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.
I received this ARC from the author via a contest. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Kiersten White's Mind Games is far different from her Paranormlacy trilogy. There's not much paranormal to this one. It has more to do with spies, espionage, assassinations and a school, of course!
There's quite a bit of mystery to this school as a whole and what they do with these young girls. They seem to find girls with talents, seeing the future, reading minds, reading thoughts...that kind of thing. And for some reason it is only girls. These girls are then sent out on missions. Missions to steal things, get information or kill people.
Annie and Fia are sisters and are our leading ladies. Annie is blind and has visions of things to come. Fia is the one who has to kill people and that kind of thing. Annie is purely a behind the scenes kind of girl. The school initially wanted Annie for her talent--although it was first said to be because she was blind and their school would be equipped to help her learn with the finest tools at her disposal. Fia was going along simply because she was her sister. Although, Fia soon learns the school has other plans in mind for her entirely.
The story is told by Fia and Annie from first person points of view. There are also their points of view that take place in the past. It made it a little confusing at times since we had their current points of view telling us what's going on now and then their flashbacks go as far back as their arrival at the school and moving forward to certain key events.
I will admit this made it a little confusing to read. Not overly so, but there were times I felt a little lost because it was like reading two stories for me at these times. Reading the past that tries to catch up to the present and then reading the present that keeps moving forward.
Fia's latest mission suddenly turns sour for some reason unbeknownst to her. The guy she is suppose to kill strikes a spark in her and she finds herself curious about this guy enough that she doesn't kill him. That's when the trouble starts when she runs into another group that may or may not be willing to do the job for her.
Kudos to Kiersten into bringing in dullsville St. Louis into the story! Was exciting to see that Fia had to go there for a trip towards the end!
It's hard to get into everything without giving it all away. The people Fia works for are dangerous, yet James--the big boss's son--is something of a crush for her. Yet she hates him too. Fia is a bit unstable, and I think it has to do with her working for this group for so many years now. There are times when she will repeat words three times--and I understood the reason for three, yet I guess I got a little lost on how she lost her mind so quickly and kept sinking further and further into despair. Yet again, at the same time, I kind of felt like I knew why, it was just the why behind that why, that got me confused. Confused yet?
I suppose books dealing with conspiracies and assassinations and overall "spy books" are meant to be confusing like this! It was still an entertaining read though! I enjoyed seeing Kiersten's new world! The ending to this one was a bit of a surprise and I am definitely curious to see where else Kiersten is going to take these new characters for all of them still pose a bit of mystery!
Overall rating 3.5/5 stars
Mind Games releases February 19, 2013
I agree with you that it was really confusing... and I hope all spy books arent as confusing as this! like you I didnt give it more than 4 stars.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to love this so much but I found it too confusing!
Great review hun!
I read this a few months ago and I've been waiting to read people's reviews. I can't say I loved Mind Games but by the end I got what White was trying to do and it all came together for me and I was hooked.
ReplyDeleteThat three tapping thing drove me nuts at first but like you said you end up understanding a lot of things....maybe to late for some readers.
I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series but I am interested in what happens with certain people :-)
I also won this book in a contest, but I have heard mixed things about it. I'm still looking forward to reading it, but maybe with a little bit lower expectations. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother great book I'm looking forward to read. Only wish it was a bit longer. Great review.
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