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Possession #3
Abandon
The fight for independent thought becomes a matter of life or death in this sizzling and intense conclusion to the Possession trilogy.
Vi has made her choice between Jag and Zenn, and the resistance may have suffered for it. But with the Thinkers as strong as ever, the rebels still have a job to do. Vi knows better than anyone that there’s more at stake than a few broken hearts.
But there is a traitor among them…and the choices he makes could lead to the total destruction of everything Vi has fought for.
Vi, Jag, and Zenn must set their problems aside for the resistance to have any hope of ending the Thinkers’ reign. Their success means everything…and their failure means death.
Vi has made her choice between Jag and Zenn, and the resistance may have suffered for it. But with the Thinkers as strong as ever, the rebels still have a job to do. Vi knows better than anyone that there’s more at stake than a few broken hearts.
But there is a traitor among them…and the choices he makes could lead to the total destruction of everything Vi has fought for.
Vi, Jag, and Zenn must set their problems aside for the resistance to have any hope of ending the Thinkers’ reign. Their success means everything…and their failure means death.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2013
About the author
Elana Johnson
190 books2,135 followers3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.
Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com
Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
June 6, 2013
Let me start off by saying I loved this series. I was cheering for Vi and Jag since the first book. It was an interesting concept and I loved the pacing of the first book, the second book not as much and this one...ugh, I couldn't wait for it to be over. It was so boring. I slogged through this book in a day but it was so hard and there was some skimming involved.
Through the whole series we have been learning about kids with special powers: voice, mind control etc. and how the Districts needed their power to keep everyone "asleep" but a resistance formed to fight back. What exactly did those powers amount too? Why was Vi so important? You're guess is as good as mine. The Districts were basically falling apart from the inside. Thane really wasn't a bad person, he ended up saving Jag a whole bunch of times and helping the resistance in the end. Hightower went down without too much of a fight, along with the guy who came after him. The whole story that should have culminated in a BOOM! at the end went boom? instead.
While I spent most of the book wishing the action would just get on with it already and was to the point of bored tears in others when I got to the end I went HUH? Really, that's how you're going to end the series? It wasn't and end. The Districts are crippled, a whole crap load of resistance members are dead and it basically ends by saying we'll continue the fight but it will take a while. Yeah,duh. That's what the whole series was about and we get almost no resolution in my opinion.
Speaking of the tons of people who died. It was reminiscent of the Deathly Hallows when people just started dying left and right for no apparent reason besides the fact that the author owned the characters and could kill them whenever she saw fit. It didn't really bother me since I didn't really care who lived or died at that point; however, I think if Jag or Vi died I might have been a tad more upset but looking back on it probably not that much.
The other thing that struck me was the fact that both Jag and Zenn (the story being written in both of their view points) said Vi was bad at making decisions. Not from what I could see, she stuck by her decisions and even beat the crap out of people to prove a point. Her powers were the most useful out of the bunch. The character who had a hard time making decisions was Zenn. She didn't choose you move on. But hey I guess we really didn't have to worry about that because what better way to end a love triangle than by killing off one of the members. But don't worry now Zenn is free because all he ever wanted was freedom. Excuse me for a moment while I shake my computer screen in frustration and scream.... How cliche; freedom through death,ugh.
Besides the slow pace and the abundance of pointless death, I have to say that I was disappointed when the "bad" guys went down so easily. More time was spent on how Jag didn't have any feelings for Indy anymore so Vi shouldn't worry and how Zenn was so sorry for everything he'd done instead of how Hightower met his end. Fine, so Gunn killed him and the story wasn't written in his voice but I thought the whole point of the book was centered around the resistance's defeat of the Districts. Hightowers death felt like a footnote. There was a lot of explaining in the book, a lot of explaining and not nearly enough action from what I thought would be the big battle. I was waiting for it; that was what kept me turning the pages but instead I got a fizzle. Talk about disappointing.
I think that word best summarizes the whole experience of reading this book: disappointing.
Through the whole series we have been learning about kids with special powers: voice, mind control etc. and how the Districts needed their power to keep everyone "asleep" but a resistance formed to fight back. What exactly did those powers amount too? Why was Vi so important? You're guess is as good as mine. The Districts were basically falling apart from the inside. Thane really wasn't a bad person, he ended up saving Jag a whole bunch of times and helping the resistance in the end. Hightower went down without too much of a fight, along with the guy who came after him. The whole story that should have culminated in a BOOM! at the end went boom? instead.
While I spent most of the book wishing the action would just get on with it already and was to the point of bored tears in others when I got to the end I went HUH? Really, that's how you're going to end the series? It wasn't and end. The Districts are crippled, a whole crap load of resistance members are dead and it basically ends by saying we'll continue the fight but it will take a while. Yeah,duh. That's what the whole series was about and we get almost no resolution in my opinion.
Speaking of the tons of people who died. It was reminiscent of the Deathly Hallows when people just started dying left and right for no apparent reason besides the fact that the author owned the characters and could kill them whenever she saw fit. It didn't really bother me since I didn't really care who lived or died at that point; however, I think if Jag or Vi died I might have been a tad more upset but looking back on it probably not that much.
The other thing that struck me was the fact that both Jag and Zenn (the story being written in both of their view points) said Vi was bad at making decisions. Not from what I could see, she stuck by her decisions and even beat the crap out of people to prove a point. Her powers were the most useful out of the bunch. The character who had a hard time making decisions was Zenn. She didn't choose you move on. But hey I guess we really didn't have to worry about that because what better way to end a love triangle than by killing off one of the members. But don't worry now Zenn is free because all he ever wanted was freedom. Excuse me for a moment while I shake my computer screen in frustration and scream.... How cliche; freedom through death,ugh.
