laughlinesandliterature's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not sure what I expected when I picked up Mind Games, but I definitely thought it would be more like Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy series. This book was a completely different type of intensity.
There is something about tainted and broken characters that draws me in. What I loved about Mind Games is that these characters aren’t damaged because of love or anything so trivial. These are girls who’ve been used and lied to their entire lives. They are constantly being manipulated, and they were so young when it started that there was really no hope to escape. Fia and Annie aren’t snarky and filled with pop culture; but there was still something about it that drew me in.
Fia is a broken girl, and it’s in a way I didn’t expect at all. I started the book off a little horrified at her cold way of thinking, but she won me over within the first chapter. Fia wants so badly to be good, it’s her greatest desire. A small part of me hoped that she would stay with Adam so she could see what that girl looks like. I admire Fia’s strength despite everything she has been through. Kiersten White does a fantastic job of creating a main character who is brash and abrasive, but ultimately sympathetic.
Even though Annie was supposed to be the more sympathetic sibling I had a difficult time liking her. I felt that she was self-centered and uncaring for most of the novel. I did have sympathy because Annie was blind, but it didn’t excuse her deliberate ignorance of Fia’s pain. Annie did redeem herself a bit at the end of Mind Games, but I felt that her actions were what she should be doing, because of how terribly she treated Fia.
I do wish Mind Games was longer, it felt like there was so much going on that the story would’ve benefited from a little more elaboration. The point of view changes were a little tough to get through, but I didn’t read it all in one sitting so it didn’t seem so choppy.
I really liked Mind Games and I’m interested to see what happens next. I have lots of unanswered questions about Mr. Keane, and what exactly will happen with Annie and Adam. I would give this novel 4.5 stars, only because I wish it had been a little longer. I can’t wait for the sequel Perfect Lies. I’ve already pre-ordered it, if that tells you anything!
There is something about tainted and broken characters that draws me in. What I loved about Mind Games is that these characters aren’t damaged because of love or anything so trivial. These are girls who’ve been used and lied to their entire lives. They are constantly being manipulated, and they were so young when it started that there was really no hope to escape. Fia and Annie aren’t snarky and filled with pop culture; but there was still something about it that drew me in.
Fia is a broken girl, and it’s in a way I didn’t expect at all. I started the book off a little horrified at her cold way of thinking, but she won me over within the first chapter. Fia wants so badly to be good, it’s her greatest desire. A small part of me hoped that she would stay with Adam so she could see what that girl looks like. I admire Fia’s strength despite everything she has been through. Kiersten White does a fantastic job of creating a main character who is brash and abrasive, but ultimately sympathetic.
Even though Annie was supposed to be the more sympathetic sibling I had a difficult time liking her. I felt that she was self-centered and uncaring for most of the novel. I did have sympathy because Annie was blind, but it didn’t excuse her deliberate ignorance of Fia’s pain. Annie did redeem herself a bit at the end of Mind Games, but I felt that her actions were what she should be doing, because of how terribly she treated Fia.
I do wish Mind Games was longer, it felt like there was so much going on that the story would’ve benefited from a little more elaboration. The point of view changes were a little tough to get through, but I didn’t read it all in one sitting so it didn’t seem so choppy.
I really liked Mind Games and I’m interested to see what happens next. I have lots of unanswered questions about Mr. Keane, and what exactly will happen with Annie and Adam. I would give this novel 4.5 stars, only because I wish it had been a little longer. I can’t wait for the sequel Perfect Lies. I’ve already pre-ordered it, if that tells you anything!
wrenlee's review against another edition
3.0
No. Just no. This book is three stars. I hate how it's like some girl's diary. Seriously? Over-usage of parentheses. The idea was great, but the presentation? It could have been better. I was so revved up for a great book, but all I got was...ugh. I haven't seen a good book in a long time! Where are you, good books? Come out!
poorashleu's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted at yAdultReview
Oh this book. As soon as I received this ARC I debated between losing my mind and trying to not get my hopes up. I loved and adored White’s Paranormalcy series. The voice in that series was witty and snarky and spot on, to me. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews on Mind Games but I heard it was darker, a different side of White. After reading it, I can tell you, I had nothing to fear.
