amarylissw's review
5.0
4.5 stars. I liked this a lot more than I thought I would.
So, characters first.
We're treated to a fresh new protagonist -- one who, at first, seems quite ruthless in her driven attempts to succeed. However, at the story progressed, while I did like Sadie's observations of things, her progression from "analytical and serious" to "passionate and loving" seemed more contrived. She falls in love with Ford, but other than a few snapshots of her seeing his kindness, passion, and ability to construct beauty, there's not really a reason why. Honestly, if I were in his head, I would feel a bit weird -- a bit too close to my "subject." I would've liked to see a bit more progression as to when her feelings changed from friendly to liking to loving.
Our other main character, Ford, is wonderful. We're warned from the beginning that he could have criminal aspects to him -- and Sadie knows what she's getting into. But even so, Jaffe has managed to create such a brilliant character full of depth and passion. Since we narrators: Sadie and Ford. It was such an incredible take on it that I was fully intrigued the whole time.
There were several other characters, too, that were interesting and sometimes even likeable in their own way.
(As a negative, though, it seemed to me that some of the characters should've been left out. Like Sadie's boyfriend.)
As for plot, the book was a bit slow at first, but once you get into Ford's mind -- that part blew me away. Jaffe's writing and perception of the mind is incredible. The ending itself seemed a bit hurried and maybe even a bit confusing, but as the gaps were filled, plotlines resolved, I had to shake my head in wonder as I remembered all those little hints Jaffe had given us in the story that finally led to the ending. Very well plotted.
But I do wish that
I wish we'd had a bit more in the setting. Clearly, we have some awesome technology that allows us to see inside others' minds. But what other technological advances have we made? The book doesn't really go into that. No new modes of transportation or work stuff or anything. However, this doesn't bother me that much, as I'm too involved in the plot.
As mentioned above, Jaffe's writing is great. Especially the descriptions of the mind. So original and refreshing.
So, overall, well-developed characters, a plot that won't let you go, and such a unique concept -- I loved this book.
So, characters first.
We're treated to a fresh new protagonist -- one who, at first, seems quite ruthless in her driven attempts to succeed. However, at the story progressed, while I did like Sadie's observations of things, her progression from "analytical and serious" to "passionate and loving" seemed more contrived. She falls in love with Ford, but other than a few snapshots of her seeing his kindness, passion, and ability to construct beauty, there's not really a reason why. Honestly, if I were in his head, I would feel a bit weird -- a bit too close to my "subject." I would've liked to see a bit more progression as to when her feelings changed from friendly to liking to loving.
Our other main character, Ford, is wonderful. We're warned from the beginning that he could have criminal aspects to him -- and Sadie knows what she's getting into. But even so, Jaffe has managed to create such a brilliant character full of depth and passion. Since we narrators: Sadie and Ford. It was such an incredible take on it that I was fully intrigued the whole time.
There were several other characters, too, that were interesting and sometimes even likeable in their own way.
(As a negative, though, it seemed to me that some of the characters should've been left out. Like Sadie's boyfriend.)
As for plot, the book was a bit slow at first, but once you get into Ford's mind -- that part blew me away. Jaffe's writing and perception of the mind is incredible. The ending itself seemed a bit hurried and maybe even a bit confusing, but as the gaps were filled, plotlines resolved, I had to shake my head in wonder as I remembered all those little hints Jaffe had given us in the story that finally led to the ending. Very well plotted.
But I do wish that
Spoiler
it was explained more how Ford began to accept Sadie (and maybe even start liking her?). I mean, one minute, when she was in his head, he was threatening to do all sorts of things to get her out. Then, she saves his life (granted), and he's suddenly is fine with her. He even says he wants to see her. Yeah, I didn't really get the sudden change.I wish we'd had a bit more in the setting. Clearly, we have some awesome technology that allows us to see inside others' minds. But what other technological advances have we made? The book doesn't really go into that. No new modes of transportation or work stuff or anything. However, this doesn't bother me that much, as I'm too involved in the plot.
As mentioned above, Jaffe's writing is great. Especially the descriptions of the mind. So original and refreshing.
So, overall, well-developed characters, a plot that won't let you go, and such a unique concept -- I loved this book.
sc104906's review
4.0
In the near future, a scientific business has interns shadow people from inside their minds, to help better their lives. The Mind Corp professional is able to see and know everything about the person they are observing, even their innermost thoughts. At first, Sadie judges Ford, the person she is observing. He is everything that she believes that she is better than. However, as the assignment continues, Sadie begins to develop her connection to Ford. Foul play is rampant in Ford's life and Sadie must whether she will do what is right or what is expected.
I really hope that there is a sequel to this novel! It took some time to get into the novel, but once I was there I was totally hooked.
I really hope that there is a sequel to this novel! It took some time to get into the novel, but once I was there I was totally hooked.
gregisdead121_'s review
2.0
I had read this book back in 2016/17 and it had blown me away. What seemed, on the surface like a sci-fi YA
romance dystopia was actually a powerful,funny and intelligent exploration of violence, class,exploitation and consent.
In a future where a technology known as Syncopy allows for someone's consciousness to be observed by an innocuous passenger we are drawn into a vivid probe of nature VS. Nurture to admittedly predictable results. The premise allows for a fresh and creative angle when telling the story where unfiltered thoughts coincide alongside the characters actions.
