Review: Possession by Elana Johnson

Possession-Elana Johnson
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: June 7, 2011
Source: Simon & Schuster's Galley Grab
Of Note: Debut Author Challenge Book #7
Author Website

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.
(Amazon)

Possession is a dystopian novel quite unlike any other. There are elements here that I've seen in other books, a restrictive society with a lot of rules, couples being matched, and an evil 'overseer', but there are a lot of unique elements here too. Possession is the most sci-fi-ish of all the dystopian novels I've read, other that Beth Revis' Across the Universe. Most dystopian novels have advanced technology in them, but the tech in Possession would be at home in sci-fi novels. In addition to that, there are elements usually seen in paranormal or supernatural books as well.

It's no secret I'm fond of strong, sassy heroines and Vi is not lacking in either quality. She has powers that are valuable to her society, but she isn't just going to go along with what's expected of her. She meets the main romantic lead, Jag, when her rule breaking lands her in trouble with the Greenies who run her society. They're an interesting couple, but she still has feelings for Zenn, her match that aren't quite resolved. I enjoyed how the Zenn/Vi/Jag storyline played out, because at times Vi isn't quite sure how she feels about the guys, and if she can trust either of them. It's not a typical love triangle, and I enjoyed that.

Possession is a thrill of a book with an ending that left my mouth gaping open. I wouldn't go as far as to say I was disappointed, but I had to give the thumbs-up to Elana Johnson for ending the book in an unexpected way.