My ARC (advanced review copy) of Elana Johnson’s Possession arrived yesterday morning curtsey of a prize draw from www.weheartya.com . Awesome! I never win anything. I tore into the manila bubble wrapped package like it was Christmas morning. I thumbed through the pages, letting the new book smell wash over me. SQUEE! I am such a book geek. I make myself a cup of tea, grab a chocolate biscuit and settle onto the couch to read. The house is empty for a change and I enjoy every blissful moment, completing the book in one sitting.
Control or be controlled. Possession is a fast paced YA dystopian by debut author Elana Johnson Violet has always lived in the Goodgrounds, a place filled with rules, where the citizens, called Goodies, are walking paper dolls who don’t think for themselves. The Goodies are controlled by Thinkers. Thinkers think for the rest of society, telling them what they should and shouldn’t do.
Violet knows the rules, no boys, no pets, no books, always wear a hat, don’t go in the sun, no crossing boundaries-but ever since she started unplugging from the transmissions, she’s been breaking them. Especially to be with Zenn. He’s been unplugging too, encouraging her to break the rules. And what’s wrong with that? He’s her chosen, right?
When she’s arrested for meeting Zenn in the park after dark, Vi finds herself in a prison cell with Jag. He’s a Baddie and a free thinker, everything she’s been brainwashed to fear and hate. But he’s not as bad as he looks, and she’s not as good as she should be. Sparks fly between them. With her ability to manipulate tech and Jag’s ability to control people using his voice, they fight to escape control of Thane who only wants to use them for their powers. Violet discovers the line between Goodies and Baddies isn’t as clear as she first thought. All she wants is to live free, but in the game of control or be controlled; it’s not as easy as it sounds.
There are elements of other dystopian novels I’ve read, but the characters are well crafted and have some serious spunk. I especially love the volatile relationship between Vi and Jag. Both of them are far from perfect and are a nice blend of hard and soft. The ending left me wanting more and I can’t wait for the sequel. The only negative is that I felt the plot might have moved too fast. A lot happens in 400 pages. So much so, that there were times when I felt a bit lost or confused in the story and had to re-read paragraphs to grasp what was happening. I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
My score: 4 chocolate bars.
If you’re looking for a new YA dystopian to read, pick up Possession and let me know what you think.
I LOVE this book. I devoured it in one sitting. I thought it was original, the writing was stellar and the story was phenomenal! Great review 🙂
The twists were beliveable, not overdone, and ah, did I mention I love this book? Definitely the best dystopia novel of the year (in my opinion of course).
Sounds like a interesting story.
great review. I love dystopian… I’ll have to add this one to my pile