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Repossession #1
The Repossession
The first of two suspense thrillers with an intriguing mystery and plenty of romance, exploring such issues as religious fanaticism, genetic identity, and experimentation
Thirty-four kids are missing, vanished without a trace. Meanwhile, Genie Magee, 15, is imprisoned behind bars at home by her mother, who claims her soul is possessed by the Devil and is encouraged by the sinister Reverend Schneider. When Genie's boyfriend Rian sets her free, they end up at a remote farmhouse downriver, where all may not be as it seems. Then Genie meets Denis who has been missing two years now, but hasn't grown an inch; while Rian is haunted by Renée, who insists she's not actually dead. Soon they discover the terrible truth about Reverend Schneider—and worse, Genie is next.
Thirty-four kids are missing, vanished without a trace. Meanwhile, Genie Magee, 15, is imprisoned behind bars at home by her mother, who claims her soul is possessed by the Devil and is encouraged by the sinister Reverend Schneider. When Genie's boyfriend Rian sets her free, they end up at a remote farmhouse downriver, where all may not be as it seems. Then Genie meets Denis who has been missing two years now, but hasn't grown an inch; while Rian is haunted by Renée, who insists she's not actually dead. Soon they discover the terrible truth about Reverend Schneider—and worse, Genie is next.
499 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
16 people are currently reading
1470 people want to read
About the author
Sam Hawksmoor
20 books29 followersAugust 2025 - print and ebook
ASIN: B0FL84W8J2
The Days After She Went Dancing
Flamenco can be Murder
A runaway housewife to Spain, a husband and father-in-law executed, a desperate search for the woman who might hold the key to a fortune.
All Nia wanted was to change her life but 'beware of what you wish for'.
2025
'Whatever Happened to Genie Magee?'
No 4 in The Repossession of Genie Magee series.
It's now ten years since we last saw Genie after the cataclysmic destruction of The Fortress. Is she still alive? If so how is her physical and mental health given all the terrible things that happened to her an her friends. I feel guilty for leaving her stranded. But something is going on. She wakes up after a car crash and has lost her memory. She has no idea who she is or why she's where she is...
'The Restoration of Ami.'
ASIN: B0CVQMH78C - Kindle USA
ISBN: 978-1-7385181-0-4 - Print UK
Pub: Hammer & Tong/KDP 2.29.24
• Sam Hawksmoor
Remy has one last obsession – to complete the restoration of his ’57 Studebaker Golden Hawk. He’s planned a road trip to Montreal to find a part he desperately needs. It’s a long way from Florida; his Chevy truck is almost as old as he is. There are doubts he’ll be able to make the drive, doubts about his bladder, his heart, but he’s determined to go.
At the very first urgent stop in the pouring rain, a dog appears from nowhere and jumps into his truck, quickly followed by a drenched teen. Scared, the girl, Ami, urgently needs a ride. She has escaped from a nearby religious cult and is desperate to find the mother who abandoned her when she was just five years old.
For Ami everything is new, all modern life was shunned at the farm. Remy worries she will be bitterly disappointed when she finally meets her mother who may not welcome her back.
One old man, a troubled teenage girl and Stan the dog are on a road trip into MAGA America where violence and grievance stalk the land. With each mile they travel towards Montreal it seems to get further away.
'Fabulous, can't-put-down story with quirky, original characters, a loveable dog and a great adventure'. ***** Roxy West on Goodreads. 8.28.24
‘It’s a terrific story with engaging, interesting characters. What a wonderful dog!’
Walli Leff – New York
August 2022: Crime Fiction
The Book of Ashes published - the 2nd Delaney & Asha mystery.
ISBN: 979-8-837434-952
ASIN: B0B85HFK86
"This was supposed to be a simple track and trace job. Find the writer, bank the money. Now it's a horror show." Delaney and Asha are hired to find a missing writer who took money from the client and ran. It's December in New England. It's freezing. Turns out finding the writer is the easy part. The fact that he claims he’s being watched and told not to write anything on pain of death certainly adds a complication. Delaney thinks the writer is just a drunk but it turns out it was speaking the truth. Someone really does want him dead. But why? What did he discover whilst researching the book he was supposed to be writing? What did the old man with dementia tell him?
For Sci-Fi lovers:
Mission Longshot - How far will you go to save one life?
A trillion miles from home Celeste Kandar (14) is abruptly woken after an asteroid strike on her colony ship and discovers everyone is dead but her. She has been in stasis 23 years. One thing she is certain of, no one would be foolish enough to cross the whole universe to save her. Especially if it might cost their lives too. She is alone with one maintenance bot for company.
Stella is testing the first light-speed ship. The only chance they have to save Celeste. On her return, no one answers her calls and Florida is no longer flooded. Cities across the world still shine at night, which is illegal.
Landing on Ochee Island, she discovers trees instead of a space research platform. Stella, crippled by gravity, is rescued by three space geeks, Gerry, Kali and Jolene, out hunting
ASIN: B0FL84W8J2
The Days After She Went Dancing
Flamenco can be Murder
A runaway housewife to Spain, a husband and father-in-law executed, a desperate search for the woman who might hold the key to a fortune.
All Nia wanted was to change her life but 'beware of what you wish for'.
2025
'Whatever Happened to Genie Magee?'
No 4 in The Repossession of Genie Magee series.
It's now ten years since we last saw Genie after the cataclysmic destruction of The Fortress. Is she still alive? If so how is her physical and mental health given all the terrible things that happened to her an her friends. I feel guilty for leaving her stranded. But something is going on. She wakes up after a car crash and has lost her memory. She has no idea who she is or why she's where she is...
'The Restoration of Ami.'
ASIN: B0CVQMH78C - Kindle USA
ISBN: 978-1-7385181-0-4 - Print UK
Pub: Hammer & Tong/KDP 2.29.24
• Sam Hawksmoor
Remy has one last obsession – to complete the restoration of his ’57 Studebaker Golden Hawk. He’s planned a road trip to Montreal to find a part he desperately needs. It’s a long way from Florida; his Chevy truck is almost as old as he is. There are doubts he’ll be able to make the drive, doubts about his bladder, his heart, but he’s determined to go.
At the very first urgent stop in the pouring rain, a dog appears from nowhere and jumps into his truck, quickly followed by a drenched teen. Scared, the girl, Ami, urgently needs a ride. She has escaped from a nearby religious cult and is desperate to find the mother who abandoned her when she was just five years old.
For Ami everything is new, all modern life was shunned at the farm. Remy worries she will be bitterly disappointed when she finally meets her mother who may not welcome her back.
One old man, a troubled teenage girl and Stan the dog are on a road trip into MAGA America where violence and grievance stalk the land. With each mile they travel towards Montreal it seems to get further away.
'Fabulous, can't-put-down story with quirky, original characters, a loveable dog and a great adventure'. ***** Roxy West on Goodreads. 8.28.24
‘It’s a terrific story with engaging, interesting characters. What a wonderful dog!’
Walli Leff – New York
August 2022: Crime Fiction
The Book of Ashes published - the 2nd Delaney & Asha mystery.
ISBN: 979-8-837434-952
ASIN: B0B85HFK86
"This was supposed to be a simple track and trace job. Find the writer, bank the money. Now it's a horror show." Delaney and Asha are hired to find a missing writer who took money from the client and ran. It's December in New England. It's freezing. Turns out finding the writer is the easy part. The fact that he claims he’s being watched and told not to write anything on pain of death certainly adds a complication. Delaney thinks the writer is just a drunk but it turns out it was speaking the truth. Someone really does want him dead. But why? What did he discover whilst researching the book he was supposed to be writing? What did the old man with dementia tell him?
For Sci-Fi lovers:
Mission Longshot - How far will you go to save one life?
A trillion miles from home Celeste Kandar (14) is abruptly woken after an asteroid strike on her colony ship and discovers everyone is dead but her. She has been in stasis 23 years. One thing she is certain of, no one would be foolish enough to cross the whole universe to save her. Especially if it might cost their lives too. She is alone with one maintenance bot for company.
Stella is testing the first light-speed ship. The only chance they have to save Celeste. On her return, no one answers her calls and Florida is no longer flooded. Cities across the world still shine at night, which is illegal.
Landing on Ochee Island, she discovers trees instead of a space research platform. Stella, crippled by gravity, is rescued by three space geeks, Gerry, Kali and Jolene, out hunting
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August 30, 2012
Edit 8/30/12: You can now win a copy of The Repossession and its sequel, The Hunting, at The Nocturnal Library
A small town, 34 missing children, a dog with fused hind legs, quite a few religious fanatics, secret research facility, one huge pig, a farm, teleportation and an artificial lake. If you’re wondering what all these things have in common, allow me to enlighten you: they all play an important role in The Repossession by Sam Hawksmoor.
I suppose more YA should be written by middle-aged Canadian guys. Sam Hawksmoor surprised me with how original and believable his story was. Making a sci-fi novel believable is not an easy task, it all depends on how well written it is and what it relies on to convince you. Most people hear the words secret government research facility and instantly think that everything is possible. That’s what the author counted on, and that’s one of the things that make this book such huge success, in my opinion.
