What do you think?
Rate this book
Song and Shadow #1
Possession
Constance Jerome wants nothing more than to make it through her senior year of high school without being noticed. But when her mother drops the world's biggest bombshell, flying under the radar just isn't in the cards. It turns out Constance is a necromancer-one of the few who can travel the realms of the dead. Apparently it runs in the family. And now there's a threat coming: another necromancer with plans to disturb the living and the dead, and Constance and her mother are the only ones who can stop him. If only they knew who he was. Or what exactly he was up to. A quiet senior year isn't an option, and Constance must race to stop a high school apocalypse before the balance between the living and the dead is overturned.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
328 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2014
1 person is currently reading
695 people want to read
About the author
Annie Oldham
11 books174 followersAway from her writing, Annie is the mother of the most adorable girls in the world, has the best husband in the world, and lives in one of the prettiest places in the world (the Wasatch mountains are breathtaking!). She loves to cook, sing, play the piano, and participate in community theater.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 18, 2016
Possession (Song and Shadow Book 1) by Annie Oldham is a fantasy teen/young adult story but adults will love this story as much as the young adults, it is terrific! It has magic, adventure, suspense, evil spirits, humor, touch of romance, vampires, zombies, more humor, heartbreak, strength, and danger. I really liked this book! An outcast girl with only one friend, finds out her mom is a necromancer on the side. The town is being vandalized, esp. the cemetery. Things start getting strange around town......and you have to read it your self, this isn't a book report :P. Loved the plot, and wonderful and terrible characters, all well developed and we all know someone like them. I am on to book 2! Received this book to read and am not obligated to leave a review but it is so darn good, had to share the love!
February 5, 2017
Title: Possession (Song and Shadow, #1)
Author: Annie Oldham
Publisher: Annie Oldham, 2014
Genre: YA Paranormal
**I received a copy of this book free from Ebooksforreview.com and the author in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my Blog. TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or my Goodreads page
My Review:
So I saw the blurb from ebooksforreview, one of my favorite reviewing sites (I've met great authors through the program), and I had to read this. Unlike the last book that tricked me with its #coverlove, this time it was all about the content, baby!
Necromancers! Yay!
I signed up and received both books in the series so far: Possession and Illusion. I'll definitely be following this one up with the next book in the Song and Shadow series!
I'll dive right in and stop keeping you in suspense, as I know you must be dying to know about this book. Right? (It's the dead bird on the cover, am I right?)
Ok. So…let’s talk about Constance.
Constance is a typical teen, if you consider hiding behind your hair and only having one friend typical. She knows she must give off the freak vibe because Greta is The only friend she has, and Greta is semi-popular. When Seth, a football player and Calculus underachiever, needs a tutor, the teacher volunteers Constance (or Con as Greta and her family calls her) to be his tutor. She wouldn’t mind so much if his girlfriend, Seline, wasn’t such a b-word. (Rhymes with “witch” cause I run a respectable site here, guys).
Seth makes it obvious he will not tolerate Con’s attempts to reason with him about Seline. They butt heads on multiple occasions. She thinks Seline is horrible, and she uses every opportunity to make fun of Con. But Seth (in so many words) implies that maybe Con is asking for it. Nice, right?
As the study sessions fail, Con notices her mother looking worse for wear. Turns out, Constance is a necromancer just like her mom, and something crazy is going on in town. Now, her mom needs her help and has to teach Con the trade. Graves are being vandalized and bodies are going missing.
But Constance doesn’t want to be a necromancer. She just wants to be a normal teen. With normal friends.
Is that too much for a girl to ask?
Is It Classroom-Appropriate?
Yes, it’s actually quite relatable for teens. Con is the outcast, though she can get a little whiny at times. And the necromancing is interesting…nothing “satanic” about it as that could be a problem in some classrooms. I don’t see this as much of a educational book, though. I see this more as a recreational read that could inspire stubborn or reluctant readers, especially those who don’t “fit in” with the crowd in school. I would keep the book out of the curriculum to avoid any parents worrying about the necromancy thing (you remember how they used to react to Harry Potter, right?). This would be more a book I would want to keep on the shelf in my reading library in class for kids to pick up when they are done with work or have a desire to read.
Age Range:
As a self-published book, this one is not going to show up on Lexile. So I would say that this could even be appropriate for middle grade: I would suggest 7th grade and up, or about 13. Nothing inappropriate going on here, and pretty much no romance (I kinda hope that changes in the next book cause I like me some romance). It’s a safe read. I’d let my niece read this, and that is almost always my go-to test for appropriate reading since she’s 12 years old. (She’s a more advanced reader, but she likes Miss Peregrine’s House for Peculiar Children and I think this one is not similar per se, as I haven’t read Peregrine, but just as fun and harmless.
End Result:
Though we have seen the teenage outcast special girl trope before, I actually liked this one. The difference here is that Constance never becomes the popular girl. She isn’t happy having only one friend, but she also doesn’t become popular or learn a lesson or think she’s a “speshul snowflake” either. She hates the idea of being a necromancer. And that’s what made the book readable.
If I found out I was a necromancer, I would be like, “Cool! Let’s get some people living again!” So I like that this goes in a completely different direction, and I was pleasantly surprised. Plus, Oldham is a very good writer and I got sucked into the story right away. That’s always a plus. (I will warn you that Constance can be a pain sometimes, but she’s also a teenager, and I’m sure I was a pain as a teenager too).
So I give Possession ★★★★☆. A solid four star book.
Happy Reading, y’all!
Author: Annie Oldham
Publisher: Annie Oldham, 2014
Genre: YA Paranormal
**I received a copy of this book free from Ebooksforreview.com and the author in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my Blog. TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or my Goodreads page
My Review:
So I saw the blurb from ebooksforreview, one of my favorite reviewing sites (I've met great authors through the program), and I had to read this. Unlike the last book that tricked me with its #coverlove, this time it was all about the content, baby!
Necromancers! Yay!
I signed up and received both books in the series so far: Possession and Illusion. I'll definitely be following this one up with the next book in the Song and Shadow series!
I'll dive right in and stop keeping you in suspense, as I know you must be dying to know about this book. Right? (It's the dead bird on the cover, am I right?)
Ok. So…let’s talk about Constance.
Constance is a typical teen, if you consider hiding behind your hair and only having one friend typical. She knows she must give off the freak vibe because Greta is The only friend she has, and Greta is semi-popular. When Seth, a football player and Calculus underachiever, needs a tutor, the teacher volunteers Constance (or Con as Greta and her family calls her) to be his tutor. She wouldn’t mind so much if his girlfriend, Seline, wasn’t such a b-word. (Rhymes with “witch” cause I run a respectable site here, guys).
