Goodreads Blurb
Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…
Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.
All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque...
Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.
All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque...
This was defnitely better than Possession, I can say that, but like Possession, the romance was a bit lacking. Gunn and Raine's romance was definitely more steady, but the romance seemed more forced in the beginning. It really wasn't as satisfying. My expectations were high, I guess. It was really the romance I didn't like much, and a bit of the characters, but it was their personality. It wasn't...pleasant at times. But I have to admit, they were developed nicely.
The #1 thing I loved the most about Surrender was that it managed to tie all these new characters in with our old ones, mixing things up so each piece of info matched like puzzle pieces. And it was cool how Elana Johnson made the most irrational things become reasonable, and the most outrageous ideas suddenly become...obvious. Nothing is predictable in this book, but it's not like random things are thrown in. These things seemed well thought-out and continued to advance the plot.
Another cool thing about Surrender, though, was that you didn't need Possession to figure it out, but it's definitely more anticipating if you did. But I loved the new characters! Raine was so fierce and protective and everything (though she did get on my nerves a lot. She seemed to be...all-knowing, but somehow naive at the same time, and that combination did bother me quite a lot.) and she was actually really smart and strategic, so I enjoyed guessing her next move in this giant chess game.
Gunner was definitely a great male lead. There was just something about him you HAD to like. I just can't put my finger on it...
Surrender also changed my opinions about the Vi love triangle and some other things. Honestly, I used to be Team Zenn (scroll up to learn why), but Surrender definitely made me like Jag more. Zenn seemed determined to get Vi back from Jag in Possession, but in Surrender...he seemed resigned. And that's when I stopped liking him, honestly. It also may have osmething to do with Jag's oppositely determination to reach Vi and get her to safety. Yes. Defintiely Team Jag now!!!
Something awesome I've noticed, is that this giant twist? It's been building slowly from Possession and I loved that! How things you think aren't important, are suddenly the biggest hints.To me, that's definitely a sign of good writing! And the world of Possession and Surrender is definitely more detailed in Surrender. Not only that, we learn more about the powers, and just how valuable and important they are. And Raine's power? Useful and so foreboding
Just like book #1, Surrender will leave you hanging (with a...deja vu cliffhanger!) and attack you with revelation after revelation, leaving you stunned and shocked, just like in Possession. Surrender ties old and new characters together, creating a complex plot that will make you stare. The romance is bittersweet and, while seemingly forced, does have a sweet base. As we find out more about this world, we'll just be all the more horrified by what's going on behind the scenes. And that's jsut how we like it, right?
Pages: 480
Series: Possession #2
Genre: Dystopia/romance
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Rating: 3.5 ---> 4 stars
Another cool thing about Surrender, though, was that you didn't need Possession to figure it out, but it's definitely more anticipating if you did. But I loved the new characters! Raine was so fierce and protective and everything (though she did get on my nerves a lot. She seemed to be...all-knowing, but somehow naive at the same time, and that combination did bother me quite a lot.) and she was actually really smart and strategic, so I enjoyed guessing her next move in this giant chess game.
Gunner was definitely a great male lead. There was just something about him you HAD to like. I just can't put my finger on it...
Surrender also changed my opinions about the Vi love triangle and some other things. Honestly, I used to be Team Zenn (scroll up to learn why), but Surrender definitely made me like Jag more. Zenn seemed determined to get Vi back from Jag in Possession, but in Surrender...he seemed resigned. And that's when I stopped liking him, honestly. It also may have osmething to do with Jag's oppositely determination to reach Vi and get her to safety. Yes. Defintiely Team Jag now!!!
Something awesome I've noticed, is that this giant twist? It's been building slowly from Possession and I loved that! How things you think aren't important, are suddenly the biggest hints.To me, that's definitely a sign of good writing! And the world of Possession and Surrender is definitely more detailed in Surrender. Not only that, we learn more about the powers, and just how valuable and important they are. And Raine's power? Useful and so foreboding
Just like book #1, Surrender will leave you hanging (with a...deja vu cliffhanger!) and attack you with revelation after revelation, leaving you stunned and shocked, just like in Possession. Surrender ties old and new characters together, creating a complex plot that will make you stare. The romance is bittersweet and, while seemingly forced, does have a sweet base. As we find out more about this world, we'll just be all the more horrified by what's going on behind the scenes. And that's jsut how we like it, right?
Pages: 480
Series: Possession #2
Genre: Dystopia/romance
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Rating: 3.5 ---> 4 stars
Author Bio
Elana wishes she could experience her first kiss again, tell the mean girl where to shove it, and have cool superpowers like reading minds and controlling fire. To fulfill her desires, she writes young adult science fiction and fantasy.
Using her boring human powers, she graduated from Southern Utah University with Summa Cum Laude honors in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics. She started her teaching career as an upper grade music and art specialist. After a four-year stint in 3rd grade, she is currently the technology specialist.
In her world, Oreos and bacon would be the only food groups. Everyone would drive 10 over the speed limit. Winter would be eliminated as a season, and Jeff Probst would be President. As it is, she lives with her husband and two kids in central Utah, gets cited when she drives too fast and eats Oreos only on special occasions.
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I love these books!
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing!!
ReplyDeleteNow that I have read this review, I am a little more interested in these stories. I gotta admit though, I do like the covers. They are simple and pretty. And a little misleading, which doesn't really bother. Agh, I don't know what I am saying. I am pooped. Seriously pooped. Went to Y'allfest in Charleston, had a great time, but my 30 year old butt is worn out from it. Thanks for your review, and I am sorry that I rambled.
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