Possession
By Elana Johnson
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: June 6, 2011
Format: Hardback, pp 416
Age Demographic: Young Adult
b&n // amazon
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 brainwashing 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.
*Summary taken from Goodreads.
"To control or be controlled."
That seems to be the over-all theme of Johnson's debut novel, Possession. It's almost a game and to play it, Vi (the protagonist reader's are introduced to), has to make the choice to become like the Thinker's in a way to keep from being controlled by them herself. She finds herself living in this dystopian society of sorts, where it's essentially good vs bad, and the Thinker's are the one's holding all of the cards and making the decsions. The bad, well those are the free thinkers, the one's who refuse to be manipulated and controlled. Vi, is well on her way to becoming one of the Goodies who wishes to be controlled no longer.
Possession is quite a captivating story told, at times, confusing for the reader to follow along with what Johnson is trying to convey. It is my personal opinion that the author gets a little too caught up in knowing what's happening all of the time in the story, that she sometimes forgets to include little tidbits that would be helpful to the reader in explaining things further. In theory, the premise is fantastic and the story is quite captivating and enough to keep the reader turning the pages.
The draw back is the lack of history established in the novel, itself. There could have easily been a little more world-building included towards the beginning of the story, to help the reader better understand the motives of the character's and the society itself.
Johnson does well in providing the reader with well written solid character's that are relatable, a well developed plot with a bit of a unique twist to it, and wonderful imagery. Possession is a fast-paced interesting read, that provides some twists and turns towards the end, that the reader will not be expecting. It can be quite surprising and suspensful.
{ This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was/wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such.}