Want to make $2,000 cash? Participate in a simple experimental trial that could help us cure one of the world’s most pressing problems. We need healthy young people, 14 to 17, willing to put their survival skills to the test. We are a non-profit organization with brilliant green credentials. All applicants apply in total confidence. No adult/parent need be notified.
As someone who grew up in one (or three), I’m intimately familiar with social dynamics of small towns. Hawksmoor succeeded in creating the atmosphere of one such small community. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up from that feeling of constantly being watched and scrutinized. It was pure perfection, so creepy and convincing. It wasn’t hard to believe that a kid who grew up in such environment, with parents that blindly follow the crazy Reverend and his poisonous group of fanatics, would respond to a sketchy add for a chance to earn $2000. For those kids, the add isn’t just an add, it’s a Get Out of Jail Free card.
For Genie Magee, leaving the house is not an option. Her mother is convinced that Genie is possessed by the devil, that she is Satan’s bride, no less. With a little help from Reverend Schneider, she has imprisoned Genie in her bedroom, put a huge lock on her door and bars on her window. Every day, the Reverend’s followers come by to pray at Genie’s door, spit on her, call her names, brand her with crosses and abuse her in any way they can possibly think of. The only thing holding Genie together is the hope that her boyfriend Rian will come for her. And he does. But even though all Genie and Ri want to do is get as far from Spurlake as possible, they get dragged into the mess Reverend Schneider and a secret research facility are causing all over Spurlake. 34 kids are missing and no one is really bothering to look for them. Genie and Rian might be the only ones who can uncover the truth.
I loved how Hawksmoor handled the relationship between Genie and Ri. It was so different from what we’re used to. They were just two troubled kids, one heavily abused and the other “only” neglected, who saw each other as a chance to put it all behind them. Theirs was a young love, certainly, but a true love, not exaggerated, but simple, sweet and entirely believable.
As always, I am infuriated by the major cliffhanger, but since the book was so good and memorable, I might be willing to forgive even that.
I should also mention that pictures of the cover don't do this book justice at all, the entire thing is really beautifully designed.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, Hodder Children’s Books, for review purposes.
For this review and more, please visit The Nocturnal Library
A small town, 34 missing children, a dog with fused hind legs, quite a few religious fanatics, secret research facility, one huge pig, a farm, teleportation and an artificial lake. If you’re wondering what all these things have in common, allow me to enlighten you: they all play an important role in The Repossession by Sam Hawksmoor.
I suppose more YA should be written by middle-aged Canadian guys. Sam Hawksmoor surprised me with how original and believable his story was. Making a sci-fi novel believable is not an easy task, it all depends on how well written it is and what it relies on to convince you. Most people hear the words secret government research facility and instantly think that everything is possible. That’s what the author counted on, and that’s one of the things that make this book such huge success, in my opinion.
Want to make $2,000 cash? Participate in a simple experimental trial that could help us cure one of the world’s most pressing problems. We need healthy young people, 14 to 17, willing to put their survival skills to the test. We are a non-profit organization with brilliant green credentials. All applicants apply in total confidence. No adult/parent need be notified.
As someone who grew up in one (or three), I’m intimately familiar with social dynamics of small towns. Hawksmoor succeeded in creating the atmosphere of one such small community. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up from that feeling of constantly being watched and scrutinized. It was pure perfection, so creepy and convincing. It wasn’t hard to believe that a kid who grew up in such environment, with parents that blindly follow the crazy Reverend and his poisonous group of fanatics, would respond to a sketchy add for a chance to earn $2000. For those kids, the add isn’t just an add, it’s a Get Out of Jail Free card.
For Genie Magee, leaving the house is not an option. Her mother is convinced that Genie is possessed by the devil, that she is Satan’s bride, no less. With a little help from Reverend Schneider, she has imprisoned Genie in her bedroom, put a huge lock on her door and bars on her window. Every day, the Reverend’s followers come by to pray at Genie’s door, spit on her, call her names, brand her with crosses and abuse her in any way they can possibly think of. The only thing holding Genie together is the hope that her boyfriend Rian will come for her. And he does. But even though all Genie and Ri want to do is get as far from Spurlake as possible, they get dragged into the mess Reverend Schneider and a secret research facility are causing all over Spurlake. 34 kids are missing and no one is really bothering to look for them. Genie and Rian might be the only ones who can uncover the truth.
I loved how Hawksmoor handled the relationship between Genie and Ri. It was so different from what we’re used to. They were just two troubled kids, one heavily abused and the other “only” neglected, who saw each other as a chance to put it all behind them. Theirs was a young love, certainly, but a true love, not exaggerated, but simple, sweet and entirely believable.
As always, I am infuriated by the major cliffhanger, but since the book was so good and memorable, I might be willing to forgive even that.
I should also mention that pictures of the cover don't do this book justice at all, the entire thing is really beautifully designed.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, Hodder Children’s Books, for review purposes.
For this review and more, please visit The Nocturnal Library
January 1, 2013
With all the "same ol'" books I've read this year, it's wonderfully refreshing to come by true originality once in a while. Unlike anything I've read before, The Repossession is one of them. Science fiction in its true form, Sam has written an especially believable, fascinating read, but also one that is quite horrifying when you really stop to think about it. It's mind-blowing in a lot of ways; it makes my skin crawl to even imagine it. It's one of those books that are very long, but even after 500 pages, you're sad that it's over. The lengthy journey is not without activity at all times, even when there's nothing happening; when we're not in the thick of things, the fantastic character development turns these characters and their relationships into something that you want to read. You want to know more about them, see them grow and connect, and see them change into these intelligent individuals who are finding out what secrets lurk in their creepy little out-of-the-way town.
Going into this book, you don't really know what to expect. The synopsis is very vague which is great as it lets the mystery simmer. The mystery which ranges from creepy to spine-chilling, is one that every science fiction nerd will definitely be devouring. It's one that makes you think of the repercussions or such an occurrence. Obviously, I'm being vague for the same reason as the blurb, it's best if you know nothing ahead of time and you get to learn of the town's freakishly dark side along with the characters.
Speaking of characters, this book has such incredible character development. We have two main characters who develop a very unique, though also very realistic, relationship. They're brought together by unusual circumstances and their damaged upbringing, into a relationship that is a true portrayal of young love. It's not dramatic, nor extravagant, it simply is--like real life. Individually, I found myself warming up to both of them immediately. The book is very character oriented, we get to know these people in and out; personalities that manifest distinctly, clear reasoning behind actions--even though they may not always make the best decisions--, compelling voices, likeability, this is exactly what character development should be, always. Even parts where nothing much is happening other than staying hidden and living kept my interest as much as any action packed sequence. Part of the reason is the suspense; the constant slow simmering suspense that leaves you at the edge of your seat, not knowing what to expect whatsoever, but knowing it's coming, and that it's going to be freaky!
If you like science fiction, don't even doubt it, this book is for you! Plus, look! It's a book in blue!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Going into this book, you don't really know what to expect. The synopsis is very vague which is great as it lets the mystery simmer. The mystery which ranges from creepy to spine-chilling, is one that every science fiction nerd will definitely be devouring. It's one that makes you think of the repercussions or such an occurrence. Obviously, I'm being vague for the same reason as the blurb, it's best if you know nothing ahead of time and you get to learn of the town's freakishly dark side along with the characters.
Speaking of characters, this book has such incredible character development. We have two main characters who develop a very unique, though also very realistic, relationship. They're brought together by unusual circumstances and their damaged upbringing, into a relationship that is a true portrayal of young love. It's not dramatic, nor extravagant, it simply is--like real life. Individually, I found myself warming up to both of them immediately. The book is very character oriented, we get to know these people in and out; personalities that manifest distinctly, clear reasoning behind actions--even though they may not always make the best decisions--, compelling voices, likeability, this is exactly what character development should be, always. Even parts where nothing much is happening other than staying hidden and living kept my interest as much as any action packed sequence. Part of the reason is the suspense; the constant slow simmering suspense that leaves you at the edge of your seat, not knowing what to expect whatsoever, but knowing it's coming, and that it's going to be freaky!
If you like science fiction, don't even doubt it, this book is for you! Plus, look! It's a book in blue!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
April 5, 2016
Tek eksiği yazar anlatımı olmasıydı bence. Yazar anlatımı kitapları pek sevemiyorum maalesef ki. Onun dışında kurgu gayet güzeldi. Kitabın sayfalarını merakla çeviriyordum. Ayrıca kitap öyle yerde bitiyor ki ikinci kitap için yanıp tutuşuyor oluyorsunuz. *-*
March 27, 2016
4.15/5
Yorumu için: http://kronikokur.blogspot.com.tr/201...
Yorumu için: http://kronikokur.blogspot.com.tr/201...
March 15, 2012
*** Originally posted to Bookish Blog |Reviews, Author Interviews, Guest Posts, Book Info, Giveaways!|
The Repossession was absolutely amazing! It's mesmerizing, clever, captivating, in short it is everything you could possibly hope for in a book. At nearly 500 pages, it's a pretty hefty book, but don't let that discourage you from picking it up. Trust me, you'll breeze through the pages in no time! It took me one day to finish it (although, I admit, I did stay up till 3:00 am to find out what happens next). Combining the elements of science fiction, mystery and supernatural, it is definitely one of the best, and most fascinating, debut novels I've ever read.
