allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
1.0
Interesting concept, painfully bad writing. Cliché after cliché just drowned any mojo the premise had going for it. I'm normally very forgiving of my heroines, but I wanted to be on the other side of the world from Justine, that's how much I couldn't stand her.
malus23's review
2.0
Extremely heavy foreshadowing, hopelessly clueless mc, and a lot of suspiciously convenient people and things. Interesting base concept, but the whole thing felt a little overwrought.
meganharnett's review against another edition
5.0
This book kind of started off slow and was confusing in the beginning. I almost gave up on it but then the story got better and started to move along. Turned out to be a great story. I loved it!
janejellyroll's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Mind Games
4 Stars
A chance encounter with a mysterious man leads Justine Jones, a hardcore hypochondriac convinced that she will drop dead at any moment, to a secret world of undercover operatives who utilize their neuroses to reboot criminals and lessen the impact of their emotional problems. While Justine is eager at first, she soon learns that there is more to the enigmatic Sterling Packard and his motley crew than meets the eye and that she may just have jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire...
A surprisingly entertaining read.
Justine’s health obsession has the potential for being exceedingly irritating. However, as it turns out her extreme hypochondria and over the top reactions actually leads to numerous laugh out loud moments and makes her character all the more endearing.
The world building is very compelling although it takes time for the reader to come to terms with the idea that people’s neuroses can be used as weapons. Moreover, the concept of rebooting criminals raises some interesting ethical questions. On the one hand, the “punishment fits the crime” scenario is very appealing, but on the other, it suggests that evil can be redeemed by forcing perpetrators to accept responsibility. This is troublesome as the remorse is manufactured rather than real.
The secondary characters are a highlight of the book. Packard’s crew of disillusionists provide a real sense of family and belonging to Justine and there are also several potential love interests ranging from Cubby, Justine’s sweet yet rather clueless boyfriend, to Packard who has the whole dark, brooding and tortured thing going for him, and finally Otto, the police chief who is more than a little strange, smarmy and creepy. I guess its obvious who I’m rooting for …
On a final note, Rebecca Wisocky’s narration is perfect. Her voices for the various characters are both charming and funny, and Shelby’s Russian accent is particularly amusing.
All in all, Mind Games ended up being far more enjoyable than expected and I look forward to continuing with the series.
4 Stars
A chance encounter with a mysterious man leads Justine Jones, a hardcore hypochondriac convinced that she will drop dead at any moment, to a secret world of undercover operatives who utilize their neuroses to reboot criminals and lessen the impact of their emotional problems. While Justine is eager at first, she soon learns that there is more to the enigmatic Sterling Packard and his motley crew than meets the eye and that she may just have jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire...
A surprisingly entertaining read.
Justine’s health obsession has the potential for being exceedingly irritating. However, as it turns out her extreme hypochondria and over the top reactions actually leads to numerous laugh out loud moments and makes her character all the more endearing.
The world building is very compelling although it takes time for the reader to come to terms with the idea that people’s neuroses can be used as weapons. Moreover, the concept of rebooting criminals raises some interesting ethical questions. On the one hand, the “punishment fits the crime” scenario is very appealing, but on the other, it suggests that evil can be redeemed by forcing perpetrators to accept responsibility. This is troublesome as the remorse is manufactured rather than real.
The secondary characters are a highlight of the book. Packard’s crew of disillusionists provide a real sense of family and belonging to Justine and there are also several potential love interests ranging from Cubby, Justine’s sweet yet rather clueless boyfriend, to Packard who has the whole dark, brooding and tortured thing going for him, and finally Otto, the police chief who is more than a little strange, smarmy and creepy. I guess its obvious who I’m rooting for …
On a final note, Rebecca Wisocky’s narration is perfect. Her voices for the various characters are both charming and funny, and Shelby’s Russian accent is particularly amusing.
All in all, Mind Games ended up being far more enjoyable than expected and I look forward to continuing with the series.
ssung's review against another edition
4.0
this was amazingly original and pretty damn entertaining
if i had to knock off any points for anything, it's the part where i spat out all the water i was drinking when i got to the phrase 'cucumbery'. god help me. i know, yes, but at the same time... no. just no.
if i had to knock off any points for anything, it's the part where i spat out all the water i was drinking when i got to the phrase 'cucumbery'. god help me. i know, yes, but at the same time... no. just no.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
It took me a few chapters to warm up to this book because the magic system, if you could call it that, was so strange yet rooted well enough in reality that I was skeptical things could happen that way. Eventually, I threw my cynicism out the window and enjoyed the ride.