Seth makes it obvious he will not tolerate Con’s attempts to reason with him about Seline. They butt heads on multiple occasions. She thinks Seline is horrible, and she uses every opportunity to make fun of Con. But Seth (in so many words) implies that maybe Con is asking for it. Nice, right?
As the study sessions fail, Con notices her mother looking worse for wear. Turns out, Constance is a necromancer just like her mom, and something crazy is going on in town. Now, her mom needs her help and has to teach Con the trade. Graves are being vandalized and bodies are going missing.
But Constance doesn’t want to be a necromancer. She just wants to be a normal teen. With normal friends.
Is that too much for a girl to ask?
Is It Classroom-Appropriate?
Yes, it’s actually quite relatable for teens. Con is the outcast, though she can get a little whiny at times. And the necromancing is interesting…nothing “satanic” about it as that could be a problem in some classrooms. I don’t see this as much of a educational book, though. I see this more as a recreational read that could inspire stubborn or reluctant readers, especially those who don’t “fit in” with the crowd in school. I would keep the book out of the curriculum to avoid any parents worrying about the necromancy thing (you remember how they used to react to Harry Potter, right?). This would be more a book I would want to keep on the shelf in my reading library in class for kids to pick up when they are done with work or have a desire to read.
Age Range:
As a self-published book, this one is not going to show up on Lexile. So I would say that this could even be appropriate for middle grade: I would suggest 7th grade and up, or about 13. Nothing inappropriate going on here, and pretty much no romance (I kinda hope that changes in the next book cause I like me some romance). It’s a safe read. I’d let my niece read this, and that is almost always my go-to test for appropriate reading since she’s 12 years old. (She’s a more advanced reader, but she likes Miss Peregrine’s House for Peculiar Children and I think this one is not similar per se, as I haven’t read Peregrine, but just as fun and harmless.
End Result:
Though we have seen the teenage outcast special girl trope before, I actually liked this one. The difference here is that Constance never becomes the popular girl. She isn’t happy having only one friend, but she also doesn’t become popular or learn a lesson or think she’s a “speshul snowflake” either. She hates the idea of being a necromancer. And that’s what made the book readable.
If I found out I was a necromancer, I would be like, “Cool! Let’s get some people living again!” So I like that this goes in a completely different direction, and I was pleasantly surprised. Plus, Oldham is a very good writer and I got sucked into the story right away. That’s always a plus. (I will warn you that Constance can be a pain sometimes, but she’s also a teenager, and I’m sure I was a pain as a teenager too).
So I give Possession ★★★★☆. A solid four star book.
Happy Reading, y’all!
December 28, 2016
original review @http://www.covertocover.info/
I’ve seen movies with a necromancer usually giving a cameo appearance but have never read a book where the main character is a necromancer. That’s what urged me to request a review copy and I’m glad I did.
The book starts out with our main protagonist, Constance Jerome who is starting her senior year of high school and she wants nothing more than to get through it. Since the age of five, Constance has experienced death when her pet hamster dies and her mother brings it back to life. She always had her doubts about her mother like how she is not allowed to enter a closet which her mother keeps it locked all the time with the key hanging around her neck and the mysterious candles. When things get out hand, her mother decides to confess that she is a necromancer and Constance is too. Constance and her mother set out to stop the new necromancer who is actually releasing spirits into the human world.
Now for the characters
Constance- an outcast, brainy, she is very close with Greta, her best friend. What I loved about her was that she doesn’t give a damn about what others think of her(huge plus for me). There were times where she just spoke without giving a thought which annoyed me but on the whole I liked her character.
Greta- besties with Constance and basically a social life encyclopedia for Constance. She is loyal and cares about Constance.
Veronica (Constance’s mom)- a necromancer and has been handling the spirit problems all by herself and then one day decides to tell Constance the truth when major threats emerge. She wants to protect Constance at all costs. I wished she was more educated in the whole spirit world ( at times it felt Constance was the mother and she a kid).
Seline- queen bee and makes Constance’s life miserable when she feels that Constance is coming in between her and Seth.
Seth- Seline’s boyfriend, football player and the most mysterious character in the book. One moment he is kinda flirting with Constance and the next he is defending Seline. Hope to see his character development in the next book.
There were times in the book I found it hard to believe that not even one person noticed Constance using her powers. That was like a minus for me but on the whole I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and I had no problem getting through it.
OVERALL
Read this book and explore the world of necromancy!!! Looking forward to the sequel!!:)
I’ve seen movies with a necromancer usually giving a cameo appearance but have never read a book where the main character is a necromancer. That’s what urged me to request a review copy and I’m glad I did.
The book starts out with our main protagonist, Constance Jerome who is starting her senior year of high school and she wants nothing more than to get through it. Since the age of five, Constance has experienced death when her pet hamster dies and her mother brings it back to life. She always had her doubts about her mother like how she is not allowed to enter a closet which her mother keeps it locked all the time with the key hanging around her neck and the mysterious candles. When things get out hand, her mother decides to confess that she is a necromancer and Constance is too. Constance and her mother set out to stop the new necromancer who is actually releasing spirits into the human world.
Now for the characters
Constance- an outcast, brainy, she is very close with Greta, her best friend. What I loved about her was that she doesn’t give a damn about what others think of her(huge plus for me). There were times where she just spoke without giving a thought which annoyed me but on the whole I liked her character.
Greta- besties with Constance and basically a social life encyclopedia for Constance. She is loyal and cares about Constance.
Veronica (Constance’s mom)- a necromancer and has been handling the spirit problems all by herself and then one day decides to tell Constance the truth when major threats emerge. She wants to protect Constance at all costs. I wished she was more educated in the whole spirit world ( at times it felt Constance was the mother and she a kid).
Seline- queen bee and makes Constance’s life miserable when she feels that Constance is coming in between her and Seth.
Seth- Seline’s boyfriend, football player and the most mysterious character in the book. One moment he is kinda flirting with Constance and the next he is defending Seline. Hope to see his character development in the next book.
There were times in the book I found it hard to believe that not even one person noticed Constance using her powers. That was like a minus for me but on the whole I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and I had no problem getting through it.
OVERALL
Read this book and explore the world of necromancy!!! Looking forward to the sequel!!:)
February 3, 2017
Possession by Annie Oldham is the story of Constance Jerome. As the story begins, Constance is starting her senior year of high school. She has always been unpopular, but her final year may turn out to be the worst yet. Not only is she required to tutor Shane, one of the football players, but his girlfriend Sabine, the most popular mean girl, is jealous and out to get Constance. On top of all this, her mother starts running mysterious errands, and because of this, her parents are fighting. When her mother tells her that she is a necromancer, Constance doesn't know what to think. As bad as the beginning of the school year is, it is about to get much worse. From hunting vampires, to dealing with a possessed football team, and also learning about the three planes the dead live, and going to Limbo, Constance dxeals with her problems in a mature manner. Will she be able to free the football players while finding out who is responsible for being the spirits of the dead to this plane?