Besides the slow pace and the abundance of pointless death, I have to say that I was disappointed when the "bad" guys went down so easily. More time was spent on how Jag didn't have any feelings for Indy anymore so Vi shouldn't worry and how Zenn was so sorry for everything he'd done instead of how Hightower met his end. Fine, so Gunn killed him and the story wasn't written in his voice but I thought the whole point of the book was centered around the resistance's defeat of the Districts. Hightowers death felt like a footnote. There was a lot of explaining in the book, a lot of explaining and not nearly enough action from what I thought would be the big battle. I was waiting for it; that was what kept me turning the pages but instead I got a fizzle. Talk about disappointing.
I think that word best summarizes the whole experience of reading this book: disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2013
I felt like this whole series was a waste of my time but I wanted to finish it because I needed to know how it ended, not because I enjoyed reading it. It was a frustrating book and the change between narrators made me lose interest.
July 31, 2013
No one lost their memories so thats an improvement but I was still disappointed.
September 23, 2013
The disappointing sequel to a dissappointing sequel.
The same problems apply here as they did when it comes to the previous books: The characters are flat, their actions and feelings inexplicable and incomprehensible. In all fairness, the author has improved on that a little by giving Zenn more personality and his inner conflict in his POV made it possible to empathise with the character more. However, that was not the case for Jag - the other POV character in this book - much like in Possession he remained bland, boring and in those rare moments when he wasn't that he was a total dick. It raised to question why anyone would follow him as leader - there was zero charisma and his actions of getting caught all the time, severely misjudging situations and losing people didn't really inspire any confidence in his leadership skills. Not in me anyway.
Obviously an opportunity was missed with this book yet again - I was waiting since the first book for the author to give the reader some insight into the early days of the resistance and specifically Jag's and Zenn's previous friendship. But all we ever got was "oh we used to be best friends but now I hate that bastard". Hardly satisfying.
Other things that were absolutely frustrating:
- bringing in Saffadiene as a new love interest for Zenn because ... why? Because nobody can end up single and betrayed and unhappy for it would leave a stain on the "favoured" couple who gets to be happy at somebody else's expense? It happens all the bloody time in real life.
- Vi's parents and the family reunion: So Vi's father is an abusive turncoat but that's all forgiven because he saved Jag's life once or something. He also killed his other daughter but yeah... we're not talking about that anymore. Furthermore in Possession it was mentioned time and again how unhappy, bitter and hostile Vi's mother was because of her husband abandoning her and because of Gavin's death but now in Abandon, Laurel and Thane are working together smoothly and nothing is ever mentioned on that matter again. There are even group hugs and Jag comments to Vi on how her parents love each other. What happened? When? How? Why? There's no answer given.
- How did Vi's mother end up running a resistance cell in a completely different city than their home town in a matter of a few months?
- It is mentioned that children in Freedom take genetics classes from an early age. Gunn and Raine are seventeen when she challenges him to ask her which organism belongs to what phyllum. Gunn replies he hasn't taken biology yet. (a) Since when is matching an organism to a phyllum any kind of special knowledge or talent you can impress people with after you've attended 5th grade? (b) How can you take genetics courses for years without knowing the basics of biology?
- Characters introduced in Surrender were completely abandoned (perhaps that inspired the title to this final installment?) - sure we hear their names mentioned once in a while but that was really not necessary. They contributed nothing whatsoever to the story.
- The ending was rushed and the author failed again at expressing things clearly and in an organised fashion, there was too much going on.
- What happened to Indy? I understand there was a tie-in novella spent on that character and the first half of this book was about Jag's conflicted feelings for her and about how he lost her brother. Now the brother re-appeared at the 11th hour but nobody thought about looking for his sister once in Freedom. Was she slated? Is she dead? Who knows? Who cares? (Obviously not the author.)
Redeeming factor:
- Zenn died. It's another cliché but not as bad as if Zenn, Saffadiene, Vi and Jag were merrily double-dating now. So that's a relief.
Even if I was frustrated with this book series and I certainly won't lose any sleep over it after I close this review: In my eyes Vi made the wrong choice.
The same problems apply here as they did when it comes to the previous books: The characters are flat, their actions and feelings inexplicable and incomprehensible. In all fairness, the author has improved on that a little by giving Zenn more personality and his inner conflict in his POV made it possible to empathise with the character more. However, that was not the case for Jag - the other POV character in this book - much like in Possession he remained bland, boring and in those rare moments when he wasn't that he was a total dick. It raised to question why anyone would follow him as leader - there was zero charisma and his actions of getting caught all the time, severely misjudging situations and losing people didn't really inspire any confidence in his leadership skills. Not in me anyway.
Obviously an opportunity was missed with this book yet again - I was waiting since the first book for the author to give the reader some insight into the early days of the resistance and specifically Jag's and Zenn's previous friendship. But all we ever got was "oh we used to be best friends but now I hate that bastard". Hardly satisfying.
Other things that were absolutely frustrating:
- bringing in Saffadiene as a new love interest for Zenn because ... why? Because nobody can end up single and betrayed and unhappy for it would leave a stain on the "favoured" couple who gets to be happy at somebody else's expense? It happens all the bloody time in real life.
- Vi's parents and the family reunion: So Vi's father is an abusive turncoat but that's all forgiven because he saved Jag's life once or something. He also killed his other daughter but yeah... we're not talking about that anymore. Furthermore in Possession it was mentioned time and again how unhappy, bitter and hostile Vi's mother was because of her husband abandoning her and because of Gavin's death but now in Abandon, Laurel and Thane are working together smoothly and nothing is ever mentioned on that matter again. There are even group hugs and Jag comments to Vi on how her parents love each other. What happened? When? How? Why? There's no answer given.
- How did Vi's mother end up running a resistance cell in a completely different city than their home town in a matter of a few months?
- It is mentioned that children in Freedom take genetics classes from an early age. Gunn and Raine are seventeen when she challenges him to ask her which organism belongs to what phyllum. Gunn replies he hasn't taken biology yet. (a) Since when is matching an organism to a phyllum any kind of special knowledge or talent you can impress people with after you've attended 5th grade? (b) How can you take genetics courses for years without knowing the basics of biology?
