Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
HarperTeen (2013), 261 pages
Description
"Seventeen-year-old Fia and her sister, Annie, are trapped in a school that uses young female psychics and mind readers as tools for corporate espionage--and if Fia doesn't play by the rules of their deadly game, Annie will be killed"--Provided by publisher.
User reviews
LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
I was drawn in from page one of Mind Games, and I loved every second of it. Fia is exactly my kind of character that I love to read about. She can take care of herself, and she kicks butt. Her one weak spot is what makes her from being evil though, because even when she does things she shouldn't
Their bond is so complex and I loved getting the dual narrative to see where both were coming from in their decisions and how much they really would sacrifice for the other. I think its well written and the epitome of what sibling relationships should be like. Sure everything is not always peachy but that would also make it unrealistic.
The people that Fia is working under and at first took Annie under their wing is well thought out and is not one dimensional. They all have different motives, and it took me a bit to grasp on at what they are after, and especially how James played into everything and I am sure that even the things that I think I know will be shaken in the next book.
Adam is a great addition as well. I thought he was just an introduction at first, but then I saw all of the threads that he was weaving into the plot and I cannot wait to find out how else he will play into it.
The only thing I have to complain about is the timing of the flashbacks. I understand why they are important and what they add to the story, but at times, especially at first, I felt like it was pulling me out of the action and it took me a bit to get back into it.
Overall though, I loved it and Kiersten has created an intriguing world that I can't wait to find out more about.
Bottom line: Well done paranormal that left me wanting more of the plot, mystery, action, and especially more of Fia.
Show More
she always does it to protect her blind sister Annie. Their bond is so complex and I loved getting the dual narrative to see where both were coming from in their decisions and how much they really would sacrifice for the other. I think its well written and the epitome of what sibling relationships should be like. Sure everything is not always peachy but that would also make it unrealistic.
The people that Fia is working under and at first took Annie under their wing is well thought out and is not one dimensional. They all have different motives, and it took me a bit to grasp on at what they are after, and especially how James played into everything and I am sure that even the things that I think I know will be shaken in the next book.
Adam is a great addition as well. I thought he was just an introduction at first, but then I saw all of the threads that he was weaving into the plot and I cannot wait to find out how else he will play into it.
The only thing I have to complain about is the timing of the flashbacks. I understand why they are important and what they add to the story, but at times, especially at first, I felt like it was pulling me out of the action and it took me a bit to get back into it.
Overall though, I loved it and Kiersten has created an intriguing world that I can't wait to find out more about.
Bottom line: Well done paranormal that left me wanting more of the plot, mystery, action, and especially more of Fia.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kmjanek
Highly Recommended
Mind Games is the first of a two book series. Sophia (Fia) and Annie are the main characters in this story and the tag line totally sums of the feeling of the book “They stole her past. She won’t let them take her future.” Fia and Annie’s parents died, leaving them with
I thought this was a stand alone book at first, until I read the author’s website. This book has elements of paranormal thriller, romance and mystery. James and Fia have a thing going, even though Fia believes he is a puppet for his father. Fia loves to go clubbing because the loud music lets her be free and not worry about the outside world and having to protect her sister. There is drinking, drugs, non-detailed sex and murder scenes in this novel. I think it’s fine for a high school library, but middle school librarians need to make the decision based on their population.
I like how the author used Fia’s and Annie’s voice in alternating chapters. The time also bounces around from past and present. It might be difficult for some struggling readers to keep that straight. My thoughts were that this could be a good book for a high school book club. It has the potential for good student led discussions. It’s definitely a good addition to the paranormal collection. It would also make a good cross curricular connection with Visual Arts and English classes in that the mosaic of the chapters/writing are very nicely illustrated on a mosaic on the book cover.
Mind Games is the first of a two book series. Sophia (Fia) and Annie are the main characters in this story and the tag line totally sums of the feeling of the book “They stole her past. She won’t let them take her future.” Fia and Annie’s parents died, leaving them with
Show More
an Aunt who did not want them. A representative from a school for disabled girls comes with promises of a free education, a free place to live and free college. It is too good to be true. But Annie really wants to go because she is blind and has not had very many opportunities. Fia gets a bad feeling, but goes because it will make Annie happy. Annie sees visions of the future and it’s discovered that Fia can make the right choice in most situations. Because of this, she is trained to be a spy and an assassin. She is deeply unhappy and only doing it to protect Annie because they are both being blackmailed by the Keane Corporation. The shocking ending leaves you wanting more.I thought this was a stand alone book at first, until I read the author’s website. This book has elements of paranormal thriller, romance and mystery. James and Fia have a thing going, even though Fia believes he is a puppet for his father. Fia loves to go clubbing because the loud music lets her be free and not worry about the outside world and having to protect her sister. There is drinking, drugs, non-detailed sex and murder scenes in this novel. I think it’s fine for a high school library, but middle school librarians need to make the decision based on their population.
I like how the author used Fia’s and Annie’s voice in alternating chapters. The time also bounces around from past and present. It might be difficult for some struggling readers to keep that straight. My thoughts were that this could be a good book for a high school book club. It has the potential for good student led discussions. It’s definitely a good addition to the paranormal collection. It would also make a good cross curricular connection with Visual Arts and English classes in that the mosaic of the chapters/writing are very nicely illustrated on a mosaic on the book cover.
Show Less
LibraryThing member AyleeArgh
In short: Mind Games by Kiersten White was too underdeveloped to reach its full potential.
If the majority of the book blogging community tells me a book and author are good and well worth the read, I listen. Such is how Paranormalcy by Kiersten White came to be on my TBR. While I haven't actually
Told through alternating and indistinguishable first person points of view between sisters Fia and Annie, as well as alternating past and present time periods, I found Mind Games to be pretty confusing at times. The sisters have the same random and scattered kind of voice that was difficult to differentiate. The flashbacks take up a considerable portion of the book and seemed to be largely unnecessary and lacked any real cohesion to the plot at hand. I am a bit conflicted about Kiersten White's writing. It was incredibly disjointed and while I thought that worked quite well as a reflection of Fia's deteriorating mental stability, it wasn't the nicest to read. More often than not, it was just annoying.
I was excited to read a book where the main relationship would be based on the sisterly bond between Fia and Annie. The problem was, while we were told time and time again that the sisters have such a strong bond and would do absolutely anything to protect each other, I saw little actual evidence of that in Mind Games. On the romantic side of relationships in Mind Games, there is a love triangle and it was as lacklustre and unnecessary as most love triangles are. I wasn't really a fan of the characters themselves either. Like I mentioned earlier, their narratives were pretty indistinguishable from each other and I never formed any sort of connection with either of them. If there had been more differentiation and more development in their characterization however, I think I could have come to like them as I can see potential there.
And that's the thing: I could see a lot of untapped potential in Mind Games. The plot would have been pretty awesome had it been more fleshed out and not relied on all those unnecessary flashbacks. The characters' abilities were actually really interesting, but I don't believe they were used to their full potential. At 250 pages - a good chunk of which were the aforementioned pointless flashback scenes - I believe Mind Games was too short and sorely underdeveloped. I read in an interview with Kiersten White that she wrote the first draft of Mind Games in nine days and - very sorry to say this - but it kind of showed. I'm still committed to trying out Paranormalcy at some point though and I hope I respond more positively to Kiersten White's writing then!
If the majority of the book blogging community tells me a book and author are good and well worth the read, I listen. Such is how Paranormalcy by Kiersten White came to be on my TBR. While I haven't actually
Show More
had the time yet to read Paranormalcy, it was made evident to me that Kiersten White has a talent for writing fun and engaging stories. So when the opportunity arose to read Mind Games, I was very eager. And who wouldn't be? Kiersten White had shown again that she can come up with entertaining concepts with her assassinating-sisters-with-superpowers storyline. But while I found the premise of Mind Games to be very exciting, my first experience with Kiersten White's writing wasn't ideal.Told through alternating and indistinguishable first person points of view between sisters Fia and Annie, as well as alternating past and present time periods, I found Mind Games to be pretty confusing at times. The sisters have the same random and scattered kind of voice that was difficult to differentiate. The flashbacks take up a considerable portion of the book and seemed to be largely unnecessary and lacked any real cohesion to the plot at hand. I am a bit conflicted about Kiersten White's writing. It was incredibly disjointed and while I thought that worked quite well as a reflection of Fia's deteriorating mental stability, it wasn't the nicest to read. More often than not, it was just annoying.
I was excited to read a book where the main relationship would be based on the sisterly bond between Fia and Annie. The problem was, while we were told time and time again that the sisters have such a strong bond and would do absolutely anything to protect each other, I saw little actual evidence of that in Mind Games. On the romantic side of relationships in Mind Games, there is a love triangle and it was as lacklustre and unnecessary as most love triangles are. I wasn't really a fan of the characters themselves either. Like I mentioned earlier, their narratives were pretty indistinguishable from each other and I never formed any sort of connection with either of them. If there had been more differentiation and more development in their characterization however, I think I could have come to like them as I can see potential there.
And that's the thing: I could see a lot of untapped potential in Mind Games. The plot would have been pretty awesome had it been more fleshed out and not relied on all those unnecessary flashbacks. The characters' abilities were actually really interesting, but I don't believe they were used to their full potential. At 250 pages - a good chunk of which were the aforementioned pointless flashback scenes - I believe Mind Games was too short and sorely underdeveloped. I read in an interview with Kiersten White that she wrote the first draft of Mind Games in nine days and - very sorry to say this - but it kind of showed. I'm still committed to trying out Paranormalcy at some point though and I hope I respond more positively to Kiersten White's writing then!