I didn't really care for this book. Yes, it is YA Fantasy, which I enjoy, but something about it that I can't put my finger on just didn't attract me. I don't know if it was that I could identify with Constance's unpopularity and the bullying that resulted, or if it was the necromancy itself. Maybe it was the way her parents handled her mother teaching her to control her magic. I gave it three stars because of that.
I volunteered to read a free copy of this book. This review represents my true feelings about it.
I didn't really care for this book. Yes, it is YA Fantasy, which I enjoy, but something about it that I can't put my finger on just didn't attract me. I don't know if it was that I could identify with Constance's unpopularity and the bullying that resulted, or if it was the necromancy itself. Maybe it was the way her parents handled her mother teaching her to control her magic. I gave it three stars because of that.
I volunteered to read a free copy of this book. This review represents my true feelings about it.
April 3, 2015
Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
The writing is very visual, without being overly descriptive which I love. Each character had depth, even if you don't realize it right away. I think this was a great start to what seems to me to be a unique and entertaining new series.
Possession by Annie Oldham was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.
November 22, 2014
Wow, really enjoyed this book! So entertaining, and loved these characters! Loved the balance of normal, and supernatural! So good!
January 15, 2017
Possession
was a surprisingly delightful read with a solid story and solid characters. It even has chapter titles and an individual arc!! I'm really glad I found this book in the midst of my month-and-a-half reading slump. I guess what I really needed was a simple and light read.
3 stars
Possession doesn't throw you immediately into the story, instead, it took a few chapters to build up the mystery surrounding Constance's apparent freakiness but for anyone who has read the summary, it's no secret, really. So those first few chapters were just there to show how normal Constance's family looked on the surface and contribute to some character development but it was rather draggy (except for the first chapter which I felt was a really cool and unique opening chapter).
Then came the big reveal about Constance's heritage which... wasn't as dramatic as I would have liked it to be. I want Constance to be stuck in a life or death situation and the mom comes in, kicking ass, and then tells her “btw, ur a necromancer. welcome to the club.” Instead, we get them sitting awkwardly at a table where the mom goes “you kno, there's thing called a necromancer and you're one btw” and Constance is like “like in Kyle's (her brother) video game?”
I actually don't know much about necromancy because it's never really been covered in the *ahem* Supernatural episodes I've watched but in here, the lore involves runes, incantation and even a bit of Greek mythology. It's rather eye-opening but what we've been given seems to only scratch at the surface. I do hope we'll delve into more lore in the second book.
The characters may seem rather generic at first glance. There's the social outcast and her one best friend, the brother who loves to play video games, the school's Queen Bee and the jock that's always hanging off her shoulder. However, they each have a characteristic that sets them apart from the cliches they seem to fall in. Though they do seem rather unrealistic at times, such as how some of them were so quick to accept the whole necromancy business. None of them went “what the fuck” and had a major freak out session, but it's interesting to note how each of them had a different way of dealing with the information being presented to them.
Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram
3 stars
Possession doesn't throw you immediately into the story, instead, it took a few chapters to build up the mystery surrounding Constance's apparent freakiness but for anyone who has read the summary, it's no secret, really. So those first few chapters were just there to show how normal Constance's family looked on the surface and contribute to some character development but it was rather draggy (except for the first chapter which I felt was a really cool and unique opening chapter).
Then came the big reveal about Constance's heritage which... wasn't as dramatic as I would have liked it to be. I want Constance to be stuck in a life or death situation and the mom comes in, kicking ass, and then tells her “btw, ur a necromancer. welcome to the club.” Instead, we get them sitting awkwardly at a table where the mom goes “you kno, there's thing called a necromancer and you're one btw” and Constance is like “like in Kyle's (her brother) video game?”
I actually don't know much about necromancy because it's never really been covered in the *ahem* Supernatural episodes I've watched but in here, the lore involves runes, incantation and even a bit of Greek mythology. It's rather eye-opening but what we've been given seems to only scratch at the surface. I do hope we'll delve into more lore in the second book.
The characters may seem rather generic at first glance. There's the social outcast and her one best friend, the brother who loves to play video games, the school's Queen Bee and the jock that's always hanging off her shoulder. However, they each have a characteristic that sets them apart from the cliches they seem to fall in. Though they do seem rather unrealistic at times, such as how some of them were so quick to accept the whole necromancy business. None of them went “what the fuck” and had a major freak out session, but it's interesting to note how each of them had a different way of dealing with the information being presented to them.
Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram
March 7, 2017
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This was such a great read. Necromancy isn't a common topic and this kept my attention from beginning to end. I really enjoyed it and recommend it.
The book follows high school senior Constance Jerome. Constance is awkward, and no one except her best friend Greta and her immediate family like her. Constance can't wait to graduate and get out of Milltown. The only thing she truly enjoys is singing in the choir, Greta on the other hand flirts with being a social butterfly and sits just outside being one of the popular kids. Senior year starts off with Constance being a calculus tutor to one of Milltown High's prized football player's, Seth, who happens to be the boyfriend of Seline who is at the top of the social ladder. Amidst trying to survive high school, Constance having strange memories and nightmares and her mom is acting weird and going on strange errands. One is of her mom bringing her hamster back from the dead when she was 5, and the other is of herself bringing a duckling back from the dead. After some more weirdness in the Jerome home, Constance finds out she is a necromancer and can control spirits. She comes from a line of necromancers that herd spirits back where they belong when they get misplaced, a good necromancer if you will. Veronica, Constance's mother, has been going on errands to herd spirits back to the upper and lower planes because someone either a dark necromancer or an amateur has been letting spirits run amok in Milltown. Constance is naturally shocked and doesn't really believe her at first. Then her memories start to make sense and she begins to work with her mother to corral the naughty spirits. Paul Jerome, Connie's dad, is not really happy about the situation and doesn't want his daughter involved, but she does it anyway as she feels obligated to help her mom.
The weird keeps getting weirder as one of Veronica's necromancer candles disappears once night after she comes back from an errand. Turns out Greta took it thinking it was an aromatherapy candle and was no big deal. Seline swipes the candle from Greta, and Constance and Greta try to get it back to no avail. Turns out Seline is using the candle to do a little necromancy of her own to try to make homecoming perfect. As Seline's attempts at amateur necromancy get out of control at homecoming, Constance is there to stop her with her new found abilities and kind of saves the day and the school. Constance tries to go back to normal, but she knows she has more to do and more to learn. Not all the spirits are back where they belong and she and Veronica have their work cut out for them since they apparently aren't the only necromancers in Milltown.