- Characters introduced in Surrender were completely abandoned (perhaps that inspired the title to this final installment?) - sure we hear their names mentioned once in a while but that was really not necessary. They contributed nothing whatsoever to the story.
- The ending was rushed and the author failed again at expressing things clearly and in an organised fashion, there was too much going on.
- What happened to Indy? I understand there was a tie-in novella spent on that character and the first half of this book was about Jag's conflicted feelings for her and about how he lost her brother. Now the brother re-appeared at the 11th hour but nobody thought about looking for his sister once in Freedom. Was she slated? Is she dead? Who knows? Who cares? (Obviously not the author.)
Redeeming factor:
- Zenn died. It's another cliché but not as bad as if Zenn, Saffadiene, Vi and Jag were merrily double-dating now. So that's a relief.
Even if I was frustrated with this book series and I certainly won't lose any sleep over it after I close this review: In my eyes Vi made the wrong choice.
June 12, 2013
*howls* the turmoil that is this book! I want to cry myself to sleep now.
Edit: Real review time.
The review is also posted at The Bawdy Book Blog.
If there was ever an epic conclusion to a dystopian series, you’re looking at it right here. I was a heap of a sobbing mess when it was over and I may never recover!
**This post may contain spoilers from the first two books**
Stay tuned for the blog tour post going live tomorrow!
Raine is in Freedom under the control of her father. Gunner is with the rebels. Vi, Zenn and Jag are also with the rebels and trying to devise a way to bring down Freedom – and the Association – while saving Raine, Cannon and the rest of the rebels and citizens who are not with the Association.
Abandon is fast-paced and quick in a don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it kind of way. We’re totally immersed in the story now, there’s no turning back. Traitors have been outed, more questions are asked of our favorite characters, especially Zenn, who struggles internally with what he thinks is right. Zenn and Jag are in the forefront now, leading a rebellion hell-bent on bringing down an entire government.
I actually struggled with this a little bit. Where are the freaking adults already? Kids are not able to do this by themselves.
Anyway, that question does get answered, but I was never fully satisfied with it.
Zenn’s internal struggles are very front and center in Abandon. This novel is more about what he is going to do than anything else. The Association wants him – bad. He has power, they need power. But he has this urge to do what he thinks is right. Only, what is that exactly? I loved his struggle, and I also loved that as an insider, he had tips:
So as an insider, who is he really fighting for? Elana Johnson left me guessing which side he was playing for up until the end.
Vi and Jag are more interesting in Abandon. Vi has gained back what she lost, and she’s learning she has new powers, but at what cost to herself? Jag is resolving how to deal with this new side of her, and oh yeah, he also feels more betrayed by his best friend Zenn than ever. I think Jag has expectations of other people that are way too high often times. And frankly, he pissed me off a lot, but in a good way, because I know Johnson meant for him to piss me off. I forgive you, Jag.
The love triangle does get resolved, but it left me gnashing my teeth in frustration and sadness, mostly sadness, because the outcome was shocking and not what I would have thought would happen. Johnson, you are a brave woman.
Let’s talk the ending. This one thing happened and I sobbed hard. I mean, hard. I can’t believe it happened and I was a big ol’ mess at the end. The ending is the entire point to this whole trilogy: how far will someone go to fight for freedom, for the ability to choose their own meals, their own mates, their own ways to live? I know I would do anything for the ability to choose for myself.
Overall, I think Abandon is a fantastic conclusion to the series, and Elana Johnson leaves room for more books, with the way it wraps up. All the shiny tech was fascinating and I loved the determination of the characters to fight for choice. That’s my kinda book.
Edit: Real review time.
The review is also posted at The Bawdy Book Blog.
If there was ever an epic conclusion to a dystopian series, you’re looking at it right here. I was a heap of a sobbing mess when it was over and I may never recover!
**This post may contain spoilers from the first two books**
Stay tuned for the blog tour post going live tomorrow!
Raine is in Freedom under the control of her father. Gunner is with the rebels. Vi, Zenn and Jag are also with the rebels and trying to devise a way to bring down Freedom – and the Association – while saving Raine, Cannon and the rest of the rebels and citizens who are not with the Association.
Abandon is fast-paced and quick in a don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it kind of way. We’re totally immersed in the story now, there’s no turning back. Traitors have been outed, more questions are asked of our favorite characters, especially Zenn, who struggles internally with what he thinks is right. Zenn and Jag are in the forefront now, leading a rebellion hell-bent on bringing down an entire government.
I actually struggled with this a little bit. Where are the freaking adults already? Kids are not able to do this by themselves.
Anyway, that question does get answered, but I was never fully satisfied with it.
Zenn’s internal struggles are very front and center in Abandon. This novel is more about what he is going to do than anything else. The Association wants him – bad. He has power, they need power. But he has this urge to do what he thinks is right. Only, what is that exactly? I loved his struggle, and I also loved that as an insider, he had tips:
Insider Tip #1: Always do what the boss says. This is how you gain trust.
Insider Tip #7: Suspect everyone. Trust no one. When things go wrong, assume someone has tipped off the enemy.
So as an insider, who is he really fighting for? Elana Johnson left me guessing which side he was playing for up until the end.
Vi and Jag are more interesting in Abandon. Vi has gained back what she lost, and she’s learning she has new powers, but at what cost to herself? Jag is resolving how to deal with this new side of her, and oh yeah, he also feels more betrayed by his best friend Zenn than ever. I think Jag has expectations of other people that are way too high often times. And frankly, he pissed me off a lot, but in a good way, because I know Johnson meant for him to piss me off. I forgive you, Jag.
The love triangle does get resolved, but it left me gnashing my teeth in frustration and sadness, mostly sadness, because the outcome was shocking and not what I would have thought would happen. Johnson, you are a brave woman.
Let’s talk the ending. This one thing happened and I sobbed hard. I mean, hard. I can’t believe it happened and I was a big ol’ mess at the end. The ending is the entire point to this whole trilogy: how far will someone go to fight for freedom, for the ability to choose their own meals, their own mates, their own ways to live? I know I would do anything for the ability to choose for myself.
