plot gains a much better footing to ready us the reader for the final novel Contained. This series is rather enjoyable but it does have its faults. For fans of the dystopian genre, I would really recommend Concealed and Exposed. I can't wait to see how this series ends in Contained.

I read the first book of this series and it was all exposition, no plot - very disappointing since the premise had a lot of potential. This second book just seemed to go "and then...and then...and then..." without really developing anything more.

This book had a great start, with lots of action happening, but then it slowed down for way too long, in my opinion. It finally did pick up a bit, but not enough, causing me to not thoroughly enjoy it. I think it was the lack of descriptions in certain areas where it just seemed a bit too vague to me too. It happened too often. I want my descriptions! And the whole constant battle with hating the mother because of her lie seemed quite pathetic after a while. First of all, the mother always lived with telling the truth, so by telling one lie for a enormously good reason, didn't seem like the kids would act that way about her. I personally would've forgiven her after the first initial realization that it was a lie. She had the best reasons behind it. And the fact that they kept bringing it up, bugged me.

The story centers around 3 teenagers; brother and sister Lijah and Elaan and their friend Josh. After the world is plagued by a deadly virus, their mothers are now dead and their scientist fathers are desperately trying to save the world in a now post-apocolyptan planet.

I love any dystopian/speculative fiction, it's definitely my go to genre. Be it zombies, robots, virus or natural disaster I am their with a front row seat and this series didn't disappoint.

With the world in pieces and the select few survivors being immune or carriers the friend must travel across the country to try and save themselves.

To cut a lengthy review short the series was a great choppy dystopian read. With each book being about 200 pages long part of me felt it could be condensed into one large book or expanded into 3 much bigger reads.

I found that all the books lacked a massive amount of world building. In fact, there was next to no world building. But there was huge amounts of inner monologue from Elaain... too much. I just wished that the massive chunks of book taken up by Elaain's rambeling thoughts had been used to create a better picture of the world. As the series went on I began to find Elaain more and more annoying. So there were certian occasions where I too would of been asking questions just not continually and constantly the whole way through.

However, it was nice to see 3 main'ish characters for a refreshing change, and I like that fact that the whole storyline wasn't taken over by a soppy love story.

As a side note, Lijah's storyline about his sexuality was a non issue.

In summary it's a great series for any dystopian lover. They are choppy, exciting, fast paced easy reads.

REVIEW
After finishing Contained I needed to know more! The cliffhanger situation book one had left my favourite teen characters in, had me starting book two Exposed straight away!

The cover of Exposed gives the impression of a situation that has become even worse than in Contained. It's a grey/white background with the same symbol on the front cover. This time the colour of symbol is a more orangey red. As the title suggests that the virus is worsening and maybe means more people have been or are being Exposed to the virus and its mutation. The byline is, "She is their one chance for safety. Now they must find her." Again this really works well as a teaser for the book.

Elaan has given Elijah the letter his father wrote him, and then finds one of her own. The siblings read their own letters and then swap over to read each others, which is a good job as the information they need is spread between the letters as an extra security measure. I love the fact that their father James knows his daughter Elaan so well he knows she will want to keep what may be the last letter/communication she ever has with her father. So her father has done a small letter on a separate sheet that she can keep and gives instructions to destroy the information letters.
The teens check exactly what is contained in their backpacks as secretly as possible in front of Boxcar Willie, who wants payment for getting them through the checkpoints. Boxcar Willie has already suggested that he "have a couple of nights" with Elaan as payment. Naturally both her brother and boyfriend are dead set against this. Though Elaan actually quietly considers it if it is their only chance for escape.
The teens have learnt that cash is almost worthless, the currency is jewellery and items that can be bartered for other things. Elijah and Elaan find the special coins their parents bought them every year for their birthdays, whereas Josh has cash, and lots of it! Elijah splits their "currency" three ways, though always takes the smaller cut, be it in the valauble coins of the cash. Determined to be fair with Josh and wanted to make sure his sister has every chance possible.