The book follows high school senior Constance Jerome. Constance is awkward, and no one except her best friend Greta and her immediate family like her. Constance can't wait to graduate and get out of Milltown. The only thing she truly enjoys is singing in the choir, Greta on the other hand flirts with being a social butterfly and sits just outside being one of the popular kids. Senior year starts off with Constance being a calculus tutor to one of Milltown High's prized football player's, Seth, who happens to be the boyfriend of Seline who is at the top of the social ladder. Amidst trying to survive high school, Constance having strange memories and nightmares and her mom is acting weird and going on strange errands. One is of her mom bringing her hamster back from the dead when she was 5, and the other is of herself bringing a duckling back from the dead. After some more weirdness in the Jerome home, Constance finds out she is a necromancer and can control spirits. She comes from a line of necromancers that herd spirits back where they belong when they get misplaced, a good necromancer if you will. Veronica, Constance's mother, has been going on errands to herd spirits back to the upper and lower planes because someone either a dark necromancer or an amateur has been letting spirits run amok in Milltown. Constance is naturally shocked and doesn't really believe her at first. Then her memories start to make sense and she begins to work with her mother to corral the naughty spirits. Paul Jerome, Connie's dad, is not really happy about the situation and doesn't want his daughter involved, but she does it anyway as she feels obligated to help her mom.
The weird keeps getting weirder as one of Veronica's necromancer candles disappears once night after she comes back from an errand. Turns out Greta took it thinking it was an aromatherapy candle and was no big deal. Seline swipes the candle from Greta, and Constance and Greta try to get it back to no avail. Turns out Seline is using the candle to do a little necromancy of her own to try to make homecoming perfect. As Seline's attempts at amateur necromancy get out of control at homecoming, Constance is there to stop her with her new found abilities and kind of saves the day and the school. Constance tries to go back to normal, but she knows she has more to do and more to learn. Not all the spirits are back where they belong and she and Veronica have their work cut out for them since they apparently aren't the only necromancers in Milltown.
January 12, 2017
I received Possession as a review copy from Book Blast Tours. The gifting did not determine the review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion. This book had a slow start and build-up for me as the author set the scene and explained the world. At 50%, I was still disappointed with the lack of forward momentum of the overall plot and I found it difficult to continue-- yet I stuck it out. I think my main issue may be that I am not the targeted teen (YA) audience, so I was unable to connect with the characters and the story focus on being popular. I couldn't empathize with a mother who involves her teen daughter in dangerous work, but it would possibly spark a chord with young girls who may fantasize about being a heroine and fighting monsters with a parent who depended on them to help.
December 5, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I found this story to be a bit hard going, possibly because not much seemed to happen given the length of the book. The MC found out she was a necromancer. The mother’s inability to explain anything seemed to drag out the plot. Totally frustrating.
The most popular girl in school is a total bitch and surprise, surprise she’s ‘the bad guy’. But despite setting up the popular girls boyfriend as a possible love interest for the MC it goes nowhere. He behaves in a way that seems strange in some scenes-like the MCs best friend- I’m not sure what the characters motivations are, which makes them seem unreal/ untrustworthy.
I found this story to be a bit hard going, possibly because not much seemed to happen given the length of the book. The MC found out she was a necromancer. The mother’s inability to explain anything seemed to drag out the plot. Totally frustrating.
The most popular girl in school is a total bitch and surprise, surprise she’s ‘the bad guy’. But despite setting up the popular girls boyfriend as a possible love interest for the MC it goes nowhere. He behaves in a way that seems strange in some scenes-like the MCs best friend- I’m not sure what the characters motivations are, which makes them seem unreal/ untrustworthy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2017
Reading this as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed the character depth and the flowing language which managed to be descriptive and detailed without being choppy. I love that while it’s young adult it’s written in such a way that it is relatable to as a human being in general, anyone who has struggled with who they are in their own skin and yearned for something new or apart. Of course being someone who would love to live in a world where magic exists, the fantastical elements are what drew me to the story in the first place, and I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series!
August 21, 2017
This was a really interesting book, and made me want to keep going. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series too.
The characters were well developed and relatable, and all of the interactions and relationships didn't unravel like I might have expected, but I still have two more books to go.
I'm really happy I came across her books!
The characters were well developed and relatable, and all of the interactions and relationships didn't unravel like I might have expected, but I still have two more books to go.
I'm really happy I came across her books!
January 18, 2022
Excellent read! Looking forward to the next one coming in the mail 💌
January 31, 2017
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This was a great book! It focuses in on the struggles of a high school girl, social pariah and outcast, who finds out that her family is just one more reason people might consider her a 'freak' (I use the term lovingly, I liked the main character a lot).
The book has really interesting character development, subtle and well set-up throughout. I've come to expect in books geared towards younger audiences a moment when characters "wake up" smarter and braver. That didn't happen. The struggles were realistic, and the character reactions were believable all the way through.
The 'magic' isn't thoroughly explained - but it leaves a heavy "yet" hanging in the air. That "yet" is backed by the main character wanting to know the ins and outs of the family business, and I found myself looking forward to how she could change the old 'traditional' approach.
All-in-all, this is a great start to what could be a great series - I only hope it can break away from the somewhat cliche set-up. Even handled beautifully, high school magic dramas with socially inept main characters can have a mind of their own once the hormones hit the fan.
This was a great book! It focuses in on the struggles of a high school girl, social pariah and outcast, who finds out that her family is just one more reason people might consider her a 'freak' (I use the term lovingly, I liked the main character a lot).
The book has really interesting character development, subtle and well set-up throughout. I've come to expect in books geared towards younger audiences a moment when characters "wake up" smarter and braver. That didn't happen. The struggles were realistic, and the character reactions were believable all the way through.
The 'magic' isn't thoroughly explained - but it leaves a heavy "yet" hanging in the air. That "yet" is backed by the main character wanting to know the ins and outs of the family business, and I found myself looking forward to how she could change the old 'traditional' approach.
All-in-all, this is a great start to what could be a great series - I only hope it can break away from the somewhat cliche set-up. Even handled beautifully, high school magic dramas with socially inept main characters can have a mind of their own once the hormones hit the fan.
January 13, 2017
This review is about Possession. The first book of the Song and Shadow series by Annie Oldham. This story is about Constance, a teenager who is having a hard time making friends in school and now just found out the weirdest and scariest truth about her family. This new revelation will not in any way help her social standing in school. If anyone finds out, she is doomed.
This story is a novelty for me. I have not read similar stories like this though I have heard of necromancers before but have never really read a whole story which focuses on one. Most of all, the necromancer here is a teenager and is very much clueless about this gift in the family. I guess, this is the first time I encountered a good necromancer. So, I blocked out all distractions and disturbances in order to concentrate on my reading.
