Author: Elana Johnson
Series: Possession #2
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 480
Source: publisher (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5
Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…MY THOUGHTS:
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....
(summary taken from Goodreads)
"Someone
is always watching. Always listening. Freedom doesn't exist in the
city of Freedom, what with the glinting silver surfaces recording
thoughts everywhere and the surrounding walls keeping everyone and
everything in—or out." (Gunner, pg.1 in the ARC)
The second book syndrome — where the sequel is a filler that isn't as good as the first — used to be one of my biggest fears, but lately it's as if that doesn't even exist and Surrender is no exception. I couldn't put it down!
Old characters like Vi and Jag make epic reappearances, but Surrender is told from the alternating perspectives of Raine and Gunner who I felt I could connect with even more! Even though Raine pretends to do whatever her creeptastic Director daddy pleases, she's resilient and strong and so bad-ass that I was always cheering for her. And Gunner is both sweet and swoon-worthy — part hero and part heartbreaking love interest.
There's just something about their forbidden romance that hooks you in from the beginning. Elana Johnson isn't afraid to put them through a twisting obstacle course, and she sure isn't afraid to void a fairytale ending. It left my heart aching for the next book!
Admittedly, the world is really hard to grasp at first because there's so much to explore to understand the complexity of this world. There are caches (which let everyone speak into each other's minds), hoverboards, and so many more futuristic gadgets. And the people in it have different abilities, from voice control to erasing memories! But once I got into the rhythm of the book, the fast pace was one of my favourite things.
Fast-paced and intense, Surrender is captivating mix of dystopian and paranormal that's sure to steal some sleep! It's stunning and surprising and completely original. You don't know who to trust or what to expect, and that's what I love the most!
BUY or BORROW?: If you liked Possession, then I think you should skip borrowing this one and go straight for the buy because it's so much better than the first! But you can also you reading this one as a standalone if you haven't read book one. :)
-Mimi
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I've got to get on this series, it sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Mimi! I LOVED Surrender so I am definitely going to buy this one! <3 There are so many awesome Dystopian novels these days!! :)
ReplyDeleteMimi, I had half a mind to kick my foot in Possession and wasn't planning on reading this one at all... but somehow you always manage to convince me like no one else! (x From the way you describe Raine and Gunner, I think I'm gonna like them a lot more than Vi and Jag! And the forbidden romance? Cool gadgets? Super-cool superpowers? This is sounding better by the damn minute! (And I kinda love the blue covers more than the white. :P)
ReplyDeleteBrainwashingly fantabulous review, Mimi!!!! <3333333 I added this to my Goodreads TBR because of you and will be giving it a shot soon! (:
Wonderful review Mimi! I definitely want to check this book out! Im so happy to learn about a sequel that can stand on it's own! I would love to read this fast-paced novels with a strong willed character! Thanks for the incedible review rec!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this and that it didn't suffer from the second book syndrome. This is the first time I've heard of this series! But this sounds definitely interesting. Gonna check this out now! Lovely review, Mimi! :)
ReplyDeleteI so have to read this series. Dystopian paranormal is just my thing. I love that Raine is actually the daughter of the dictator. That adds a very exciting twist to things.
ReplyDeletePosession was just an okay-ish read for me, but Surrender sounds amazing! I'm glad to hear it doesn't feel like a filler book and I think I might be willing to give this series another shot. And of course, forbidden love always has a soft spot in my heart. ;) Great review, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteI really had some big problems with Possession but I did think the ending was killer. I think I like sequels more when they focus on a different perspective instead of continuing with the same protagonist as the first so that bodes well for this but I'm just not sure if it will be worth it-at the least it's a library read for me.
ReplyDeleteIt can be so difficult sometimes when you get thrown into a world that is sort of hard to grasp, and you find yourself in a sink-or-swim situation. I'm a big fan of complicated worldbuilding, but there are ways to do it without putting the strain on your reader.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you connected with Raine and Gunner so easily, and especially that the POVs changed in this book. It's something different, at least.
I haven't read Possession yet, but I'm definitely going to.
And btw, that cover is SO gorgeous. S&S often has the best covers!
LOL, more names with Swedish meanings! (Jag means I ;))
ReplyDeleteI loved the sound Possession and can't wait to start this series. It just sounds so fantastic, I need to! And I'm so glad it doesn't have the second book syndrome! I agree that they don't seem as usual these days, which is awesome. :D Great review!