The Repossession tells the story of Genie Magee, a teenage girl from Spurlake, BC, who - after predicting her grandmother's death - gets imprisoned in her bedroom by her mentally deranged mother and the wicked Reverend Schneider, who accuses Genie of being possessed by the devil. Haunted by weird visions, verbally and physically abused by the Church of Free Spirit devotees, Genie is confused, scared and desperate to escape. Thankfully, she has someone she can always count on. Rian, her beloved boyfriend, will do anything it takes to protect Genie and make her happy, even if it means ripping out the window with a rope attached to his best friend's car (Western-style -> totally bad-ass, baby!) and leaving town for good.This, however, is only the begging of their many troubles and adventures. They're about to uncover the mystery behind the disappearances of 34 local kids, and its connection to the Fortress, an underground research station nearby that is secretly carrying out experiments with teleportation device. They will also learn the hard way that fighting a well-funded, powerful organization is border line suicidal, even if you have special powers of your own and an adorable little pig for a sidekick.
This book is a perfect example why I love YA books written by male authors so much. They're simply fabulous. You just don't get this awesomeness anywhere else. The Repossession is so well-researched, and written with such remarkable care for details (especially when it comes to the scientific background), it is simply mind-blowing. Sam Hawksmoor not only managed to capture the unique, slightly eerie atmosphere of rural British Columbia, but he also did a great job depicting the inner workings of a small, secluded town, where everyone knows each other, people are very protective of their secrets and don't appreciate outsiders meddling in their business. My heart belongs to BC, and reading The Repossession made me feel all warm and fluffy inside, as, thanks to many nuances scattered throughout the book, I was able to travel in space and revisit all my favorite places (even Hastings Street is mentioned once! Although I wouldn't exactly call it a favorite place of mine :P).
Any way you slice it, it's a great and enjoyable piece of literature that just works on so many levels. The science fiction elements are all believable and terrifyingly real. The love story between Genie and Rian is sweet and charming, their devotion and readiness to do anything it takes to protect each other - truly heart-warming. The pacing of the story is great, too. The tension builds up slowly but surely, leading to an action-packed, not-exactly-a-cliffhanger ending that is sure to send you clamoring for the next installment. There's not a single thing I didn't enjoy about this book. The characters are wicked awesome, especially Rian, who is just the sweetest guy a girl could wish for. He's understanding, giving, warm, protective and funny. To Genie, he is a knight in a shining armor, someone she can trust, who will always be there to make sure nothing bad ever happens to her. I loved them as a couple. Their relationship seemed very natural and genuine. In that sense, they reminded me a lot of Todd and Viola from Chaos Walking Trilogy.
All in all The Repossession is a must-read YA novel. Well written, rich in detail of both character and world building, it's a unique blend of many different genres - from science fiction, to mystery, thriller and supernatural, with elements of teen romance and drama. Smart, dark and graceful, this story is sure to send chills down your spine, make you ponder the events described in it, and wonder just how plausible they really are.
The Repossession was absolutely amazing! It's mesmerizing, clever, captivating, in short it is everything you could possibly hope for in a book. At nearly 500 pages, it's a pretty hefty book, but don't let that discourage you from picking it up. Trust me, you'll breeze through the pages in no time! It took me one day to finish it (although, I admit, I did stay up till 3:00 am to find out what happens next). Combining the elements of science fiction, mystery and supernatural, it is definitely one of the best, and most fascinating, debut novels I've ever read.
The Repossession tells the story of Genie Magee, a teenage girl from Spurlake, BC, who - after predicting her grandmother's death - gets imprisoned in her bedroom by her mentally deranged mother and the wicked Reverend Schneider, who accuses Genie of being possessed by the devil. Haunted by weird visions, verbally and physically abused by the Church of Free Spirit devotees, Genie is confused, scared and desperate to escape. Thankfully, she has someone she can always count on. Rian, her beloved boyfriend, will do anything it takes to protect Genie and make her happy, even if it means ripping out the window with a rope attached to his best friend's car (Western-style -> totally bad-ass, baby!) and leaving town for good.This, however, is only the begging of their many troubles and adventures. They're about to uncover the mystery behind the disappearances of 34 local kids, and its connection to the Fortress, an underground research station nearby that is secretly carrying out experiments with teleportation device. They will also learn the hard way that fighting a well-funded, powerful organization is border line suicidal, even if you have special powers of your own and an adorable little pig for a sidekick.
This book is a perfect example why I love YA books written by male authors so much. They're simply fabulous. You just don't get this awesomeness anywhere else. The Repossession is so well-researched, and written with such remarkable care for details (especially when it comes to the scientific background), it is simply mind-blowing. Sam Hawksmoor not only managed to capture the unique, slightly eerie atmosphere of rural British Columbia, but he also did a great job depicting the inner workings of a small, secluded town, where everyone knows each other, people are very protective of their secrets and don't appreciate outsiders meddling in their business. My heart belongs to BC, and reading The Repossession made me feel all warm and fluffy inside, as, thanks to many nuances scattered throughout the book, I was able to travel in space and revisit all my favorite places (even Hastings Street is mentioned once! Although I wouldn't exactly call it a favorite place of mine :P).
Any way you slice it, it's a great and enjoyable piece of literature that just works on so many levels. The science fiction elements are all believable and terrifyingly real. The love story between Genie and Rian is sweet and charming, their devotion and readiness to do anything it takes to protect each other - truly heart-warming. The pacing of the story is great, too. The tension builds up slowly but surely, leading to an action-packed, not-exactly-a-cliffhanger ending that is sure to send you clamoring for the next installment. There's not a single thing I didn't enjoy about this book. The characters are wicked awesome, especially Rian, who is just the sweetest guy a girl could wish for. He's understanding, giving, warm, protective and funny. To Genie, he is a knight in a shining armor, someone she can trust, who will always be there to make sure nothing bad ever happens to her. I loved them as a couple. Their relationship seemed very natural and genuine. In that sense, they reminded me a lot of Todd and Viola from Chaos Walking Trilogy.
All in all The Repossession is a must-read YA novel. Well written, rich in detail of both character and world building, it's a unique blend of many different genres - from science fiction, to mystery, thriller and supernatural, with elements of teen romance and drama. Smart, dark and graceful, this story is sure to send chills down your spine, make you ponder the events described in it, and wonder just how plausible they really are.
April 14, 2014
I have mixed feelings when its come to The Repossession, I am not saying I don't like it, I am willing to give it 3.5 stars because the writing is solid and the story is refreshing and even though I'm by no mean a huge fan of YA Sci-Fi, I still find the main concept original. I mean, once we get past the 'mad scientists kidnapping kids for crazy experiments' part...the rest of the main ideas are original. Plus I do like that the danger and hardship faced by the kids feels so intensive and real; plus the difficulty of bringing powerful villains to justice is also being highlighted at the end of the book.
What I don't really like is the insta-love between the main couple and how some of the characters end up doing the most stupid things during critical moments, and I really am unable to suppress my disbelief when in the end
This is when I call bullshit.
Still, I will wait for the sequel to arrive to the library.
What I don't really like is the insta-love between the main couple and how some of the characters end up doing the most stupid things during critical moments, and I really am unable to suppress my disbelief when in the end
This is when I call bullshit.
Still, I will wait for the sequel to arrive to the library.
January 15, 2019
çok arada kaldığım bir kitap oldu açıkçası.
hem beğendim, hem beğenmedim.
kitabın içerisinde tutarsızlıklar olduğu bir gerçek.
ayrıca üçüncü kişi anlatış tarzını özellikle bu tarz kitaplarda sevmiyorum.
bu hem kitaba hem de karakterlere ısınmama güçlük çıkartıyor.
okunması kolay bir kitaptı orası kesin.
karakterlerin yaşları da kitapta içime sinmeyen bir diğer durumdu.
mesela aksiyon diyebileceğimiz sahnelerin ışık hızıyla geçmesi saçmaydı.
aksiyonlar böyle geçiştirilirken çocukların günlük hayatlarının detaylı bir şekilde anlatılması sizde o sayfaları atlayıp geçme isteği oluşturuyor.
diğer kitaplarını alıp, okur muyum?
Hiç sanmam :)
Devamı nasıl ilerleyecek gram merak etmiyorum çünkü.
hem beğendim, hem beğenmedim.
kitabın içerisinde tutarsızlıklar olduğu bir gerçek.
ayrıca üçüncü kişi anlatış tarzını özellikle bu tarz kitaplarda sevmiyorum.
bu hem kitaba hem de karakterlere ısınmama güçlük çıkartıyor.
okunması kolay bir kitaptı orası kesin.
karakterlerin yaşları da kitapta içime sinmeyen bir diğer durumdu.
mesela aksiyon diyebileceğimiz sahnelerin ışık hızıyla geçmesi saçmaydı.
aksiyonlar böyle geçiştirilirken çocukların günlük hayatlarının detaylı bir şekilde anlatılması sizde o sayfaları atlayıp geçme isteği oluşturuyor.
diğer kitaplarını alıp, okur muyum?