In short, I definitely enjoyed this story. I feel for Constance. Her life as a teenager has never been easy and now, another burden is added to her shoulder. This gift of hers is also a curse. I also think that it is so bad-ass to possess this kind of ability. It is akin to reading minds or mental telepathy though hers just involved the dead. At least, she can practice her singing, even if she's not in choir practice.
I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series. Thankfully, book two is right here waiting for me to bury my nose in it. I am looking forward to Constance learning and honing her skill in returning spirits where they belong. Aside from that, I think her social life is shaping up to be going in the right direction. Her nemesis, the great bully --Seline, has learned her lesson. I think she will be lying low and Constance won't have to worry about her giving her a hard time. I am also looking forward to seeing her develop her friendship with Seth.
I give this book 4/5 candles. This was a great adventure for me involving the spirits and the dead. This is also a warm story about a family sticking together in spite of the problems that threatens to break them. This is also an inspiring story about friendships. Of staying true and loyal no matter what the circumstances your friend is in. No matter the level of quirkiness involved and the sensitivity of the secret that you would need to keep.
Relationships shouldn't have to be a game of chess that you have to wake up to play everyday. It should be an ebb and flow, constant and sure, just like the tides.
- Annie Oldham, Possession -
Thank you again, ebooksforreview.com, for the copy.
This story is a novelty for me. I have not read similar stories like this though I have heard of necromancers before but have never really read a whole story which focuses on one. Most of all, the necromancer here is a teenager and is very much clueless about this gift in the family. I guess, this is the first time I encountered a good necromancer. So, I blocked out all distractions and disturbances in order to concentrate on my reading.
In short, I definitely enjoyed this story. I feel for Constance. Her life as a teenager has never been easy and now, another burden is added to her shoulder. This gift of hers is also a curse. I also think that it is so bad-ass to possess this kind of ability. It is akin to reading minds or mental telepathy though hers just involved the dead. At least, she can practice her singing, even if she's not in choir practice.
I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series. Thankfully, book two is right here waiting for me to bury my nose in it. I am looking forward to Constance learning and honing her skill in returning spirits where they belong. Aside from that, I think her social life is shaping up to be going in the right direction. Her nemesis, the great bully --Seline, has learned her lesson. I think she will be lying low and Constance won't have to worry about her giving her a hard time. I am also looking forward to seeing her develop her friendship with Seth.
I give this book 4/5 candles. This was a great adventure for me involving the spirits and the dead. This is also a warm story about a family sticking together in spite of the problems that threatens to break them. This is also an inspiring story about friendships. Of staying true and loyal no matter what the circumstances your friend is in. No matter the level of quirkiness involved and the sensitivity of the secret that you would need to keep.
Relationships shouldn't have to be a game of chess that you have to wake up to play everyday. It should be an ebb and flow, constant and sure, just like the tides.
- Annie Oldham, Possession -
Thank you again, ebooksforreview.com, for the copy.
December 27, 2016
*I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Possession is the first book in the Song and Shadow series, with the second book Illusion recently published October 31st 2016. It begins with this typical high school drama: Constance Jerome is a shy girl who isn't well liked by just about everyone. She cannot wait for senior year to be over, but before that, she has to tutor Seth, her nemesis' boyfriend. Cue disaster. Constance discovers that her mother is a necromancer, someone who communicates with the dead in order to predict the future, and she might just be one too.
I have to say that the book starts off on a really strong note: an absolutely gorgeous book cover and an intriguing beginning with the remembrance of the deaths of close to Constance's heart that sucks you into the story really fast. After that, it only gets better.
One of the main topics of the book is necromancy. It's not something I usually look for, but it was really interestingly described. I might consider stepping out of my confort zone more often. Besides necromancy, the book also holds many magical aspects, there is adventure and a touch of the paranormal. There's something for everyone in there that will make this book a likeable one in many aspects.
All the characters are well developped. Even though they're not all as likeable as Constance, I felt a connection with every single one of them.
Constance's mother is a mysterious character. Although the portrayal of the mystery was quite obvious and didn't sound as intriguing as it could have been, it was a fun journey to discover more about her and her past. And truthfully, she sometimes did seem weak as if all she was able to do was lean on her daugher's shoulders for support. That said, I still don't get why Constance would get such a difficult French sounding name. It's one of the few things that really bothered me. To me, it screamed 'hey, bully me'. Sorry, not sorry, just not a fan of the 'everybody except my main character should have a normal name' trope.
It's a perfect Halloween read enjoyable for all ages (not just the 7-12 year range indicated on the book) and I refuse to see the fact that the second book was published on October 31st as a mere coincidence.
Possession is the first book in the Song and Shadow series, with the second book Illusion recently published October 31st 2016. It begins with this typical high school drama: Constance Jerome is a shy girl who isn't well liked by just about everyone. She cannot wait for senior year to be over, but before that, she has to tutor Seth, her nemesis' boyfriend. Cue disaster. Constance discovers that her mother is a necromancer, someone who communicates with the dead in order to predict the future, and she might just be one too.
I have to say that the book starts off on a really strong note: an absolutely gorgeous book cover and an intriguing beginning with the remembrance of the deaths of close to Constance's heart that sucks you into the story really fast. After that, it only gets better.
One of the main topics of the book is necromancy. It's not something I usually look for, but it was really interestingly described. I might consider stepping out of my confort zone more often. Besides necromancy, the book also holds many magical aspects, there is adventure and a touch of the paranormal. There's something for everyone in there that will make this book a likeable one in many aspects.
All the characters are well developped. Even though they're not all as likeable as Constance, I felt a connection with every single one of them.
Constance's mother is a mysterious character. Although the portrayal of the mystery was quite obvious and didn't sound as intriguing as it could have been, it was a fun journey to discover more about her and her past. And truthfully, she sometimes did seem weak as if all she was able to do was lean on her daugher's shoulders for support. That said, I still don't get why Constance would get such a difficult French sounding name. It's one of the few things that really bothered me. To me, it screamed 'hey, bully me'. Sorry, not sorry, just not a fan of the 'everybody except my main character should have a normal name' trope.
It's a perfect Halloween read enjoyable for all ages (not just the 7-12 year range indicated on the book) and I refuse to see the fact that the second book was published on October 31st as a mere coincidence.
February 12, 2017
Right.
So this story is about a girl, Constance, who in the beginning of her senior year discovers that her mother is a necromancer- and that she has inherited it. Some bad stuff is going on with the planes (where spirits go when they die and our world), and as necromancers, Constance and her mom are in charge of fixing it. When things get worse and the lines between magic and high school begin to blur, Constance, in worrying about the toll the work takes on her mother, begins working by herself to fix things- even though she isn't exactly trained.