Fab review Mimi, I used to always be worried about second books in a series and forbidden romances, but it's good to know that Surrender isn't one of those books which these issues would annoy the crap out of you! :)
ReplyDeleteForbidden romance? Sign me up! But then I'd have to go hunt the first book down first... Haha.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Mimi :D
I'm scared!! Possession was in between okay and crappy for me, so I haven't really been on the lookout for this book. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. I'll be happier if I ever do pick this one up ;) Great review!
ReplyDeleteLisa | Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me
Wonderful review Mimi! I haven't heard of this series before, but I'm definitely checking it out now. It sounds incredible - thank you so much for sharing and adding another book to my TBR list! :)
ReplyDeleteI've given you the Stylish blogger Award, swing by my blog for the goodies! Have a great day Mimi! <3<3<3
I very recently got into the idea of Possession - and wowowowow it looks good! Sounds like a very creative world and a neat idea! I didn't read this full review because, obviously, I haven't read the first book, but lemme tell you - because you liked the second one, I plan on getting to Possession as soon as possible! Thanks darling for an awesome review! :D <3
ReplyDeleteSierra @ Yearning to Read
I love series books that can be stand-alones. I think I'd still read the first one though, before I got to this one, but I'm happy to hear the dreaded second book syndrome is absent here! Always a great thing. Sounds like a pretty intense, creep-tastic world...but I love that the romance works and the heroine is bad-ass!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Oh this cover is so beautiful! Just seeing it I remember the cover of the first one. I really need to try this series... really! A forbidden romance is always interesting to discover I think. Great review Mimi!
ReplyDeleteI haven't hear of either books but I like the sound of it. Like you, sequels are hit or miss with me because most of them are transition stories especially in trilogies. I'm happy that this didn't feel like that and that you enjoyed reading it. I will have to look this up once my YA Ban is done :)
ReplyDeleteTalk Supe
Wonderful review Mimi! I've heard of this book, but I don't own it. And you make it sound splendid!
ReplyDeleteI am seriously missing something about 2nd books because I RARELY experience Second Book Syndrome. So either I'm just reading all the series that are amazing straight through or everyone else is seeing something different. Either way, I'm glad that this one was even better than the first for you! That's always nice :D
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds about 10 different shades of SUPER COOL. Caches? Hoverboards? Voice control? SIGN ME UP! :) Err.. to read the book, not live in the world. Haha, thought I should make the distinction before something unwanted happens to me ;)
I love that quote that you shared! Awesome choice. I am SOOO excited to read Possession now... even though you said I could read this one as a stand-alone, I always like to read the entire series (in order). Fantastic review! <3
Sonia
I was upset with the first because it SO didn't have a HEA but it was a good read and I definitely need to read this one. I just need a happier ending dude! So glad its good though! Awesome review!
ReplyDeletePossession has yet to make an appearance in my bookstore. Hopefully, with Surrender coming out, I will see them both soon!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read Possession! But after your CRAZY GOOD review of Surrender, I think I better get on it soon! Especially since you like this even MORE than the first. Interesting that there's a narration change - I love the sound of Raine's strength and seriously, Mimi? Really? "part hero and part heartbreaking love interest. " Ugh, you know to make me swoon all too well! :P Awesome review!!
ReplyDeleteOh, hang on! This is a sequel? *runs off to Goodreads*
ReplyDeleteI DIDN'T KNOW! I've been seeing it pop-up on blogs, but this is the first I knew of it! AMAZING review, Mimi! You have my so intrigued by the premise, and Raine, who sounds quietly rebellious, and eeeee! ♥ you!
I'm so happy this didn't suffer from the dreaded "second book syndrome" I hate that when that happens. I haven't read the first in this series but your review of this makes it sound amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteAww, a mix of dystopian and paranormal? Sign me up! <3 This book sounds absolutely fabulous, Mimi! Plus, it doesn't hurt that the cover is very pretty! I'm especially glad that this book is not another case of 'second book syndrome'! Come to think of it, there are so many awesome series out there that are infected with this dreading syndrome LOL! xD
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fantastic review like always, Mimi! <3
It's good to hear that this one can be read as a stand alone! I will take a second look at these two books, because this one sounds pretty good! :D
ReplyDeleteThe second book syndrome, haha. You are too much :D
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to start this series. I had not heard of it before but thanks so much for bringing them to light. I loved your review, Mimi <3
Thanks for sharing :)