Overall, I think Abandon is a fantastic conclusion to the series, and Elana Johnson leaves room for more books, with the way it wraps up. All the shiny tech was fascinating and I loved the determination of the characters to fight for choice. That’s my kinda book.
March 31, 2026
1,5 stars
This finale is so disappointing!
Abandon is told through two PoVs: Jag and Zenn.
Zenn is an interesting character. In the previous books, he has a mysterious persona and for the most part he seems cool, calm and collected. Through his PoV, we find out more about him, see the way his mind works, how he deals with things and whether he's playing both sides.
Jag's PoV is the worst. He is made to seem like this awe inspiring leader who carries the weight of the resistance on his shoulders and whom everyone listens to because he's oh so charismatic, but he's a terrible and arrogant leader. Jag goes into situations recklessly, doesn't care about other people or listens to their advice and does whatever he wants to do. The narrative, through other characters, tries to paint a certain picture of him, but his PoV and actions paint an entirely different one, where he's an epic jerk.
The characters are flat and uninteresting and characters that I liked from previous books, such as Raine and Gunner who seemed so important to the resistance in Surrender are forgotten about. There are also character inconsistencies. The characters' actions don't line up with their personalities and their feelings are brushed aside in order to move on to supposedly bigger plot points.
Moving onto those supposedly bigger plot points wouldn't have been a problem if the plot wasn't boring. There's a lot of meetings, discussions, planning and reports, which is probably a more realistic look on the behind the scenes of a resistance, but it doesn't make for an interesting read. Out of nowhere the characters start travelling to different areas to carry out certain tasks and because it wasn't mentioned previously, it doesn't make sense.
The romance takes precedence over the plot, which is sad because the romance aspect is the weakest part of the series. Violet and Jag belong on a "Worst Couples I've Read About" list. Their relationship is more telling than showing and they're both extremely immature. The love triangle also continues for too long. Zenn's unrequited love for Violet turns ugly in Abandon and he becomes aggressive and pushy. I also wasn't a fan of Violet, Jag and Zenn's tendency to lead people on and cheat. I like the Zenn-Saffediene pairing, but it wasn't developed enough and for the most part, it felt like Zenn wasn't over Violet and was leading Saffediene on.
The ending of this series is unsatisfying. The series ends in a weird place. The villains give up so easily, which doesn't make sense and all the deaths feel pointless. I think I was expecting a more epic ending and this series didn't deliver.
This series has an interesting world and touches on a few interesting themes and concepts, but the characters are flat and the ending is so unsatisfying. I wouldn't recommend the Possession series.
"Sure, time dulls the pain, but there's always something that brings it back to the surface."
This finale is so disappointing!
Abandon is told through two PoVs: Jag and Zenn.
Zenn is an interesting character. In the previous books, he has a mysterious persona and for the most part he seems cool, calm and collected. Through his PoV, we find out more about him, see the way his mind works, how he deals with things and whether he's playing both sides.
Jag's PoV is the worst. He is made to seem like this awe inspiring leader who carries the weight of the resistance on his shoulders and whom everyone listens to because he's oh so charismatic, but he's a terrible and arrogant leader. Jag goes into situations recklessly, doesn't care about other people or listens to their advice and does whatever he wants to do. The narrative, through other characters, tries to paint a certain picture of him, but his PoV and actions paint an entirely different one, where he's an epic jerk.
The characters are flat and uninteresting and characters that I liked from previous books, such as Raine and Gunner who seemed so important to the resistance in Surrender are forgotten about. There are also character inconsistencies. The characters' actions don't line up with their personalities and their feelings are brushed aside in order to move on to supposedly bigger plot points.
Moving onto those supposedly bigger plot points wouldn't have been a problem if the plot wasn't boring. There's a lot of meetings, discussions, planning and reports, which is probably a more realistic look on the behind the scenes of a resistance, but it doesn't make for an interesting read. Out of nowhere the characters start travelling to different areas to carry out certain tasks and because it wasn't mentioned previously, it doesn't make sense.
The romance takes precedence over the plot, which is sad because the romance aspect is the weakest part of the series. Violet and Jag belong on a "Worst Couples I've Read About" list. Their relationship is more telling than showing and they're both extremely immature. The love triangle also continues for too long. Zenn's unrequited love for Violet turns ugly in Abandon and he becomes aggressive and pushy. I also wasn't a fan of Violet, Jag and Zenn's tendency to lead people on and cheat. I like the Zenn-Saffediene pairing, but it wasn't developed enough and for the most part, it felt like Zenn wasn't over Violet and was leading Saffediene on.
The ending of this series is unsatisfying. The series ends in a weird place. The villains give up so easily, which doesn't make sense and all the deaths feel pointless. I think I was expecting a more epic ending and this series didn't deliver.
This series has an interesting world and touches on a few interesting themes and concepts, but the characters are flat and the ending is so unsatisfying. I wouldn't recommend the Possession series.
April 17, 2013
The Possession series has been an interesting one from the beginning. Special powers. Mind wiping. Rebellion. Since I first read Possession, I feel in love with this world, and all of its unique qualities and quirks. Abandon is no different.
One element that I have loved / hated about this series is the constant change of POVs. This time around, we are taken into the minds of Jag and Zenn. While both characters have enough personality to carry Abandon easily, I found myself wanting to get back to Vi's POV again. Maybe it is the lack of the female POV that I miss, or maybe just her wit and spunk. Honestly, I don't know. Whatever it is, I miss it.
As you may know, the Possession series also carries a pretty heavy love triangle. Personally, I like both boys, but have always favored Zenn for one reason or another. With Abandon, I found myself rooting again for Zenn. It isn't that I don't like Jag. I do! But there is something about Zenn. Maybe it is the underdog effect? Who knows. Abandon wraps up the love triangle in a completely different way than what I was expecting. Do I like it? Yes and no. Is it kinda heartbreaking? Absolutely.