Hiç sanmam :)
Devamı nasıl ilerleyecek gram merak etmiyorum çünkü.
May 12, 2016
Beklediğimden daha iyiydi. Heyecanla okudum ama biraz heyecanı eksik gibiydi. Öyle gibi gibiydi işte öyle bişeyler.
August 21, 2016
Benimle aynı hataya düşüpte okumayın sakın. Hele cildine aldanıp çok güzel diyip kitaplıkta ne güzel durur diye hayaller kurup almayın. Süs gibi kaldığıyla yetinirsiniz anca. İçi çok boş, zayıf, kötü. Okumaya değmez. Para vermeye hiç değmez. Aldığıma pişmanım. Hem de çok pişman. Kitabı neyse ki Angel Books ile birlikte okuduk. Yoksa hayatta devam etmezdim ben. Hadi okuyalım, hadi biter, az daha oku, bitti sayılır diye diye itekledi beni. Ben tabii hiç bitirelim diye uğraş vermedim. Direkt aklını çelmeye çalıştım. Yarım bırakalım diye ama nafile. Neyse. Sağ olsun en azından yarım bırakmamış olduk kitabı. Güzel oldu.
November 4, 2013
SO ADDICTIVE!!!
MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
June 24, 2021
D+
Ça se lit bien, c'est une qualité. MAIS
1- L'auteur se contredit souvent. Il évoque des évènements passés en rajoutant/supprimant des détails. Il va même contre des règles qu'il a établi sans fournir d'explication
2- C'est un livre de SF auquel on ne CROIT PAS. Toutes les explications sont vaseuses. On voit que l'auteur ne sait pas de quoi il parle. J'ai pensé que l'auteur ne pouvait qu'être jeune pour faire ça... En fait non.
3- Le langage est parfois trop niais voir débile. Un personnage de 15ans, ce n'est pas l'idéal. Ou il est trop adulte ou trop gamin.
Bref, ça se lit mais sans intérêt. La suite de la trilogie ne sera jamais une de mes priorités.
Ça se lit bien, c'est une qualité. MAIS
1- L'auteur se contredit souvent. Il évoque des évènements passés en rajoutant/supprimant des détails. Il va même contre des règles qu'il a établi sans fournir d'explication
2- C'est un livre de SF auquel on ne CROIT PAS. Toutes les explications sont vaseuses. On voit que l'auteur ne sait pas de quoi il parle. J'ai pensé que l'auteur ne pouvait qu'être jeune pour faire ça... En fait non.
3- Le langage est parfois trop niais voir débile. Un personnage de 15ans, ce n'est pas l'idéal. Ou il est trop adulte ou trop gamin.
Bref, ça se lit mais sans intérêt. La suite de la trilogie ne sera jamais une de mes priorités.
February 19, 2012
‘The Repossession’ is a very difficult book to describe. What starts off as something of a modern day Romeo and Juliet tale with two teenagers defying the odds to run away together soon turns into a story of an altogether different nature. Part science-fiction, part romance and part action thriller, the best way to approach this book is with an open mind, prepared for literally anything to happen next.
The story centres mainly around Genie and Rian who’ve run away together to escape Genie’s zealously religious mother and the evil Reverend Schneider who has Genie locked in her room behind iron bars. Madly in love they believe they can start a new life together but trouble soon finds them when they stumble upon the secret behind why so many teenagers from their home town of Spurlake have gone missing and what’s really going on at the sinister Fortress. The revelation of some surprising secrets means that they soon have an altogether different fight on their hands.
Genie and Rian were a slightly unconventional pairing but I thought their relationship was incredibly well written and seemed entirely genuine. They display equal support and care for each other and although they're in love, there is something pure and innocent about their feelings.
A word of warning – do not for a second get complacent and think that you have the story all figured out. You don’t. I loved all the unusual twists and the change of direction and pace which the plot often took. Sam Hawksmoor has an incredible imagination and has written a story which will blow your mind and keep you guessing until the very end. I really enjoyed the scientific aspect of the book which is detailed and plausible and does make you believe that some of the events could actually happen. Many of these passages were clearly explained which was important as many of the ideas are quite complex.
A thrilling read, I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Repossession and after being left with an explosive cliff-hanger ending, can’t wait for the second book in the series which is sure to be another big hit!
The story centres mainly around Genie and Rian who’ve run away together to escape Genie’s zealously religious mother and the evil Reverend Schneider who has Genie locked in her room behind iron bars. Madly in love they believe they can start a new life together but trouble soon finds them when they stumble upon the secret behind why so many teenagers from their home town of Spurlake have gone missing and what’s really going on at the sinister Fortress. The revelation of some surprising secrets means that they soon have an altogether different fight on their hands.
Genie and Rian were a slightly unconventional pairing but I thought their relationship was incredibly well written and seemed entirely genuine. They display equal support and care for each other and although they're in love, there is something pure and innocent about their feelings.
A word of warning – do not for a second get complacent and think that you have the story all figured out. You don’t. I loved all the unusual twists and the change of direction and pace which the plot often took. Sam Hawksmoor has an incredible imagination and has written a story which will blow your mind and keep you guessing until the very end. I really enjoyed the scientific aspect of the book which is detailed and plausible and does make you believe that some of the events could actually happen. Many of these passages were clearly explained which was important as many of the ideas are quite complex.
A thrilling read, I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Repossession and after being left with an explosive cliff-hanger ending, can’t wait for the second book in the series which is sure to be another big hit!
August 24, 2016
Çok ümitliydim bu kitapla ilgili. Ama benim için hayal kırıklığı oldu. Sevgili Krital Kitap'la birlikte okuduk ve kitabı yarım bırakmanın eşiğinden döndük. Yaş grubu olarak bana hitap etmiyor. Heyecan dozu çok çok az. Serinin devamını okuma ihtimalim sanırım yok. Kitabın arka kapak yazısı, giriş yazısı ve kapak resminin bende uyandırdığı izlenim ve içerik çok ayrı kulvarlardaydı. Ayrıca karakter analizleri de yetersizdi. Kısacası hiç bana göre değilmiş.
Want to read
April 22, 2012the pages are BLUE! :0
September 11, 2022
çocuk kitabı gibi bir dille yazılmıştı, okurken acı çektim.
June 21, 2021
This book was good, though it took a long time to get into the storyline… to the point that I wasn’t going to finish it. Genie and Rian’s relationship is good, but I feel as if it’s too perfect. The only things that signify negativity in their relationship are minor, and solved in a paragraph. Most of them consist of “are you sure you don’t want to leave?” “I’m sure” and that’s the end of it.
I didn’t mind the book, I just wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
I didn’t mind the book, I just wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
May 9, 2017
I was so disappointed by this.
I think that this was partially my fault because I went into it expecting a dystopian novel, but it's actually all science fiction.
I also couldn't connect with the characters or the story, so I just couldn't bring myself to care.
I think that this was partially my fault because I went into it expecting a dystopian novel, but it's actually all science fiction.
I also couldn't connect with the characters or the story, so I just couldn't bring myself to care.
March 8, 2012
Sam Hawksmoor's debut was a complete surprise for me. From it's summary I expected it to be more about supernatural and witchcraft elements, but this is in fact more along the lines of YA science fiction. That said the sci-fi element is not dominant and even as someone who doesn't read sci-fi avidly, I was still engaged with the plot and really liked the book so don't be put off!
34 children have recently gone missing in Genie's small town. She is next. Genie starts out in the novel imprisoned by her mother who believes she is possessed by the devil thanks to a local sinister reverend. When she is saved by Rian, her boyfriend and they try to escape and end up seeking shelter with reclusive Marshall. One of the most compelling things for me about this novel was Hawksmoor's characterisation and the fact that no character was one thing or the other. Marshall is a kind man and incredibly helpful for example, but he's also a scientist and sometimes this clouds his judgement and thought processes.
This book, for me, was about how dangerous it can be as a teenager and how badly they can be exploited by those pretending to help. The scenes with Father chilled me to the bone and the set-up was worryingly plausible. Hawksmoor has created a truly terrifying nemesis in Rev. Schneider, who I initially thought would be forgotten about when I began the novel but is a central focus for the plot.
Genie and Rian also embodied that wonderful, consuming first love you might be lucky enough to experience as a teenager, or certainly daydream about. I genuinely cared about their relationship as I read the book. Their sacrifices for each other and respect of one another was really great to read and I was particularly happy to see Rian treated Genie equally, unlike in some YA books I have read.
The final quarter of The Repossession is action packed and tense and the book does leave you on quite a cliffhanger. I think you will either love or hate this, personally I do want to know what comes next for the characters so I will definitely be checking out the Hunting, its sequel, when it is released!
This is a highly unusual read that defies you original conceptions of what it will be. I thoroughly enjoyed the scientific elements Hawksmoor introduced simply and without patronising a reader. I received Repossession from Hodder Children's Book for free and am very thankful for the opportunity. My tone or opinion on this book have not been affected by receiving the book for free or via the publisher.
