Review: The Repossession by Sam Hawksmoor

The Repossession by Sam Hawksmoor

publisher: Hodder Children's Books

release date: March 1st, 2012

paperback, 499 pages

intended audience: Young adult

series: Repossession, book #1

rating:



source: from publisher for honest review

description:
34 kids missing. Vanished without a trace.

Believing she is possessed, Genie Magee's mother has imprisoned her all summer encouraged by the sinister Reverend Schneider. Beautiful Rian, love of her life, sets her free, and their escape washes them up at Marshall's remote farmhouse downriver. But why are there newspaper clippings of the missing kids pinned to Marshall's bathroom wall? And should they believe his stories about the experiments at the Fortress, an underground research station nearby?

Genie meets Denis. Missing two years now, but hasn't grown an inch. 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 ... and Rian can't do a thing to prevent it.

The Repossession is just the beginning.

Review: There was definitely something truly amazing about this book. It takes this incredibly far-fetched science fiction premise and makes it absolutely believable. It doesn't go overboard trying to explain every aspect or get too technical (which is often where science fiction tends to lose me), it just says here's what happening, here's how it's going down---and it makes one heck of an amazingly thrilling story. It's told in a really interesting writing style...it took me a bit to really get into the flow of it, but once I got used to it, it helped to really immerse you into the British Columbian setting. Another unique thing is that the story is a mix of fast-paced action and unarguably mundane moments (i.e. the main characters nursing each other during sickness or Genie going out to feed her pig), but it somehow all feels so fascinating, makes the story feel whole, and helps you really get a feel for the characters.

I loved the relationship between Rian and Genie. They had such an easy bond and comfort between them that really felt genuine and believable. With everything they go through, there is hardly a single moment where you see them doubt their love for one another, or see one try to flee because things are getting too intense. They care for each other without a second thought, in danger and through sickness, but it was never too mushy or swoony. It was just refreshing and charming and real. I also loved all the side characters---Marshall, who wears many hats in this story, from father figure to protector to mad scientist, with just enough shiftiness thrown in to raise our suspicions about his intentions once in while. Also, all the "surprise" characters that surface throughout the story. Each one had their own quirks and personality to make them all memorable.

The Repossession was incredibly engaging and original. Lots of danger and intensity, scandal and conspiracy, a bit of the paranormal, love, heroics, and even a bit of stomach-turning gruesomeness---there really was a lot more to this story than I expected. I felt there was a little lag after the intense climax as the plot leads us into the set up for the next book, but in nearly 500 pages, one short lag can hardly be faulted. An impressive read...I can't wait to read more!

Visit Sam Hawksmoor at www.samhawksmoor.com

Purchase The Repossession at: Amazon UK • BookDepository