Review: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

My Rating: E, E, P

Published: 2010
Publisher: Ballantine Books (Spectra)

Author's Website: authorcarolyncrane.com

Purchase @ Amazon.co.uk Amazon.com

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 startling 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 litter of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outwards 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 wizadry, 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.

Mind Games is the debut novel, first in a trilogy, of up and coming author Carolyn Crane. Her first novel is nothing like anything I have read before. It’s original and full of zing.

The first time I read the synopsis of this book, I wasn’t entirely sure if I would be my kind of book. But in the end I gave in and bought the it and I got really excited about getting to read it and I must say I was not disappointed in the slightest.

I was constantly on edge reading this book. I never knew what was going to happen in this story and what Justine was going to do next. She isn’t a girl that gets pushed around easily. We see her go from a very severe hypochondriac to an all powerful zinging machine that helps reform the humans of Midcity that can’t be proved guilty in court. Justine has help in the form of her disillusionist team mates, Shelby, Carter, Simon and Packard. But zinging comes at a cost.

Shelby has this dry humour about her and I absolutely loved her character to the bone. Carter is like my male double, especially when he is driving a car. Simon is the dangerous one in the group, he doesn’t always follow the rules and makes his own boundaries. Packard is the leader of the disillusionists, he formed the group and decides the cases they take on.

My absolute favourite part of the book was the scene with the pool, which is a lot further in the book. This is the turning point in the book which will cause readers to really think about the story. I know I got confused from here on as I didn’t know who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. The line seems to be really thin. I also love all the interaction that Justine has with Shelby and Simon. Although I didn’t like Simon to begin with, but he sort of grew on me.

This book is an absolute mind blower and I would recommend this to everyone. Seriously, just try it, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. I wasn’t. I can’t wait for the next instalment in the series. I wonder what the disillusionists will get up to next.

Disclaimer: I bought this book with my own money and I am not paid to review this book in any way. Everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.