Show Less
LibraryThing member booktwirps
Fia and Annie are sisters, both blessed (or cursed ?) with extraordinary abilities. Fia has strong instincts — able to feel out a situation and tell if it’s good or bad, right or wrong. Her intuition is so strong, she doesn’t even have to think about it before she knows. Annie is blind, but
Both of the sisters find themselves shipped off to a school for kids with special abilities. They think they can leave, but they’re wrong. The school uses their students to aid in corporate espionage, and Fia is their strongest weapon, but Fia wants nothing more than to get away. They’ve been using her for more dangerous tasks lately, and she’s mentally unbalanced because of it. She has to get away, but they’re holding Annie captive, threatening to harm, or even kill her, if Fia doesn’t cooperate. But Fia has a plan. She’s going to bring them all down if it’s the last thing she does.
I really enjoyed the story that Ms. White constructed, and the world was intriguing. The settings were familiar, but the addition of the paranormal abilities added a new layer which made it feel fresh.
The characters are all very well drawn, and while Annie is the more sympathetic of the two sisters, I found myself captivated by Fia. She was a mess with a capital “M”. The poor girl has endured so much at the hands of the people running the school. She’s completely frayed and straddles a fine line between keeping it together and totally losing it.
The supporting characters are all just as strong and each of them held a very specific piece of the overall puzzle in their hands. I loved how they all came together, and I also loved that you never really knew which of them you could trust.
The book alternates between Fia and Annie’s POV, and jumps between the past and the present so we get an overall view of the sisters and their story. The book is structured so that we only have as much information as we need to move forward. While it did get a bit confusing at times, it eventually all came together. The ending blew my mind. In fact, I had to read the last couple of chapters again just to make sure I hadn’t missed something.
What I really liked about the book was the voice. Fia, as I mentioned earlier, is a mess. The poor girl has been forced to do some very questionable things (assassinations, etc) and her nerves are frayed. She is a bit OCD and the author captures her frantic state in a stream-of-conscious style of writing. In perfect contrast is Annie’s voice. She is calm and collected and her scenes told in a more structured way.
I love a good secret-society/spy, good guy/bad guy story and this one had it in spades. It kept me guessing the entire time. It’s very fast paced, and the writing perfectly fits the state of the characters and the situations they find themselves in. I highly recommend this to fans of thrillers and the TV show, Alias. It’s a perfect blend of two things I love. As soon as I finished reading it, I pre-ordered a copy.
Review based on an ARC courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Show More
has the ability to see the future. These small snippets in time are both exciting and terrifying for her.Both of the sisters find themselves shipped off to a school for kids with special abilities. They think they can leave, but they’re wrong. The school uses their students to aid in corporate espionage, and Fia is their strongest weapon, but Fia wants nothing more than to get away. They’ve been using her for more dangerous tasks lately, and she’s mentally unbalanced because of it. She has to get away, but they’re holding Annie captive, threatening to harm, or even kill her, if Fia doesn’t cooperate. But Fia has a plan. She’s going to bring them all down if it’s the last thing she does.
I really enjoyed the story that Ms. White constructed, and the world was intriguing. The settings were familiar, but the addition of the paranormal abilities added a new layer which made it feel fresh.
The characters are all very well drawn, and while Annie is the more sympathetic of the two sisters, I found myself captivated by Fia. She was a mess with a capital “M”. The poor girl has endured so much at the hands of the people running the school. She’s completely frayed and straddles a fine line between keeping it together and totally losing it.
The supporting characters are all just as strong and each of them held a very specific piece of the overall puzzle in their hands. I loved how they all came together, and I also loved that you never really knew which of them you could trust.
The book alternates between Fia and Annie’s POV, and jumps between the past and the present so we get an overall view of the sisters and their story. The book is structured so that we only have as much information as we need to move forward. While it did get a bit confusing at times, it eventually all came together. The ending blew my mind. In fact, I had to read the last couple of chapters again just to make sure I hadn’t missed something.
What I really liked about the book was the voice. Fia, as I mentioned earlier, is a mess. The poor girl has been forced to do some very questionable things (assassinations, etc) and her nerves are frayed. She is a bit OCD and the author captures her frantic state in a stream-of-conscious style of writing. In perfect contrast is Annie’s voice. She is calm and collected and her scenes told in a more structured way.
I love a good secret-society/spy, good guy/bad guy story and this one had it in spades. It kept me guessing the entire time. It’s very fast paced, and the writing perfectly fits the state of the characters and the situations they find themselves in. I highly recommend this to fans of thrillers and the TV show, Alias. It’s a perfect blend of two things I love. As soon as I finished reading it, I pre-ordered a copy.
Review based on an ARC courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pacey1927
This is one of those books that I find so hard to review and rate. I adored the first book in Kiersten White's other series. It is quite obvious that this author has a brilliant mind brimming with great plot ideas and "Mind Games" did indeed have a wonderful premise. She is also a fine writer but
Show More
the style she used for "Mind Games" just didn't work. Not only does the story alternate between the viewpoints of two sisters, Fia and Annie, but it also jumps time frames. Sometimes the chapters are told in the present and then it jumps to years in the past, then it jumps to 15 months ago and so on. Basically the reader has to try to keep the timeline straight as the read and it was more difficult to do so than it should have been. Had the story all taken place in the present and maybe had a brief synopsis of their backstory I believe this would have been a stronger novel. If more back story was needed, it could have been issued as one of those short extra books that are all the rage in the digital book world right now. The basic concept is that Annie is blind but gets flashes of visions where she can see people and events. Fia gets hunches that tell her what to pick when choices are available and the girl is practically never wrong. When their parents pass away the girls find themselves being offered placement in a school for girls which supposedly will help Annie with her blindness but really the school is very sinister. What they force Fia to do to protect her sister is positively shocking. So yes, the story is there and it is interesting but the executiion was off. I don't think that I would continue this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member AmberFIB
I'm kind of in love with Mind Games. As someone who had lukewarm feelings, at best, for the Paranormalcy series, I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. White shows that she is to be taken seriously in this dark and captivating series debut. Mind Games is nonstop action and suspense. The
This book is not for the weak. It's not lighthearted and funny, like the Paranormalcy series. There are some intense and extreme mental and emotional issues being dealt with, and the plot is complicated and intricately woven. If you don't pay attention to every little nuance, things will feel broken, disjointed, and illogical. However, if you follow the story closely and you pay attention, you will be extremely rewarded at the end.
Fia, one narrator/sister, is a complicated and mentally unstable character. She is deeply scarred and permanently broken, and that's okay. Somehow, she still manages to be strong and willing to sacrifice for others. Even though she's an assassin, she still hangs onto her humanity (although it's tattered), and she does what she has to do to protect those she loves. I really admired her vigilance in this novel. Many times her actions show who she is more so than her thoughts. White really gives the reader nothing in this installment. You have to figure everything out on your own, using your own deductive reasoning skills, and I loved it.
Annie, the second narrator/sister, is blind. She often gives an opposing view on things, which can confuse the reader if you're not paying careful attention to the characters' actions. I feel that Annie is not only literally blind, but blind to the intentions of those around her as well. She seems to misjudge everyone she meets. I felt bad for her, but she was not my favorite character. The more she tried to help, the worse things got.
James is pretty amazing, and oddly enough, I really loved him. Usually I hate characters named James (long story), and he seems to operate with questionable morals often. However, I really feel that he's a good guy deep down. I can't wait to learn more about him in the next installment. Adam is also an interesting character, but he was just too "soft" for my tastes. I'm looking forward to seeing what part he plays in the larger scheme of things, though.
I just can't say enough good things about this book. The ending was my favorite part of the entire thing... not because it was over, but because it was so shocking! I was surprised and impressed with how expertly White crafted the last couple of chapters of the story. It wasn't a cliffhanger and it tied up many loose ends, but left room for an awesome sequel. I cannot wait until the next book comes out!
Overall, this is a book you don't want to miss. It has assassins, spies, espionage, government corruption, two hot guys, and a touching sisterly bond. How can you not love this novel?!
Show More
writing is dark and twisted, the plot is captivating and beautifully executed, and the characters have the depth that was lacking in the Paranormalcy series. I love the concept of this series, where the supernatural intersects with organized crime, creating a truly terrifying world, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. This book is not for the weak. It's not lighthearted and funny, like the Paranormalcy series. There are some intense and extreme mental and emotional issues being dealt with, and the plot is complicated and intricately woven. If you don't pay attention to every little nuance, things will feel broken, disjointed, and illogical. However, if you follow the story closely and you pay attention, you will be extremely rewarded at the end.
Fia, one narrator/sister, is a complicated and mentally unstable character. She is deeply scarred and permanently broken, and that's okay. Somehow, she still manages to be strong and willing to sacrifice for others. Even though she's an assassin, she still hangs onto her humanity (although it's tattered), and she does what she has to do to protect those she loves. I really admired her vigilance in this novel. Many times her actions show who she is more so than her thoughts. White really gives the reader nothing in this installment. You have to figure everything out on your own, using your own deductive reasoning skills, and I loved it.
Annie, the second narrator/sister, is blind. She often gives an opposing view on things, which can confuse the reader if you're not paying careful attention to the characters' actions. I feel that Annie is not only literally blind, but blind to the intentions of those around her as well. She seems to misjudge everyone she meets. I felt bad for her, but she was not my favorite character. The more she tried to help, the worse things got.
