The unique premise devolves rather quickly into a predictable, familiar story: teen girl with special powers finds herself persecuted and hunted by the government for mysterious reasons. I gave it 3 stars because I finished it without being completely annoyed, but there's nothing new here and there are plenty of YA books telling this story with more interesting characters, in-depth settings and original plot twists.
In this vision of our future, humans have developed the ability to share their thoughts telepathically. However, every now and then a child is born that does not have this capability; they can neither read someone elses thoughts, the collective thoughts of the group nor can anyone read their thoughts. They are known as zeroes, and are ostracized and distrusted by the rest of humanity.
Sixteen-year-old Kira has not yet undergone the change that brings the mindreading ability like her friends and is already feeling the shame and humiliation of being different from everyone else. Her anxiety that she may never change is abruptly exchanged for fright when she discovers that she has other, more powerful abilities. Rather that changing into a reader, Kira has developed into a mind-jacker, and can control the thoughts and actions of the mere readers. However, jackers are considered a danger by the government and when discovered are rounded up for imprisonment and study.
The author has created a fabulous story of being different and not fitting in with the crowd at school. Her depictions of the simple day-to-day realities, the rejections and humiliations, Kiras thoughts and feelings were dead on. She skillfully builds in how Kiras relationships with her friends were before and after their own changes, and gives Kira at least one true-blue friend, Raf, who stays by her side no matter what.
The story has action and mystery, villains and heroes, family and young love. It is a fast-paced, young adult story that keeps you wondering where it is going to go next.
This is the first book in the Mindjack Trilogy.
Sixteen-year-old Kira has not yet undergone the change that brings the mindreading ability like her friends and is already feeling the shame and humiliation of being different from everyone else. Her anxiety that she may never change is abruptly exchanged for fright when she discovers that she has other, more powerful abilities. Rather that changing into a reader, Kira has developed into a mind-jacker, and can control the thoughts and actions of the mere readers. However, jackers are considered a danger by the government and when discovered are rounded up for imprisonment and study.
The author has created a fabulous story of being different and not fitting in with the crowd at school. Her depictions of the simple day-to-day realities, the rejections and humiliations, Kiras thoughts and feelings were dead on. She skillfully builds in how Kiras relationships with her friends were before and after their own changes, and gives Kira at least one true-blue friend, Raf, who stays by her side no matter what.
The story has action and mystery, villains and heroes, family and young love. It is a fast-paced, young adult story that keeps you wondering where it is going to go next.
This is the first book in the Mindjack Trilogy.
For some reason, this year, I've read more YA books than ever before. Why? I'm not real sure but I've sure not been disappointed. One of my top reads so far this year was Open Minds. I had agreed to do an announcement post for the Closed Hearts launch and thought I'd get a copy of the first book in the trilogy as once reading the blurb this sounded like one I'd enjoy. As the print copy was a little pricey at $13 (two paperbacks for me), I thought I'd get the Kindle addition for $3. Best $3
I ever spent. This story sucked me in so fast it made my head spin and despite a weekend that was very hectic, I pretty much finished it in two days.
Kira's belief that she was a "zero", a person who could not read minds, led her to have a very lonely life, both at home and at school. And unfortunately, high school life in the future still sucks for those students that are thought of as "different". At puberty, most people acquired the ability to read minds. But not only was Kira not a zero, she learned that she could mind jack (control their thoughts and actions). To her way of thinking, as she had never heard of this, this was even worse than being a "zero".
She encounters a boy in school who is also a jacker and he attempts to help her control this ability and she quickly learns how to make other people believe that she can now read minds. Unfortunately, this friend isn't as much a friend as he portrays. Talk about out of the frying pan into the fire! As all Kira has ever wanted to be was normal, she's not very happy when she discovers that her friend has been lying to her the whole time and soon she is fighting for her very life.
I loved the world building in this book which is second only to the wonderful characterizations by Quinn. The story is very well paced and
the only thing that I hated was that it ended. Not a problem though as I immediately went to Amazon and got the next book, Open Minds, which started out with a bang. I only stopped reading it as I had to get this review done before tonight.
You definitely won't be wasting your money whether you get the Kindle or the print copy of this book. Just be prepared for the ride of your life. If I hadn't been reading this on my Kindle, I'd have left nail prints in my copy as I felt like I was barreling down an icy coated road in a car with no brakes. I could barely get my hands to unclench the steering wheel (Kindle) as I read this amazing story. This is one that I would definitely recommend to teens and adults who enjoy Dystopian YA fiction, sci-fi or suspense. I can't believe this was a self published book! Boy, somebody at a major publishing house sure missed the boat on this one. I can so see this feisty character and story as a blockbuster movie. Katness better watch her butt as Kira is the new kickass kid on the block.
I ever spent. This story sucked me in so fast it made my head spin and despite a weekend that was very hectic, I pretty much finished it in two days.
Kira's belief that she was a "zero", a person who could not read minds, led her to have a very lonely life, both at home and at school. And unfortunately, high school life in the future still sucks for those students that are thought of as "different". At puberty, most people acquired the ability to read minds. But not only was Kira not a zero, she learned that she could mind jack (control their thoughts and actions). To her way of thinking, as she had never heard of this, this was even worse than being a "zero".
She encounters a boy in school who is also a jacker and he attempts to help her control this ability and she quickly learns how to make other people believe that she can now read minds. Unfortunately, this friend isn't as much a friend as he portrays. Talk about out of the frying pan into the fire! As all Kira has ever wanted to be was normal, she's not very happy when she discovers that her friend has been lying to her the whole time and soon she is fighting for her very life.
I loved the world building in this book which is second only to the wonderful characterizations by Quinn. The story is very well paced and
the only thing that I hated was that it ended. Not a problem though as I immediately went to Amazon and got the next book, Open Minds, which started out with a bang. I only stopped reading it as I had to get this review done before tonight.
You definitely won't be wasting your money whether you get the Kindle or the print copy of this book. Just be prepared for the ride of your life. If I hadn't been reading this on my Kindle, I'd have left nail prints in my copy as I felt like I was barreling down an icy coated road in a car with no brakes. I could barely get my hands to unclench the steering wheel (Kindle) as I read this amazing story. This is one that I would definitely recommend to teens and adults who enjoy Dystopian YA fiction, sci-fi or suspense. I can't believe this was a self published book! Boy, somebody at a major publishing house sure missed the boat on this one. I can so see this feisty character and story as a blockbuster movie. Katness better watch her butt as Kira is the new kickass kid on the block.
Nice easy read. Good characters and story-line.