What about our other characters… Gunner and Raine? Have no fear. Abandon has not forgotten them. Gunner and Raine play a decent part in Abandon. However, in a similar fashion to Surrender, they are more in the background. After three books, if I had to voice one major complaint about the series, it is the POV / main character swaps. In Possession, Vi, Jag, and Zenn were the focus. In Surrender, it was Gunner and Raine. With Abandon, it is back to Vi, Jag, and Zenn. While I love having all these characters, it does feel a little overhelming sometimes having to keep up with so many.
Final Verdict:
I have loved this series since the beginning due to its unique qualities. Abandon fell in line pretty much how I expected it to, with plenty of twists added in that I did not expect. Especially in regards to the romance. All in all, a solid read that was fast-paced and a great addition to the series.
Will there be more?
Abandon wraps up nicely, but honestly, I am a little confused. For the longest time, I have been under the impression that the Possession series is a trilogy. However, the ending was a little bit more open than I had expected. Does that mean there will be more? Maybe. I guess I will have to wait and see.
June 24, 2013
I would rate this book 3.5 stars only because it disappointed me based on how much I enjoyed the first book in this series.
I enjoyed the action and romance in the book. The characters were likeable and had defining characteristics that influenced their actions. The writing style was also very interesting, and I read this book in 2 nights because I just kept turning the pages.
However, I did not enjoy many aspects of this book that I saw in the first book, Possession. The second book, Surrender, did not have any relevance to this book at all except for the appearance of one of the characters. The POV switched between Zenn and Jag which made the story hard to follow and somewhat disorganized. Lastly, the ending was disappointing because the story ends so abruptly, and the reader doesn't get to know the resolution fully.
I enjoyed the action and romance in the book. The characters were likeable and had defining characteristics that influenced their actions. The writing style was also very interesting, and I read this book in 2 nights because I just kept turning the pages.
However, I did not enjoy many aspects of this book that I saw in the first book, Possession. The second book, Surrender, did not have any relevance to this book at all except for the appearance of one of the characters. The POV switched between Zenn and Jag which made the story hard to follow and somewhat disorganized. Lastly, the ending was disappointing because the story ends so abruptly, and the reader doesn't get to know the resolution fully.
March 22, 2014
Terrible, boring, muddy ending of a mediocre series. Tons of characters are quickly introduced and killed. The characters travel through so many cities, with so many new names to learn, that it becomes tedious.
One of the biggest problems in this book is where the author kills off a major villain, at the hands of a major character, but she doesn't write that scene. Instead, she chose to write it as something another character was told in passing. Really? So-in-so, the evil, unstoppable villain in the last book is killed and you think it's not worth writing about? No, but please write every detail of Zenn's hoverboard trip to deliver a message.
Jag also became extremely unlikable in this book, and acted power hungry and arrogant. We never got closure on Gunner & Raine's story either, along with that prophetic vision thing.
One of the biggest problems in this book is where the author kills off a major villain, at the hands of a major character, but she doesn't write that scene. Instead, she chose to write it as something another character was told in passing. Really? So-in-so, the evil, unstoppable villain in the last book is killed and you think it's not worth writing about? No, but please write every detail of Zenn's hoverboard trip to deliver a message.
Jag also became extremely unlikable in this book, and acted power hungry and arrogant. We never got closure on Gunner & Raine's story either, along with that prophetic vision thing.
Want to Read
September 20, 2012Today was the cover reveal. It's pretty! :D
July 23, 2013
As always, her book did not disappoint!Review to come on Thursday on my blog...
January 8, 2024
i’m going to start this off by saying that possession was an amazing, maybe even perfect, book to begin this series, but everything that came after was pretty meh. surrender kind of ruined the series for me bc of vi being brainwashed and jag not being present until towards the end. since everyone was going to be fully present for abandon, i was pretty excited to read this final installment of the series. i don’t know if it was my fault or the writing’s fault or the previous book’s fault, but i just could not get into this book. my mind kept wandering and i kept finding myself skimming through and just wanting to get it all over with already. it’s honestly just such a letdown since the first book was so captivating. i hope other people can find joy in this series, but honestly i did not.
October 15, 2013
*** Possible plot hole idea- Please comment!
What has this woman done?!?! When I got to the ending where the big thing happens (Yeah, THAT thing- You know what I mean if you've read it.) I felt like the author reached a hand down my throat and ripped my heart out from there. Of course that was the ending to expect. It was a great ending, but there will always be that part of me that wished it ended a tiny bit differently. And I know how it could have happened.
[*** Do NOT read ahead if you haven't finished reading the book yet!]
Well, remember the transporter rings that Zenn helped to make? He thought about the one he had in his pocket when he was at the meeting with all of the Directors and General Darke. He knew that he could have just left then if he wanted to, but he didn't. Why couldn't he have used that transporter ring when he was trying to protect Vi near the ending? He could have just transported the two of them back to the Rise where he wae trying to get her. He wouldn't have taken as many hits in the attack, and he would have survived. I still understand why the author chose for him to die, though. It made a more striking ending, and showed Zenn's real acceptance and letting go of Vi. It was a great and memorable ending, but it still hurt, of course. I'll never forget the possibilities that could have come from Zenn and Saffediene's relationship.
As for the rest of the book, it was fantastic. I had no complaints, and am quite satisfied with how things have progressed throughout the series. I truely am sad to see its ending, but I'm still glad to have know the story. I won't forget it.
***Afterthought: What if the Resistance didn't actually end? What of Darke actually did win and brainwashed everyone into believing that they won? Some of the characters that died could actually be alive and simply brainwashed with the rest. I can imagine all of the characters waiting to take on a new identity in the brainwashed, functioning society that Darke could have maintained. I surely wouldn't want that to be true, but there isn't much of a way for us to REALLY know...
What has this woman done?!?! When I got to the ending where the big thing happens (Yeah, THAT thing- You know what I mean if you've read it.) I felt like the author reached a hand down my throat and ripped my heart out from there. Of course that was the ending to expect. It was a great ending, but there will always be that part of me that wished it ended a tiny bit differently. And I know how it could have happened.