Yes, Mind Games is darker, and completely different than Paranormalcy but at the heart of it, it is still White and her writing. Mind Games is the story of Fia and Annie, sisters who couldn’t be completely different from each other. Fia’s instincts are always right and Annie, is blind, yet is often gripped by visions that control her life the same way Fia’s instincts control her. This book is told from the point of view of both sisters, and is told from the past and the present. While it sounds confusing, and for a bit it is, it works. It works extremely well for this book, by the end everything ties together with just enough hanging that makes you want the second novel now.
While I would have loved and adored to find out more about the espionage school, I was so caught up in Fia and Annie that I didn’t mind. I spent most of the book going back and forth on who annoyed me more in the book, but if anything that is a testament to White’s writing of a sisterly relationship. Family relationships are never Leave it to Beaver perfect and while using dual point of view White illustrates that while the sisters are often mad and frustrated at each other, at the end of the day they love each other and no one knows them better then each other.
At 250 pages this is an extremely quick read and while the end is the perfect ending for this novel, you will want the second one to see what happens next.
Oh this book. As soon as I received this ARC I debated between losing my mind and trying to not get my hopes up. I loved and adored White’s Paranormalcy series. The voice in that series was witty and snarky and spot on, to me. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews on Mind Games but I heard it was darker, a different side of White. After reading it, I can tell you, I had nothing to fear.
Yes, Mind Games is darker, and completely different than Paranormalcy but at the heart of it, it is still White and her writing. Mind Games is the story of Fia and Annie, sisters who couldn’t be completely different from each other. Fia’s instincts are always right and Annie, is blind, yet is often gripped by visions that control her life the same way Fia’s instincts control her. This book is told from the point of view of both sisters, and is told from the past and the present. While it sounds confusing, and for a bit it is, it works. It works extremely well for this book, by the end everything ties together with just enough hanging that makes you want the second novel now.
While I would have loved and adored to find out more about the espionage school, I was so caught up in Fia and Annie that I didn’t mind. I spent most of the book going back and forth on who annoyed me more in the book, but if anything that is a testament to White’s writing of a sisterly relationship. Family relationships are never Leave it to Beaver perfect and while using dual point of view White illustrates that while the sisters are often mad and frustrated at each other, at the end of the day they love each other and no one knows them better then each other.
At 250 pages this is an extremely quick read and while the end is the perfect ending for this novel, you will want the second one to see what happens next.
jennifervu's review against another edition
3.0
This three star rating could equal five stars compared to others. But judging the book solely on its own, it's 3.
I loved this book. It's entirely different from the Paranormalcy series and really highlights the range of White's talents. This had amazing, amazing potential and everything was in line except for a few key points that made this story fall short.
-1. The structure/layout- the book shifts views between Fia and Annie AND between the present and past which makes it a little difficult to tell when things are occurring on a timeline.
-2. The intensity- this book is meant to be intense and it is so, to the point that it's overbearing and it's difficult to enjoy it with such a depressing mood.
-3. The characters- I found them difficult to relate to and just love. I sometimes just wanted them (the sisters) to die to get the story done with it. I couldn't even like Adam because of how brief his role is in the story and how Fia narrates things differently. Characters are crucial for a great storyline and this was a miss. If the character development of the main characters as well as the side characters improve in the sequel, then it could very well be 5 stars.
Despite these shortcomings, this was a real, short (thank God) story that was a pageturner. Everything was so suspenseful and I never knew what to predict from all of the characters. I did love this and this honestly showcases Kiersten White's true writing ability.
I loved this book. It's entirely different from the Paranormalcy series and really highlights the range of White's talents. This had amazing, amazing potential and everything was in line except for a few key points that made this story fall short.
-1. The structure/layout- the book shifts views between Fia and Annie AND between the present and past which makes it a little difficult to tell when things are occurring on a timeline.
-2. The intensity- this book is meant to be intense and it is so, to the point that it's overbearing and it's difficult to enjoy it with such a depressing mood.
-3. The characters- I found them difficult to relate to and just love. I sometimes just wanted them (the sisters) to die to get the story done with it. I couldn't even like Adam because of how brief his role is in the story and how Fia narrates things differently. Characters are crucial for a great storyline and this was a miss. If the character development of the main characters as well as the side characters improve in the sequel, then it could very well be 5 stars.