James is pretty amazing, and oddly enough, I really loved him. Usually I hate characters named James (long story), and he seems to operate with questionable morals often. However, I really feel that he's a good guy deep down. I can't wait to learn more about him in the next installment. Adam is also an interesting character, but he was just too "soft" for my tastes. I'm looking forward to seeing what part he plays in the larger scheme of things, though.
I just can't say enough good things about this book. The ending was my favorite part of the entire thing... not because it was over, but because it was so shocking! I was surprised and impressed with how expertly White crafted the last couple of chapters of the story. It wasn't a cliffhanger and it tied up many loose ends, but left room for an awesome sequel. I cannot wait until the next book comes out!
Overall, this is a book you don't want to miss. It has assassins, spies, espionage, government corruption, two hot guys, and a touching sisterly bond. How can you not love this novel?!
Show Less
LibraryThing member shayrp76
Wow I wasn't expecting to like this one as much as I did! There was a brief second that I got worried (not in the mood for love triangles right now) but the story was original and fast paced with quite a bit of action. I really enjoyed the characters and the characters relationships also. This is a
Show More
winner for me and I have already recommended it. I am looking forward to what comes next. Show Less
LibraryThing member BurgandyIce
Oh… I’m mad. I was not ready for this book to be over. I was just catching up to speed… This is going to take some time. I can’t just exit this book and live my life. I keep trying to pick it back up again. Maybe I can read it again right away? No… it would be a totally different
This book is called Mind Games. Be warned. It messes with your head.
It’s told from two different perspectives and hops through time all over the place. I learned to pay attention to the title headings. Just ‘cause we get to hop back in time 10 years and see why Fia or Annie is about to make a choice I would not have understood otherwise... does not mean I could let go of the current story. White had me keeping my place… all over. By the time everything began clicking into place, I had all ten fingers holding important mental notes. Argh!!! I am so invested in these girls!!!! It’s not fair this book ends!!!
Don’t get me wrong. It ends absolutely perfectly. I just… I just didn’t see it coming.
Let me back up a bit.
I started this book (thank you to Edelweiss) on my Nook at night. I read a chapter here, a chapter there… a paragraph here, a kiss there… and then it starts picking up speed.
The weight of every new thing I learned doubled the intensity of the moment until I was snowballing downhill and could. not. stop. I could not put this book down. Which reminds me… I had to when it ended. WHY DID IT HAVE TO END?!?! Darn it. I am not ready to move on, yet.
Fia is… well, she has my heart completely. She is so kick-butt awesome for reasons that unfold slowly, so I can’t say, but she’s not someone to mess with. Only she’s disturbed, twisted, mentally ill… unhealthy. She hates doing anything that is wrong and I could FEEL it when I read from her POV. The “wrong” rubbed me backwards, too, until I was squirming in her head. The most destructive wrong is the one she won’t let go of… her blind sister, Annie.
Annie seems so much more stable at first. Her unhealthiness is revealed in spoon-size bits. I was so ready to trust Annie when Fia turned out so upside-down, but I was quick to grasp at Fia’s sanity after seeing more of Annie’s ‘cause… OMG… Annie is just as strong as her sister, but she’s willing to go places… that just… OMG.
And yet… I love, LOVE both of them. A lot. So much. And I can’t believe the book ended!!!!!!
There are two great guys. Adam is amazing right from the first pages.
Whereas James is a magnet – either impossible to resist or completely repulsive. Most often both at the same time through alternating sister’s perceptions. I can’t think of another guy in fiction who I have felt so strongly towards on both extremes. I wanted him as far away as possible… and then I needed to see him again.
*snort* Mind Games.
I suppose the title is appropriate, although it just doesn’t hint at the greatness inside. “Games” implies light-heartedness, even if the face looks dead serious. The colors, too… don’t trust the pretty colors. Don’t start this book unless you have time to read it, ‘cause it… demands your emotions and chess-playing skills. It’s like a cross between Shatter Me and Graceling. Only beautifully unique. I am throwing myself at the pedestal of Kiersten White… she has a new devoted (slightly insane) fan for life whether she likes it or not.
But why did it have to end?!?!
Show More
experience. Rats.This book is called Mind Games. Be warned. It messes with your head.
It’s told from two different perspectives and hops through time all over the place. I learned to pay attention to the title headings. Just ‘cause we get to hop back in time 10 years and see why Fia or Annie is about to make a choice I would not have understood otherwise... does not mean I could let go of the current story. White had me keeping my place… all over. By the time everything began clicking into place, I had all ten fingers holding important mental notes. Argh!!! I am so invested in these girls!!!! It’s not fair this book ends!!!
Don’t get me wrong. It ends absolutely perfectly. I just… I just didn’t see it coming.
Let me back up a bit.
I started this book (thank you to Edelweiss) on my Nook at night. I read a chapter here, a chapter there… a paragraph here, a kiss there… and then it starts picking up speed.
The weight of every new thing I learned doubled the intensity of the moment until I was snowballing downhill and could. not. stop. I could not put this book down. Which reminds me… I had to when it ended. WHY DID IT HAVE TO END?!?! Darn it. I am not ready to move on, yet.
Fia is… well, she has my heart completely. She is so kick-butt awesome for reasons that unfold slowly, so I can’t say, but she’s not someone to mess with. Only she’s disturbed, twisted, mentally ill… unhealthy. She hates doing anything that is wrong and I could FEEL it when I read from her POV. The “wrong” rubbed me backwards, too, until I was squirming in her head. The most destructive wrong is the one she won’t let go of… her blind sister, Annie.
Annie seems so much more stable at first. Her unhealthiness is revealed in spoon-size bits. I was so ready to trust Annie when Fia turned out so upside-down, but I was quick to grasp at Fia’s sanity after seeing more of Annie’s ‘cause… OMG… Annie is just as strong as her sister, but she’s willing to go places… that just… OMG.
And yet… I love, LOVE both of them. A lot. So much. And I can’t believe the book ended!!!!!!
There are two great guys. Adam is amazing right from the first pages.
Whereas James is a magnet – either impossible to resist or completely repulsive. Most often both at the same time through alternating sister’s perceptions. I can’t think of another guy in fiction who I have felt so strongly towards on both extremes. I wanted him as far away as possible… and then I needed to see him again.
*snort* Mind Games.
I suppose the title is appropriate, although it just doesn’t hint at the greatness inside. “Games” implies light-heartedness, even if the face looks dead serious. The colors, too… don’t trust the pretty colors. Don’t start this book unless you have time to read it, ‘cause it… demands your emotions and chess-playing skills. It’s like a cross between Shatter Me and Graceling. Only beautifully unique. I am throwing myself at the pedestal of Kiersten White… she has a new devoted (slightly insane) fan for life whether she likes it or not.
But why did it have to end?!?!
Show Less
LibraryThing member taleofnight
I was really excited about the book when I first heard about it. But then the reviews started to come in, and a lot of them weren't so good. But I'm very happy that I decided to read it because I loved it.
First off, White gets bonus points for having some of the setting in St. Louis. That never
I really liked how the story alternated between Fia and Annie and between the past and present. I went into the book knowing that this could possibly get confusing, but it wasn't at all. I really liked that something would be brought up during the present, and then it would switch to the past to explain what they just brought up. Like, Fia would mention a character was dead during the present, and then it would switch to the past and explain how the character died. It was very interesting because it's not something I see in books often.
Fia is such a messed up character, it was fascinating to read about. There's such a big difference from the way Fia acts and thinks to the way Annie does. It really shows just how messed up Fia really is. Especially with all the tap tap taps.
That's another think I was worried about. I knew there were a lot of tap, tap, taps and repitition of words, that I was afraid it would get on my nerves. But it didn't, it made Fia that much more interesting.
Also, THE ENDING, I think I know what happened, but then... WHAT?
First off, White gets bonus points for having some of the setting in St. Louis. That never
Show More
seems to happen, so that was really fun to read for me. I really liked how the story alternated between Fia and Annie and between the past and present. I went into the book knowing that this could possibly get confusing, but it wasn't at all. I really liked that something would be brought up during the present, and then it would switch to the past to explain what they just brought up. Like, Fia would mention a character was dead during the present, and then it would switch to the past and explain how the character died. It was very interesting because it's not something I see in books often.
Fia is such a messed up character, it was fascinating to read about. There's such a big difference from the way Fia acts and thinks to the way Annie does. It really shows just how messed up Fia really is. Especially with all the tap tap taps.
That's another think I was worried about. I knew there were a lot of tap, tap, taps and repitition of words, that I was afraid it would get on my nerves. But it didn't, it made Fia that much more interesting.
Also, THE ENDING, I think I know what happened, but then... WHAT?
Show Less
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Two sisters, both broken and fighting for each other’s well being, are controlled by a company that uses girls like them as spies. A nonstop action fantasy that will have your mind reeling.
Opening Sentence: My dress is black and itchy and I hate
The Review:
This psychological thriller is cleverly written from the conscious of a girl who has perfect instincts and her blind sister that can see the future. Fia and Annie are each other’s weaknesses. Fia can’t escape the so called school that uses her ability as a spy because her sister is stuck at the school. Annie can’t leave the school for fear they might do something even worse to Fia. Both depend on each other, but both can’t live freely unless the other one is gone. Narrated from both Fia and Annie’s point of view in the past and present, this story has everything you could ever want in a paranormal book.
