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Zenn Bower has spent his life falling in love with Violet Schoenfeld. After he turned twelve, he learned his father was part of an underground revolution called the Resistance, a group of free-thinking citizens fighting against the mind controlling government. He joined, putting his considerable talents to use: lying, flying, and voice control.

He wishes life inside the Resistance could be easy. He yearns to tell Vi what he's doing in the middle of the night. He wants cocky leader of the Resistance Jag Barque to back off.

Zenn runs a mission with Blaze, Jag's older brother, to Freedom. It's a simple get in, get out procedure. But things go wrong when Blaze breaks protocol and Zenn uses his voice to detain him. Zenn's met by Thane Meyers at the drop location, and he has an interesting proposal for Zenn.

Ultimately Zenn has to choose: Violet or the Resistance.

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2011

18 people are currently reading
1888 people want to read

About the author

Elana Johnson

178 books2,082 followers
3-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

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5 stars
150 (32%)
4 stars
120 (26%)
3 stars
123 (26%)
2 stars
47 (10%)
1 star
17 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Madi ~☆TheBookNerdDiaries☆~.
338 reviews211 followers
March 5, 2019
This was okay. Just okay. It wasn't anything special and I think it only got better maybe once in the entire novella, which was only 64% of the book. I just didn't feel anything in this novella I guess. If me choosing to read the rest if the series depended on this one, I probably wouldn't go on. Maybe choosing to read this first was a bad idea.

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Profile Image for Abi.
1,998 reviews663 followers
October 9, 2018
Actual rating - 3.5
Profile Image for Mairéad (is roaming the Undying Lands).
432 reviews153 followers
February 8, 2014
Between 3.5-4.5 stars, only because this is very short and the fact that it just throws you directly into the story without much explanation about certain things. But it does start piecing together bit by bit if you've read stories like this one before that deals with rebellion, a controlling government, betrayal, etcetera.

It might be the fact that I've read so many Dystopian novels and they're all starting to blur together now (especially the ones that jumped on the bandwagon in light of "other" certain books). But this seemed interesting enough to keep me going. Even the first chapter of Possession at the end of it was appealing enough for me to pick up the first book. Who knows when that will be though considering I have so many books to deal with along with writing my own.

But one day I shall get to this series and read it completely.
Profile Image for Christine Fonseca.
Author 40 books390 followers
January 15, 2012
I loved this short. such a great way to get to know a different character a little better - get his insight. FAB!
421 reviews6 followers
July 17, 2012
I love Zenn. This definitely makes you understand him more and see why he is the way he is.
Profile Image for Nancy Lieberman.
116 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2025
Very interesting start to the series, but not sure if the main character Zenn will be annoying with in decisive thoughts or no.
Profile Image for Autumn.
2,366 reviews47 followers
August 6, 2013
I thought this was an okay story. When I first started reading it I was wondering what was going on. But as it progressed I realized I was in the P.O.V. of Zenn. I would probably suggest you read book one Possession before you read this even though this is book 0.5. You may come to understand Zenn's actions in book one a whole lot better.

Zenn has been in love with Vi for 5 years. He wants to be matched with her. But in order to do that well he needs to start giving up answers and a certain person to the Director. The Director has given Zenn an ultimatum and Zenn realizes he can not live on both sides. He has to pick. But which one will he choose? The Resistance that he is a part of or Vi and his love for her? Well that you just have to find out.

Now you are in a dystopia type world. You have people with powers, thinkers, those that want to control others, those who do not want to be controlled and fight for the greater good, last but not least you have some who just follow the rules.

The love that Zenn has for Vi feels not real, almost empty and hollow. It didn't seem that he was head over heels in love. Other than that it was an overall good story, something that was worth the read.
Profile Image for Jenni.
69 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2014
I really enjoyed the possession series, and was excited to find out that there were little novellas to go along with the books as well. A little insight to the characters and the story line. But this.... This was completely unnecessary. It didnt help the story like along at all. It could have been summed up on one page and then added to the book.

Literally, the only think i got out of this that was not in the book was that Zenn would always choose Vi. And like even that was a little obvious reading the books. You can tell he does love her, and you get more of that reading this novella, bit it was a lot of words for something that didnt need 20 pages. This was free on amazon and that was why I decided to read it, it was only 20 pages and I thought it would be good, thought it would further improve on the story. I guess unless you've just read the books, this might be boog for you. To read, but really, I wouldn't read it again or waste time with it. There really isn't anything new in this and I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
Profile Image for s e n t i m e n t a l i t i e s olittlebear.
458 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2013
Since book 1 is about Violet, and she intrudes upon Jag's memories, this is the first time we get anything from Zenn's point of view. And i'm glad it was made clear he wasn't in on the whole Blaze thing. Though it does seem like just one more body that will soon turn up, and i'm not talking a zombie or corpse. Out of all the characters Zenn's the one I want to like but he seems obsessed with Vi in this rather than just in love, and I get they've been bff's for 3 years and they don't like to follow all the rules, but that doesn't explain enough for how he feels about her, and it is more creepy than just love with his going about in the background to make sure they're paired and all. It was also just >too< short. I was glad to get the Blaze bit but I would've liked something new, something interesting. Maybe about his time during the special forces training or something. Something not about Vi or even Jag but about himself!
Profile Image for Darlene.
1,010 reviews446 followers
July 12, 2012
This is a short story that is based on Zenn’s point of view regarding the Resistance and his interaction with Jag. You can read it for free at Goodreads or download it for free from the author’s website.