[*** Do NOT read ahead if you haven't finished reading the book yet!]
Well, remember the transporter rings that Zenn helped to make? He thought about the one he had in his pocket when he was at the meeting with all of the Directors and General Darke. He knew that he could have just left then if he wanted to, but he didn't. Why couldn't he have used that transporter ring when he was trying to protect Vi near the ending? He could have just transported the two of them back to the Rise where he wae trying to get her. He wouldn't have taken as many hits in the attack, and he would have survived. I still understand why the author chose for him to die, though. It made a more striking ending, and showed Zenn's real acceptance and letting go of Vi. It was a great and memorable ending, but it still hurt, of course. I'll never forget the possibilities that could have come from Zenn and Saffediene's relationship.
As for the rest of the book, it was fantastic. I had no complaints, and am quite satisfied with how things have progressed throughout the series. I truely am sad to see its ending, but I'm still glad to have know the story. I won't forget it.
***Afterthought: What if the Resistance didn't actually end? What of Darke actually did win and brainwashed everyone into believing that they won? Some of the characters that died could actually be alive and simply brainwashed with the rest. I can imagine all of the characters waiting to take on a new identity in the brainwashed, functioning society that Darke could have maintained. I surely wouldn't want that to be true, but there isn't much of a way for us to REALLY know...
December 30, 2013
This was a good ending to the Possession series. One thing I've loved about all three books is Johnson's willingness to do anything to/with her characters. So often there's no real sense of suspense in a book because you know the author won't really kill that person off/give a victory to the bad guy/go (wherever) with the story.
But not Elana Johnson. None of her characters are safe and I absolutely love that. Abandon was pretty intense from start to finish. Nearly everyone from the previous two books is with the Resistance. At least, on the surface. There's lots of cool tech, and hoverboarding, and maybe a little much angst. I loved that half the chapters were from Zenn's point of view, because I thought he was one of the most interesting characters in the series.
Suspenseful plot, interesting gadgets, nice twists and turns. My only complaints were that it was hard to believe the characters were supposed to be 16/17. (Who would follow a 16 year old rebel?) And that I would have liked a little more character growth, especially earlier in the book. But overall a very interesting, plot driven series.
But not Elana Johnson. None of her characters are safe and I absolutely love that. Abandon was pretty intense from start to finish. Nearly everyone from the previous two books is with the Resistance. At least, on the surface. There's lots of cool tech, and hoverboarding, and maybe a little much angst. I loved that half the chapters were from Zenn's point of view, because I thought he was one of the most interesting characters in the series.
Suspenseful plot, interesting gadgets, nice twists and turns. My only complaints were that it was hard to believe the characters were supposed to be 16/17. (Who would follow a 16 year old rebel?) And that I would have liked a little more character growth, especially earlier in the book. But overall a very interesting, plot driven series.
June 30, 2013
What a great ending to a great series! Elena's books just get better each time. I love that each book in this trilogy is told from different point of views. This book is told by the two main male characters, Jag and Zenn, which was very appropriate for the last story. Jag and Zenn have distinct and unique voices, both very real and alive.
Elena Johnson's writing is sharp, smart and pleasingly economical. The action is non-stop and the emotions intense. Ending a series is always tricky and this one is handled beautifully. Unexpected, surprising, yes, but perfect for the story. Fans will be completely satisfied.
Elena Johnson's writing is sharp, smart and pleasingly economical. The action is non-stop and the emotions intense. Ending a series is always tricky and this one is handled beautifully. Unexpected, surprising, yes, but perfect for the story. Fans will be completely satisfied.
January 23, 2016
Sometimes it is hard to write a review at the end of a series because you are so sad that it is over and I feel that way about this book. I loved getting to know Zenn better, (that poor tortured soul). The war was awful and there were lots of casualties which left me feeling sad, but there was hope for the survivors and even though their lives were wrecked they had each other to hold on to and the work of pulling things back together to accomplish. The end reminded me of Hunger Games in a way accept there was more hope and the characters were stronger in the end and not destroyed.
October 5, 2023
i completely and utterly binged this trilogy
It was so unhealthy for me
The next thing I’m going to binge though is some eric foner textbook 🤩🤩
BUT SERIOUSLY I CANT BELIEVE ITS OVER
I was seriously not ready for it to end
AGH I HATE FINISHING SERIES’
;-;
BUT ITS 11 pm IN ONE HOUR ITLL BE 2022
Am I broken temporarily I might be who knows
It was so unhealthy for me
The next thing I’m going to binge though is some eric foner textbook 🤩🤩
BUT SERIOUSLY I CANT BELIEVE ITS OVER
I was seriously not ready for it to end
AGH I HATE FINISHING SERIES’
;-;
BUT ITS 11 pm IN ONE HOUR ITLL BE 2022
Am I broken temporarily I might be who knows
April 20, 2014
This book was awful. Seriously, boring and confusing. I hated Vi and Jag. All the best characters were treated like garbage. It took me forever to finish because I had no interest but I kept thinking "it'll get better." Wrong. It was so awful. 5 stars for it being over!
October 3, 2013
Amazing book! Amazing series! Absolutely love from a teenagers perspective this book was fantastic my whole school is currently on the hype for this book- amazing that i was able to find a copy!
December 3, 2013
I definitely liked the second book in this series the best. The first book I found confusing, the second book gripping, and this last book I just felt lukewarm about.
I think I'm not a huge fan of the 'final battle' type books. Where we must face off against the forces of evil and win this great big huge showdown. It always just feels so disappointing, because I expect my victors to be more clever, more well planned out, better informed, instead of just winging it and hapening to succeed.
Problem one: how can a 16 year old boy be the leader of a resistance movement? Seriously he goes and convinces all of these directors, whom I am assuming are adults, to do his bidding. I mean at 16 most adults are like, ha, you don't know what you want, why should I listen to you? I'm older and wiser. This is just what you typically have to put up with at 16. But on top of that he had been doing this for years now. It just didn't feel right. Especially since you have adults in your resistance. Why are they not in charge?