I did like this story! I may have shrieked when I read that her dad owned a bookstore- that I think is what hooked me at first. It did take a little bit for the story to start going and after that moved pretty quickly, and that was a major issue: I tend to really like stories that either have the exposition worked into the rising action or that do it so well you don't even notice that the main plot's not moving forward yet. This one took a while for me to get into, and once I did get into it, it was nearly over. :(
Constance's family is the best. Her dad is really worried about her and her mom, her mom works so hard to keep the peace both with the family and with the spirit realm, and her brother is cute and likes video games far too violent for a ten-year-old. Problem was, they, like most of the side characters, are pretty flat. Her parents were a bit better than Kyle, but still a bit boring. It seemed like their entire personality consisted of the statements I said earlier about them, and argh why? There was so much potential in them, and I loved how caring and sweet they were, BUT THERE WAS LIKE ZERO CONFLICT! I mean, yeah, her dad doesn't like them being all necromancer-y, but eventually he was like 'okay fine be safe'. IF HE WANTED THEM TO BE SAFE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE ASSERTIVE. Gosh.
Her friends at school were interesting as well. Greta- I liked Greta, but I never really connected with her. She never really made sense to me. And I figured that Seth is supposed to be the love interest, but nothing really happens? It was confusing. I did like how Seline had a bit more personality towards the end, but it was just that- towards the end. Just like most of the action. :(
So this story is about a girl, Constance, who in the beginning of her senior year discovers that her mother is a necromancer- and that she has inherited it. Some bad stuff is going on with the planes (where spirits go when they die and our world), and as necromancers, Constance and her mom are in charge of fixing it. When things get worse and the lines between magic and high school begin to blur, Constance, in worrying about the toll the work takes on her mother, begins working by herself to fix things- even though she isn't exactly trained.
I did like this story! I may have shrieked when I read that her dad owned a bookstore- that I think is what hooked me at first. It did take a little bit for the story to start going and after that moved pretty quickly, and that was a major issue: I tend to really like stories that either have the exposition worked into the rising action or that do it so well you don't even notice that the main plot's not moving forward yet. This one took a while for me to get into, and once I did get into it, it was nearly over. :(
Constance's family is the best. Her dad is really worried about her and her mom, her mom works so hard to keep the peace both with the family and with the spirit realm, and her brother is cute and likes video games far too violent for a ten-year-old. Problem was, they, like most of the side characters, are pretty flat. Her parents were a bit better than Kyle, but still a bit boring. It seemed like their entire personality consisted of the statements I said earlier about them, and argh why? There was so much potential in them, and I loved how caring and sweet they were, BUT THERE WAS LIKE ZERO CONFLICT! I mean, yeah, her dad doesn't like them being all necromancer-y, but eventually he was like 'okay fine be safe'. IF HE WANTED THEM TO BE SAFE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE ASSERTIVE. Gosh.
Her friends at school were interesting as well. Greta- I liked Greta, but I never really connected with her. She never really made sense to me. And I figured that Seth is supposed to be the love interest, but nothing really happens? It was confusing. I did like how Seline had a bit more personality towards the end, but it was just that- towards the end. Just like most of the action. :(
November 13, 2014
Disclaimers: I was asked to review this novel by the author. I have reviewed many books by Annie and even edited one of her novels before.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I have never read a novel about necromancy so this was a first for me. Having read the synopsis, I wasn't sure that I would like it, but I love the author so I gave it a shot.
Annie Oldham's writing is beautiful, her characters well-developed. This book was intriguing and I did keep reading waiting to find out what happened next. It was one that I'm glad to have read.
However, like I mentioned the subject matter isn't one that I thought I would enjoy. Yet surprisingly, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would be.
Annie has never disappointed me so far and this latest novel was definitely no exception. This novel is one that I recommend.
So why 4 stars? The writing I give a 4. The subject matter isn't one I love so that I'd give a 3. However, I'll stick with a 4 because honestly, Annie is an incredible author so reading this novel was immensely enjoyable and I would read the sequel. If you like paranormal, then give this one a shot. It's only 99 cents on Amazon. Definitely worth reading.
In Summary: Fans of the paranormal will eat up Annie Oldham's latest novel Possession, an incredibly written novel with intriguing characters.
Warnings/Side-notes: No concerns. I would recommend this book to readers of any age.
The Wrap-up: I can't wait to see what's next for Oldham. Like I said, she never disappoints.
Love,
Danica Page
(For more of my reviews, click here)
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I have never read a novel about necromancy so this was a first for me. Having read the synopsis, I wasn't sure that I would like it, but I love the author so I gave it a shot.
Annie Oldham's writing is beautiful, her characters well-developed. This book was intriguing and I did keep reading waiting to find out what happened next. It was one that I'm glad to have read.
However, like I mentioned the subject matter isn't one that I thought I would enjoy. Yet surprisingly, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would be.
Annie has never disappointed me so far and this latest novel was definitely no exception. This novel is one that I recommend.
So why 4 stars? The writing I give a 4. The subject matter isn't one I love so that I'd give a 3. However, I'll stick with a 4 because honestly, Annie is an incredible author so reading this novel was immensely enjoyable and I would read the sequel. If you like paranormal, then give this one a shot. It's only 99 cents on Amazon. Definitely worth reading.
In Summary: Fans of the paranormal will eat up Annie Oldham's latest novel Possession, an incredibly written novel with intriguing characters.
Warnings/Side-notes: No concerns. I would recommend this book to readers of any age.
The Wrap-up: I can't wait to see what's next for Oldham. Like I said, she never disappoints.
Love,
Danica Page
(For more of my reviews, click here)
December 17, 2016
This was an okay read but it took a long time to get going and keep me interested. While the general storyline and concept is interesting and different, the core plot was simple and predictable. The story is an easy read without complex ideas or plot lines; the characters themselves are relatively simple as well.
The story follows a teenage girl (Constance) in her discovery of her innate talent of necromancy and how she deals with that and the inevitable bad times that her town is going through. Because she is an unpopular girl at school, there is also the predictable side story of the popular girl causing trouble for Constance. In the end, Constance "saves" the popular girl, but nothing changes.
Recommended for young adult readers and adult readers; it is a quick, easy holiday read.
The story follows a teenage girl (Constance) in her discovery of her innate talent of necromancy and how she deals with that and the inevitable bad times that her town is going through. Because she is an unpopular girl at school, there is also the predictable side story of the popular girl causing trouble for Constance. In the end, Constance "saves" the popular girl, but nothing changes.
Recommended for young adult readers and adult readers; it is a quick, easy holiday read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2016
In this novel we follow Constance Jerome through her journey in finding out she’s a necromancer. I have read fantasy novels before, but this is the first book that really differs on what necromancy is. Constance can communicate with spirits, whether good or bad. The author does a great job of taking you through the all the details surrounding the abilities of a necromancer.