This book is held back by it's choice to make it's characters so young. It would have been a richer and genuinely stronger story had they been adults as some of the autonomy they display is culturally uncharacteristic. In addition it neglects it's supposed protagonist, fleshing out they surveiled secondary charater, Ford. Sadie is merely a one dimensional plot device for the reader to process Ford through.
Overall Minders is an ambitious, enjoyable and smart cautionary Sci fi with a lot of heart but not enough grit.
romance dystopia was actually a powerful,funny and intelligent exploration of violence, class,exploitation and consent.
In a future where a technology known as Syncopy allows for someone's consciousness to be observed by an innocuous passenger we are drawn into a vivid probe of nature VS. Nurture to admittedly predictable results. The premise allows for a fresh and creative angle when telling the story where unfiltered thoughts coincide alongside the characters actions.
This book is held back by it's choice to make it's characters so young. It would have been a richer and genuinely stronger story had they been adults as some of the autonomy they display is culturally uncharacteristic. In addition it neglects it's supposed protagonist, fleshing out they surveiled secondary charater, Ford. Sadie is merely a one dimensional plot device for the reader to process Ford through.
Overall Minders is an ambitious, enjoyable and smart cautionary Sci fi with a lot of heart but not enough grit.
dandelionking's review
1.0
First of all, this book was well written. Its style, pace, plot, and characters were absolutely perfect and I'm tempted to rate this book five stars alone for those points.
But I cannot.
I'm a older teen. I'm not a older man that's disconnected from young adults lives by many years. I'm still in the middle of my Young Adult years. And I dislike reading "hate" comments on Goodreads and I'm doing my best not to make one. The sexual themes and explicit situations forced me to stop reading this book three quarters of the way through. If this book could be rated like a movie - it would be rated R: For Sexuality alone. I'm shocked that this book was recommended for 12 year old children. We wonder why our Western society is falling apart when we have books that are molesting the minds of the children around us.
Though this story has its merit, its good characters, interesting mystery, cool imagery, and intense action, and unique love story, I cannot recommend this book to anyone. I do really admire Michele Jaffe's hard work to make this book believable and enjoyable but unfortunately in one respect she missed the mark entirely.
But I cannot.
I'm a older teen. I'm not a older man that's disconnected from young adults lives by many years. I'm still in the middle of my Young Adult years. And I dislike reading "hate" comments on Goodreads and I'm doing my best not to make one. The sexual themes and explicit situations forced me to stop reading this book three quarters of the way through. If this book could be rated like a movie - it would be rated R: For Sexuality alone. I'm shocked that this book was recommended for 12 year old children. We wonder why our Western society is falling apart when we have books that are molesting the minds of the children around us.
Though this story has its merit, its good characters, interesting mystery, cool imagery, and intense action, and unique love story, I cannot recommend this book to anyone. I do really admire Michele Jaffe's hard work to make this book believable and enjoyable but unfortunately in one respect she missed the mark entirely.
toystory242's review
4.0
This was so much better than I expected!
The world wasn't ours, but it didn't seem futuristic either, and it was super believable and really well built. I loved the writing style, and the way the book was set up was just so INTERESTING.
I loved all the characters; they were all just so realistic and true to themselves. I also liked how the romance was there but not a big portion of the book; actually, even though it's portrayed as a romance, it's more of a mystery, which was awesome and not what I was expecting!
Overall, I really liked this book, and I was happy with the ending. :)
The world wasn't ours, but it didn't seem futuristic either, and it was super believable and really well built. I loved the writing style, and the way the book was set up was just so INTERESTING.
I loved all the characters; they were all just so realistic and true to themselves. I also liked how the romance was there but not a big portion of the book; actually, even though it's portrayed as a romance, it's more of a mystery, which was awesome and not what I was expecting!
Overall, I really liked this book, and I was happy with the ending. :)
kickpleat's review
3.0
This book seemed to take forever for me to get through. I liked the first couple chapters but as soon as the story dipped into the mind of the other character, I lost some interest, though I did manage to find something in the book to keep on reading. S'okay. 2.5 stars.
sarahfischer's review
4.0
Pretty good! A little sci-fi, a little romance, it surprised me with the writing and how much I enjoyed it.
zoesnicholson's review
3.0
There are some books that simply scream out at you to read them. Whether with their gorgeous covers or intriguing summaries, these are the books that you can't live without reading. To me, Minders by Michele Jaffe was one of those books. From the moment I read the synopsis, I was absolutely hooked.
Minders is set in the future where scientists have created a way for people to observe the minds of others. Our protagonist, Sadie, has just been offered to spend six weeks inside the head of a troubled boy named Ford; and, without much thought, she agrees. But while inside his mind, he commits a horrible crime - and gets away with it. Sadie is stuck with a dilemma: should she turn him in or not?
While the plot was certainly the best part of the story, and what drew me in originally, there were times I felt that some parts of the story were a bit unnecessary. There was a huge "evil corporation" subplot that I felt the book would have done better without as it didn't add much to the development of the plot or the characters and made the pacing significantly slower.
As for the character of Sadie herself, I started out the story rather liking her. She is driven and intelligent, and she knows what she wants and how to get it. However, in the middle of the story, while in Ford's mind, she begins to fall in love with him, and that's where I got a bit annoyed. Gone was the determined and driven young lady I enjoyed; replaced by someone lovesick and a bit annoying.
While certainly original and groundbreaking, it seemed that Michele Jaffe just tried to tackle a little too much with this novel with the multitude of unnecessary subplots.