Kiersten White’s style can only be described as the actual thoughts of a teenage girl. No average person speaks to themselves in complete sentences, so neither does Fia. Our minds repeat things unconsciously. So does Fia’s. Annie’s mind goes a mile a minute worrying over her sister, and so does the text. This is what I loved about White’s writing. It’s similar to Tahereh Mafi’s style of writing, although not always so broken.
Not only is the writing superb, but the plot is intricate and you will never see the end coming. Fia is so much more than the girl in the very first chapter. She’s broken and torn and tired, but she refuses to leave her sister behind, even if it will be the end of her. With perfect instincts, Fia can be used to choose the best stocks, fight (and always win) and even kill. Her ability allows her to escape the sight of those who can see the future, and she uses that to her advantage. Fia is well developed and usually is the one that gives you no clues into what will happen next.
Annie, on the other hand, gets on my nerves. Everything she did in the past was for herself and not even thinking about Fia. As someone who is blind, but can still see what the future gives her glimpses, Annie isn’t as useful has Fia. She may be the only one who can see her sister every now and then, but she’s also the leverage the school has over Fia. Although she tries to fix what happened in the past, everything she does seems to contradict whatever Fia does to protect them. By the end of the book, I appreciate her, but it takes some time for me to not want to scream at her to wake up to her surroundings.
Overall, I loved this book – from the characters to the plot to the clever writing. BUT there is a cliffhanger at the very end that I am very frustrated with, but it isn’t quite torture. Yet another year to wait for the next installment…
Notable Scene:
“You’re okay,” I say, my shoulders slumping with relief. No, not relief yet. I turn and Sandy blond has his phone out, so I use the stun gun on him too. He goes down faster than Cole. Dark hair is pale and vacant with shock, holding his leg, totally unaware of anything around him. He needs better training.
I drop that stun gun into my purse and pick it up off the ground, then turn back to Adam. He’s staring at me funny. Well, why wouldn’t he be? I’ve shown him what my hands can do, and a small, worn-down part of me mourns that he won’t think he wants to hold them anymore. I feel like I’ve lost something, but that’s stupid. I lost it all a long time ago.
“I thought he shot you,” I say.
“Fia,” he says, his voice strangled. He’s not meeting my eyes, looking down instead. “He shot you.”
I look down, too, and he’s wrong, there are no holes in my body, but then I look to the left and my blue sleeve is soaked dark with blood and then burning (Horrible ripping tearing burning) comes, focused where the bullet went through my upper arm but radiating out through my whole left side.
Well, crap.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Mind Games. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Two sisters, both broken and fighting for each other’s well being, are controlled by a company that uses girls like them as spies. A nonstop action fantasy that will have your mind reeling.
Opening Sentence: My dress is black and itchy and I hate
Show More
it.The Review:
This psychological thriller is cleverly written from the conscious of a girl who has perfect instincts and her blind sister that can see the future. Fia and Annie are each other’s weaknesses. Fia can’t escape the so called school that uses her ability as a spy because her sister is stuck at the school. Annie can’t leave the school for fear they might do something even worse to Fia. Both depend on each other, but both can’t live freely unless the other one is gone. Narrated from both Fia and Annie’s point of view in the past and present, this story has everything you could ever want in a paranormal book.
Kiersten White’s style can only be described as the actual thoughts of a teenage girl. No average person speaks to themselves in complete sentences, so neither does Fia. Our minds repeat things unconsciously. So does Fia’s. Annie’s mind goes a mile a minute worrying over her sister, and so does the text. This is what I loved about White’s writing. It’s similar to Tahereh Mafi’s style of writing, although not always so broken.
Not only is the writing superb, but the plot is intricate and you will never see the end coming. Fia is so much more than the girl in the very first chapter. She’s broken and torn and tired, but she refuses to leave her sister behind, even if it will be the end of her. With perfect instincts, Fia can be used to choose the best stocks, fight (and always win) and even kill. Her ability allows her to escape the sight of those who can see the future, and she uses that to her advantage. Fia is well developed and usually is the one that gives you no clues into what will happen next.
Annie, on the other hand, gets on my nerves. Everything she did in the past was for herself and not even thinking about Fia. As someone who is blind, but can still see what the future gives her glimpses, Annie isn’t as useful has Fia. She may be the only one who can see her sister every now and then, but she’s also the leverage the school has over Fia. Although she tries to fix what happened in the past, everything she does seems to contradict whatever Fia does to protect them. By the end of the book, I appreciate her, but it takes some time for me to not want to scream at her to wake up to her surroundings.
Overall, I loved this book – from the characters to the plot to the clever writing. BUT there is a cliffhanger at the very end that I am very frustrated with, but it isn’t quite torture. Yet another year to wait for the next installment…
Notable Scene:
“You’re okay,” I say, my shoulders slumping with relief. No, not relief yet. I turn and Sandy blond has his phone out, so I use the stun gun on him too. He goes down faster than Cole. Dark hair is pale and vacant with shock, holding his leg, totally unaware of anything around him. He needs better training.
I drop that stun gun into my purse and pick it up off the ground, then turn back to Adam. He’s staring at me funny. Well, why wouldn’t he be? I’ve shown him what my hands can do, and a small, worn-down part of me mourns that he won’t think he wants to hold them anymore. I feel like I’ve lost something, but that’s stupid. I lost it all a long time ago.
“I thought he shot you,” I say.
“Fia,” he says, his voice strangled. He’s not meeting my eyes, looking down instead. “He shot you.”
I look down, too, and he’s wrong, there are no holes in my body, but then I look to the left and my blue sleeve is soaked dark with blood and then burning (Horrible ripping tearing burning) comes, focused where the bullet went through my upper arm but radiating out through my whole left side.
Well, crap.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Mind Games. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member titania86
Sisters Annie and Fia couldn't be more different. Annie, who lost her sight when she was young, is mild mannered and sweet. Her visions of the future allow her glimpses of sight. Fia is fiery and impulsive. Her ability is having perfect intuition. All of her gut feelings and first impressions end
I didn't expect a lot from Mind Games, but it surprised me. The cover doesn't really represent the story very well, so it is much darker and more intense than it appears. The Keane Institute is an ominous and frightening place that at first appears so welcoming and warm to the young people that come to them for education or an escape from their lives. After it ensnares the unsuspecting prey, they drop the facade and use immoral tactics to get their subjects to do whatever they want. These subjects have special powers, split into three categories of Seers, Feelers, and Readers, that can be used to further the Keane Institutes influence in big ways with acts of murder, espionage, and manipulation. As the novel moves along, the Institute reveals itself to reach further than Annie and Fia thought possible. That place is horrible and so easy to hate. The book is frustrating in a good way because these two girls are trapped so perfectly and I just want them to have normal lives away from the evil clutches of megalomaniac corporations.
The characters are vibrant and realistic. Fia is my favorite character by far. She is so broken and hurt, yet incredibly dangerous. She's an orphan who has only Annie as family, so she's fiercely and sometimes violently protective of her sister. Fia has been manipulated into committing the most heinous acts and lied to for years, so her mental state is not the best. Kiersten White does a wonderful job of capturing her frenetic and unfocused mental state through stream of consciousness writing during her chapters of the novel. Her relationship with Annie is complex. They obviously love each other, but resentment festers because Annie ignored Fia's misgivings about the Institute. Annie, although very sweet and much more mild than her sister, has a manipulative streak. She desperately wants to get her and her sister free from the Institute, but she's willing to allow her sister to be used as a pawn and others to be hurt and even killed to do it. She isn't all sweetness and light like she appears.
Mind Games is a fast paced paranormal read with an ending I didn't see coming. The narration jumps between the past and present and between the two sisters' point of view. I liked piecing together the whole picture bit by bit until everything became clear. The romance and small love triangle are surprisingly enjoyable and didn't detract from the main focus of the story. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next.
Show More
up being correct. So, when the Keane Institution offers Annie a full scholarship and tempts her with the possibility of restoring her sight, Fia knows something is wrong. Of course, Fia is right and, after her own ability is discovered, the Institute focuses their attention on her, using Annie and her safety as leverage to manipulate Fia. Fia will do everything and anything to keep Annie safe, including picking stocks and planting bombs, effectively trapping them both as pawns for the Keane Institute. She will have to do something drastic and completely unexpected to get out from their influence or she and Annie will do their dirty work for the rest of their lives.I didn't expect a lot from Mind Games, but it surprised me. The cover doesn't really represent the story very well, so it is much darker and more intense than it appears. The Keane Institute is an ominous and frightening place that at first appears so welcoming and warm to the young people that come to them for education or an escape from their lives. After it ensnares the unsuspecting prey, they drop the facade and use immoral tactics to get their subjects to do whatever they want. These subjects have special powers, split into three categories of Seers, Feelers, and Readers, that can be used to further the Keane Institutes influence in big ways with acts of murder, espionage, and manipulation. As the novel moves along, the Institute reveals itself to reach further than Annie and Fia thought possible. That place is horrible and so easy to hate. The book is frustrating in a good way because these two girls are trapped so perfectly and I just want them to have normal lives away from the evil clutches of megalomaniac corporations.
