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ARC Book Review: Mind Games – Kiersten White

Mind Games
Author: Kiersten White
Series: Mind Games #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy, Thriller, Dystopia
Publisher: Harper Teen
My Rating:

Summary:

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.

 
First Sentence: My dress is black and itchy and I hate it.

My Review:

Sister assassins. As soon as I heard those two words, I just knew I had to get my hands on Mind Games – and who knew I would win an ARC? I’ve read Paranormalcy by Kiersten White in the past and didn’t like it much; I hated Evie with a passion. (Seriously Evie, a pink taser named Tasie? Ugh. ) Paranormalcy‘s plot was also too boring to capture my complete attention. I desperately hoped that Mind Games would be different – especially since it features sister assassins. What could go wrong with that?

Let me start my review with this: like Throne of Glass, Mind Games doesn’t have a lot of assassinating going on in the book. There were very few scenes of real action – there are mostly scenes of Fia doing small stuff like stealing and training, no actual assassinating. Maybe there would be more in the next book, although I doubt it.

Kiersten White tries to creatively write scenes from Fia’s point of view using creative techniques, but unlike Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, for Mind Games, it just doesn’t work. I can’t quote something from Mind Games because I only have an ARC of it, but it’s pretty much similar to Tahereh Mafi’s repeating words in Shatter Me – except Tahereh made it sound poetic while Mind Games, on the other hand, made it sound too awkward and too exaggerated.

The flashback scenes in Mind Games was useful in the beginning, but became quite tedious after the first half of the book. At first, the flashbacks described how Fia and Annie ended up in the situation they were in. After, the flashbacks just talked about things that was already mentioned in the previous flashbacks, but described in full detail. From then on, the flashback chapters in Mind Games just became tedious.

I couldn’t help it, but I hated Annie. When I found out she was the older sister instead of Fia who was always taking care of her, I was shocked. I have a little sister myself and I would do anything to protect her, not putting myself and what I want first. Fia suffered so much for her and Annie was continuously ignorant and happily blind to it. Annie kind of redeemed herself towards the end, but still, I can not get over the anger I feel towards her.

I can tell that the “shocking” ending of Mind Games was supposed to make me go like what the hell is this? and shake the book in horror, but no, that did not happen. It didn’t get any reaction out of me whatsoever then me thinking huh, well I guess that’s the end of the book. The ending was missing that surprise element – something that shocks you to your very core and makes you want to curl up into a ball and cry.

Overall, it is safe to say that I will read the sequel to Mind Games. It is far better than Paranormalcy in my opinion. (Ugh, I still can’t get over Evie’s childish personality.) Just a warning though: like Throne of Glass, don’t go into Mind Games expecting tons of assassinating to happen because they don’t.

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 2-13-13 · 24 Comments
Categories: 2013 book, book review Tagged: 3.5 star

« Waiting On Wednesday [18]
Let’s Speculate: Why Are There So Few Young Adult Books Told From A Male Point-of-View? »

Speak Your Mind

  1. kimberly says

    2-13-13 at 4:29 PM

    Sorry you didn’t really like this book. Like you I didn’t like the author’s Paranormalcy series, I couldn’t even read the sequal.
    And Because of that, I wasn’t sure if I was going to pick this book up. Now, I don’t think I will pick it up, unless someone gives it to me.
    Great review :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-14-13 at 3:26 PM

      I couldn’t stand Paranormalcy either and I avoid the sequel like it’s the flu.
      Yep, this book is definitely either a hit or miss for most people.
      Thanks! :D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [50]My Profile

      Reply
  2. Ashley says

    2-14-13 at 3:24 PM

    Good point about the lack of assassinating. I hate it when books are misleading like that! >:( And great comparison between Mind Games and Shatter Me. Shatter Me has lines and sentences that I constantly want to highlight because they’re poetic and they mean something.. but in Mind Games is just random babble that makes me want to throw rocks.

    Overall, great review! You touched on all the frustrating parts of the book! I hope we both like the second book more!

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-14-13 at 3:29 PM

      Most “assassin” books are misleading. They know a lot of people want to read books about assassinating, so that’s why they advertise it that way. D:
      Thanks! :D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [50]My Profile

      Reply
  3. Ashley Rogers says

    2-23-13 at 11:23 AM

    I heard about this book the other day. I was not really sure if I wanted to read this or not, but after your review I am willing to give it a shot. I am kind of down about the action scenes though. I like to read a book that has just enough action to draw you into the story. Thank you for your review. I hope I get my hands on this soon.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-14-13 at 3:31 PM

      Yeah, a book without any action is a disappointing boring book. D:
      I hope you’ll enjoy this one Ashley! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [50]My Profile

      Reply
  4. Starflowerz 17 says

    3-09-13 at 6:13 PM

    I really want to read this book. It sounds great, and I liked the book trailer. :) Thanks for the review! :D

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-14-13 at 3:32 PM

      The book trailer is awesome, but in my opinion, the book trailer also sounds and looks better than the actual book. o:
      No problem! ;D
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [50]My Profile

      Reply
  5. Ashfa says

    5-25-13 at 8:24 AM

    I wish this book could have been a bit longer. A bit disappointed the book didn’t live up to the hype. Shame the concept sounded so amazing.