So as the blurb already tells you, Elaan, Josh and Lijah are out of the supposed safety of the Scientist Protection site underground. they are above ground attempting to follow a hastily drawn map that will take them to the last person they thought they would be seeking out for a chance at a place of safety. Elijah has shown the map to Joshua as he has a photographic memory, then given the map to Elaan and at her suggestion drawn a rough map outline for himself in the event they get separated. Elijah has also made Josh promise to take care of Elaan and make sure they follow the map to the person their father is sending them to.
So I want to explain a little about the character but obviously want to leave most of the surprises intact for you to unlock yourselves as you go through the series. What I can tell you about the person who represents safety is that they are female and is related to the man called Mark Dayton who initially, unknowingly brought the virus to America. This means his sister is a "carrier". She is relatively safe so long as she doesn't come into contact with the Helnona virus as if she does she will then become a carrier and spread the virus.

As Elijah predicted the three teens do get split up. Josh and Elaan are together and Elijah, the eldest of the three on his own. Elijah knows in his heart he can count of Josh getting Elaan to safety or doing everything possible to keep her safe. Elaan is naturally worried about her elder brother, and wants to wait around or search around for him but Josh insists that Elijah would want them to continue with their plan, and that Elijah will either catch up with them or meet them at their destination.

Elaan and Josh walk and make "camp" where ever they can find a safe place. They eventually come across a tandem. Though the tandem is a great find, when Elaan finds it's previous owners it turns into a horrifying find too! The tandem certainly cuts time off their journey much quicker than walking until they end up with a puncture. It's then they meet another person who they later find out is distantly part of the Dayton family. The name that no one utters or wishes to be associated with, as to be related means an immediate death sentence. The man they meet is called Lee, he stops to help as Elaan reminds him of his own daughter that he has sadly lost contact with due to the outbreak and progression of the virus.

I really loved the character of Lee, the way despite the chance that Josh and Elaan may have the virus or want to rob him, he still stops and offers his help. Of course after the incident with Boxcar-Willie both teens are a little skeptical about what this strange man may want in return from them. When the teens go with Lee to his home, they see evidence themselves that in fact Elaan does look remarkably like his daughter, though that fact both puts them at ease whilst making them a little edgy at the same time.

Whilst all the above has been happening to Elaan and Josh, Elijah has been having a dilemma of his own. Should he do as he promised his sister and make his way to the destination their father wishes them to go and stay at. To be honest Elijah had only ever intended to take Elaan there and then go his own way alone, but now he is alone already maybe he doesn't need to even see the woman their father was sending him to. He is sure that Josh is has the same chances of getting Elaan to safety as he would have. Maybe he could just go it alone now. Then Lijah thinks about his little sister Elaan, what would she want him to do? She'd want to see him and make sure he was safe after the way they were separated. Finally he decides he needs to check Elaan is safe, let her know he is fine and then he can go off alone and do whatever he wants.

Elaan and Josh can't believe how deserted everywhere is until they hear a rumour that the government may have purposely sent out military personnel virus carriers out to spread even more death and destruction.

Again I was hooked to this book from the first word to the very last one! And yep I was so engrossed in the plot and the author had made me feel so connected to it's characters that had to immediately begin reading the final installment in the Virus Series!
The book is from either Elaan's point of view or later in the book we have chapters from the points of view of both Josh and Elijah. I love the sibling relationship between Elaan and Elijah, they clearly love each other over anything and anyone else, and yes, they may have their differences such as the fact whether or not Elaan should be going into a relationship with Josh but when needed they are there and are prepared to do whatever is necessary for each others safety.

I've probably rattled on enough but I always like to share my immediate thoughts on finishing the book, though I have had to edit out anything spoilery this time! So here's the questions and thoughts running through my mind as I finished Exposed:
There's so much more to be unraveled.....as well as learning what is now going on at the scientist protection complex now the teens have escaped? Did the General ever return? How have those inside survived with no food deliveries from 'up top'? Have Dr James Woodson and Dr Kingston Wells made a vaccine yet? Or maybe made a cure for the infected? Are the government still after Elijah, Elaan and Josh? or do the three teens have bigger problems with the rumours of military personnel being made into carriers and being sent out into what is left of an already dying world?
And yes! I did begin reading Contained straight away, highly addictive series!