Justine Jones is a hypochondriac who learns to channel her fears into other people. Really. That's her super power. She joins a group of superfriends complete with a criminal mastermind that plans all their victim's demises.
The plot's engaging. The characters are funny and snarky. The book pokes fun of itself. The big reveal was somewhat predictable but still sort of surprised me just how it came together. The ending left me craving more, yet mainly satisfied.
There were mentions of naughty bits and a handful of steamy scenes which makes me want to categorize this as Paranormal Romance, but I think the non-romance plot is the main point, so I didn't. Oh yes, and the word cucumbery was used in one of the steamy scenes. I cringe just thinking back to that. Vocabulary, people.
Some highlights from the book:
Shelby asks, "Could Packard have had another nemesis?" Rickie stares at her like she's nuts. "I think you only get one. Isn't there a rule like that somewhere?"
"We're like reverse emotional vampires."
It took me a few chapters to warm up to this book because the magic system, if you could call it that, was so strange yet rooted well enough in reality that I was skeptical things could happen that way. Eventually, I threw my cynicism out the window and enjoyed the ride.
Justine Jones is a hypochondriac who learns to channel her fears into other people. Really. That's her super power. She joins a group of superfriends complete with a criminal mastermind that plans all their victim's demises.
The plot's engaging. The characters are funny and snarky. The book pokes fun of itself. The big reveal was somewhat predictable but still sort of surprised me just how it came together. The ending left me craving more, yet mainly satisfied.
There were mentions of naughty bits and a handful of steamy scenes which makes me want to categorize this as Paranormal Romance, but I think the non-romance plot is the main point, so I didn't. Oh yes, and the word cucumbery was used in one of the steamy scenes. I cringe just thinking back to that. Vocabulary, people.
Some highlights from the book:
Shelby asks, "Could Packard have had another nemesis?" Rickie stares at her like she's nuts. "I think you only get one. Isn't there a rule like that somewhere?"
"We're like reverse emotional vampires."
kaelyndawnyea's review against another edition
3.0
I'm realizing now that I CANNOT STAND an idiotically written heroine. #triedtocanbuticant
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
What I Loved: I never knew what was coming! It was truly like being on a roller coaster without knowing which way you are zig zagging. The last 15 chapters were fantastic and very well written!
What I Liked: I really liked the interactions between all the characters. I felt that Justine's journey was both real and well paced. I never felt like I was missing part of the story even though there was a lot going on.
What I thought was So-So/Didn't Like: Not a darn thing. It delivered from start to finish. If I can make a request: MORE SIMON!
Why I gave it a 4: This is one of those books that was almost a 5 for me. I think the only reason I held back were Packard and Cuddy. I won't say what 2 scenes because of spoilers but that was just a personal thing.
Who I would recommend this too: PNR, UF, and Mystery/Thriller readers who don't mind a little suspension of reality
Author Website: http://authorcarolyncrane.com/
What I Liked: I really liked the interactions between all the characters. I felt that Justine's journey was both real and well paced. I never felt like I was missing part of the story even though there was a lot going on.
What I thought was So-So/Didn't Like: Not a darn thing. It delivered from start to finish. If I can make a request: MORE SIMON!
Why I gave it a 4: This is one of those books that was almost a 5 for me. I think the only reason I held back were Packard and Cuddy. I won't say what 2 scenes because of spoilers but that was just a personal thing.
Who I would recommend this too: PNR, UF, and Mystery/Thriller readers who don't mind a little suspension of reality
Author Website: http://authorcarolyncrane.com/
mrose21's review
4.0
This book knocked me a little. Its a pretty intense book not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't that.
Ok so, this book is good. The mental stuff is pretty intense but the story line is there for the most part to pull it off.
I was enthralled in this book pretty quick even though the beginning is a little slow to start, although I wasn't sure if it was just because I cringe so much at her thinking shes sick.
I almost, almost feel sorry for Cubby but I heard or rather read 'sales' and went nope. nope. Although that's my personal stereotype of sales people...
Ok so, this book is good. The mental stuff is pretty intense but the story line is there for the most part to pull it off.
I was enthralled in this book pretty quick even though the beginning is a little slow to start, although I wasn't sure if it was just because I cringe so much at her thinking shes sick.
I almost, almost feel sorry for Cubby but I heard or rather read 'sales' and went nope. nope. Although that's my personal stereotype of sales people...