The characters are vibrant and realistic. Fia is my favorite character by far. She is so broken and hurt, yet incredibly dangerous. She's an orphan who has only Annie as family, so she's fiercely and sometimes violently protective of her sister. Fia has been manipulated into committing the most heinous acts and lied to for years, so her mental state is not the best. Kiersten White does a wonderful job of capturing her frenetic and unfocused mental state through stream of consciousness writing during her chapters of the novel. Her relationship with Annie is complex. They obviously love each other, but resentment festers because Annie ignored Fia's misgivings about the Institute. Annie, although very sweet and much more mild than her sister, has a manipulative streak. She desperately wants to get her and her sister free from the Institute, but she's willing to allow her sister to be used as a pawn and others to be hurt and even killed to do it. She isn't all sweetness and light like she appears.
Mind Games is a fast paced paranormal read with an ending I didn't see coming. The narration jumps between the past and present and between the two sisters' point of view. I liked piecing together the whole picture bit by bit until everything became clear. The romance and small love triangle are surprisingly enjoyable and didn't detract from the main focus of the story. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JackieBlem
This is a fast moving tale about two sisters, one a blind but gifted psychic (Annie) and the other a very well-trained spy (Fia). Neither had much of a choice--they have be abandoned by their family, and the "school" that they live at requires them to use their abilities to promote the unknown
Show More
goals of the institution. As what is demanded of them becomes more dangerous and suspect, Fia uses her training to find a way out. There's a lot of pulse pounding action-- this book is a true psychological thriller that might surprise the fan's of the author's Paranormalcy series. This book has an edge, and I for one really enjoyed it. Show Less
LibraryThing member EKAnderson
I love a good sister story. Especially one as crazy and intense as MIND GAMES, the latest from Kiersten White. MIND GAMES is the story of two orphaned girls, who lost their parents at a young age and have since been at an exclusive boarding school where older sister Annie is getting special
Now a trained assassin, Fia is on what should be a simple mission. Take out some guy, go back home to Annie, and hopefully not have to get blood on her hands again any time soon. But things get complicated when she accidentally warms up to the target, saves him from a couple other thugs, and tells him to go into hiding. Meanwhile, Annie is doing her best to stay under the radar back at the school, where the powers that be are doing everything they can to exploit her talent. Annie is a seer, and, surrounded by girls with other talents, there aren't a lot of secrets she can keep. Which is why she and Fia have never been able to escape. But now that the game has changed, they may have no choice. They'll have to befriend the boss-man's son, subvert the Readers, and maybe even lie to each other if they want to survive.
MIND GAMES is a fun, fast-paced read, elegantly written and absolutely thrilling. This is the kind of book that you can't put down not only because of the suspense, but because of the delicious language and fantastic characters. I'm looking forward to further books in this series. These sisters will not soon be forgotten.
Show More
treatments for her blindness and younger sister Fia is, well, mostly miserable. But she'll do anything for Annie, which is what the folks running the school are counting on.Now a trained assassin, Fia is on what should be a simple mission. Take out some guy, go back home to Annie, and hopefully not have to get blood on her hands again any time soon. But things get complicated when she accidentally warms up to the target, saves him from a couple other thugs, and tells him to go into hiding. Meanwhile, Annie is doing her best to stay under the radar back at the school, where the powers that be are doing everything they can to exploit her talent. Annie is a seer, and, surrounded by girls with other talents, there aren't a lot of secrets she can keep. Which is why she and Fia have never been able to escape. But now that the game has changed, they may have no choice. They'll have to befriend the boss-man's son, subvert the Readers, and maybe even lie to each other if they want to survive.
MIND GAMES is a fun, fast-paced read, elegantly written and absolutely thrilling. This is the kind of book that you can't put down not only because of the suspense, but because of the delicious language and fantastic characters. I'm looking forward to further books in this series. These sisters will not soon be forgotten.
Show Less
LibraryThing member A_Reader_of_Fictions
Ugh, you guys. I was so excited for this pretty much until I started reading it. I mean, that cover! Also, I enjoyed the first two Paranormalcy books, though in Endlessly Lend and Evie went way over my sap-tolerance. Here's the thing: the best part of Paranormalcy is the humor; it may not be good
Sometimes when a book disappoints me, I leave feeling angry. I am pissed off for days that the marketing tricked me into reading something so awful. In this case, I really do not have any bad feelings towards Mind Games at all. This may be, in fact, the most meh I have ever felt upon finishing a book. I can almost feel the novel draining out of my head as I type this, so I should probably type with alacrity. Basically, this book bored me, from beginning to end (with brief breaks to annoy me). Despite its brevity, it took three days for me to finish because any distraction would be more interesting.
On the plus side, Mind Games starts off with a bang. Fia is an assassin, sent to complete a mission. Unfortunately, her mission turns out to be a cute guy who likes puppies, so she cannot follow through. This would be cheesy, except that saving him writes a death warrant for herself and her blind sister, Annie, with her employers. Even worse, three goons are chasing her and the guy, Adam. The opening scene catches the readers attention and creates a lot of curiosity about what precisely is going on.
Honestly, I'm torn on the writing. Personally, I really do not like it, because repetition and simplistic sentences bother me. However, I do give Kiersten White full credit for writing two disparate, easily-distinguished two person narratives. What really irritates me about the writing, primarily Fia's narrative, is the repetition. This done stylistically, though, so, if this does not bother you, then I suspect you will enjoy the writing. Here are a couple of samples from the ARC, so you can see what I mean, though note that they could be changed before publication:
"He's still helping the puppy, untangling the leash from a tree its owner tied it to outside the bar. And he's not only setting it free, he's talking to it. I can't hear the words but I can see in the puppy's tail that, however he's talking, he's talking just right, all tender sweet cheerful comfort as his long fingers deftly untwist and unwind and undo my entire day, my entire life."
"Oh no. Oh no, oh no. I didn't do it. I didn't kill Adam. He's sitting next to me, driving (I let him drive? Why did I let him drive?) and very much alive."
The plotting and world building confound me at many points, which is not something I say often. Two main things I really do not get: the school and the seers. First off, we've got these people with powers (like seers and readers), and some evil dude is collecting them into this school so he can use them for his nefarious purposes. We learn nothing about how this school started or where the powers came from. Perhaps more frustrating, Fia has a unique power, perfect instincts, but we never learn if there are other rare powers or if she's just that special.
Throughout the novel, much is made of the seers and how Fia is the only one who can possibly do anything they cannot see in advance. She has this capability because she acts on her perfect instincts. Since she acts impulsively, they cannot ever see her future, since it is not set. That sort of makes sense, except that she makes longer-range plans all the time. Maybe one instinctual decision in the middle prevents the seers from picking up on her endgame? I mean, in the, admittedly surprising, conclusion, she had a plan and they would have seen it; that was not instinct. This whole thing reminds me a lot of Minority Report. All of this might not bother people who do not feel the need to focus so much on nitty gritty details. For me, nothing made any sense, though I may be trying to apply logic where it's not meant to be.
Mind Games would benefit from characterization. Fia is the only one I know too much about, and the only one to really receive any back story, despite the fact that the flashbacks should give a lot more of a view into Annie and James, too. Fia never coalesces into a distinct person. She does a lot of things and feels a lot of things that never really seem to add up the way one might expect. Her motivations are often unclear, such as why a certain incident made her start tap tap tapping. I do like Fia's love of dancing, and that no one ever shames her for loving that or wearing sexy clothes. However, I do not care for Fia's desire to belong to James, like a pair of headphones or something; this seems both out of character and really backward. Everyone else is one-note. James is sexy and dangerous. Annie is blind and helpless. Cole has stubble. Eden is awful. Adam is sweet and loves puppies.
The portrayal of Annie upsets me the most. For all that the book should be equally about her (the UK version is even titled Sister Assassins), she has no role in the novel but to be the albatross around Fia's neck. Every single horrible thing in Fia's life happens because she has to watch out for Annie. Both of them feel this. Annie never does anything; even when she makes up her mind to make a change, her role in that change is entirely passive. Her visions of the future, too, should give her some power, but she always messes up, never leverages them properly. Characters should not exist solely to be a burden. The portrayal of Annie's character depresses me.
Much as this book bores me, I have no doubt that other readers will squee all over it. If you like the writing samples above and will not be digging around looking for plot holes, you can probably sit back and be entertained. If you're more like me, read a sample before spending your hard-earned money.
Show More
literature or amazing writing, but Evie is funny. Neither Fia nor Annie has a sense of humor, and, without it, the book relies heavily on White's writing and plotting, which turns out not to be a great thing.Sometimes when a book disappoints me, I leave feeling angry. I am pissed off for days that the marketing tricked me into reading something so awful. In this case, I really do not have any bad feelings towards Mind Games at all. This may be, in fact, the most meh I have ever felt upon finishing a book. I can almost feel the novel draining out of my head as I type this, so I should probably type with alacrity. Basically, this book bored me, from beginning to end (with brief breaks to annoy me). Despite its brevity, it took three days for me to finish because any distraction would be more interesting.
On the plus side, Mind Games starts off with a bang. Fia is an assassin, sent to complete a mission. Unfortunately, her mission turns out to be a cute guy who likes puppies, so she cannot follow through. This would be cheesy, except that saving him writes a death warrant for herself and her blind sister, Annie, with her employers. Even worse, three goons are chasing her and the guy, Adam. The opening scene catches the readers attention and creates a lot of curiosity about what precisely is going on.