One of my reservations was Constance’s mother. I always picture mother figures in these types of novels to be strong willed and determined. Her mother came across as flimsy, clueless and always needing a shoulder to lean on. It made me doubt her abilities made her a boring character in my eyes.
There was a good amount of high school/family drama, which made it very relatable. Although I wish something had bloomed between Seth and Constance. I would have liked to see the mean girl go down and have everyone realize Constance isn’t so bad after all.
The author was very good about giving detail and not over-doing it. I felt I always understood what was going on in each scene. I would have liked a better description on the characters; I did feel like I didn’t get enough, and when reading I want to know what they look like in my mind to add to the story.
The reason I didn’t give it a 4 is because it wasn’t a book I was in love with. I’m glad it was no more than 300 pages. It was a good story but for my tastes as a reader it lacked density, it was a light read.
One of my reservations was Constance’s mother. I always picture mother figures in these types of novels to be strong willed and determined. Her mother came across as flimsy, clueless and always needing a shoulder to lean on. It made me doubt her abilities made her a boring character in my eyes.
There was a good amount of high school/family drama, which made it very relatable. Although I wish something had bloomed between Seth and Constance. I would have liked to see the mean girl go down and have everyone realize Constance isn’t so bad after all.
The author was very good about giving detail and not over-doing it. I felt I always understood what was going on in each scene. I would have liked a better description on the characters; I did feel like I didn’t get enough, and when reading I want to know what they look like in my mind to add to the story.
The reason I didn’t give it a 4 is because it wasn’t a book I was in love with. I’m glad it was no more than 300 pages. It was a good story but for my tastes as a reader it lacked density, it was a light read.
January 10, 2017
Constance Jerome is starting her senior year in high school and wants nothing but to quietly get through it. Constance is a loner but thankfully she has Greta, her best friend, to keep her company. As with any high school, Seline is Constance’s nemesis and things don’t get any better when she learns she is tutoring Seth, Seline’s boyfriend. If that is not bad enough, then Constance learns that her mother, Veronica and her are necromancers. The problem is another necromancer is causing problems in the land of the living and it is up to Veronica and Constance to keep everything in place.
I can relate to Constance since I was the loner in high school too. I understand how she wants to avoid Seline but it seems that she is always in her sights for bullying. Then there is Seth, he seems like he could be a decent guy when he isn’t under the thumb of Seline.
I really enjoyed Constance being a necromancer and how this is a bit different from other people’s stories of necromancers. Although I admit that Veronica clearly never fully learned about her abilities since she could old partially teach Constance and not really explain anything. It was frustrating to read this when there was so much I wanted to know.
I really like this story and am excited to see where it goes in book two, Illusion.
I received Possession from eBooks for Review for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
I can relate to Constance since I was the loner in high school too. I understand how she wants to avoid Seline but it seems that she is always in her sights for bullying. Then there is Seth, he seems like he could be a decent guy when he isn’t under the thumb of Seline.
I really enjoyed Constance being a necromancer and how this is a bit different from other people’s stories of necromancers. Although I admit that Veronica clearly never fully learned about her abilities since she could old partially teach Constance and not really explain anything. It was frustrating to read this when there was so much I wanted to know.
I really like this story and am excited to see where it goes in book two, Illusion.
I received Possession from eBooks for Review for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
May 9, 2017
First I should say that I received this book in exchange for an honest review on ebooksforreview.com.
All that Constance honestly wants is to be a normal high school girl. She is already made fun of and teased constantly, so she can’t imagine what would happen if her little secret got out.
Constance and her mother are Necromancers, meaning that they can travel to the world of the dead. Other than her parents, no one knows about their ability-with the exception of her best friend Greta.
Strange things have been happening around town-vandalism at the cemetery and bodies have been stolen from the graves. Constance’s mother has been working on this mystery for a while but isn’t having any success-she knows that she will need her daughter’s help but refuses to put her in danger.
Constance decides to take matters into her own hands. With a strong suspicion that the vandal is another necromancer-she decides to investigate around town and dig for facts in the world of the dead.
While Constance is hunting for the dark necromancer-he/she has been hunting Constance. Will she and her mom be able to stop the dark necromancer? Or will he destroy their souls, as he already has done to those who have gotten to close to his/her secrets?
This is an excellent read and am so excited to begin book 2 in this series!!!
All that Constance honestly wants is to be a normal high school girl. She is already made fun of and teased constantly, so she can’t imagine what would happen if her little secret got out.
Constance and her mother are Necromancers, meaning that they can travel to the world of the dead. Other than her parents, no one knows about their ability-with the exception of her best friend Greta.
Strange things have been happening around town-vandalism at the cemetery and bodies have been stolen from the graves. Constance’s mother has been working on this mystery for a while but isn’t having any success-she knows that she will need her daughter’s help but refuses to put her in danger.
Constance decides to take matters into her own hands. With a strong suspicion that the vandal is another necromancer-she decides to investigate around town and dig for facts in the world of the dead.
While Constance is hunting for the dark necromancer-he/she has been hunting Constance. Will she and her mom be able to stop the dark necromancer? Or will he destroy their souls, as he already has done to those who have gotten to close to his/her secrets?
This is an excellent read and am so excited to begin book 2 in this series!!!
January 8, 2017
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This is the beginning of the song and shadow series which starts with some quite strong imagery when Constance (the main character) is reminded of the death of her pet and then reminisces on some strange happenings at the time of the death.
The book explores necromancy which is not something I am familiar with. However being set in a high school with a possessed football team and a fledging necromancer who is slowly being inducted into the profession by her mum sets quite a scene for a story!
The characters are well written and the story runs along at quite a pace with resolution which is good in a series as you don't feel you've only read half a story and must read the next instalment to find a conclusions. That said there is enough intrigue to keep you reading the next instalment to see how Constance copes with her new powers and if she can get to the bottom of the unnatural occurrences.
Definitely a decent read and I am hopeful the second book 'Illusion' will keep up the good work. Another review to follow as I received a copy of this one too!
This is the beginning of the song and shadow series which starts with some quite strong imagery when Constance (the main character) is reminded of the death of her pet and then reminisces on some strange happenings at the time of the death.
The book explores necromancy which is not something I am familiar with. However being set in a high school with a possessed football team and a fledging necromancer who is slowly being inducted into the profession by her mum sets quite a scene for a story!
The characters are well written and the story runs along at quite a pace with resolution which is good in a series as you don't feel you've only read half a story and must read the next instalment to find a conclusions. That said there is enough intrigue to keep you reading the next instalment to see how Constance copes with her new powers and if she can get to the bottom of the unnatural occurrences.
