Review: Possession by Elana Johnson

I'm writing a review for the first time in like 6 months! Summertime + sickness makes you do crazy things.  Sorry that this is the only review we have for May I lied, Karina posted a review! (Obviously she's procrastinating.)  Finals and end of school schtuff has been hectic.

Possession by Elana Johnson
416 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: June 7th 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads:
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.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book, was NOT what I expected, especially from a dystopian novel (in a good way!).  There were plenty of twists and suspenseful turns that kept me reading.  I loved Vi and Jag, their relationship felt realistic to me because it wasn't perfect.  Jag wasn't the perfect boyfriend, and the "love triangle" (I'm just using that term loosely) isn't a typical love triangle because it isn't a decision of Perfect Hot Boy #1 and Perfect Hot Boy #2 because both Jag and Zenn aren't perfect.  Hot, but not perfect.  Vi was also a great main character, and even though it was a difficult to follow her thought processes sometimes, her voice and perspective were fun and unique. 

What I loved most about this book is how it managed to be light hearted and funny, and still had all the dystopian elements.  I've read some really awesome dystopian books that have left me shell-shocked and sobbing at 2 in the morning, but after I read this book, I realized none of the dystopian books I've read before have really made me laugh.  So Possession is an awesome read if you're looking for some refreshing, quirky, original dystopian!

I hate being a downer, but I have to add that although the story is brilliant, the writing was a bit hard to follow at times.  The writing is very fast paced and sometimes I had to stop and reread a passage several times, and then getting confused when something was mentioned that I didn't remember being explained.  This may just be me though.  Although this is the author's debut book, so I'm sure that her writing will be smoother and flow better in the future! I am excited to read whatever Elana Johnson has in store if there is a sequel to this book :)

I'm such a hypocrite, I always complain when people review the covers as part of their overall review of the book, and yet I'm gonna be gushing about the cover in a couple seconds. However, I'd just like to point out, the awesomeness of the cover has no effect on my review of this book.  I love how simple it is, and yet I feel like it completely embodies the basic concept of a dystopian.  I love how the ice cube is cracked and starting to melt, and how the butterfly inside is vibrant and just waiting to break free.  Wow, that sounds cheesy.  But yes, I love love love it!

Overall: LOVED this book.  I give it 4 stars :)  I really really really wish I could give it 5 out of 5 stars, but I feel like I would be discounting that it is a bit hard to follow despite it's awesomeness.  Still, I strongly suggest checking it out once it comes on June 7th! 

You can also enter to win my ARC copy of Possession in our Splash Into Summer giveaway along with some other awesome YA and MG books Karina and I have compiled :)