Honestly, I'm torn on the writing. Personally, I really do not like it, because repetition and simplistic sentences bother me. However, I do give Kiersten White full credit for writing two disparate, easily-distinguished two person narratives. What really irritates me about the writing, primarily Fia's narrative, is the repetition. This done stylistically, though, so, if this does not bother you, then I suspect you will enjoy the writing. Here are a couple of samples from the ARC, so you can see what I mean, though note that they could be changed before publication:
"He's still helping the puppy, untangling the leash from a tree its owner tied it to outside the bar. And he's not only setting it free, he's talking to it. I can't hear the words but I can see in the puppy's tail that, however he's talking, he's talking just right, all tender sweet cheerful comfort as his long fingers deftly untwist and unwind and undo my entire day, my entire life."
"Oh no. Oh no, oh no. I didn't do it. I didn't kill Adam. He's sitting next to me, driving (I let him drive? Why did I let him drive?) and very much alive."
The plotting and world building confound me at many points, which is not something I say often. Two main things I really do not get: the school and the seers. First off, we've got these people with powers (like seers and readers), and some evil dude is collecting them into this school so he can use them for his nefarious purposes. We learn nothing about how this school started or where the powers came from. Perhaps more frustrating, Fia has a unique power, perfect instincts, but we never learn if there are other rare powers or if she's just that special.
Throughout the novel, much is made of the seers and how Fia is the only one who can possibly do anything they cannot see in advance. She has this capability because she acts on her perfect instincts. Since she acts impulsively, they cannot ever see her future, since it is not set. That sort of makes sense, except that she makes longer-range plans all the time. Maybe one instinctual decision in the middle prevents the seers from picking up on her endgame? I mean, in the, admittedly surprising, conclusion, she had a plan and they would have seen it; that was not instinct. This whole thing reminds me a lot of Minority Report. All of this might not bother people who do not feel the need to focus so much on nitty gritty details. For me, nothing made any sense, though I may be trying to apply logic where it's not meant to be.
Mind Games would benefit from characterization. Fia is the only one I know too much about, and the only one to really receive any back story, despite the fact that the flashbacks should give a lot more of a view into Annie and James, too. Fia never coalesces into a distinct person. She does a lot of things and feels a lot of things that never really seem to add up the way one might expect. Her motivations are often unclear, such as why a certain incident made her start tap tap tapping. I do like Fia's love of dancing, and that no one ever shames her for loving that or wearing sexy clothes. However, I do not care for Fia's desire to belong to James, like a pair of headphones or something; this seems both out of character and really backward. Everyone else is one-note. James is sexy and dangerous. Annie is blind and helpless. Cole has stubble. Eden is awful. Adam is sweet and loves puppies.
The portrayal of Annie upsets me the most. For all that the book should be equally about her (the UK version is even titled Sister Assassins), she has no role in the novel but to be the albatross around Fia's neck. Every single horrible thing in Fia's life happens because she has to watch out for Annie. Both of them feel this. Annie never does anything; even when she makes up her mind to make a change, her role in that change is entirely passive. Her visions of the future, too, should give her some power, but she always messes up, never leverages them properly. Characters should not exist solely to be a burden. The portrayal of Annie's character depresses me.
Much as this book bores me, I have no doubt that other readers will squee all over it. If you like the writing samples above and will not be digging around looking for plot holes, you can probably sit back and be entertained. If you're more like me, read a sample before spending your hard-earned money.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ErlangerFactionless
Mind Games is about a world in which women have the potential to be powerful psychics. Feuding private organizations try to win their loyalty, the protagonist tries to save her sister while falling in love with a guy she's supposed to kill, and the world may or may not be post-apocalyptic. Mind
Show More
Games had some great ideas but didn't deliver them very well. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookswithbite
A uniquely different story, this intense thriller swept me off my feet.
What I enjoyed most about this story is the way the plot is twisted. Firstly, it's told through two sisters caught in a web of deceit and power. These sisters carry a very powerful secrets that certain people would kill for.
There love interest is well not too developed yet. That's okay. There are so much lies on top if lies, the reader can't tell who to trust just yet. Still these sisters have a bond that is undestructible. The coolest part is when these sisters start to play they game, they are right on target with every move, sacrificing for one another.
The other thing about this book that can be a bit confusing is the going back and forth between sisters and time. At first, I didn't think I could handle it but after reading more into the story and allowing myself to be comfortable with it, I got it. Ms. White did a fantastic job in getting the reader to see where she is going. You have to know the past to see the future. And yes, this too hook me in real quick.
Mind Games is an awesome story that falls together beautifully. The thrill of playing a game and feeding lies, fuels my excitement even more. These sisters deliver a successful tale that kicks off the series with a bang. Nothing short of spectacular, Mind Games is stunning!
What I enjoyed most about this story is the way the plot is twisted. Firstly, it's told through two sisters caught in a web of deceit and power. These sisters carry a very powerful secrets that certain people would kill for.
Show More
They had puppets being control by the ones they trust. To break out of their hold, these sisters fight against everything they have been taught and start playing a deadly game. The mind can be a very powerful weapon if you know how to use it. And this folks if why I fell hard for this book. The plot gripped me from the first page, my eyes scanning every word wanting more.There love interest is well not too developed yet. That's okay. There are so much lies on top if lies, the reader can't tell who to trust just yet. Still these sisters have a bond that is undestructible. The coolest part is when these sisters start to play they game, they are right on target with every move, sacrificing for one another.
The other thing about this book that can be a bit confusing is the going back and forth between sisters and time. At first, I didn't think I could handle it but after reading more into the story and allowing myself to be comfortable with it, I got it. Ms. White did a fantastic job in getting the reader to see where she is going. You have to know the past to see the future. And yes, this too hook me in real quick.
Mind Games is an awesome story that falls together beautifully. The thrill of playing a game and feeding lies, fuels my excitement even more. These sisters deliver a successful tale that kicks off the series with a bang. Nothing short of spectacular, Mind Games is stunning!
Show Less
LibraryThing member mountie9
The Good Stuff
Fascinating and unique premise
Enjoyed the bond between the sisters, both of them wanting to protect the other was a nice change of pace for someone who spends her day trying to keep her kids from killing each other
White's delightfully snarky sense of humour (wish there was so much
Liked the ending (may check out the sequel)
James is an intriguing character - want to know more about him
The Not So Good Stuff
I wanted so much to love this, as the premise was intriguing and I love Kiersten, but just couldn't get into this one
Repetitive - this might have worked better as a short story
This could be a fantastic book with more time and energy - think it was churned out too fast
Didn't feel connected to any of the characters
Jumpy and vague
Almost gave up on this one on many occasions
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I'd really like to look at your brain," Adam says.
I snort. "That has got to be the weirdest thing anyone has ever said to me."
“Their smiles are lies.
Most smiles are.”
“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does anyone give a crap?" I mutter.”
2.5 Dewey's
I won this from HarperTeen on Twitter - Sorry guys I really, really, really wanted to love it. Don't worry Kiersten, I will still scoop up your next book, this one just wasn't my cup of tea.
Fascinating and unique premise
Enjoyed the bond between the sisters, both of them wanting to protect the other was a nice change of pace for someone who spends her day trying to keep her kids from killing each other
White's delightfully snarky sense of humour (wish there was so much
Show More
more)Liked the ending (may check out the sequel)
James is an intriguing character - want to know more about him
The Not So Good Stuff
I wanted so much to love this, as the premise was intriguing and I love Kiersten, but just couldn't get into this one
Repetitive - this might have worked better as a short story
This could be a fantastic book with more time and energy - think it was churned out too fast
Didn't feel connected to any of the characters
Jumpy and vague
Almost gave up on this one on many occasions
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I'd really like to look at your brain," Adam says.
I snort. "That has got to be the weirdest thing anyone has ever said to me."
“Their smiles are lies.
Most smiles are.”
“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does anyone give a crap?" I mutter.”
2.5 Dewey's
I won this from HarperTeen on Twitter - Sorry guys I really, really, really wanted to love it. Don't worry Kiersten, I will still scoop up your next book, this one just wasn't my cup of tea.
Show Less
LibraryThing member anneconsolacion
I love Mind Games!
It was action-packed from start to end. I read it in one sitting, never wanting to put the book down until I finish it. I liked Fia and I like the author's writing style. I will definitely get the next book!
It was action-packed from start to end. I read it in one sitting, never wanting to put the book down until I finish it. I liked Fia and I like the author's writing style. I will definitely get the next book!
LibraryThing member SpicedLatte
Overall Score: 4 Stars
After Fia and Annie's parents died in a car accident, they were taken into a special school that counted as very influential and promised Annie to do some tests to try and get her vision back. The school ended up being not what they have hoped for and was only made for girls
This book was probably one of the most exciting books that I've read in awhile. It was full of action, emotions, love, and true feelings that were very touching. I 'm a little confused about the way the book ended but I guess I have to read the second book for this. I honestly just can't figure out if Annie ended up being dead or not. Like WTF! But overall I loved it and cannot wait until the second book. Must-read!
