Name: Possession
Author: Elana Johnson
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: June 7th 2011
Pages: 416, Kindle
Source: Author/Blog tour
Rating: 2.5 stars
Unfortunately, I didn't particularly enjoy Possession. While the synopsis and concept really held me, there were aspects of it which just didn't work for me. It was an intriguing read but not one while is likely to be memorable.
Let's start with the world-building. While the whole idea of having a divide between the 'Goodies' and 'Baddies' was fascinating, I felt the author tried to cram in too much and I was a little overwhelmed by it all - the different gadgets, their lifestyle, the system of Directors and Thinkers. It just all felt too overdone as if the author was trying to impress me with her dystopian world and persistently dangling it directly in front of my face.
To tie in with this, the storyline was sometimes fast, sometimes slow. It was just a little too inconsistent for my liking. At first, I was totally unsure of where the book was heading but it does pick up the pace if you stick at it - although sometimes I couldn't completely understand what was going on, leaving me in my own confused bubble and trying to figure out what had just happened. While I like books that keep me on my toes, I'd rather not spend too much time trying to navigate my way round a plot.
Okay, so the world-building and plot didn't quite work so well... The characters, I hear you ask. If everything else doesn't tick my boxes, captivating characters might just pull the rating up a little. However, the characters didn't really stand out either. I hoped Vi would be a really kick-ass character, fighting off the villains one by one in her tech-obsessed society. While she was a strong heroine, I didn't really connect with her which is something that annoyed me. And the love triangle. OH NO. I usually quite like love triangles. This one just wasn't happening for me. It was all, 'Zenn's so sweet and lovely' but I was constantly told this and never shown. Also, the connection between Vi and Jag was a bit too 'insta-love' for me. I wasn't at all convinced my their supposed love for each other. In this way, I finished the book feeling no preference at all for either boy.
Overall, I found Possession to be quite a disappointing read. It had potential to be a really captivating read but for me, too many aspects fell below the standard I was expecting. Although I didn't love it, I would still encourage you to give it a go if it sounds like you cup of tea. Just because it wasn't mine, doesn't mean you won't enjoy it.
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.
[summary taken from Goodreads]
Beverley's Review
Unfortunately, I didn't particularly enjoy Possession. While the synopsis and concept really held me, there were aspects of it which just didn't work for me. It was an intriguing read but not one while is likely to be memorable.
Let's start with the world-building. While the whole idea of having a divide between the 'Goodies' and 'Baddies' was fascinating, I felt the author tried to cram in too much and I was a little overwhelmed by it all - the different gadgets, their lifestyle, the system of Directors and Thinkers. It just all felt too overdone as if the author was trying to impress me with her dystopian world and persistently dangling it directly in front of my face.
To tie in with this, the storyline was sometimes fast, sometimes slow. It was just a little too inconsistent for my liking. At first, I was totally unsure of where the book was heading but it does pick up the pace if you stick at it - although sometimes I couldn't completely understand what was going on, leaving me in my own confused bubble and trying to figure out what had just happened. While I like books that keep me on my toes, I'd rather not spend too much time trying to navigate my way round a plot.
Okay, so the world-building and plot didn't quite work so well... The characters, I hear you ask. If everything else doesn't tick my boxes, captivating characters might just pull the rating up a little. However, the characters didn't really stand out either. I hoped Vi would be a really kick-ass character, fighting off the villains one by one in her tech-obsessed society. While she was a strong heroine, I didn't really connect with her which is something that annoyed me. And the love triangle. OH NO. I usually quite like love triangles. This one just wasn't happening for me. It was all, 'Zenn's so sweet and lovely' but I was constantly told this and never shown. Also, the connection between Vi and Jag was a bit too 'insta-love' for me. I wasn't at all convinced my their supposed love for each other. In this way, I finished the book feeling no preference at all for either boy.
Overall, I found Possession to be quite a disappointing read. It had potential to be a really captivating read but for me, too many aspects fell below the standard I was expecting. Although I didn't love it, I would still encourage you to give it a go if it sounds like you cup of tea. Just because it wasn't mine, doesn't mean you won't enjoy it.
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| 2.5 Teacups for Possession |
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