Possession by Elana Johnson

That's right, I got a copy. My very first ARC. I was a little giddy when I opened up the package. Okay, a lot of giddy danced across me. Isn't the cover beautiful? Alright, I'll get on with it.

Title: Possession

Author: Elana Johnson

Pages: 416

Publisher Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster)

To be released: June 7, 2011

The blurb:

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 take:

Possession mesmerized me from beginning to end, and then, the end hit me with a wow. A what if situation that takes you on a wild ride of good vs. bad and what that really means. It made you think about how the perception of words is really left up to opinion and how that opinion could change the world. Would you give in to the control or would you fight it? What makes you good or bad in the first place?

The characters have a way of getting into your head and you can't get them out. I really enjoyed the strength of Vi and her snarky attitude. She did have a soft side that pulled at my heart. Jag and Zenn surprised me. Just when I thought I knew the character, new information about them would be revealed, making me turn the page. All three of them created an interesting love triangle that made it hard for me to decide which guy I would rather her with.

I am glad the author used simple words for the technology. It made it easier to understand the weapons and "rulers." The description of the world was excellent. I could  visualize it clearly. The pace never slowed for me. It kept going, revealing information at the right time.

Now, I'm not going to spoil the end. Let me just say, it's not a traditional ending which I really liked. It left me wanting the next book in the series. According to her fansite, a series. There better be another one. :)

Overall, I enjoyed this book. This book contains strong characters, is fast paced, and had action with twists and turns that kept me guessing till the end.

Where can you go to get info:

Elana Johnson's blog

Possession website

Hope you have a great day!

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hello new blogger buddies. I will be visiting your blog soon.

Well, I read it. Yes, I did. In two days. I have kids, people.  Plus, I'm a slow reader. I became a big fan of Becca Fitzpatrick after I read Hush,Hush, so yeah, I had some big expectations. Here is my review.

Title: Crescendo

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 432 pages

The blurb:

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

My review:
First, the cover. She has some of the most beautiful/amazing covers. Love this. If I knew nothing about the book, I probably would be inclined to just buy it because of the cover (I'm a interior designer, I like the way things look).

The story: Becca Fitzpatrick did not disappoint. The twists and turns keep me turning the page. Yeah, one of those 'do not put me down books'.  In other words, the pacing is fantastic. The writing is amazing and the story is like a rollercoaster ride that I did not want get off.

I love Nora's best friend, Vee. She is awesome. The dialogue between her and Nora was done well. It flowed so well. I love writing dialogue and love to see it done well. It helps the flow.

Patch, to me, is even more dreamy than in the first. Okay I'm shallow, sorry guys. I did get a little giddy when he showed up on the page ( I think my cheeks turned red). I know I sound ridiculous, but hey I love YA, we girls can get this way.

Now, I'm not one to point out too many bad things (it's the whole Karma thing, it will come back at me). There were a couple of times when the 'talking to the reader' sort of slowed me down, but that could be me. I'm having issues with this. Also in some spots, I wanted to slap Nora, but I don't want to say too much. I don't like to reveal any spoilers. These little measly points did not sway me from this most excellent book. They were simply minor, and like I said, my opinion.

The end: I don't even want to go there. Brilliant, I think. I actually wanted to throw the book--I would never do this, but I wanted to. It wasn't because it was bad, oh no, because it left me-- Ha! You thought I would reveal. No spoilers remember. Let's just say, I can't wait for Tempest (the last book), which Ms. Fitzpatrick better hurry up and write (I think it's due out Fall 2011, arrgh). No pressure.

Summing up: I loved this. No book can be perfect, can it? It was fast, comfortable (by this I mean the characters were comfortable to me), hot, edge of your seat, wild ride of pleasure.

Recommendation: Oh yeah, go get it now.

If you read this, what are your thoughts?

I will post the Recap of Writing the Next Line soon. Sorry for the delay. I will be posting a new Writing the Next Line on December 20th. So mark your calenders. This month is going a little too fast for me.
Don't forget Monday, Crazy holiday blogfest (December 13th).
Have a great day!