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Thursday, September 09, 2010

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

mindgames JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.
Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.
Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.

In Midcity nothing is what it seems. In a world where some humans, called Highcap, have DNA mutations allowing them to have powerful abilities such has telekinesis, dream invasion and more, Justine is fighting her very down-to-earth hypochondria issues, craving for a normal life. The answer to her madness comes in the package of an handsome and mysterious man offering her some redemption but the price to pay might be higher than Mrs. Jones expected. She finds herself enrolled in a crew of misfits fighting crime in a rather original fashion and her life is now more complicated than it ever was.

I really loved Mind Games and I think it’s unique flavor and originality has a lot to do with that. This book felt like a breath of fresh air in a literature full of vampires, werewolves, angels & demons, not that I don’t like those (Trust me I do!) but it’s always nice to tumble into something so out of the box. Crane built a very special world where one’s neurosis can be turned into a weapon: they are called Disillusionist.

I really appreciated all the characters mostly because they were all multilayered and had very different personalities. Justine is indeed very unique, battling the whole time with her conscience and her desire to be free of her condition. Fighting hard to try and do the right thing, but life isn’t all black and white and her quest won’t be trouble free. She is smart and even though she is stuck between a rock and a hard place, she does her best to stay on top of her game.

I have to confess I found out who “the bad guy” was very early in the story, but the end still took a surprising twist for me. Of all the possibilities, I hadn’t thought of that one and I truly can’t wait to discover the consequence in the second book, Double Cross. And happily for me, it releases in just over 2 weeks, yay!

If you are looking some something new in the Urban Fantasy genre, I strongly suggest you give Mind Games a shot. It’s clever heroine and original set up will win you over!

Read an Excerpt

 

The Disillusionist series:

Mind GamesThe Book Depository

Double Cross

 

Book Stats:

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Spectra; Original edition (March 23, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0553592610
  • ISBN-13: 978-0553592610
  • Book Source: Personal Shelf

    Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

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    6 People left their mark' :

    1. Nice review - I loved this book, only two weeks left? Seems like forever, LOL :)

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    2. This is a fantastic book! It was nice to read a different spin on the genre. Double Cross will be great!

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    3. I love how organized and insightful your reviews always are! Haven't heard of this one yet, but it sounds really good. Thanks for sharing! =)

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    4. This sounds like an interesting series! It is nice to hear of something, as you said, that is a bit of fresh air and is unique! Great review!

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    5. I haven't heard of this until now. What a great review. Thanks. I'll look into adding it to my growing pile of books to be read. :)
      Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

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    6. I've been wanting to read this forever! I've heard great things about it. And she seems like a unique heroine.

      I bought the book for my mom so I'm waiting for her to finish it so I can borrow it! I'll have to start pestering her to finish it! ;)

      via CEP

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