Possession by Elana Johnson

Possession by Elana Johnson

Released: June 2011

Reviewed by: AmyG

Summary from bn.com

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.

Have I mentioned how much I love Dystopian? Well let me say it again "I LOVE DYSTOPIAN!" There are so many amazing Dystopian books that have come out lately, and go ahead and add Possession to that list. Possession is a bit different from other Dystopians though. If you are an avid reader of supernatural YA and have not read any Dystopian, this would be a good first to sink your teeth into. It is a classic dystopian in the sense it has a setting in future sometime after the fall of modern day society, but surprise--some of the characters have supernatural abilities!!! I have yet to read a book that encompasses both, so I must give props to Miss Johnson for being the first!

We've already covered the awesomeness of supernatural characters placed in a dystopian society, but Possession has so much more. Let me list them for you:

1. Snarkie female heroine

2. Hot love triangle

3. Killer ending

Let's snark I mean start (excuse my grade school humor) with Violet, "Vi" for short. If you are a fan of Sophie from Hex Hall or Evie from Paranormalcy you will love Vi. She's a strong character with a razor sharp whit. Vi's been dealt a hard hand in life with the death of her sister, her father and the neglect of her mother, but those hardships have matured her into a worthy heroine. Instead of this pain turning her into a whiney, weak young woman, it's made her strong and unbreakable, which she needs to be able to face what hits her throughout the book.

Of course, we couldn't have a young adult book without a steamy love triangle! In one corner weighing with an amazing tan and jet black spiked hair, we have baddie Mr. Jag and in the other corner weighing in with ocean blue eyes and beautiful blonde locks we have the goodie Zenn! Plus, with names like those, how could any girl resist either one? Each of them also have their own little secrets (that I will not divulge; you'll have to go find them out yourself).

Oh my, what an ending! I am really big on book endings. You can basically have a horrible book, but if you give me a killer ending, then I will love you forever! And, ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, this has a killer of an ending!!! The aspects of the dystopian world with the addition of the supernatural powers some of the characters have makes for one explosive ending! I sensed it coming, but not quite the way I expected, and I was still greatly moved by it! Ms. Johnson has left me craving more, and I'm so sad it will probably be a whole year before I am able to get more!

If I had to warn readers about anything in the story, I would say that at times it was a little confusing. So many books have these huge setups for their world where you are getting all your information right at the beginning. Possession does not have that. It jumps right into the action and explains the world as it goes along. With that, you have to read carefully or you'll miss something. I tend to skim books, reading for plot first then content later, and I found myself having to double back because I missed something important. On the other hand, all you readers out there that find world setups boring and slow, this book is for you! The first chapter throws you right into the action and just keeps going. However, if you like information overload on the world that you are entering, be patient with this book. You'll get it, but just gradually. After everything is said and done, regardless of the style that you prefer, read this book!!! It's an exciting read that will make you question what really is bad? Is everything that is not good automatically bad or can some things be both?

REMINDER: Wednesday is our first throwdown between our YA Crushes! Be sure to drop by then and vote for your fav guy!!!

Solid by Shelley Workinger

Solid by Shelley Workinger

Reviewed by: Baby Sister Brittany

The Sisters say: Smart! Surprising! Super fun!

P.S. You can get the Nook and/or Kindle version for $4.99 right now! :)

The author, Shelley Workinger, was kind enough to lend us a copy of Solid in anticipation of the upcoming release of book two, Settling which is available on July 4^th. Solid was the first book we’ve had the opportunity to review thanks to a gift from an author, and can I say how awesome it was? If she hadn’t sought us out, I might never have read Solid, and believe me—that would have been a shame!

Alright. So. Solid.

It’s a pretty solid read. :)

Here’s the goodreads summary:

Teens who discover they were secretly genetically altered before birth are brought together at a classified military site where they forge new friendships, find love, develop "super-abilities," and even unearth a conspiracy.

Solid was such a refreshing concept in a genre that’s currently dominated by vampires, werewolves, witches, fairies, etc. I loved the genetic side of it—each of the approximately 100 teenagers brought to this secret government camp had their C9 chromosome altered while their mother’s were pregnant. Even though it’s summer, and we all love those fun, romantic reads—a girl also needs to think! And this book is perfect for that! It’s really got the total package—an interesting, intelligent plot, likeable characters, and a sweet romance!

Now about those likeable characters. What can I say, but that I REALLY liked them. And not just in the sense that they didn’t bother me or get on my nerves. I genuinely liked all of the characters! Clio is sensible, strong, and a very relatable lead character. Jack is a delicious love interest with major woo-ing skills. Garrett is the hot, class clown that will make you laugh and swoon at the same time. Bliss is sweet and shy, but loyal. Miranda is likeable meangirl (I know, oxymoron, right?). All in all, I felt like I was at home with friends while reading this book! I liked them all so much!

And last, but certainly not least, we all know we need a good love story. And Solid is definitely not lacking there! Jack was the epitome of crushable—easy to talk to, but somehow unreachable, handsome, but not conceited, smart, clean-cut, but with his special forces family—a little bit dangerous.

My only small dissatisfaction with solid was that it tended to drag a little early on. However—the characters and the promising plot kept me pushing through, and I was so glad for it. And from the small tidbit of Settling, book two, that was at the back of my ebook—I can’t WAIT to see what happens next for Clio and her crew.

So if you’re looking for something new and refreshing, that will require you to use your brain a little more than most of the paranormal romances out there—give Solid a try. And then be on the lookout for Settling—a second book that promises more romance, more cool supernatural genetic mutations, and more fun!