Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston Review

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS NOVEL DEALS WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT As stated, this novel deals with sexual assault and violence. Please read with caution. If you or a loved one have experienced sexual assault or have been directly impacted by sexual violence, please reach out for help at 800-656-4673 or visit RAINN for more information. This review does not contain explicit description of sexual assault or violence. No major spoilers are discussed or mentioned. I honestly have to say that this novel has impacted me in so many ways that I am unable to describe how moved I am by Johnston's words. Hermione's character has been through the unimaginable, and I have the upmost respect for her and the way that she was able to cope with the assault. Dealing with material such as what is discussed in the novel takes serious understanding of what is occurring to Hermione and seeing how the people around her react to the situation. I found that multiple times that Johnston's words had moved me to tears as Hermione's story moved on, and discovered that those around a victim may not react the way that they are expected to. The students and adults who were involved in Hermione's life had influenced her decisions, but I had gained so much respect for Hermione when she took her fate in her own hands and would not let the "curse" of her high school change the course of her future as well as her being. Especially regarding the horrific event that Hermione has gone through, Johnston writes in the most powering and unflinching manner of the hardships and obstacles that Hermione has to go through, including dealing with rumors and her boyfriend, Leo. In my most sincere opinion, Exit, Pursued by a Bear, is one of the most impactful and riveting novels that I have read in years, and is a story that all must hear. Johnston does an outstanding job in the depiction of the aftermath of a sexual assault as well as the internal struggles that are commonly overlooked. You are there with Hermione through it - from the initial assault all the way to the end, and as you travel alongside her as she begins to remember the night of the attack as well as respond to the reactions of her classmates and the events after the assault. As a topic that is not discussed often among the young adult community, this novel takes storm as Johnston creates a story that is all too real for many people, and opens the eyes of the reader. I definitely recommend this novel to older and mature readers, as this is a topic that can take a serious toll on the reader, or may trigger some readers. That being said, with such a hard topic to discuss, Johnston did a fantastic job in showing all sides of the trauma that was experienced - it was not looked over and dismissed, but rather addressed to the readers. The interactions that Hermione has with other characters is raw, and the readers are truly in her mind as she lives through this trauma. Because this is a topic that many people are weary of discussing, this novel really allows a healthy discussion of sexual assault and the repercussions it has on the victim, their life, and those around them. If you have read The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith, you will find a similarity in the way true honesty that Johnston writes in Hermione's story. You can add Exit, Pursued by a Bear on Goodreads now, and follow the author to keep up to date on publications and releases. You can catch up with me and my current reads by friending me on Goodreads and following this blog in order to stay up-to-date with any reviews, blog tours, and more!