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-13-13 at 5:52 PM

      Yeah, Kiersten White’s books are so short lately.
      And I wish I there was more assassinating in Mind Games. ):
      Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Always Get Your Signed Book Personalized?My Profile

      Reply
  6. Martina says

    6-13-13 at 2:28 PM

    I thought this was a fairly interesting read! Despite all of flaws, such as the strange writing which was hard to follow at some points (the constant stream of consciousness wasn’t written as well as Shatter Me) and the two point of views (Annie and Fia’s) that I had a hard time telling apart, there was something about it that drew me in. I really liked Fia, she was a bit whiny but I felt like it was justified. and I really liked how James was written, I think that really made the story for me. He was the main love interest throughout the story but he was hard to trust, I really don’t know if he loved Fia, maybe he thought he did but doesn’t really know what love is? It was definitely interesting to read, he reminded me a bit of Warner from Shatter Me though.

    I will definitely read the next book too but I am not expecting anything amazing :/

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      6-13-13 at 5:56 PM

      Yay, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who also noticed the similarities between Mind Games and Shatter Me! :D
      And yeah, James was such a conflicting character. I don’t know whether to trust him or not. He is definitely a Warner #2.
      Yeah. :l
      Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Always Get Your Signed Book Personalized?My Profile

      Reply
  7. Stephanie @ Love.Life.Read says

    7-07-13 at 5:35 PM

    interesting comparison to Shatter Me–I have that on my TBR list so it will be interesting to read it now with this review in mind. Happy Reading!
    Stephanie @ Love.Life.Read recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Final Day!! Participation PostMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-07-13 at 6:58 PM

      Just don’t expect anything close to Shatter Me when it comes to the writing Stephanie. Mind Games’ writing pales in comparsion. :l
      Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 7 – Alma MaterMy Profile

      Reply
  8. Cali W. says

    7-09-13 at 2:21 PM

    Great review! I liked this book and I liked her Paranormalcy series too. Fia is my favorite character in this book. <3

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      7-10-13 at 4:31 PM

      Thank you! :D
      I can’t choose between Annie and Fia. I like them both equally really. :P
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila SalesMy Profile

      Reply
  9. Maida @ Literary Love Affair says

    8-15-13 at 5:55 PM

    I have heard so many great things about this one! I love the concept for this and the characters sound fantastic! I’m glad you enjoyed this! Great review! :D

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 
    Maida @ Literary Love Affair recently posted…Cover Reveal: Trust In Me by J. Lynn + GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-14-13 at 3:34 PM

      I hope you’ll enjoy this one too once you get into reading it Maida! :D
      Thank you! (:
      Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [50]My Profile

      Reply
  10. Zara says

    9-28-13 at 11:07 AM

    I actually ever intend to read this book,all the new YA books for turning to be utter crap and so from that perspective I loved it.Its true that the ending was not as good or suspenseful as expected,this is actually exactly how i feel about this book though i do like it a little bit more :)

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      9-28-13 at 11:50 AM

      Ha ha, that’s a harsh way to put it Zara, but on the other hand, also kind of true. ;D
      Hopefully the ending of Perfect Lies would be different and a bit better than Mind Games. :P
      Kelly recently posted…First Year Blogoversary + Three Giveaways!My Profile

      Reply
  11. sarah c. says

    10-06-13 at 6:41 PM

    great review!!! i enjoyed reading Mind Games myself and cant wait to read the next one to see how that one goes..

    Reply
    • Kelly says

      10-06-13 at 6:52 PM

      Thanks Sarah! (:
      Perfect Lies is releasing soon right? :D
      Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Wild Cards – Simone ElkelesMy Profile

      Reply
  12. HIllary R. says

    10-19-13 at 12:39 PM

    Even after reading the first book of Kiersten’s other series, the Paranormalcy series, I knew she was going to go on write even more great things. I may not be the biggest fan but I am a fan of her work and I know that if I don’t read Mind Games any time soon I will be so disappointed with myself soon. I also like that you gave it a good rating :)

    Reply
  13. Jaime Lester says

    12-30-13 at 9:29 PM

    Awww… I’m sorry you didn’t like this one. I really enjoyed it. I didn’t like Annie but Fia was a pretty great. I am looking forward to reading the second book. I hope I like it as much as the first one!

    Reply

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