34 children have recently gone missing in Genie's small town. She is next. Genie starts out in the novel imprisoned by her mother who believes she is possessed by the devil thanks to a local sinister reverend. When she is saved by Rian, her boyfriend and they try to escape and end up seeking shelter with reclusive Marshall. One of the most compelling things for me about this novel was Hawksmoor's characterisation and the fact that no character was one thing or the other. Marshall is a kind man and incredibly helpful for example, but he's also a scientist and sometimes this clouds his judgement and thought processes.
This book, for me, was about how dangerous it can be as a teenager and how badly they can be exploited by those pretending to help. The scenes with Father chilled me to the bone and the set-up was worryingly plausible. Hawksmoor has created a truly terrifying nemesis in Rev. Schneider, who I initially thought would be forgotten about when I began the novel but is a central focus for the plot.
Genie and Rian also embodied that wonderful, consuming first love you might be lucky enough to experience as a teenager, or certainly daydream about. I genuinely cared about their relationship as I read the book. Their sacrifices for each other and respect of one another was really great to read and I was particularly happy to see Rian treated Genie equally, unlike in some YA books I have read.
The final quarter of The Repossession is action packed and tense and the book does leave you on quite a cliffhanger. I think you will either love or hate this, personally I do want to know what comes next for the characters so I will definitely be checking out the Hunting, its sequel, when it is released!
This is a highly unusual read that defies you original conceptions of what it will be. I thoroughly enjoyed the scientific elements Hawksmoor introduced simply and without patronising a reader. I received Repossession from Hodder Children's Book for free and am very thankful for the opportunity. My tone or opinion on this book have not been affected by receiving the book for free or via the publisher.
August 27, 2012
Teenager Genie Magee has visions, and after predicting her Gran's death is imprisoned in her bedroom by her crazed mother and the sinister Reverend Schneider, who believe that Genie is possessed by the devil.
Genie's only hope is her boyfriend Rian Tulane, and after a daring rescue, they hide out on a houseboat where they are caught in a ferocious flash flood. They are lucky to escape with their lives and after saving a rather fortunate pig find their way to a remote farm where they hope to find solace away from the troubled town of Spurlake.
Recovering from her trauma, Genie is still haunted by her visions and when Rian forms a similar connection to a girl called Renee, they decide to dig deeper into the mysteries of the 34 children who have gone missing from Spurlake. Mysterious recruitment advertisements for 14-17 year olds, baited by the promise of $2000, seems to be the catalyst for this anomaly but no-one really knows who is behind these sinister goings-on.
At the farm they encounter an ex-scientist, Marshall and his son, a cop called Maxwell Miller, but can they be trusted? A stray dog, Moucher, seems friendly enough, but the only thing they can be certain of is their love as they face the lurking dangers that wait around every corner.
A sinister organisation called The Fortress, hidden away within the mountains, seems to be central to the mysteries of the missing children. Rumours of weird experiments, carbon blowback and mutated animals gather momentum as they become embroiled in the terrifying truth; as all the while the threat of the sinister Reverend Schneider looms as he bides his time in the shadows waiting to catch up with Genie Magee.
With a title that works on more levels than a multi-storey car park, prepare to embark on a heart pounding journey full of romance, action, science fiction and suspense. I raced through this book in a day and couldn't draw myself away from the troubled Spurlake, its vivid characters and wonderful settings. Dripping with glorious teenage angst, the Repossession hurtles towards its nerve-jangling climax and leaves me counting down the days until the release of the next instalment - The Hunting.
A wonderful story, brilliantly told. A must read for 2012
Genie's only hope is her boyfriend Rian Tulane, and after a daring rescue, they hide out on a houseboat where they are caught in a ferocious flash flood. They are lucky to escape with their lives and after saving a rather fortunate pig find their way to a remote farm where they hope to find solace away from the troubled town of Spurlake.
Recovering from her trauma, Genie is still haunted by her visions and when Rian forms a similar connection to a girl called Renee, they decide to dig deeper into the mysteries of the 34 children who have gone missing from Spurlake. Mysterious recruitment advertisements for 14-17 year olds, baited by the promise of $2000, seems to be the catalyst for this anomaly but no-one really knows who is behind these sinister goings-on.
At the farm they encounter an ex-scientist, Marshall and his son, a cop called Maxwell Miller, but can they be trusted? A stray dog, Moucher, seems friendly enough, but the only thing they can be certain of is their love as they face the lurking dangers that wait around every corner.
A sinister organisation called The Fortress, hidden away within the mountains, seems to be central to the mysteries of the missing children. Rumours of weird experiments, carbon blowback and mutated animals gather momentum as they become embroiled in the terrifying truth; as all the while the threat of the sinister Reverend Schneider looms as he bides his time in the shadows waiting to catch up with Genie Magee.
With a title that works on more levels than a multi-storey car park, prepare to embark on a heart pounding journey full of romance, action, science fiction and suspense. I raced through this book in a day and couldn't draw myself away from the troubled Spurlake, its vivid characters and wonderful settings. Dripping with glorious teenage angst, the Repossession hurtles towards its nerve-jangling climax and leaves me counting down the days until the release of the next instalment - The Hunting.
A wonderful story, brilliantly told. A must read for 2012
May 17, 2012
I have one major issue with this book -- the writing.
It kind of ruined the book, in my opinion.
The Story:
Genie Magee is imprisoned in her own home as almost everyone (no doubt led by Reverend Schneider) in the small town of Spurlake believes she is possessed by the devil. Everyday, she endures torment and torture from the Reverend's disciples, including her own mother. While she is starting to lose hope, the boy she loves so very much, Rian Tulane, comes to rescue her from her misery.
As they try to escape Spurlake, the disappearances of 34 kids from that very town disturbs them greatly. When a flash flood leads Rian and Genie to a farmhouse occupied by Marshall, a former Fortransco scientist, the trio, together with Marshall's cop son Max, begin to figure out the connection between the missing kids and Fortransco.
What I Like About "The Repossession":
1. Nothing in particular, because everything just seemed average and there's pretty much nothing to rave about. Though I appreciated that there's some form of action throughout! Oh, and a couple of nice twists too, of which I totally didn't expect.
What I Don't:
1. The writing! Like I've mentioned in the beginning, I totally disliked how the book was written. It was dully narrated, and there wasn't any conviction. As such, all the characters and the emotions they displayed were sort of 'downplayed' a little. I couldn't really feel what they felt. There's a detachment between me and the story, so to say.
2. The characters. Aside from Max, Marshall and Moucher (the dog), the rest of the characters were flat, especially Rian and Genie. Truthfully, their romance didn't get to me. I felt it was a bit contrived.
3. It was too dragged out. More than 480 pages long, and the main story didn't pick up until after more than a hundred pages or so.
Verdict:
To be honest, I thought "The Repossession" encompassed something of a supernatural nature. Turned out to be sci-fi eventually, and overall I felt the whole thing didn't captivate me enough. It's a miss for me, and I'd definitely not be catching up with the sequel.
It kind of ruined the book, in my opinion.
The Story:
Genie Magee is imprisoned in her own home as almost everyone (no doubt led by Reverend Schneider) in the small town of Spurlake believes she is possessed by the devil. Everyday, she endures torment and torture from the Reverend's disciples, including her own mother. While she is starting to lose hope, the boy she loves so very much, Rian Tulane, comes to rescue her from her misery.
As they try to escape Spurlake, the disappearances of 34 kids from that very town disturbs them greatly. When a flash flood leads Rian and Genie to a farmhouse occupied by Marshall, a former Fortransco scientist, the trio, together with Marshall's cop son Max, begin to figure out the connection between the missing kids and Fortransco.
What I Like About "The Repossession":
1. Nothing in particular, because everything just seemed average and there's pretty much nothing to rave about. Though I appreciated that there's some form of action throughout! Oh, and a couple of nice twists too, of which I totally didn't expect.
What I Don't:
1. The writing! Like I've mentioned in the beginning, I totally disliked how the book was written. It was dully narrated, and there wasn't any conviction. As such, all the characters and the emotions they displayed were sort of 'downplayed' a little. I couldn't really feel what they felt. There's a detachment between me and the story, so to say.
2. The characters. Aside from Max, Marshall and Moucher (the dog), the rest of the characters were flat, especially Rian and Genie. Truthfully, their romance didn't get to me. I felt it was a bit contrived.
3. It was too dragged out. More than 480 pages long, and the main story didn't pick up until after more than a hundred pages or so.
Verdict:
To be honest, I thought "The Repossession" encompassed something of a supernatural nature. Turned out to be sci-fi eventually, and overall I felt the whole thing didn't captivate me enough. It's a miss for me, and I'd definitely not be catching up with the sequel.
December 23, 2013
I really enjoyed The Repossession. It was an interesting read with unique ideas and characters you can instantly warm to.
The story looks at the idea of the 100s of kids that go missing every year and poses an idea about where they maybe going in one particular area in America. The ide is actually quite chilling when you think about it as the kids involved just disappear without anyone ever finding out where they might have gone.
The main story revolves around Genie and Rian who are fast becoming my favourite YA couple. Up until Rian rescued her Genie was told by her mother and the local crazy-ass priest that she was possessed by the devil and that she was evil because she has a gift. As a consequence was locked into her room. Rian lives with his disabled mother and her boyfriend who he doesn't like. One day Rian decides to save Genie and the pair run away. Due to the fact that so many other kids have gone missing of late their disapperence isn't considered all that unusual.
I loved the relationship between Rian and Genie. It was both very innocent but all really sincere. Rian felt very much like his job in life was to look after Genie and keep her safe. I liked seeing how they interacted and looked after each other. Whilst on their escape they stumble across an old farm and spend the night in the barn. In the morning they are discovered by the farmer who offers them a place to stay and plays almost a fatherly role in their lives, offering them a home in return for companionship and help around the farm.
As the story develops it becomes much more. You start to get under the skin of why Genie's mother thought she was possessed when you start to see her gift coming out and being used more and more. You also start to find out more about why the teenagers locally have gone missing and where it is they may have gone. The ideas behind it are really interesting, bordering on a little bit sci-fi which I wasn't expecting, and really kept me engaging throughout.
I am certainly looking forward to book two now!
The story looks at the idea of the 100s of kids that go missing every year and poses an idea about where they maybe going in one particular area in America. The ide is actually quite chilling when you think about it as the kids involved just disappear without anyone ever finding out where they might have gone.
The main story revolves around Genie and Rian who are fast becoming my favourite YA couple. Up until Rian rescued her Genie was told by her mother and the local crazy-ass priest that she was possessed by the devil and that she was evil because she has a gift. As a consequence was locked into her room. Rian lives with his disabled mother and her boyfriend who he doesn't like. One day Rian decides to save Genie and the pair run away. Due to the fact that so many other kids have gone missing of late their disapperence isn't considered all that unusual.
I loved the relationship between Rian and Genie. It was both very innocent but all really sincere. Rian felt very much like his job in life was to look after Genie and keep her safe. I liked seeing how they interacted and looked after each other. Whilst on their escape they stumble across an old farm and spend the night in the barn. In the morning they are discovered by the farmer who offers them a place to stay and plays almost a fatherly role in their lives, offering them a home in return for companionship and help around the farm.
As the story develops it becomes much more. You start to get under the skin of why Genie's mother thought she was possessed when you start to see her gift coming out and being used more and more. You also start to find out more about why the teenagers locally have gone missing and where it is they may have gone. The ideas behind it are really interesting, bordering on a little bit sci-fi which I wasn't expecting, and really kept me engaging throughout.
I am certainly looking forward to book two now!
October 14, 2012
I received this book free from the author in exchange of a honest review. Thank you, Sam!
The story I encountered in this book is unique.
While the children from Spurlake BC start to disappear in a mysterious way, Genie Magee si trapped in her own room by her mother, which accuses her of being possessed by the devil. The day before she escape, the face of the last child who went missing appears on the wall of her room and tells her that she is next.
Rian, her only real friend, helps her escape and both run away from Spurlake. Along the way, many obstacles overcome and they make them to reach to Marshall's farm, an ex-scientist. Toghether, they find out who kidnapped the missing kids from Spurlake and they try to save them. During the whole story, a lot of clues appear and you have to read the book to find out what it's all about.
The story will have you hooked, but the ending is a bit disappointing - I won't give you any spoilers!
My opinion
The Repossession is more like a Sci-Fi thriller, though I expected it to have more fantasy. The whole story takes place in a steady pace, so you don't get bored at all, and it keeps you in suspense. I really liked Sam Hawksmoor's stile - it won and kept me intrigued throughout the 500 pages of this book.
However, it seemed a bit cruel that all those children had little chance to escape from the hands the scientists. The end, as I said, was a little bit disappointing, but...I'll shut up! :))
Interesting cover. You'll wonder what signifies, but I won't reveal anything.
I hope I'll have the opportunity to read the sequel, The Hunting. At the end of the book, Sam included one chapter of the second novel, wich sparked my interest more. I would like to find out if, after all, the protagonists will escape from the hands of the bad guys forever and will get to live a normal life - though probably not.
The story I encountered in this book is unique.
While the children from Spurlake BC start to disappear in a mysterious way, Genie Magee si trapped in her own room by her mother, which accuses her of being possessed by the devil. The day before she escape, the face of the last child who went missing appears on the wall of her room and tells her that she is next.
Rian, her only real friend, helps her escape and both run away from Spurlake. Along the way, many obstacles overcome and they make them to reach to Marshall's farm, an ex-scientist. Toghether, they find out who kidnapped the missing kids from Spurlake and they try to save them. During the whole story, a lot of clues appear and you have to read the book to find out what it's all about.
The story will have you hooked, but the ending is a bit disappointing - I won't give you any spoilers!
My opinion
The Repossession is more like a Sci-Fi thriller, though I expected it to have more fantasy. The whole story takes place in a steady pace, so you don't get bored at all, and it keeps you in suspense. I really liked Sam Hawksmoor's stile - it won and kept me intrigued throughout the 500 pages of this book.
However, it seemed a bit cruel that all those children had little chance to escape from the hands the scientists. The end, as I said, was a little bit disappointing, but...I'll shut up! :))
Interesting cover. You'll wonder what signifies, but I won't reveal anything.
I hope I'll have the opportunity to read the sequel, The Hunting. At the end of the book, Sam included one chapter of the second novel, wich sparked my interest more. I would like to find out if, after all, the protagonists will escape from the hands of the bad guys forever and will get to live a normal life - though probably not.
July 30, 2014
Hi!
On the back of my proof copy, The Repossession is described as: An intense, edgy thriller for readers who love suspense, action and romance.
It certainly is that.
This is a slight dystopian, I think, as it's set in the future, but not along the scales of The Hunger Games or Divergent; they still have only cars and phones and everything is as we know it now.
Except for a mysterious research facility known as The Fortress. Children go missing all the time in Spurlake. And as you read this book you start to connect the dots and understand why and how.
Our protagonist, Genie Magee, is going out with Rian Tulane. They do everything normal teenage couples do, but they haven't been on a date. This is because Genie's mother forbids Genie to.
At the end of school, Genie tells her mother that her Grandmother has just died, she just knows. Her mother (who, by the way, is very cruel to Genie) tells her to be quiet. A few hours later they find out that Genie's Grandmother has died. Genie's mother yells and curses at Genie and says that she's been possessed by the Devil. She locks her in her room and treats her like a prisoner.
That is the beginning of the book and I was really gripped. The storyline is great and Sam Hawksmoor really piles on the non-stop action. You discover things as the characters do and fear the evil as they do. There isn't one main villain in this book, but Genie and Rian find themselves surrounded by them.
All in all a very powerful book with superb action and mystery. Surprisingly, I would not shelve it as dystopian, but rather mystery, fantasy and even a little sci-fi.
On the back of my proof copy, The Repossession is described as: An intense, edgy thriller for readers who love suspense, action and romance.
It certainly is that.
This is a slight dystopian, I think, as it's set in the future, but not along the scales of The Hunger Games or Divergent; they still have only cars and phones and everything is as we know it now.
Except for a mysterious research facility known as The Fortress. Children go missing all the time in Spurlake. And as you read this book you start to connect the dots and understand why and how.
Our protagonist, Genie Magee, is going out with Rian Tulane. They do everything normal teenage couples do, but they haven't been on a date. This is because Genie's mother forbids Genie to.
At the end of school, Genie tells her mother that her Grandmother has just died, she just knows. Her mother (who, by the way, is very cruel to Genie) tells her to be quiet. A few hours later they find out that Genie's Grandmother has died. Genie's mother yells and curses at Genie and says that she's been possessed by the Devil. She locks her in her room and treats her like a prisoner.
That is the beginning of the book and I was really gripped. The storyline is great and Sam Hawksmoor really piles on the non-stop action. You discover things as the characters do and fear the evil as they do. There isn't one main villain in this book, but Genie and Rian find themselves surrounded by them.
All in all a very powerful book with superb action and mystery. Surprisingly, I would not shelve it as dystopian, but rather mystery, fantasy and even a little sci-fi.
March 31, 2015
A tough call on this one. The actual premise is strikingly original and flies close to the daily news. My problem was the stolid moral compass at work throughout - the good guys are sweet, but unchanging, the bad guys are uniformly really, really bad, and unchanging. Even the challenges the heroes face seem to stack rather than escalate. All in all, I started out liking it quite a bit, but found it harder and harder to keep going through what is, let's face it, an overlong book.
Read
January 14, 2023Can't wait to read the next one!
It's absolutely one of my favourites now! It's hard to come by a really good and original book like this! It's amazing how much I enjoyed reading this book! At first I kept thinking that this book isn't really for me but the more I read, the more I loved! The cover is REALLY cool and really suits the book well!
It's absolutely one of my favourites now! It's hard to come by a really good and original book like this! It's amazing how much I enjoyed reading this book! At first I kept thinking that this book isn't really for me but the more I read, the more I loved! The cover is REALLY cool and really suits the book well!