Despite these shortcomings, this was a real, short (thank God) story that was a pageturner. Everything was so suspenseful and I never knew what to predict from all of the characters. I did love this and this honestly showcases Kiersten White's true writing ability.
tartbarbie's review against another edition
4.0
I received Mind Games in return for an honest review from Harper via Edelweiss. The story focuses on two sisters who have lost both their parents and are now living in a school for girls with psychic powers. The girls are living at the school which is run by a corporation that uses the girls for espionage. Fia’s psychic power would be using her instincts she always knows what to do. Annie also has a psychic power that allows her to see visions of the future. They live in a world where the women are the only ones to develop psychic powers.
The girls know more than they are telling for fear of what will happen if their secret were to fall into the wrong hands. At the school Fia is trained to be an assassin even though she doesn’t want to be but she accepts it to protect her sister. The corporation that runs the school manipulates the girls into doing things they don’t want to just to protect their sister. When Annie receives a startling vision everything changes and the girls know that they need to get away.
I found the teenage espionage concept new and exciting. Mind Games is one of those books that draws you right from the start and I found hard to put down so I didn’t till I was done. It’s an intense story that kept me guessing throughout. The storyline for me flows along smoothly so I think if your into psychological thrills this book will be right up your ally. The author writes the story giving us prospective from each girl however I did notice a lot of flashbacks that could be seen as somewhat confusing. I also thought the book though short is loaded full of story building which was a little overwhelming. I’m not sure how I feel about Fia and Annie they each are unique girls I’m still on the fence about them. I look forward to checking out the next book in the series since we have a little cliffhanger. I enjoyed the story, loved the concept, I think the author did a fantastic job of telling an intense story.
The girls know more than they are telling for fear of what will happen if their secret were to fall into the wrong hands. At the school Fia is trained to be an assassin even though she doesn’t want to be but she accepts it to protect her sister. The corporation that runs the school manipulates the girls into doing things they don’t want to just to protect their sister. When Annie receives a startling vision everything changes and the girls know that they need to get away.
I found the teenage espionage concept new and exciting. Mind Games is one of those books that draws you right from the start and I found hard to put down so I didn’t till I was done. It’s an intense story that kept me guessing throughout. The storyline for me flows along smoothly so I think if your into psychological thrills this book will be right up your ally. The author writes the story giving us prospective from each girl however I did notice a lot of flashbacks that could be seen as somewhat confusing. I also thought the book though short is loaded full of story building which was a little overwhelming. I’m not sure how I feel about Fia and Annie they each are unique girls I’m still on the fence about them. I look forward to checking out the next book in the series since we have a little cliffhanger. I enjoyed the story, loved the concept, I think the author did a fantastic job of telling an intense story.
mariethelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Hm, this was a bit weird? Not sure what I think about it..? It was okay, but it lacked something.
kstring's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really know what to think of this book, so I'm giving it 3 stars for indecisive. I liked the writing style and the personality of the characters (most of the time). But, for the entire book, I was kind of lost. I couldn't figure out what the main plot line was and I couldn't figure out the characters--their motivations and thought processes. I was most definitely not a fan of the layout of the book: chapters from 2 different characters ranging from 10 years ago to present day, out of order. It was hard to keep everything straight in my head and by the time the end had rolled around, I couldn't really tell what was happening and I was just tired from trying to keep track of so much. I spent most of the book trying to figure out what the heck was even going on--and I was unsuccessful.
It's a short book, so for ambitious people with a bit of time on their hands, I might recommend this book as one that requires some brain power. I, myself, might read it later when I can be much more attentive and once I find a timeline somewhere to keep everything straight.
It's a short book, so for ambitious people with a bit of time on their hands, I might recommend this book as one that requires some brain power. I, myself, might read it later when I can be much more attentive and once I find a timeline somewhere to keep everything straight.
juliterario's review against another edition
3.0
¡Realmente moría por leer Juegos Mentales hace ya un tiempo! No sé, he leído una trilogía de la autora que realmente me fascinó y sin duda he probado con otros de sus libros, aunque ninguno me ha enganchado. Juegos Mentales realmente me tenía intrigada, así que sin duda quería ver qué tal. Lamentablemente, esta novela me decepcionó bastante :(
“Their smiles are lies. Most smiles are.”
RESEÑA PRÓXIMAMENTE EN EL BLOG.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
Mind Games is eerily creepy, mysterious and a little scary. I loved getting to know Fia, Annie and James!
Full review to come soon. This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Full review to come soon. This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews