Possession (Possession, #1) by Elana Johnson
Reading Level: Young Adult
Release Date: Available Now
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 416
Summary: Vi knows the Rule: Girls don’t walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn…and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi’s future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they’re set on convincing Vi to become one of them….starting by brainwashed Zenn. Vi can’t leave Zenn in the Thinkers’ hands, but she’s wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous: everything Zenn’s not. Vi can’t quite trust Jag and can’t quite resist him, but she also can’t give up on Zenn. This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.
My Review: Lately, I've been on a dystopian high, so what better way to continue it than with Elana's debut, Possession. Amongst the many releases, this novel sustains a uniquely based approach to a controlled society whose main domination lies within the human mind. Free thinking is frowned upon, thanks to the Thinkers and mechs running around alerting people with lawful accusations and brainwashing mind tricks. The story opens up with Vi and Zenn secretly meeting each other, based on the Thinker's match between the two, they saw no wrong in breaking a few rules. Which unfortunately ended with Vi taken away for her continuous rebellion and jailed in a cell with the adorable Jag. Vi, comes across as a strong individual who will fight tooth and nail to keep her thoughts to herself. I admired that trait in her, but the constant whining quality behind her loss of Zenn was quite annoying.
Another aspect that turned me off was how quickly she started establishing feelings towards Jag. However in defense to Elana's structure, everything in the end started making sense as to why these emotions took on an earlier start. Throughout, the journey with Jag and Vi's escape to the Badlands, the story took on a confusing world-wind of events. But, the excitement quality was still present even though I had to read carefully to keep up. Once they reached the Badlands, where people had the ability to live normally, secrets and betrayals started to surfacing, making it that much more juicy. All in all, the potential was striking enough to keep you interested from start to finish. I'm looking forward to see Elana grow this series into something special with a better execution.
My Rating: 
(3.5)
(3.5)Author's Info:
Elana Johnson wishes she could experience her first kiss again, tell the mean girl where to shove it, and have cool superpowers like reading minds and controlling fire. Using her boring human powers, she graduated from Southern Utah University with Summa Cum Laude honors in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics. She started her teaching career as an upper grade music and art specialist. After a four-year stint in 3rd grade, she is currently the technology specialist. In her world, Oreos and bacon would be the only food groups. Everyone would drive 10 over the speed limit, and winter would be eliminated as a season. As it is, she lives with her husband and two kids in central Utah, gets cited when she drives too fast and eats Oreos only on special occasions.
For more info on Elana, visit her sites:
-Blog
4 comments:
I love reading Elana's blog so I'm looking forward to reading this book. I can understand where the constant wining of loosing someone can get quite annoying!
You highlighted a lot of points that I had trouble with as well. The biggest thing for me was that the story was sort of all action and it was hard to define what was going on when and how it ended up affected later things. Curious to see what happens after that crazy ending, though.(That was my favorite part!)
I've heard a lot of buzz about this one lately. The summary blew right over my head until I realized it was dystopian.
Has dystopian become the new vampires?
I sort of hope so.
I got a little lost while reading this one too, but still found it a really enjoyable read -- especially with the banter between Vi and Jag. I don't think there's going to be a sequel, which makes me go ZOMGWHYYYY, but there will be a companion novel.
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