May 9, 2016
Konu olarak özgündü bazı yerlerinde sıkılsamda güzel bir kitaptı severek okudum
June 21, 2024
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Volontaires est un roman de science-fiction adolescent, dans lequel l’héroïne, Jenny, est emprisonnée par sa fanatique de mère et le révérend Schneider, qui l’accusent d’être possédée par le démon. Son petit ami, Rian, l’aide à s’enfuir, et leurs noms rejoignent ceux des trente-quatre enfants déjà portés disparus à Spurlake. Bien vite, cet étrange mystère les rattrape…
Le résumé de ce roman était prometteur, mais j’ai rapidement déchanté. La première partie ne nous laisse à aucun moment le temps de reprendre notre souffle. Il y a d’abord la fuite, puis la tempête, puis la maladie, puis les apparitions… On n’a même pas le temps d’assimiler un élément ou une situation qu’on passe déjà à la suite.
À cause de cela, il m’a fallu plus d’une centaine de pages pour réussir à entrer dans l’histoire. J’ai trouvé que la maladie des protagonistes alourdissait inutilement l’intrigue, et surtout, j’ai regretté qu’ils ne prennent pas plus de décisions, du moins au début. Ils subissent absolument tout ! Et même quand ils commencent à entrapercevoir la clé du mystère qui entoure Spurlake, ils n’agissent pas vraiment.
Pire, ils prennent souvent des décisions stupides. Parce que, évidemment, la première chose à faire quand vous pensez avoir été repérée par l’ennemi, c’est vous accorder cinq petites minutes pour savourer l’eau dans laquelle vous êtes en train de vous baigner. Et ce n’est qu’un exemple parmi d’autres.
J’ai trouvé la seconde partie un peu plus intéressante, parce qu’il y a enfin des avancées concrètes, quoiqu’avec des rebondissements attendus et/ou saugrenus. La fin, en revanche, m’a déçue, parce qu’elle nous renvoie littéralement à la case départ.
Pour cette raison, je ne lirai pas la suite, d’autant que je ne crois pas qu’elle ait été traduite en français. Je n’ai pas non plus accroché au duo principal, que j’ai trouvé trop mièvre et sans vraiment de personnalité. Marshall est beaucoup plus intriguant et possède davantage de profondeur, mais il n’a hélas pas suffi à me faire apprécier véritablement cette histoire.
Volontaires est un roman de science-fiction adolescent, dans lequel l’héroïne, Jenny, est emprisonnée par sa fanatique de mère et le révérend Schneider, qui l’accusent d’être possédée par le démon. Son petit ami, Rian, l’aide à s’enfuir, et leurs noms rejoignent ceux des trente-quatre enfants déjà portés disparus à Spurlake. Bien vite, cet étrange mystère les rattrape…
Le résumé de ce roman était prometteur, mais j’ai rapidement déchanté. La première partie ne nous laisse à aucun moment le temps de reprendre notre souffle. Il y a d’abord la fuite, puis la tempête, puis la maladie, puis les apparitions… On n’a même pas le temps d’assimiler un élément ou une situation qu’on passe déjà à la suite.
À cause de cela, il m’a fallu plus d’une centaine de pages pour réussir à entrer dans l’histoire. J’ai trouvé que la maladie des protagonistes alourdissait inutilement l’intrigue, et surtout, j’ai regretté qu’ils ne prennent pas plus de décisions, du moins au début. Ils subissent absolument tout ! Et même quand ils commencent à entrapercevoir la clé du mystère qui entoure Spurlake, ils n’agissent pas vraiment.
Pire, ils prennent souvent des décisions stupides. Parce que, évidemment, la première chose à faire quand vous pensez avoir été repérée par l’ennemi, c’est vous accorder cinq petites minutes pour savourer l’eau dans laquelle vous êtes en train de vous baigner. Et ce n’est qu’un exemple parmi d’autres.
J’ai trouvé la seconde partie un peu plus intéressante, parce qu’il y a enfin des avancées concrètes, quoiqu’avec des rebondissements attendus et/ou saugrenus. La fin, en revanche, m’a déçue, parce qu’elle nous renvoie littéralement à la case départ.
Pour cette raison, je ne lirai pas la suite, d’autant que je ne crois pas qu’elle ait été traduite en français. Je n’ai pas non plus accroché au duo principal, que j’ai trouvé trop mièvre et sans vraiment de personnalité. Marshall est beaucoup plus intriguant et possède davantage de profondeur, mais il n’a hélas pas suffi à me faire apprécier véritablement cette histoire.
March 10, 2017
4.5 The best YA Sci-fi I've read since Ender's Game
Okay... let me explain, my last book also got a 4.5 but has 5 stars.... since Good reads does not allow proper half stars (dammit) basically I have to ask myself, "is it a 4.6 or a 4.4" type of deal.... this one was very close to being a "4.6" and only had a couple of nit picky flaws, but then one major flaw appeared...d'oh!
Okay, so, this review will be a bit tricky to write especially the good points because I really don't want to spoil the plot....
The negatives.... nitpicks: English spelling.... okay the book takes place in British Columbia and actually gets a lot of the landmarks correct, but yet uses British spelling (note* the author is from the UK) so Ryan=Rian, Tires=Tyres.... I can understand this confusion because Canada in general likes to lean to British spellings (ie Colour, grey etc). Another nit pick, he doesn't describe anything about the appearance of his characters until 2/3 of the way though.... by that time would suggest leaving it open to interpretation.... (Genie's eyes are blue.... spoiler). Then the big flaw, what knocked it down to 4.4 as it were.... the story of Rian and Genie ends with a blatant sequel set up.... and I don't mean like a open ending, where they realized "we need to leave" and drive off into the distance, instead, as the book closes we get a suspenseful getaway which doesn't get resolved.... I felt would have serviced the character's story more to have their portion end when they decided to get out of there, and use the chapters of the suspenseful getaway as the beginning of the next book.
Now the good.... (this is where it gets difficult) the story has some echoes of other ideas, most notably "the Fly" perhaps a bit of Tron.... I swear the creators of Stranger Things read this book and thought "this is cool but add a monster, and some 80's child adventure film flare", the story is a bit slow but not boring, it unfolds itself in a appropriate and timely manner, keeping the mystery going. I also liked that there was a relationship where the girl wasn't stupid, and the male wasn't a total ass, made it easier to support them being together. Once again, I also like when books have young characters that aren't total idiots, there are some character that are of questionable intelligence, but they aren't the main focus. Most of them are a bit varied but represent a good array of people's reactions to a traumatic event.
At first I was worried that this would be a story pandering to girls with a damsel fantasy, but then it becomes something bigger and far more interesting. I have already started on the sequel "the Hunting" and I have high hopes for it.
Okay... let me explain, my last book also got a 4.5 but has 5 stars.... since Good reads does not allow proper half stars (dammit) basically I have to ask myself, "is it a 4.6 or a 4.4" type of deal.... this one was very close to being a "4.6" and only had a couple of nit picky flaws, but then one major flaw appeared...d'oh!
Okay, so, this review will be a bit tricky to write especially the good points because I really don't want to spoil the plot....
The negatives.... nitpicks: English spelling.... okay the book takes place in British Columbia and actually gets a lot of the landmarks correct, but yet uses British spelling (note* the author is from the UK) so Ryan=Rian, Tires=Tyres.... I can understand this confusion because Canada in general likes to lean to British spellings (ie Colour, grey etc). Another nit pick, he doesn't describe anything about the appearance of his characters until 2/3 of the way though.... by that time would suggest leaving it open to interpretation.... (Genie's eyes are blue.... spoiler). Then the big flaw, what knocked it down to 4.4 as it were.... the story of Rian and Genie ends with a blatant sequel set up.... and I don't mean like a open ending, where they realized "we need to leave" and drive off into the distance, instead, as the book closes we get a suspenseful getaway which doesn't get resolved.... I felt would have serviced the character's story more to have their portion end when they decided to get out of there, and use the chapters of the suspenseful getaway as the beginning of the next book.
Now the good.... (this is where it gets difficult) the story has some echoes of other ideas, most notably "the Fly" perhaps a bit of Tron.... I swear the creators of Stranger Things read this book and thought "this is cool but add a monster, and some 80's child adventure film flare", the story is a bit slow but not boring, it unfolds itself in a appropriate and timely manner, keeping the mystery going. I also liked that there was a relationship where the girl wasn't stupid, and the male wasn't a total ass, made it easier to support them being together. Once again, I also like when books have young characters that aren't total idiots, there are some character that are of questionable intelligence, but they aren't the main focus. Most of them are a bit varied but represent a good array of people's reactions to a traumatic event.
At first I was worried that this would be a story pandering to girls with a damsel fantasy, but then it becomes something bigger and far more interesting. I have already started on the sequel "the Hunting" and I have high hopes for it.
May 6, 2017
I picked this book up at a book fair last summer and it was next on the shelf to read. I initially thought it was a murder/mystery but was pleasantly surprised to find it was much different. It was quite suspenseful and had a good story-line; it did have a lot of science stuff going on and thankfully I have a science background so I sort of knew what was going on. When I got to the end I was slightly disappointed I grabbed another book that was part of series, but I am looking forward to reading The Hunting. This type of book always gets you to think of where science is at right now and what seems to be something that we may never achieve could actually be achieved some day. I wasn't a huge fan of the Reverend and him having pretty well the whole town brainwashed to think it was okay to lock up Genie in her house because she was "possessed". I am hoping Genie and Rian make it down the river and away from the Fortransco/Fortress people. Another thing that took me by surprise was its based in British Columbia!
