Possession by Elana Johnson

GoodReads
416 pages, YA dystopian
Possession #1

Synopsis

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout 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

My 2 cents

Wow, this was an intense read!  I really don't know what is going to happen with this series.  I really thought it was going to be more of a run and hide type of adventure, which it is, but so much more!  The whole thing is about mind control.  Its really hard to know what is real and what something is making you see.  It made the story a little confusing, especially towards the end.

I really loved the first half of the story.  I loved Vi, and I fell in love with Jag.  There are so many questions Vi has, and just when she thinks she's uncovered the answers, it turns into more questions!  It turns into a game of who can she trust?  

The last part of the book was very confusing to me.  By the end, I think I had caught up to speed with the story, but I had to go back and reread some of it.  I think because so much of it is an illusion, its hard to know what's really happening.  It really made the book feel Sci-Fi.

And the ending....I don't want to give it away, but it will make you think of Delirium by the end!  I think that's the dystopian I'd most compare this book to.  If you liked Delirium, you will like this!  I give it 4 stars!

GoodReads
YA dystopian, short novella
Possession # .5

Synopsis

Zenn Bower has spent his life falling in love with Violet Schoenfeld. After he turned twelve, he learned his father was part of an underground revolution called the Resistance, a group of free-thinking citizens fighting against the mind controlling governement. He joined, putting his considerable talents to use: lying, flying, and voice control.

He wishes life inside the Resistance could be easy. He yearns to tell Vi what he's doing in the middle of the night. He wants cocky leader of the Resistance Jag Barque to back off.

Zenn runs a mission with Blaze, Jag's older brother, to Freedom. It's a simple get in, get out procedure. But things go wrong when Blaze breaks protocol and Zenn uses his voice to detain him. Zenn's met by Thane Meyers at the drop location, and he has an interesting proposal for Zenn.

Ultimately Zenn has to choose: Violet or the Resistance.

My 2 cents


This is the story told from Zenn's POV on the night that Jag's brother dies.  I really enjoyed reading from Zenn's POV.  It was nice to hear his choices (and he did make a big choice!) and compare that back to the story of Possession.  

It shows us that Zenn might not be such a bad guy after all.  His most important choice--protect Vi at all costs.  In the end, his choice doesn't really help her.  But how was he to know about her father? This novella was definitely worth reading!  4 stars!

GoodReads
YA dystopian, short novella
Possession # 1.5

Synopsis

Set in the world of Possession and Surrender, this riveting, original eBook reveals pieces of Jag’s mysterious past and the inner workings of the Resistance.When Jag, the leader of the Resistance, goes missing during a mission, Indy feels like her heart might break. But as Jag’s second in command, she must put her feelings for him aside and take charge. With Jag in the Thinkers’ hands, the Resistance needs Indy’s smart strategy and calm leadership now more than ever. Indy knows that wherever Jag is, he’s counting on her to continue the fight.

     But then Jag returns . . . with a girl named Vi.

     Indy doesn’t know who this new girl is, or what she has to do with Jag’s disappearance, but she can see the way Jag looks at Vi, and it makes Indy’s heart stop cold. Now that Jag has returned with a new girl at his side, does Indy even have a place in the Resistance?

     This eBook-exclusive story includes special excerpts from bothPossession and Surrender

My 2 cents

WOW!  I'm so glad I got a chance to read this story!  I learned so much about Jag in this story, and the Badlands, and the resistance.  It is told from his old girlfriend's POV, Indy.  So yes, we find out that Indy was an old girlfriend of his--actually up until the week before he left the Badlands!  I thought I was going to hate her at first, but she is actually a very tough bad ass girl in her own right.  And something tells me she might be Jag's and Vi's only hope in upcoming events!  I am thinking this story might be pivotal in the series later, so if you are reading this series, I would recommend!  4 stars!