Possessions

By Nancy Holder

Book Overview

Ethereal and popular Mandy and her clique are plotting something dangerous. Lindsay overhears them performing strange rituals and sees their eyes turn black. It doesn't help that the school itself is totally eerie, with ancient, dilapidated buildings tucked into the Northern Californian woods and a thick white fog swirling through campus. There are hidden passageways, odd reflections in the windows at night and, scariest of all, the vast lake is rumoured to have captured the ghost of a girl who drowned many years ago.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159514255X
• ISBN13: 9781595142559
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Razorbill
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 5.8"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Great potential...

It is very clear that Nancy Holder is a very talented writer, that is just stating the obvious. As I was reading Possessions, I just knew it was going to be a great story. Unfortunatly, it wasn't all that I thought it would be. It had a great story line and I could tell that Holder put great thought in it, but I felt it just wasn't used to it's full potential. I was really hoping this story would send chills down my spine and make me want to sleep with a night light, but it wasn't quite that way. On a more optimistic note, after the story finally picked up, it ended up being pretty good and it ended on a pretty 'darn you!' cliffhanger, if you know what I mean. Truthfully, I'm pretty excited to see what is going to happen with the story and I am looking forward to it taking a more intense paranormal turn in the sequel. Let's hope! (:

Mean Girls Goes Paranormal

In X meets Y fashion, I'd call Possessions something like "Mean Girls meets the paranormal". It was a quick but definitely creepy read that had me turning pages like crazy towards the end - with an ending that made me go "whoa" and take a second or two before it really sank in. The characters are well-realised, with Lindsay as a great protagonist right in the center. She had an excellent voice, realistic but also chilling in her descriptions. The way she described what happened to one of the girls in the school over time really sent shudders down my spine, so that was very well done indeed. While she is very worried that she might have another breakdown, especially in light of the events of what is happening, she still remains incredibly strong and very impressive, but doesn't wander out into the realms of being an unrealistic character. Most of the other girls were the same (a few did get lost around the edges though as the cast of characters grew, and I did become confused as to who was who amongst those ones), and Mandy really impressed me in particular - she also caused me, at one point, to make an expression that can only be expressed through emoticons: D: (However that disturbed me, it was in a "good way", not because it was ridiculous or stupid) Unfortunately a few of the relationships between the girls seemed a bit weak at times, such as when Lindsay called her roommate her best friend. Not it is very possible that she says this because even someone she has only known a month is a friend as opposed to people she knew before her breakdown, but it would have been nicer to see a little bit more confirmation if that were the case. There was also a fair bit of repetition in the painting of the girls as rich - the reader would get that after the first time or so, so there was little need for further, in-depth descriptions into the cost-factor of parties and things. As for the paranormal aspect of the plot I found that to be really well done. Although there were a few things I picked up on, it still kept me guessing all the way through, and I found myself having mis-guessed a few times even. The exploration into the school's history as a home for wayward girls was very interesting and I would like to see some more of that in the sequel when it comes out. The one slightly-negative thing I would like to say would be that, although there were first hints to this paranormal aspect right at the start it would have been nicer to have it appear earlier and a little stronger than it did. Perhaps in future books the rich girl repetition would be cast aside in favour of more paranormal and creepiness - I know I would welcome it. Oh, and if you are like and do not do the horror movies thing, don't make the same mistake I did: no matter how much you want to find out what happens next, don't keep reading after midnight. :P I know, I know, I have a weak constitution sometimes... Although I initially thought I was perhaps a little too old for this book (t

Creepy and Keeps You Guessing Until the End

Possessions was a quick, creepy read that I liked overall, but I felt lacked depth in some aspects. I thought that Nancy Holder did a great job of building tension and mystery around the evil elements of the plot line. Lindsay's past mixed with the boarding schools mysterious and deadly history mixed well. I liked not knowing if something sinister was really happening or if Lindsay was imagining everything. I really didn't know what the truth would be until I finished the book. My one major complaint is about the characters and their friendships. Lindsay names her roommate as her best friend, but I didn't feel that the relationship was very believeable. After all, these two girls had just met and really didn't seem to have much in common. I could see Lindsay being protective, as she is older, but the sudden closeness wasn't believable. I also didn't really think it was necessary to paint the popular girls as rich. The back cover notes this fact, but it was kind of irrelevant information. The girls were creepy and controlling - their socioeconomic status wasn't really that important. It wasn't something that really mattered in the grand scheme of things, I just felt like that could have been edited out. I did like the romance, even though it was only a minor part of the plot line. Holder didn't focus on Lindsay's romantic interest all that much, but I thought it was a cute side story. I'll definitely read more of Nancy Holder's books. I'm not sure if there is a sequel to Possessions, but I would love to see what happens to Lindsay next.

Spooky & Amazing

If you like supernatural things, then this is your type of book. After reading the end of the first chapter, I was hooked (which is very weird for me, because I usually take a few chapters to get into a book). Lindsay was a great protagonist, who's kind and compassionate. She's been through a lot, and is still dealing with the effects. She played at being popular, and felt the pain from being on the losing end of the game. So now at Marlwood, she's not interested in jumping through hoops to get in with the right girls (Go girl power!). Lindsay is strong, but she's always wondering if she'll have another breakdown...and in Marlwood, there's plenty going on to make that happen. There are twists after twists, and plenty of spooky, eerie moments (not to mention a hot guy). As events get crazier and crazier, and the popular and eerie girls living in Jessel get even more bizarre, I couldn't help but to keep turning the pages. I don't want to say much more, because I would hate to ruin all of the best parts of the book. In all, this book was great, especially for the Halloween season! Highlights: A strong protagonist who could have left any time, but chose to stay to protect her friends, like the super awesome Julie. The characters were great, and very well fleshed-out. Also, the ending is the perfect cliffhanger. Ah! I'm so curious now for the next in the series! Lowlights: I wanted the creepy/freaky scenes to push just a little bit more, a little more eerie. But, some of the scenes were done perfectly, leaving me a little weirded out. I also felt like a lot of the great scenes were in the middle-end of the book.

Exciting-I'm going to read it again!

Don't judge this book by it's cover. This book is not just another "mean girl-clique-I want to be popular" book. Although these issues are present, the story digs much deeper with complex characters, surprising twists and spooky supernatural elements. I read this book in a day and a half, carrying it around with me so I could use any spare moment to see what would happen next. I even read it while brushing my teeth! I wouldn't recommend this book for young teens as there is some mature subject matter. Nancy Holder definitely has a handle on the teenage psyche. The author keeps you questioning if Lindsay is really experiencing the paranormal or starting to slip into mental illness. The ending leaves you wanting more. This book is a great start on what promises to be an exciting series. I can't wait to read the second book!