Mind Games

Carolyn Crane has taken people who should be on the psych ward and turned them into covert operatives to evoke laughs, suspense, sexy romance and drama. This is the most original story I have read in recent years. The plotting is well done and the prose way above the norm for Urban Fantasy. Cudos to Ms. Crane.

I'm a fan of vampire & werewolf books, but I wanted to change things up a little bit. I'm trying to broaden my horizons, so to speak. I've seen this book come up on quite a few blog sites that I visit, so I thought I would give it a chance. It's been sitting on my Kindle for a while, but I kept passing over it. Well imagine my surprise when I started reading it! I couldn't put it down. I loved the premise of this story, it was really different, but it worked. I've never been a fan of UF, but this story has changed my mind. I can't wait for the 2nd book. I may try out some other UF books now. Anyone have any suggestions? :)

That was my reaction to bizarre premise of this book. I'll admit to buying and reading is a little bit out of curiousity....and i loved every minute of it! Justine jones, whose life is consumed by health fears, makes a bargain with this shady mutant hero Packard-he'll teach her to "project" her fears outward-on supposed criminals, helping his band of misfits destabilize them-and she'll be free and normal. Think emotional projection on steriods. It turns out that Justine's bargain is more Faustian than she'd like, so she has to come to terms with that, and a lot of other hard truths as this twisted plot unwinds in startling ways. Meanwhile, all around, high capacity mutants (aka highcaps) are bringing Midcity to its knees. She strives to do the right thing, even though it's not always obvious what that is. And just when you think you understand the world and its operations, entire new dimensions appear. Psychological drama up the wazoo. My only problem is I thought the romance could've been fleshed out more between Packard (who i love) and justine-but thats minor. Toward the end, their stage time just crackles. Give me more!! I also enjoyed the 'band of misfits fighting crime' parts, especially Justine's best friend, Shelby-a Russian girl whose "power" is a depressing outlook on life, and Carter, the rage-a-holic. Though some reviews have complained about the ending, i thoutht it made perfect character logic. Also, i just loved the way it completed the episode, but a larger darker arc is looming. I say, bring on Double Cross, the second installment. I'm looking for this love triangle to BLOW UP! I am looking forward to Packard kicking some serious ass.

Plot Summary: Justine Jones is not your average hypochondriac. During her childhood Justine's mother died of a rare brain aneurysm, and now every prick and tingle in her head can trigger an anxiety attack. Justine is so tired of sleepless nights, ruined relationships, and visits to the ER, that when a charismatic stranger offers her a cure, she listens. Packard can train Justine to siphon off her fear, and to do it in a way that weaponizes her worst weakness. After one zing she's addicted to feeling `normal,' and Justine joins the most unconventional crime fighting team in history. Carolyn Crane's debut novel is a brilliant original in every way. Just when I think that urban fantasy heroines are becoming too clichéd and predictable, Mind Games blows me out of the water with its unique premise. Justine does not wield a katana, or ride a Harley, or kick like a ninja. Instead she fights with her mind, and speaking as a nerd myself, I find that concept oh so sexy. If I have a fear for Mind Games, it's that someone will try to describe too much and blow the suspense on one of the best love triangles I've encountered. I want readers to experience it just like I did - without a single clue. Ms. Crane has a lot of surprises in store, and during the last 100 pages I honestly couldn't predict how it would end. As you can imagine, I also couldn't put it down. Mind Games is one of those rare books that takes the best elements from urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and combines them into one package. It's my favorite kind of read, because above all else I like to see a strong romance in an urban fantasy. Add to that some sensual sex scenes that had me asking, is it warm in here?, and I was in reading heaven. Mind Games took me on the kind of journey I'm always hoping to find, but so seldom do. On Carolyn Crane's website it says that Mind Games is the first book of The Disillusionists Trilogy. Like the Doublemint gum jingle I think that's double our fun, because 1) there will be more books, and 2) I have a particular fondness for trilogies.