Elemental Hunger by Elana Johnston

Published: June 12th, 2014

Publisher: AEJ Creative works

Pages: 400

Copy: From Author

Summary: Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Gabriella Kilpatrick can shoot fire from her hands, which would be great if she didn’t get blamed for a blazing inferno that kills 17 schoolmates. When Gabby is commanded to Manifest her Element, everyone knows what she is: a genetic abnormality. Not to mention guilty.

So she does two logical things to survive.
1. She runs.
2. She hacks off her hair to assume a new role—that of “Gabe”, because in her world, only boys are Firemakers.

Not only does she have to act like a guy, she has to pretend to know everything a Firemaker should know. When Gabby meets Airmaster Adam Gillman, he believes her act and pledges to serve on “Gabe’s” Council. But Adam has the mark of a sentry and spent years obeying Alex, the Supreme Elemental. And Alex wants Gabby-the-genetic-freak dead and gone before she can gather the magical protection of a full Council.

With Adam’s lies that sound like truths and rumors that Alex isn’t really a Firemaker—or a man—Gabby sets out to charter a Council of her own. In order to uncover the truth, Gabby will have to learn who she can trust, how to control her own power, and most of all, how to lead a Council of Elementals, most of whom have more control over their power than she does. If she can’t, she’ll find herself just like those 17 schoolmates: burned and six feet under.


Elemental Hunger is a dystopian fantasy - although I'm not sure if that is actually a type?  Let's say it is a fantasy story at its core, but set on a future earth after a - virtually unexplained - apocalyptic event.  Society has regressed to the point that women are 2nd class citizens again, and subservient to their magic wielding superiors - men, of course.  Certain women have magic, but of a lesser sort - of course - and when on a council have to marry one of the men.  A council consists of 4 magicians and a servant, basically, with three of the magicians being men.

On re-reading that last paragraph I think it may sound as if I didn't enjoy the book, but I really did.  I loved Gabriella's determination and drive and the fact that she was willing to fight for what she believed were her rights.  When Adam enters the picture, Gabriella, or should I say 'Gabe' is attracted to him, and because of that, tends to ignore what her gut is telling her, and it does get her into a few pickles.

There are some wonderfully tense moments throughout and I have to admit that I really liked hearing about 'Alex' - aka 'the villain of the piece' - and there were a few surprises in that quarter that added to the intrigue. The whole council idea was something new, and despite my somewhat snarky comments above, the premise was sound, although I never really felt that I knew the true purpose of a council - I guess sort of a magical city council really.

Honestly, if you are a fantasy fan, I don't think you'll go wrong picking up "Elemental Hunger', but I don't think there is enough dystopian in it for fans of that genre, but you could give it a try. * Be warned these are New Adult books and the content might not be suitable for younger teens.

I just discovered that there is a prequel novella called Elemental Rush about Adam (May 2014), and a sequel novella called Elemental Release, also about Adam (July 1, 2014) - both seem to be available from Kindle and I'm off to get copies of both.

Surrender - by Elena Johnson

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....

Today I'd like to talk about a new book by Elana Johnson entitled Surrender.  It is book #2 in the Possession series.  Imagine a Dystopian/Sci Fi novel where everything is about control.  I purchased this title online from kobobooks.com (I seem to be buying fewer paper copies.  Sorry Chapters!) and have been reading it on my phone on the way to work.  I'm not quite ready to do the review yet but Elana has a Never Surrender blogfest happening.  She is challenging everyone to tell a story about a time when you didn't surrender.

I'm not sure if this would be considered as "never surrendering" but it was certainly a challenge for me.  In September 2010 my Mom was diagnosed with ALS.  Her health deteriorated very rapidly.  By February 2011 she was unable to move anything below the neck.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the disease, it is also called Lou Gehrig's disease.  No one knows what causes it, there is no cure and it affects people in different ways.  Most of the time it causes your muscles to stop working.  I made the incredibly hard decision to move across country to spend time with her, taking my daughter (aged 3) with me and leaving my husband behind to work.  I was granted a year's leave from my own job.  We had to sell our house and share a room (both of us) in the basement at my sister's house.   As the year progressed, my Mom's condition actually worsened.  Eventually she was unable to speak and had trouble eating.  I spent most days feeding her, spending time with her her and talking with her when I could to give my Dad a break. He's in his 70's and wanted to keep her comfortable at home.  Imagine how difficult things were for him looking after my Mom 24/7 at his age.  In December 2011, she was having difficulty chewing, swallowing and even breathing.  Once diagnosed, most patients have between 2 - 5 years to live.  My mom hung on for 18 months.  She passed away just after Christmas.  Never surrendering to me means that even when things feel like they are at their lowest, you just take it one day at a time.  I came across an interesting fortune recently.  If you want the rainbow, you'll have to put up with the rain.  I'm expecting a huge freaking rainbow once my life settles down again.  Although difficult, the last 5 months with my Mom was worth the heartache.  Not only did I get to spend time with her but she was also able to get to know her granddaughter a little and I was able to teach my daughter the importance of family.

Possession by Elana Johnson - Review and Author Interview

Published: June 2011

Publisher: Simon and Shuster

Pages: 416

Copy Provided by: Simon and Shuster Canada

Summary: Goodreads



Summary:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Author interview with Elana Johnson

Thanks to Simon and Shuster, I had an opportunity to briefly interview Elana and talk about her and her latest publication - Possession.  Thank you for taking the time to speak with The Paperback Princesses!

What was the inspiration for writing Possession?