Problem two: Information management. It seamed to me that if you where the resistance, why where you not more on top of your information. It's like they where always one step behind. ALL THE TIME!! Why would they ever have there frequency be able to be traced, and that be why the final showdown has to happen as soon as it does. They should have been more on that. That should never have been an issue. Instead they are cocky, and get caught and have to react vs. act. And based on the intel they do have, it's like they are always coming to the party unprepared. It's like they think because they have talents they are invincible. So does the other side, so start thinking about advantages outside your narrow framed box, and waiting for miracle girl who you love to step up and save you all.
Problem Three: Free Vs. Functioning. There really wasn't a valid argument for Free. Sure being brainwashed and told how to live, not all that awesome. I like free choice a lot. But the examples of free that we are shown right away from Zenn's perspective, aren't good examples. So at the end of the novel when he finally chooses a side, it's not because he has the example of how a free society can still function and it's about matching people up with there talents and such, not it's because it's the right thing to do. End of logic. I really feel like as the side fighting for how they want things to be different they should have thought out this plan for how they where going to enact it first, and still have a functioning society. Like this one colony comes up with the plan, and it's all like huzzah, why didn't we think of that. And I'm like your are the leader of the resistance Jag and you don't have that argument already under your belt. Why are you in charge??
Problem four: Vastly outnumbered! With the clones they are vastly outnumbered. Even the resistance party sounds small. We are down to 20 people. 20 people who all have talents, yes, but still that's only 20 people. They have an army of clones who are immune to your talents. Except for this one girl, who can't even take over a whole army, but one guy at a time. Why is this guy not just being tazed to death by the other people around him and then she has to find a new body. Instead whatever body she takes over is like invincible. Stupidest solution ever. Also why didn't they have better management over there talented people. It just felt like it could have been more like, in this scenario, we do this. It took an adult at the end of the novel to step up and do Jags job for him and organize all the parties by talents and send them out. Why is jag in charge? (sorry that is a rant that will come up a lot).
Problem five: Unnecessary deaths for the sake of plot. There is absolutely no reason for Zenn to die. Really that final battle made the least amount of sense possible.
Problem six: If the first book was meant to be a standalone book and it just confused the hell out of me, then the rest of the series has felt like an apology for the first book, re-writing what actually happened in that book, by providing alternative POVs.
Problem seven: Couples. I like me a good love story, don't get me wrong. But it felt like everyone in this book had to be paired up with someone. EVERYONE. Zenn no longer gets to have Vi, so there is another girl who is totally clambering to get in his pants, and he falls for her eventually. Yup. Everyone has a pair. Huzzah!!
Problem eight: Everyone gets a super power, and then some. Yup, so people all have these talents, and after the first book your all like wow. So voice power is super powerful and the most awesomest, yeah? Tech power also pretty new and different and unique. But in this last one, it's all like, lets just give people more powers, and make them even more useful, because you know we can. So there powers start manifesting in new and different ways. And what is with Vi's hand lighting on fire. No one wanted to get back to that and say what's up?
Problem Nine: Hover boards. Seriously, why would you take these things in my mind that equate a surf board but for the wing and use them as your primary mode of transportation from city to city. Like that has to suck big time. Why don't you use more ships and stuff? So much more comfortable and you pack more supplies. If it's so you are less noticeable and more stealth, then I get that for parties of 2. But a group of like 50 of you or more, yup, stupid!!!!
Problem ten: Why is jag in charge? Sorry I don't really have a problem ten. I just like an even list. But still that point keeps getting to me. Also just for the sake of it, lets just argue why are Jag and Vi together, and how do they get to sleep with each other, but not have sex, and how do her parents get to be around and not actually get all parenty about them being together and dorms and stuff. It's like a bunch of teens playing house, that don't have all the answers but have crazy talents who happen to win this big war because morally we know it's right but they do a piss poor job of arguing it throughout the novel.
Alright I think that's the end of my ranting.
Really, I want to like this book, I really do. But I have been in such a slump reading lately and I made myself finish this, and unfortunately all I can see are it's flaws. The writing was fast paced and the rotating POV chapters where easy to get through. So huzzah to that.
I think I'm not a huge fan of the 'final battle' type books. Where we must face off against the forces of evil and win this great big huge showdown. It always just feels so disappointing, because I expect my victors to be more clever, more well planned out, better informed, instead of just winging it and hapening to succeed.
Problem one: how can a 16 year old boy be the leader of a resistance movement? Seriously he goes and convinces all of these directors, whom I am assuming are adults, to do his bidding. I mean at 16 most adults are like, ha, you don't know what you want, why should I listen to you? I'm older and wiser. This is just what you typically have to put up with at 16. But on top of that he had been doing this for years now. It just didn't feel right. Especially since you have adults in your resistance. Why are they not in charge?
Problem two: Information management. It seamed to me that if you where the resistance, why where you not more on top of your information. It's like they where always one step behind. ALL THE TIME!! Why would they ever have there frequency be able to be traced, and that be why the final showdown has to happen as soon as it does. They should have been more on that. That should never have been an issue. Instead they are cocky, and get caught and have to react vs. act. And based on the intel they do have, it's like they are always coming to the party unprepared. It's like they think because they have talents they are invincible. So does the other side, so start thinking about advantages outside your narrow framed box, and waiting for miracle girl who you love to step up and save you all.
Problem Three: Free Vs. Functioning. There really wasn't a valid argument for Free. Sure being brainwashed and told how to live, not all that awesome. I like free choice a lot. But the examples of free that we are shown right away from Zenn's perspective, aren't good examples. So at the end of the novel when he finally chooses a side, it's not because he has the example of how a free society can still function and it's about matching people up with there talents and such, not it's because it's the right thing to do. End of logic. I really feel like as the side fighting for how they want things to be different they should have thought out this plan for how they where going to enact it first, and still have a functioning society. Like this one colony comes up with the plan, and it's all like huzzah, why didn't we think of that. And I'm like your are the leader of the resistance Jag and you don't have that argument already under your belt. Why are you in charge??