![Profile Image for Ria [The Beaucoup Review].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1346493347i%2F3302448._UY200_CR32%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 15, 2012
*******CLICK HERE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS!!******* [UK only, open until August 28th 2012]
*******ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THE BEAUCOUP REVIEW*******
SUMARY:
I ZOOMED through this book. I finished it [more or less] in a day; I just couldn't get enough! What I loved most was the fact that I was sucked up into the story from the second I started reading. We meet Genie, who's been locked [prison door, bars on windows] in her bedroom for over 6 weeks? Why? The local Reverend has convinced her mother that the devil processes her... And her mother believes him. She despises her daughter.
Luckily for Genie, the gorgeous Rian is plotting her escape. This is just the beginning of what can only be described as a phenomenal adventure.
Genie and Rian were the cutest! When Rian first breaks her out, she's as weak as anything. She reveals that she has been starving herself, not eating the [TINY] meals her mum and the Reverend have been slotting through the doors [when random people of the 'church' aren't shouting abuse at her and trying to burn her, of course]. She's lost all hope of Rian coming to save her. I LOVED them together, they were amazing. Other than the few times Genie called Rian 'babe' [it didn't suit her personality and character, I thought], they were flawless together. It was an innocent and beautiful relationship, Rian feeling it was his place to protect and look after Genie. But she wasn't at all the helpless heroin, she was a girl in her own rights who processes something [that's not the devil!] powerful...
We first hear of Genie's 'power' early on. She's got a way of... knowing things. That's where it all started. She knew her Grandma was going to die, and she told her mum so. Sure enough, a few hours later her Grandma was dead and her mum convinced that Genie had done it. On the couple's escape, they survive a flood that leads them to Marshall. Oh, Marshall! I adored him. He finds Genie and Rian hiding out in his barn, and the friendship forges from there. No, it's not corny and no they don't automatically trust him. In fact, they think he may be behind all the kidnapped children going missing.
But when they do start trusting each other, they find that a VERY secret organisation is operating on children for... Scientific experiments.
THOUGHTS:
Okay, because I didn't want to ramble on at you about the story and then gush about what was amazing about it, I've separated it. Above you can read an overview of the story [I couldn't help but add in a bit about what I loved!] and here's all about what was perfect about The Repossession.
Let's start with Genie. After FINALLY escaping her mother's clutches, we begin to see the real her. After getting better [eating properly], she's a lively and wonderful character, who's trying to cope with the visions she's having. Like most characters though, there was just something that annoyed me. And it was just ONE scene! She's hiding in the mountains and the scientists see her. Instead of running for her life, she takes a swim! She admits it was stupid, so I forgive her. (; Other than that I adored her the whole way through.
Rian, ahhhhh!! Perfection in character form. He was so cute. His mother lost her ability to walk in a car accident, so he's been helping her in life since then; he's a natural protector. So he cant help but look after Genie, and he manages to do it amazingly. He's not annoying, he doesn't smother her, he doesn't make her look helpless, they work as a TEAM.
And Marshall! He was so sweet, and helpful. He used to work for the Fortess [the scientific company place], and is very eager to find out what they're doing there. He's convinced the missing children have something to do with it, and with the help of Rian and Genie they discover the truth. When he's hurt I was SO close to tears! he was such a perfect fatherly figure to both Genie and Rian, something they both lacked in their life. He was so vivid on the pages, described so beautifully.
Onto the actual story-line. WOAH. I'm not a huge science fiction fan, but when something like this comes along, you can't say no. Along with the Gone series [by Michael Grant] this is my new favourite sci-fi book/series. Genie has a gift, yes. But it's not stupid, boring or the main focus of the book. It's just a bonus that helps them along the way and adds to her character. The main focus is finding out what's going on and where all those children are going to. And when we find out... Amazing!
It's such a unique idea, and everything slots so perfectly together. All the back stories make sense, they're not random. They add to the story and fit in to make everything work. I was unable to pull myself away from the story, it was just breathtaking.
Sorry I'm going on, I really can't seem to stop! There were parts that I doubted, though. For example, 16 missing kids in 6 weeks and nobody cares? Genie's mother locking her up and abusing her like that without being arrested? But then everything is explained. Like, Genie's mother couldn't be arrested as there was no evidence-- Genie had run away, so of course they couldn't talk to her.
I absolutely hated the Reverend, and I'm sure you will too if you read this [WHICH YOU SHOULD!]. What a nasty, heartless and manipulative character, he's so high on my hitlist.
Overall, this is one of the best books I've read this year and I cannot wait until I can read its sequel! The characters were so full of life, the story-line so captivating and the words so gracefully painted onto the page. HUGE thanks to Hodder for sending me this!<3
*******ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THE BEAUCOUP REVIEW*******
SUMARY:
I ZOOMED through this book. I finished it [more or less] in a day; I just couldn't get enough! What I loved most was the fact that I was sucked up into the story from the second I started reading. We meet Genie, who's been locked [prison door, bars on windows] in her bedroom for over 6 weeks? Why? The local Reverend has convinced her mother that the devil processes her... And her mother believes him. She despises her daughter.
Luckily for Genie, the gorgeous Rian is plotting her escape. This is just the beginning of what can only be described as a phenomenal adventure.
Genie and Rian were the cutest! When Rian first breaks her out, she's as weak as anything. She reveals that she has been starving herself, not eating the [TINY] meals her mum and the Reverend have been slotting through the doors [when random people of the 'church' aren't shouting abuse at her and trying to burn her, of course]. She's lost all hope of Rian coming to save her. I LOVED them together, they were amazing. Other than the few times Genie called Rian 'babe' [it didn't suit her personality and character, I thought], they were flawless together. It was an innocent and beautiful relationship, Rian feeling it was his place to protect and look after Genie. But she wasn't at all the helpless heroin, she was a girl in her own rights who processes something [that's not the devil!] powerful...
We first hear of Genie's 'power' early on. She's got a way of... knowing things. That's where it all started. She knew her Grandma was going to die, and she told her mum so. Sure enough, a few hours later her Grandma was dead and her mum convinced that Genie had done it. On the couple's escape, they survive a flood that leads them to Marshall. Oh, Marshall! I adored him. He finds Genie and Rian hiding out in his barn, and the friendship forges from there. No, it's not corny and no they don't automatically trust him. In fact, they think he may be behind all the kidnapped children going missing.
But when they do start trusting each other, they find that a VERY secret organisation is operating on children for... Scientific experiments.
THOUGHTS:
Okay, because I didn't want to ramble on at you about the story and then gush about what was amazing about it, I've separated it. Above you can read an overview of the story [I couldn't help but add in a bit about what I loved!] and here's all about what was perfect about The Repossession.
Let's start with Genie. After FINALLY escaping her mother's clutches, we begin to see the real her. After getting better [eating properly], she's a lively and wonderful character, who's trying to cope with the visions she's having. Like most characters though, there was just something that annoyed me. And it was just ONE scene! She's hiding in the mountains and the scientists see her. Instead of running for her life, she takes a swim! She admits it was stupid, so I forgive her. (; Other than that I adored her the whole way through.
Rian, ahhhhh!! Perfection in character form. He was so cute. His mother lost her ability to walk in a car accident, so he's been helping her in life since then; he's a natural protector. So he cant help but look after Genie, and he manages to do it amazingly. He's not annoying, he doesn't smother her, he doesn't make her look helpless, they work as a TEAM.
And Marshall! He was so sweet, and helpful. He used to work for the Fortess [the scientific company place], and is very eager to find out what they're doing there. He's convinced the missing children have something to do with it, and with the help of Rian and Genie they discover the truth. When he's hurt I was SO close to tears! he was such a perfect fatherly figure to both Genie and Rian, something they both lacked in their life. He was so vivid on the pages, described so beautifully.
Onto the actual story-line. WOAH. I'm not a huge science fiction fan, but when something like this comes along, you can't say no. Along with the Gone series [by Michael Grant] this is my new favourite sci-fi book/series. Genie has a gift, yes. But it's not stupid, boring or the main focus of the book. It's just a bonus that helps them along the way and adds to her character. The main focus is finding out what's going on and where all those children are going to. And when we find out... Amazing!
It's such a unique idea, and everything slots so perfectly together. All the back stories make sense, they're not random. They add to the story and fit in to make everything work. I was unable to pull myself away from the story, it was just breathtaking.
Sorry I'm going on, I really can't seem to stop! There were parts that I doubted, though. For example, 16 missing kids in 6 weeks and nobody cares? Genie's mother locking her up and abusing her like that without being arrested? But then everything is explained. Like, Genie's mother couldn't be arrested as there was no evidence-- Genie had run away, so of course they couldn't talk to her.
I absolutely hated the Reverend, and I'm sure you will too if you read this [WHICH YOU SHOULD!]. What a nasty, heartless and manipulative character, he's so high on my hitlist.
Overall, this is one of the best books I've read this year and I cannot wait until I can read its sequel! The characters were so full of life, the story-line so captivating and the words so gracefully painted onto the page. HUGE thanks to Hodder for sending me this!<3
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