After Fia and Annie's parents died in a car accident, they were taken into a special school that counted as very influential and promised Annie to do some tests to try and get her vision back. The school ended up being not what they have hoped for and was only made for girls
Show More
with special abilities like sidekicks and those who can see the future, like Annie. After finding out that Fia had perfect instincts, the management decided to use her in some bigger plans. Fia lost hope in herself because of the things she did and the only thing that kept her in the school was Annie. She couldn't leave Annie. She had to protect Annie. This book was probably one of the most exciting books that I've read in awhile. It was full of action, emotions, love, and true feelings that were very touching. I 'm a little confused about the way the book ended but I guess I have to read the second book for this. I honestly just can't figure out if Annie ended up being dead or not. Like WTF! But overall I loved it and cannot wait until the second book. Must-read!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Ceilidhann
The ratings system is inherently flawed in relation to book reviews. I tend to use the 1 star review solely for books that offended me, particularly in their romanticised depiction of rape culture, abusive relationships, women shaming, etc. I seldom, if ever, give a book 1 star because it was just
The biggest failure of this book is the narration. Switching between the two sisters who are entirely matching in almost every way, White has chosen a stream-of-consciousness first person style to tell this story. Stream-of-consciousness was a particular favourite of the Modernist movement, and utilised to great effect by writers such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce (if you’ve actually finished “Ulysses” then you’re a better person than I am). It’s tough to read even when it’s executed perfectly. Here it’s practically unbearable. Not only are the sisters’ narrations impossible to differentiate from, the constant repetition of words and phrases, coupled with the lazy and juvenile nature of the prose made the experience of reading this book seem far longer than its slim page numbers would suggest. The non-linear narrative feels like such a slog, and does nothing but make the story entirely incoherent. Any possibility of the book livening up with some action is quickly ruined by this unreadable style.
None of this is helped by the fact that both sisters are motivated by pretty much the same things, make completely irrational decisions that don’t fit with what the other cut-out characters tell us about them, and are both extremely annoying. I didn’t want to spend this book with them. Then again, it’s not as if the supporting cast offer up much either. Scooby Doo offered up stronger motivation and characterisation than this book does. However, I must briefly draw attention to one character called James (which I had to look up for this review because I have honestly forgotten everyone’s names except for the sisters), who plies an underage girl with alcohol to get her to talk. Of course, James is the dark, sexy and dangerous one who we are supposed to root for the woman he plies with alcohol to get together with. He also delightfully manipulates a young woman who struggles with her ability to feel everyone else’s emotions into believing he cares for her because that makes her easier to deal with. Not that the alcohol plied sister Fia really cares about the well-being of this young woman. She doesn’t care about anyone besides herself, regardless of her constant whining over looking after her blind sister. I’d be angrier at this mess if I in any way cared about Fia or Annie as characters.
The powers that the sisters have could be interesting if executed well, but instead they’re just there. They serve bare plot purposes in the most serviceable manner possible and are barely explained or expanded upon. In the end, everything that went on felt entirely inconsequential because I just didn’t care about anything (although I did wonder why any stereotypical evil organisation would use a woman with perfect instincts to kill people instead of just having her make them billions and screw around with democracy).
The style of the book and the childish approach to storytelling and prose just dragged me out of the experience. I can live with an unoriginal plot structure, which this book has in spades, if the execution is interesting, or interesting questions are asked, or if the characters and dialogue bring it to life. This book has none of that. I spent much more time thinking about why White was in such a hurry to push this book out than I did thinking about the book itself. “Mind Games” is bafflingly bad. I cannot understand how a relatively well acclaimed New York Times best-selling author can fail so badly with this book, although some blame must also go to the editor and agent for rushing this out so quickly as if publishing it was a race against time. I see that this book is the first in a duology, which makes me shudder, in all honesty. “Mind Games” was a waste of my time, a waste of the publisher’s time, and just a mess in every conceivable way.
1/5.
Show More
awful as a piece of literature. I read somewhere that the author Kiersten White finished the first draft of this book in nine days. I don’t believe that. Nine days is far longer than my original prediction of a weekend. This book read like a NaNoWriMo novel written in the final two days because the author forgot about it. It’s been a long time since I read a book as painfully rushed, sloppy and lazy as “Mind Games” (known as “Sister Assassin” in UK). The biggest failure of this book is the narration. Switching between the two sisters who are entirely matching in almost every way, White has chosen a stream-of-consciousness first person style to tell this story. Stream-of-consciousness was a particular favourite of the Modernist movement, and utilised to great effect by writers such as Virginia Woolf and James Joyce (if you’ve actually finished “Ulysses” then you’re a better person than I am). It’s tough to read even when it’s executed perfectly. Here it’s practically unbearable. Not only are the sisters’ narrations impossible to differentiate from, the constant repetition of words and phrases, coupled with the lazy and juvenile nature of the prose made the experience of reading this book seem far longer than its slim page numbers would suggest. The non-linear narrative feels like such a slog, and does nothing but make the story entirely incoherent. Any possibility of the book livening up with some action is quickly ruined by this unreadable style.
None of this is helped by the fact that both sisters are motivated by pretty much the same things, make completely irrational decisions that don’t fit with what the other cut-out characters tell us about them, and are both extremely annoying. I didn’t want to spend this book with them. Then again, it’s not as if the supporting cast offer up much either. Scooby Doo offered up stronger motivation and characterisation than this book does. However, I must briefly draw attention to one character called James (which I had to look up for this review because I have honestly forgotten everyone’s names except for the sisters), who plies an underage girl with alcohol to get her to talk. Of course, James is the dark, sexy and dangerous one who we are supposed to root for the woman he plies with alcohol to get together with. He also delightfully manipulates a young woman who struggles with her ability to feel everyone else’s emotions into believing he cares for her because that makes her easier to deal with. Not that the alcohol plied sister Fia really cares about the well-being of this young woman. She doesn’t care about anyone besides herself, regardless of her constant whining over looking after her blind sister. I’d be angrier at this mess if I in any way cared about Fia or Annie as characters.
The powers that the sisters have could be interesting if executed well, but instead they’re just there. They serve bare plot purposes in the most serviceable manner possible and are barely explained or expanded upon. In the end, everything that went on felt entirely inconsequential because I just didn’t care about anything (although I did wonder why any stereotypical evil organisation would use a woman with perfect instincts to kill people instead of just having her make them billions and screw around with democracy).
The style of the book and the childish approach to storytelling and prose just dragged me out of the experience. I can live with an unoriginal plot structure, which this book has in spades, if the execution is interesting, or interesting questions are asked, or if the characters and dialogue bring it to life. This book has none of that. I spent much more time thinking about why White was in such a hurry to push this book out than I did thinking about the book itself. “Mind Games” is bafflingly bad. I cannot understand how a relatively well acclaimed New York Times best-selling author can fail so badly with this book, although some blame must also go to the editor and agent for rushing this out so quickly as if publishing it was a race against time. I see that this book is the first in a duology, which makes me shudder, in all honesty. “Mind Games” was a waste of my time, a waste of the publisher’s time, and just a mess in every conceivable way.
1/5.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thehidingspot
Kiersten White's Paranormalcy books missed the mark for me, but I was pleasantly surprised by her newest offering, Mind Games. I think it was actually the UK title, Sister Assassins, that really caught my attention - because I'm obsessed with assassins, especially female assassins - though, after
A detail that I feel I should touch on is that the book has been marketed as an "intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other," and while this may be technically true, I felt that the older sister, Annie, wasn't focused on nearly as much as Fia. I knew she was there in the plot, doing things, but I simply wasn't as concerned about her and I certainly wasn't as invested in her character.
However, I really enjoy Fia as a character. She's a dangerously broken individual that has the potential to turn dark, but she's inherently good. Because she sometimes lapses into immaturity and shows unexpected emotion, emotion that is the very opposite of the cutthroat assassin she's been trained to be, it's easy to see the Fia she could have been if her life hadn't been hijacked by the mysterious group that runs the "school" she and Annie attend.
The atmosphere of this novel (i.e. Fia, her boss, love interest, and the group that controls the sisters) are reminiscent of the characters and plot of shows like Alias and Nikita, which I think has a lot to do with why I liked Mind Games as much as I did. So many of the characters are more than they seem, hiding something, or have the potential to give into the power they yield and use it for evil rather than good.
I feel that Mind Games is a great introduction to the world of Fia and Annie. The action had really picked up by the end of the novel, which I think bodes well for the next installment.
Show More
reading, I feel that Mind Games is a more fitting title.A detail that I feel I should touch on is that the book has been marketed as an "intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other," and while this may be technically true, I felt that the older sister, Annie, wasn't focused on nearly as much as Fia. I knew she was there in the plot, doing things, but I simply wasn't as concerned about her and I certainly wasn't as invested in her character.
However, I really enjoy Fia as a character. She's a dangerously broken individual that has the potential to turn dark, but she's inherently good. Because she sometimes lapses into immaturity and shows unexpected emotion, emotion that is the very opposite of the cutthroat assassin she's been trained to be, it's easy to see the Fia she could have been if her life hadn't been hijacked by the mysterious group that runs the "school" she and Annie attend.
The atmosphere of this novel (i.e. Fia, her boss, love interest, and the group that controls the sisters) are reminiscent of the characters and plot of shows like Alias and Nikita, which I think has a lot to do with why I liked Mind Games as much as I did. So many of the characters are more than they seem, hiding something, or have the potential to give into the power they yield and use it for evil rather than good.
I feel that Mind Games is a great introduction to the world of Fia and Annie. The action had really picked up by the end of the novel, which I think bodes well for the next installment.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Mind Games is not a typical young adult supernatural thriller. Gone is the love triangle with its forced angst and other conflicts. Absentee parents are no longer an issue since the girls are orphans. The supernatural element is subtle even if it is a large part of the story. The world in which the
Rather, Fia’s main love is her sister, to whom she is bound by a profound sense of sisterhood, love, and duty. Their orphan status is an interesting twist that heightens their bond and need for each other, just as Annie’s blindness increases the protectiveness Fia feels for Annie. It is this complex love for Annie which keeps her at the Keane Institute and which provides them with the leverage required for Fia to act against her instincts. A boy does enter the picture, and there is a mutual spark of interest between them, but it really is Fia and Annie’s relationship which drives the story.
There is no doubt that what the Keane Institute is doing is highly illegal, and one cannot help but feel as uncomfortable and on edge as Fia does from the moment she steps foot inside its walls. However, the danger, like Fia’s powers, is subtle. There are no overt threats, no obvious “do this or else” statements. The implied danger belies the caring overtones of the facility and creates a pit of tension in a reader’s stomach.
As Mind Games is the first book of a series, neither Fia nor the reader can see the total scope or Fia’s role within it. The hints are few and far between so that readers will have to sit tight to determine the ultimate purpose of the Keane Institute. However, the point of emphasis here is that it is the Keane Institute that is the “bad guy”, not the government official or society rules. Take away Annie’s visions and Fia’s perfect intuition, and the story becomes nothing more than a corporate thriller with political undertones.
This is not to say that the supernatural element in Mind Games is not interesting or necessary. In fact, one could easily say it is specifically because of women and girls like Fia and Annie which makes their world so interesting. To have one’s every thought and emotion at the mercy of others denotes a scary absence of privacy, something at which Ms. White only hints. This lack of privacy and more importantly the meaning behind it ties into the lack of the big picture and the tantalizing insinuations that future books will reveal more about this overall lack of privacy and its meaning for Keane’s goals.
Mind Games, with its stream of consciousness narrative and lack of obviousness in the threats and main story arc, is a refreshing break from the young adult/ paranormal/ love triangle trope. Fia is not a girl looking for love or for a man to help her. She is more than capable of taking care of her sister and herself. The Keane Institute, with its mild-mannered threats and elusive goal, is a formidable opponent. It is obvious that the clash between the two in this first novel is only the beginning of a greater battle to come, heightening one’s anticipation of future Mind Games novels.
Show More
story unfolds is not on its death throes or in the process of rebuilding; it has not suffered a catastrophe of some import and is not subject to an insidious dictatorship.Rather, Fia’s main love is her sister, to whom she is bound by a profound sense of sisterhood, love, and duty. Their orphan status is an interesting twist that heightens their bond and need for each other, just as Annie’s blindness increases the protectiveness Fia feels for Annie. It is this complex love for Annie which keeps her at the Keane Institute and which provides them with the leverage required for Fia to act against her instincts. A boy does enter the picture, and there is a mutual spark of interest between them, but it really is Fia and Annie’s relationship which drives the story.
There is no doubt that what the Keane Institute is doing is highly illegal, and one cannot help but feel as uncomfortable and on edge as Fia does from the moment she steps foot inside its walls. However, the danger, like Fia’s powers, is subtle. There are no overt threats, no obvious “do this or else” statements. The implied danger belies the caring overtones of the facility and creates a pit of tension in a reader’s stomach.
As Mind Games is the first book of a series, neither Fia nor the reader can see the total scope or Fia’s role within it. The hints are few and far between so that readers will have to sit tight to determine the ultimate purpose of the Keane Institute. However, the point of emphasis here is that it is the Keane Institute that is the “bad guy”, not the government official or society rules. Take away Annie’s visions and Fia’s perfect intuition, and the story becomes nothing more than a corporate thriller with political undertones.
This is not to say that the supernatural element in Mind Games is not interesting or necessary. In fact, one could easily say it is specifically because of women and girls like Fia and Annie which makes their world so interesting. To have one’s every thought and emotion at the mercy of others denotes a scary absence of privacy, something at which Ms. White only hints. This lack of privacy and more importantly the meaning behind it ties into the lack of the big picture and the tantalizing insinuations that future books will reveal more about this overall lack of privacy and its meaning for Keane’s goals.
Mind Games, with its stream of consciousness narrative and lack of obviousness in the threats and main story arc, is a refreshing break from the young adult/ paranormal/ love triangle trope. Fia is not a girl looking for love or for a man to help her. She is more than capable of taking care of her sister and herself. The Keane Institute, with its mild-mannered threats and elusive goal, is a formidable opponent. It is obvious that the clash between the two in this first novel is only the beginning of a greater battle to come, heightening one’s anticipation of future Mind Games novels.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Angelina-Justice
This is a fluid sci/fi psychological thriller with a cast of teen and adult psychics.
I will admit, up front, that I love Kiersten White books. So, it is no surprise that I loved this one.
It was a little jarring to switch time frames continually, but it worked in the end.
I will admit, up front, that I love Kiersten White books. So, it is no surprise that I loved this one.
It was a little jarring to switch time frames continually, but it worked in the end.
LibraryThing member Stormydawnc
I can’t even summon the energy to dislike this book. It’s just. . .
MEH.
I had such high hopes for this one. I LOVE books about siblings, especially books that aren’t contemporary and that have ACTION and ADVENTURE and siblings trying to protect each other. Those types of books make me feel
So, let’s break this down, shall we?
WRITING: So, the writing is incredibly scattered and disjointed and repetitive and redundant(see what I did there?). I get that this was a conscious choice on White’s part to give us access into the sister’s incredibly messed-up heads. I get it. I get it. I get it.(That’s sort of how many parts of the book are written). It’s a stylistic choice, but one I don’t think worked well for this book.
I like unique writing styles & experimental writing–which is why I liked Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. But in that case, while the writing was incredibly subjective and risky, I thought it worked for the story. Did I get annoyed at times? Yes. But not like I did in Mind Games, because in Mind Games, I think White tries to use this experimental writing to carry the weight of the book, and it doesn’t really work.
CHARACTERS: Supposedly, there are two main characters in this book–Annie and Fia, the sisters. The chapters alternate from their POVs, which could be great, except they sound exactly the same(except Fia’s a little bit more messed up, I think). Fia has perfect instincts, Annie is blind but sometimes sees the future, and their goal is to the protect each other. Those are their ONLY defining characteristics, and all of that is stated upfront in the summary.
PLOT: There was plot at the beginning. I have no idea what happened to it. This book actually started out really well, in the midst of an action sequence, and then. . . things got a little hazy after that.
After reading this, you might think I really disliked Mind Games. But, truth is, I didn’t, because I couldn’t bring myself to care about the story enough to dislike it. In fact, this is the most apathetic I’ve been about a book in a long while(forcing myself to actually write about it at length was a bit torturous), which is never a good thing. Mind Games has a fascinating premise and a decent enough start, but somewhere around page 30 it all tapered off into a strange writing experiment with not much plot and really, not much differences between the two main characters.
Final Impression: Here it is, one last resounding MEH. This isn’t a terrible book, but it also isn’t a good book. It’s just kinda there, and I have way too many exciting books on my shelf to read for me to spend much time with this book or to recommend it.
MEH.
I had such high hopes for this one. I LOVE books about siblings, especially books that aren’t contemporary and that have ACTION and ADVENTURE and siblings trying to protect each other. Those types of books make me feel
Show More
warm & fuzzy while also putting me through the emotional wringer(because one sibling always gets hurt, of course).So, let’s break this down, shall we?
WRITING: So, the writing is incredibly scattered and disjointed and repetitive and redundant(see what I did there?). I get that this was a conscious choice on White’s part to give us access into the sister’s incredibly messed-up heads. I get it. I get it. I get it.(That’s sort of how many parts of the book are written). It’s a stylistic choice, but one I don’t think worked well for this book.
I like unique writing styles & experimental writing–which is why I liked Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. But in that case, while the writing was incredibly subjective and risky, I thought it worked for the story. Did I get annoyed at times? Yes. But not like I did in Mind Games, because in Mind Games, I think White tries to use this experimental writing to carry the weight of the book, and it doesn’t really work.
CHARACTERS: Supposedly, there are two main characters in this book–Annie and Fia, the sisters. The chapters alternate from their POVs, which could be great, except they sound exactly the same(except Fia’s a little bit more messed up, I think). Fia has perfect instincts, Annie is blind but sometimes sees the future, and their goal is to the protect each other. Those are their ONLY defining characteristics, and all of that is stated upfront in the summary.
PLOT: There was plot at the beginning. I have no idea what happened to it. This book actually started out really well, in the midst of an action sequence, and then. . . things got a little hazy after that.
After reading this, you might think I really disliked Mind Games. But, truth is, I didn’t, because I couldn’t bring myself to care about the story enough to dislike it. In fact, this is the most apathetic I’ve been about a book in a long while(forcing myself to actually write about it at length was a bit torturous), which is never a good thing. Mind Games has a fascinating premise and a decent enough start, but somewhere around page 30 it all tapered off into a strange writing experiment with not much plot and really, not much differences between the two main characters.
Final Impression: Here it is, one last resounding MEH. This isn’t a terrible book, but it also isn’t a good book. It’s just kinda there, and I have way too many exciting books on my shelf to read for me to spend much time with this book or to recommend it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lifeshiddengems
This book was not what I expected...I couldn't relate to any of the characters and I found myself annoyed at many spots in the book. The novel has two POVs and it switches from past to present, which made everything very confusing. I think that the concept is interesting, but it wasn't developed
My Goodreads: fantasticalcatherine
Show More
well. I will not be reading the sequel.My Goodreads: fantasticalcatherine
Show Less
Awards
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Selection — 2014)
Language
Original publication date
2013-02-19
Similar in this library
Eve by Anna Carey