Problem four: Vastly outnumbered! With the clones they are vastly outnumbered. Even the resistance party sounds small. We are down to 20 people. 20 people who all have talents, yes, but still that's only 20 people. They have an army of clones who are immune to your talents. Except for this one girl, who can't even take over a whole army, but one guy at a time. Why is this guy not just being tazed to death by the other people around him and then she has to find a new body. Instead whatever body she takes over is like invincible. Stupidest solution ever. Also why didn't they have better management over there talented people. It just felt like it could have been more like, in this scenario, we do this. It took an adult at the end of the novel to step up and do Jags job for him and organize all the parties by talents and send them out. Why is jag in charge? (sorry that is a rant that will come up a lot).
Problem five: Unnecessary deaths for the sake of plot. There is absolutely no reason for Zenn to die. Really that final battle made the least amount of sense possible.
Problem six: If the first book was meant to be a standalone book and it just confused the hell out of me, then the rest of the series has felt like an apology for the first book, re-writing what actually happened in that book, by providing alternative POVs.
Problem seven: Couples. I like me a good love story, don't get me wrong. But it felt like everyone in this book had to be paired up with someone. EVERYONE. Zenn no longer gets to have Vi, so there is another girl who is totally clambering to get in his pants, and he falls for her eventually. Yup. Everyone has a pair. Huzzah!!
Problem eight: Everyone gets a super power, and then some. Yup, so people all have these talents, and after the first book your all like wow. So voice power is super powerful and the most awesomest, yeah? Tech power also pretty new and different and unique. But in this last one, it's all like, lets just give people more powers, and make them even more useful, because you know we can. So there powers start manifesting in new and different ways. And what is with Vi's hand lighting on fire. No one wanted to get back to that and say what's up?
Problem Nine: Hover boards. Seriously, why would you take these things in my mind that equate a surf board but for the wing and use them as your primary mode of transportation from city to city. Like that has to suck big time. Why don't you use more ships and stuff? So much more comfortable and you pack more supplies. If it's so you are less noticeable and more stealth, then I get that for parties of 2. But a group of like 50 of you or more, yup, stupid!!!!
Problem ten: Why is jag in charge? Sorry I don't really have a problem ten. I just like an even list. But still that point keeps getting to me. Also just for the sake of it, lets just argue why are Jag and Vi together, and how do they get to sleep with each other, but not have sex, and how do her parents get to be around and not actually get all parenty about them being together and dorms and stuff. It's like a bunch of teens playing house, that don't have all the answers but have crazy talents who happen to win this big war because morally we know it's right but they do a piss poor job of arguing it throughout the novel.
Alright I think that's the end of my ranting.
Really, I want to like this book, I really do. But I have been in such a slump reading lately and I made myself finish this, and unfortunately all I can see are it's flaws. The writing was fast paced and the rotating POV chapters where easy to get through. So huzzah to that.
March 13, 2018
By the end, I liked it. Jag and Zenn were not my favorite narrators, but I actually began to like and appreciate Zenn and his internal struggle, and I loved his character by the end of the book. I loved the theme of right versus wrong and the balance of making moral and logical decisions. Yes, this book was sad. Heartbreaking really, but what is to be expected in a book about a war. There were times I was not so enthralled, and there were moments I didn't love Abandon, but at the end if the day I did. I do wish we got to see a bit more of Raine and Gunner, but that's just because I love them too much!
February 23, 2022
Alright my second middle school me YA series of the year finished. Definitely better than the one I read around the holidays, but still kinda meh. The characters were more interesting than I remember, but still weird POV changing and a lot of plot lines that didn’t get wrapped up. Also, the ending was so dumb!!!
February 3, 2017
If you're an empath like me ... and the feels from books becomes all too real, beware. This book was as amazing as the others. But it destroyed the empath in me. Completely and utterly razed me to the ground leaving nothing behind. Keep your Kleenex handy.
Oh, but Vi? Love, live, love her!!!!!
Oh, but Vi? Love, live, love her!!!!!
May 12, 2017
Maybe 3 is pushing it. It was an okay read--as far as dystopian lit goes. But the "relationships" got a bit wonky and tired. And 16-year-olds probably aren't going to be the ones to fuel a revolution.
June 4, 2017
A nice reading but it was really fast.
We lost a lot of time dealing with the characters' feeling and we forget the fight for Freedom.
This dystopie had something really interesting but It's like we never used it at its fullest.
We lost a lot of time dealing with the characters' feeling and we forget the fight for Freedom.
This dystopie had something really interesting but It's like we never used it at its fullest.
February 16, 2025
Elana WHYYYYYY
Book 1: POV Vi
Book 2: POV Gunner and Raine (like why? but I was able to stick to it)
Book 3: POV Jag and Zenn????? Huhhhhh?
I honestly hate series that switch POVs like this. And I feel really bad for DNFing since Elana Johnson is my mom's cousin 😳, but I am just not enjoying it.
Book 1: POV Vi
Book 2: POV Gunner and Raine (like why? but I was able to stick to it)
Book 3: POV Jag and Zenn????? Huhhhhh?
I honestly hate series that switch POVs like this. And I feel really bad for DNFing since Elana Johnson is my mom's cousin 😳, but I am just not enjoying it.
December 26, 2025
This book ended by killing off two substantial characters that I did not want to see die. Otherwise five stars haha this one is personal, take my review with the smallest of grains of salt. Still loved this series!
February 23, 2017
This was a drawn out conclusion to a confusing and terribly written series. I had to force myself to finish this book.
July 30, 2017
Didn't really like the book- Until the end, anyways.
I really shipped Vi and Zenn, but that kinda blew up in my face.
☹️😭
I really shipped Vi and Zenn, but that kinda blew up in my face.
☹️😭
May 27, 2017
Really???? My poor baby had to go through all that to just die???? It was a good ending but he could have lived and I would have been so much happier
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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