Saturday, February 23, 2013

Book Review: Mind Games

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times
 bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost. Quoted from Goodreads

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This is such a delightfully unique book! It's always hard starting a new story from an author you really like.  Their character's voice is different, the story is different, and if you loved the books before, your mind has to sort of switch over.  Mind Games is a little bit like that.  I loved Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series, and this definitely isn't it.  Yes, Fia is a strong, interesting character, but she is no Evie. And that's okay.  In fact, it's better because it makes Mind Games completely separate and amazing in it's own right and a book you should absolutely check out.



If that trailer didn't sell you, nothing will.  Honestly, I think it's one of the best book trailers I've ever seen and fits this book perfectly.  It shows how broken Fia is, portrays how much she sacrifices of herself to save her sister, and what she's willing to do to keep her safe.  I absolutely loved her as a character, messed up as it is, and can't wait to see what she does next.  Plus, I love her ability: perfect instincts. It's a brilliant, unique idea that sounds so simple but so completely interesting.

Then there's Annie. I talk about Fia like she's the main character, and most of the action does take place with her, but Annie's equally represented.  Even though she's blind and trapped, she's just as willing to fight for her sister. Granted, I did at times get frustrated with her character, but I still liked her.   

I really enjoyed the flashbacks.  I liked slowly learning what made the two sisters the way they were.  I also liked the family loyalty, though I hated the way it was used against them.  The British version  of this book is called Sister Assassins  which I don't really thing fits at all.  To begin with, Annie isn't an assassin, just the leverage used to make Fia into one, and Fia's kills mess her up so badly, the usually use her for other things.  Mind Games, on the other hand, fit's perfectly, since they are constantly surrounded by people who can read thoughts and emotions and try and manipulate them into doing what they want.

Also, everyone is so ambiguous.  First there's Adam, who seems like the sweetest person in the world, but . . . well, I don't want to give any spoilers, but he has his own secrets, and there's a reason Fia was sent to kill him.  Then there's James.  In some ways I absolutely loath him.  He's secretive, manipulative, and in so many ways not a good person.  But then he might actually be a good (sort of) guy, who's just as broken as Fia.  Maybe.  The beauty of this book is I don't know.  All you really know is that Fia and Annie would do anything for each other.  Everything else, well, you have to wait for the next book for some solid answers.

All in all this book is a fun, 4 stars for me.  I love how unique Fia's powers are and how the driving force behind everything is her love for her sister.  There are hints of romance with other characters (I'm actually hoping Annie and Adam get together, though by the end of the book they've still never met, but that's pure conjecture on my part at this point), but nothing that comes close to touching that bond between the sisters.  

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