Reading this short story actually changed my perspective of Zenn a little. I like him a bit more, now!

The story itself is just three chapters and is about ten pages. It is followed by the first chapter of Possession. Even though this book is named Book #0.5 of the series, I don't think that it will make sense if you read it before you read Possession, which is Book #1. I would recommend waiting to read it until after you have read Possession.

MY RATING: 3 stars!! It was good, and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
240 reviews120 followers
October 10, 2012
Mini Review:
I found this mini to be...interesting. Now I haven't read the first book so I don't know much about any of the characters (except for the fact that my best friend is in love with Jag) and that this book is dystopian. While I did enjoy this teaser, it wasn't earth breaking or life changing in any way. If anything, it only made me want to know more about this world out of curiousity. I'm excited to read the first book in the series and really give things a go and I'm crossing my fingers for some serious character development.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Profile Image for Polly Roth.
586 reviews11 followers
January 20, 2013
Well, I'm grateful Elana Johnson gave us something to read while wait for June to come! But, this book was like 30 pages and didn't really add anything to the story. And, it was too jumpy for my taste. Like it started with when he was twelve and in 30 pages he was like 16. We just find out how Zenn gave up the resistance for Vi, and you end up feeling bad for him... Somewhat...Not enough to wish Vi had chosen him over Jag...defiantly not that much. But, if you're missing the Possession world as much as I am, this book does give you 30 pages of it...
Profile Image for Marcia.
1,114 reviews118 followers
June 2, 2015
I liked reading Resist from Zenn's point of view. I really hated his character in Possession, but liked him a lot more after reading Surrender.

Resist is a short story about Zenn having to choose between the resistance and his love for Violet. The story takes place before Possession, when Zenn is only fourteen years old.

I liked reading this story, but it was very short and it didn't add that much extra information to the Possession Series. But still a must read for fans!
Profile Image for Jenny.
1,001 reviews232 followers
December 27, 2012
This is the story told from Zenn's POV on the night that Jag's brother dies. I really enjoyed reading from Zenn's POV. It was nice to hear his choices (and he did make a big choice!) and compare that back to the story of Possession.

It shows us that Zenn might not be such a bad guy after all. His most important choice--protect Vi at all costs. In the end, his choice doesn't really help her. But how was he to know about her father? This novella was definitely worth reading! 4 stars!
Profile Image for Mary.
75 reviews
July 21, 2013
Resist is a short story that is in Zenn's point of view and takes place before Possession. The story line is sci-fi-ish, which I like. It kind of reminds me of the Hunger Games, which I loved, so I can totally see myself loving this series just as much. I love Zenn's faithfulness and love for Vi and can't wait to read more of their story.
Profile Image for Keanna (JustKey).
921 reviews159 followers
January 29, 2014
Funny, how Zenn and Jag were best friends and now has fought over the same girl-Violet. I can't believe that the Director persuaded, more like bribe him if he was matched up with Violet she would be safe. The Director is very threatening and persuasive. This was a great insight inside of Zenn's life and how he joined the Resistance.
Profile Image for Anncleire.
1,344 reviews98 followers
August 14, 2014
Si capiscono tante coose a livello di trama e soprattutto chi è Zenn e il suo vero ruolo nella storia. Ma scopriamo anche un volto inedito di Jag o forse, un volto che si era solo vagamente intuito.

Imperdibile, e l'attesa del secondo diventa sempre più insostenibile.
Profile Image for Julia .
1,115 reviews8 followers
June 11, 2012
I adored this short little piece to get an inside perspective on Zenn. Though had I read this before reading Possession it might have cut the tension of Possession. Things that where revealed in Possession where told in a short story here.
Profile Image for Erin.
903 reviews1 follower
May 12, 2014
It was a good short novella. It is told from Zenn's point of view and happens before the events happen in "Possession." I would read it after reading "Possession", even though it is #0.5. It will not make much sense if you read it before "Possession".
Profile Image for Marvy Herrera.
569 reviews24 followers
July 26, 2014
So i don't know what make so good about short story that make smile..I enjoy reading Resist, i always enjoy reding the other side, in this case Zenn side..I like it, is always nice when the author give you an inside of the story..I just start the serie, but so far so good.. =)
Profile Image for Monica.
123 reviews13 followers
December 31, 2011
Short story about Zenn, Vi's match, and it's good to hear a little about him. I wish it was longer though..
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,323 reviews
June 6, 2012

Interesting to get to see a short story from Zenn's point of view.
Profile Image for Raven.
194 reviews12 followers
April 28, 2012
This almost made me feel better about how Possession ended. Almost. An interesting glimpse into Zenn's character and his motives. Looking forward to Elana's book coming out this summer, Surrender.
Profile Image for Jemi Fraser.
Author 35 books77 followers
March 4, 2012
Loved hearing more about the great characters in Possession! Zenn was full of surprises & I really enjoyed this. Can't wait for Surrender!
Profile Image for Megan Martin.
276 reviews
April 27, 2012
More Zenn!!! Agh. The only bad thing about Elana's writing is that there just isn't enough of it for me!!
Profile Image for Jenn.
155 reviews9 followers
June 18, 2012
I'm so glad I read this before reading Surrender. It gives a whole new dimension to Zenn's character. Great, quick, free read. What's not to like?
Profile Image for Louisa.
8,843 reviews99 followers
May 3, 2012
Oh, this was awesome to see things from Zenn's POV, from before he was all caught up and being brainwashed/controlled! Really great! Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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