Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Book Review: Surrender by Elana Johnson

Surrender
By Elana Johnson
Release Date: June 5, 2012
Source: Publisher
Summary: Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…

Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.

All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque...


Review: After being left with such a cliff-hanger from Possession, I couldn't wait to jump right into this one. When I heard that Surrender was going to be about two completely different people and not Vi and Jag, I was a little skeptical, but I had absolutely nothing to worry about! If anything, Raine and Gunner give you a story even more enticing than the first book! 

Raine's father is the Director, a man who isn't afraid to manipulate anyone at any cost, including his own daughter. That's why Raine joined the Insiders. But going against the government means that she has to be even more careful around her dad than ever before. When she gets a new roommate named Vi who is beyond brainwashed, the only thing Raine can do is follow her father's orders and monitor her every move, including her nightly terrors about some long lost love she can't remember, a love that's not her match Zenn. But Raine can relate, seeing as her own match is her best friend and nothing more. No, the more part belongs to the compelling Gunner, who's voice is so strong he can compel anyone to do anything. But will he join the Insiders with her? And could he possibly feel the same way about her, despite him being matched with someone else? Only time will tell....

The best part about this story was definitely Elana Johnson's writing style. Unlike Possession, we get to have alternating viewpoints between Gunn and Raine, so we know exactly what's going on in their heads. I love being able to see the story from both of their perspectives because you get so much more out of the story. And this one was definitely far less confusing than the first book. I understood the world better and the technology was explained much clearer. That being said, I was really able to get into their world and root for their success at escaping the evil mind control of the government that Raine's dad runs. 

And what a romance! Elana Johnson knows just where to pull on your heart strings when it comes to the relationships in her books. It seems like no one ever truly wants to be with their match, which makes the relationship with the ones they love that much more complicated. Gunn and Raine are just so adorable and I love how the women in these books are so independent, so falling hard for a guy is a much bigger deal than it normally is. And oh boy does Raine fall hard! But who wouldn't? Gunn is such a great male lead and I couldn't get enough of him!

Surrender was a fantastic succession to Possession and I enjoyed it's story so much! There's action, romance, secrets, betrayal, and you never know who's on what side. You are never left with a dull moment and will definitely be reading long into the night with this one. If you haven't tried out this series yet, do it now! You're missing out on a phenomenal world full of enticing, lovable characters you won't be able to forget.



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