Definitely a decent read and I am hopeful the second book 'Illusion' will keep up the good work. Another review to follow as I received a copy of this one too!
February 4, 2017
“And what do I do to get prepared? Go to Hogwarts?”
If I could give this book six stars, believe me, I would. It’s full of everything I love about YA Fantasy, and then some.
Con is a teenage girl with only one friend in high school - as if she wasn’t weird enough, she finds out that she is a necromancer, and needs to find misplaced spirits and return them to their respective planes.
The characters were so well described that I feel like they could be real-life people. The writing style was flawless, and the story was so captivating and immersive that I finished it in a couple of hours. now excuse me while I start the second book!
Get “Possession” by Annie Oldham: https://www.amazon.com/Possession-Son...
Where you can find me on the interwebs:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephMarinis/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissTrouble93
Snapchat: stephfafahh
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If I could give this book six stars, believe me, I would. It’s full of everything I love about YA Fantasy, and then some.
Con is a teenage girl with only one friend in high school - as if she wasn’t weird enough, she finds out that she is a necromancer, and needs to find misplaced spirits and return them to their respective planes.
The characters were so well described that I feel like they could be real-life people. The writing style was flawless, and the story was so captivating and immersive that I finished it in a couple of hours. now excuse me while I start the second book!
Get “Possession” by Annie Oldham: https://www.amazon.com/Possession-Son...
Where you can find me on the interwebs:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephMarinis/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissTrouble93
Snapchat: stephfafahh
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 16, 2017
Rating: 2 stars
Possession tells the story of Constance Jerome, a high school senior, who just wants to focus on graduating and getting out of the small town she lives in as soon as she can. But then one day, mysterious things start to happen; grave sites are disrupted and there are strange creatures lurking around. Then, Constance learns that she is a necromancer, someone who can travel the realms of the dead and has some control over the spirits. With the help of her mother, Constance learns what it is like to be a necromancer, while trying to balance her school life and staying of the social radar.
Although I liked the theme of the book – necromancy is not a topic that is used very often – I thought the pace was quite slow. When you have read more than the book, there still is not quite a lot going on. Constance was an OK character, not very special in my opinion. I did read the second book, just to find out what else happened, but I will not pick this one up to re-read it any time soon.
Possession tells the story of Constance Jerome, a high school senior, who just wants to focus on graduating and getting out of the small town she lives in as soon as she can. But then one day, mysterious things start to happen; grave sites are disrupted and there are strange creatures lurking around. Then, Constance learns that she is a necromancer, someone who can travel the realms of the dead and has some control over the spirits. With the help of her mother, Constance learns what it is like to be a necromancer, while trying to balance her school life and staying of the social radar.
Although I liked the theme of the book – necromancy is not a topic that is used very often – I thought the pace was quite slow. When you have read more than the book, there still is not quite a lot going on. Constance was an OK character, not very special in my opinion. I did read the second book, just to find out what else happened, but I will not pick this one up to re-read it any time soon.
January 15, 2017
The story, "Possession", begins with the main character, Constance Jerome, starting her senior year of high school and she wants nothing more than to just get through it. At the age of five, Constance experienced the death of someone/something close to her, when her pet hamster died and her mother brought it back to life. She always wondered about why she is not allowed to enter a closet which her mother keeps locked all the time with the key hanging around her neck and some mysterious candles. When strange events in her town get out hand, Constance's mother decides to confess that she is a necromancer and and so is she. Constance and her mother set out to stop the new necromancer, who is releasing spirits into the human world, and causing major chaos and havoc in Milltown.
This is a genre that I don't normally read. I did find it interesting and it kept my attention. I read all the "twilight" books, so I was familiar with the magic/paranormal. I also read the second book in this series, "Illusion."
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a genre that I don't normally read. I did find it interesting and it kept my attention. I read all the "twilight" books, so I was familiar with the magic/paranormal. I also read the second book in this series, "Illusion."
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 1, 2017
Possession by Annie Oldham
I was intrigued by Possession by Annie Oldham. It is a great young adult series beginning about necromancy and the ramification it has is Annie Oldham’s world. Her characters were realistic and heartwarming. A look into Constance’s family who is dealing with the struggle between normalcy and necromancy is convincing. The interaction between the senior class and the protagonist and the antagonist seem immature, more like junior high. But setting this aside it was a pretty well written story which captured my interest. Annie Oldham had a thought-provoking conception of what necromancy was and how mortals interact with spirits. I would recommend this book to mystery and fantasy fans alike. I would also recommend you read the second book, Illusion. I am earnestly awaiting her final volume.
I was intrigued by Possession by Annie Oldham. It is a great young adult series beginning about necromancy and the ramification it has is Annie Oldham’s world. Her characters were realistic and heartwarming. A look into Constance’s family who is dealing with the struggle between normalcy and necromancy is convincing. The interaction between the senior class and the protagonist and the antagonist seem immature, more like junior high. But setting this aside it was a pretty well written story which captured my interest. Annie Oldham had a thought-provoking conception of what necromancy was and how mortals interact with spirits. I would recommend this book to mystery and fantasy fans alike. I would also recommend you read the second book, Illusion. I am earnestly awaiting her final volume.
November 26, 2016
Terrific book! I'm so glad I picked up the sequel- Illusion! This book revolves around Constance, who has only 1 friend at school. She's pretty well ostracized by the rest of the student body. It's made worse when her mother determines that Constance has inherited the family talent for necromancy. Constance's behavior in trying to protect the secret that she's learning necromancy from her mother makes things worse. Then she gets asked by her math teacher to tutor Seth one of the football jocks. That's bad enough but Seth is dating Constance's nemesis. When spirits escape the lower plane of existence Constance has to protect her secret while trying to exorcise the entire football team that is possessed. Great book!
December 20, 2016
It's a really interesting book that got me reading non stop for a day! I think it is a book worth reading as I really love the plot twists and also the the characters itself especially Constance Jerome and her quirky smart remarks. I really like how the book depicts scenes where it's really relatable to my life and that made me able to appreciate and understand what the writer wants us to feel better. However there were a few things certainly that could have been done better like the climax scene should have been written more dramatically, as in the tension between the main character as well as the other characters could have been rewritten to bring the climax to a higher point. This is a really nice book that I will recommend to my friends:)
December 3, 2014
I really kinda loved this. Annie Oldham is a new author for me. She wowed me with this book, so I will definitely read more of her work! I love paranormal and this book was right up my alley. It went by so quickly. I read it in one sitting. I feel like I was right there in the book. The characters are so well written. Constance is great! When her mother tells her she is a necromancer her whole world is turned upside down. Gone is the normal high school life. This makes for quite the plot. The whole book is very well put together. It is most definitely a book I recommend for my paranormal loving friends out there!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews