Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: February 20, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Fantasy/Sci-Fi)
Source: Publisher
Format: Physical ARC
Pages: 256
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.
As soon as I saw this gorgeous cover, I just HAD to get my hands on Mind Games. The synopsis sounded interesting as well! A book that revolves around two sisters who want to protect each other, and not a boy/girl story. I finally understand why many people would get confused while reading Mind Games, because it's one of those books where your imagination needs to take over. Kiersten White does not clarify many things in this book, but somehow, I wasn't bothered by that. Mind Games is told from two points of view. Sophia, also known as Fia, and Annabelle, who is known as Annie. I'm a fan of alternating POV's, so that's another thing that didn't bother me. Though one thing that did confuse me, is that it is told from the two POVs in BOTH the past and the present, which made it doubly confusing!
Fia is the younger sister, but here, she's the one with all of the responsibility because Annie is actually blind. Five years ago, Fia and Annie got a "scholarship" to a great school, that is actually for girls with extraordinary powers. With no parents (dead) their aunt accepts immediately, do get rid of this burden. It is sad to see know how much these two characters suffered, but I'm sad to say I wasn't exactly able to connect with either of them. I would also have liked it more if the book revolved around those "girls" with the extraordinary powers. but again, the book is very brief about a lot of things. The story was weird as well, because like I mentioned before, you kind of need to read without expecting anyone to explain to you.
Mind Games was also a very fast paced book. I like it when books are fast paced, but Mind Games is also a short book, so it kind of felt like I just read fifty pages. I still want to give the second book a try, hoping that we will have explanations, and also because I do want to find out what happens next. Overall, Mind Games was an okay read, but because of how short and fast paced it was, I can't really say how much potential it has. Am I making sense? I hope so. Anyways, everyone had different opinions about this book, so I do recommend you guys to still give it a try!
Other books by Kiersten White:
Sounds interesting. I have to agree with you that it is nice to see a sister/sister book rather than a boy/girl book. And that cover is gorgeous. Hope the series picks up.
ReplyDeleteHmm...this sounds interesting, but honestly, I don't think I'll enjoy it. Alternating POVs are either a hit or miss for me, and the fact that there's also past and present? I don't think I can keep up! Fab review though, Farah :) I hope you enjoyed the second book!
ReplyDeleteAww... I kinda don't like books that tells the past and present at the same time. It'll get really confusing :/ But since this is Kiersten White, I decided to trust and try it sometime :) Great review, Farah! :D
ReplyDeleteFara @ Tumbling In Books
I've read a lot of mixed reviews for this book so far too, but I'm glad you enjoyed it somewhat Farah. Despite having some issues regarding the povs in past and present tense which would have confused me too, Mid Games sounds like a solid start to a series! Lovely review! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked this enough to carry on with the series. I don't think I'd be able to stomach another book because blah. I found this very boring XD Excellent review, Farah! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you guys for both coming by and commenting -- I loved that!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the pace of this was fast -- I wished for a few more details and a little more grounding, but I will also be back for book two.
Aww, I'm so sad that you didn't completely love this one! I adore Kiersten White's Paranormalcy series so I'm terrified that I'll end up hating this one... Completely agree with you about the gorgeous cover and synopsis! I'll still definitely be reading this one for myself but the fact that you had trouble connecting to the characters doesn't bode well. Ah well :) I'm glad that you you still got some enjoyment from it and hopefully the sequel blows your expectations out of the water! <3
ReplyDeleteI like stories about sisters and knowing that Annie is blind helps me see why Fia seems protective and older. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Farah!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one, you're right about it being fast paced though - you kind of fly through it! Really looking forward to the next one :)
ReplyDeleteYep, you totally make sense - sometimes books are too fast paced for their own good!
ReplyDeleteIt seems I'm the only one who really adored this one! I enjoyed the writing style and I loved Fia's character (Annie not so much) and I was intrigued by her relationship with James. I do agree it was too short. It ended before I had time to process anything.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Farah
I couldn't fully connect with the characters either, but I think this style of book just doesn't work for me. It's the writing that I really had trouble with. I'm glad you found it okay overall, though. Lovely review as always, Farah! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about everyone having much different opinions on this one. I personally didn't care for it. Like Sam, the style of it really put me off. I couldn't connect with the characters so I didn't care what happened to them. I am a very character driven reader, so I have to have some type of feeling toward them or the plot has to be insanely good to keep me interested. If this one wasn't such a quick and short read, I honestly don't think I would have finished it. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI like how this book is about sisters and like you, the cover had me! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour review makes total sense, Farah! It's such a disappointment when things just aren't explained clearly and that only leads to confusion. I dunno if I'll read this one soon, but I'll give it a try sometime.
Amazing review! :)
Sarika @ The Readdicts
I'm practically dying to get my hands on a copy of this book! It seems to interesting and while I know this is either a love/hate book I have a feeling I'll really enjoy this one. Hopefully my expecations arent too high for this one though! HAHA
ReplyDeleteGreat Review
Lily :)
Your review sounds EXACTLY like how I felt. This seriously would have been awesome, had it been like 250 pages longer. It needed them!! It has such good potential. I loved how much darker the writing style was. I'll read the sequel, but I have a feeling I won't get what I'm looking for.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stoppin' by my neck of the woods. You funny gal ..yes, I read Divergent and loved it too. Haven't gotten the chance to read Insurgent yet, have you?
ReplyDelete"but because of how short and fast paced it was, I can't really say how much potential it has. Am I making sense?" --I so understand. That's how I feel about serial books. --I do love this cover too. :)
Following you now. :D
I was so excited for this book when I first saw the cover and read the description, but after this review I may just hold off for a bit. I like the sister angle too so maybe the next book will be better because that is what upset me about the Maze Runner series. I felt like there were too many questions left unanswered at the end. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI've seen such crazy mixed reviews of this so I am just going to keep an open mind and give it a try myself. Like you I like different POVs but going between different times as well might confuse me.
ReplyDelete