I’d just finished reading a dystopian novel, and I wanted to write something where I could make up my own society. So I played that timeless author game of “What if?” See, I needed something to drive the entire world. My question ended up being, “What if people didn’t have their free will?”
And the brainwashing society was born. Vi emerged immediately after that, because not having the ability to make your own choices is just sucktacular. And, boy, does she let you know that right away.

The lack of control in society was built up throughout the book and you did a great job at weaving it into the story!

While reading, I found myself comparing Vi's hard-headed attitude to one of my favourite YA characters (Rose from the Vampire Academy).  If Vi had a best friend in another YA fiction book, who do you think it would be?

www.querytracker.blogspot.com) with 4 other amazing writers. Begin truly blogging on my own site (www.elanajohnson.blogpost.com).

Oh, yes! I love Rose from the Vampire Academy books. She and Vi would get along very well. I think Clare Fern from Kim Harrington’s CLARITY would be a great BFF for Vi. They have the same I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude.
Another one would be Kate Lowry from Lisa & Laura Roecker’s THE LIAR SOCIETY. She’s not afraid to sneak around and get her hands dirty, and well, Vi’s pretty good at sneaking.
I love strong female roles as well.  It isn't necessary in every novel that I read but it's a nice reminder that girls can be tough as nails and hold their own against the guys too.

Many people don't realize that you are very involved in providing other writers with information in publishing and how to query.  How long did it take you to get from start to finish? (writing Possession to becoming published)

Oh, man. It feels like a long time, even though it probably wasn’t. I know other writers have to go through much more. Here’s the run-down:

December, 2007: Write first novel.

April, 2008: Write third novel, POSSESSION (Yes, I draft very fast. It’s the revising/editing that takes months.)

May – December, 2008: Write more novels. Start to blog.

December, 2008: Revive the QueryTracker blog (

January – April, 2009: Revise/Edit POSSESSION

April – November, 2009: Query POSSESSION (That’s eight months for those of you who don’t want to count. Here’s a little bit of what happened during those months:)

June, 2009: First agent phone call! Wanted revisions, which I did.

July, 2009: More serious interest in POSSESSION. But no offers yet.

August, 2009: Second agent phone call! More revisions, which I wasn’t so sure about.

September, 2009: Third agent phone call! Aaaand, more revisions, which I felt good about and ultimately completed.

October, 2009: Submitted revisions to requesting agent.

November, 2009: Requesting agent—the fabulous Michelle Andelman—offered representation for POSSESSION.

December, 2009 – January 2010: Completed a couple more rounds of revisions on POSSESSION.

February, 2010: Submitted POSSESSION to editors. POSSESSION was bought by Simon & Schuster (Simon Pulse) very quickly.

March, 2010 – current day: Elana tries to keep up with the amazing roller coaster that is publishing a book. 

It sounds like a long process but well worth it!  I can only imagine what your schedule will be like now that Possession will be released shortly.  Lots of interviews, signings and promotion!  It's like the life of a literary rock star!

Are you working on more books now?

Like more books in the POSSESSION series? Or more books in general?
I have written more books since selling POSSESSION. I had written books before that too, and I think one of them is probably good enough (maybe) to be published. I am working on several loose ideas right now, two of them in the magical dystopian realm, and one YA contemporary.
As for more books in perhaps a POSSESSION series…yes. I have written a companion to POSSESSION. 
OK, so secretly I was just hinting/hoping that you had more to write about Vi.  You kind of left me hanging at the end...I am looking forward to the companion to POSSESSION though!

What are you reading now?  Or do you even have time to read?

I do have time to read! And I love it. Right now, I’m reading RUBY RED by Kerstin Gier, BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton, and THE SUMMER OF FIRSTS AND LASTS by Terra Elon McVoy. I just finished I DON’T WANT TO KILL YOU by Dan Wells, SOLSTICE by P.J. Hoover, and I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME by Lisa Schroeder. All fabulous books!

Great reads Elana!  I hope you get them all read before the rockstar madness begins!  Thank you for taking the time out to chat with us.  I'm certain you'll have a fantastic following with Possession.  It is well laid-out with plenty of action, romance and worldly adventure.  I certainly enjoyed it and I know that our readers will as well.

Review:

I didn't know what to expect from this title when I first received it from Simon and Shuster (thank you!).  It was a little slow to start but as I began to get into the story, I really started to understand the main character Vi and how she had worked herself up to such tough street girl.  She was edgy in one way but it was like a shell to protect her more vulnerable side.  Also, as the story progressed, there were a few twists and turns that were unexpected.  I LOVE that in a novel.  If you can lead me in one direction and then spin the story so it leads another way, you've got me hooked!

When Vi and Jag first meet, it doesn't take them long to fall for one another.  This bothered me a bit because of Zenn, Vi's match.  He seemed so dedicated to her and truly loved her.  Then, as things started to unravel and the truth starts coming into focus, Vi and Jag just seemed to mesh and work.  All of my misgivings to begin with seemed to fall away and I started to enjoy this book more and more. 

Possession is a mix of dystopian and science fiction.  I think I was hesitant at first when I started reading because I'm not keen on too much sci fi.  I wasn't overwhelmed with the degree of science fiction in this novel though.  It was an interesting world created by Ms. Johnson and a great story overall.  If are looking for action, adventure, romance and some surprise twists, this is the book for you.  It surprised me and left me wondering...is there going to be another book?  How can you leave me hanging like this??

Possession will be released on June 7th. Make sure you add it to your TBR list!  Better yet, pick it up at your local bookstore this week!