Publishers Weekly
Two narrators, a kaleidoscope of time snippets, the distortions of lies, memories, and precognition—White’s paranormal thriller is a tour de force of perspective and unreliability. Fia, 17, and her blind older sister, Annie, barely remember a time when they were not pawns of Keane, a shadowy man running an equally shadowy organization/boarding school (of sorts) for empaths, psychics, mind readers, and the like. The sisters’ talents will be nurtured and Annie kept alive, so long as Fia does as she is told, using her preternaturally perfect instincts. An assignment to kill Adam, a teenage research prodigy, throws Fia’s already tumultuous existence into further flux, testing her loyalty to her sister and those around her. The combination of supernatural abilities, clandestine organizations, sharply witty dialogue, and a supremely skilled heroine will be familiar to readers of White’s Paranormalcy books, but this story is very much its own, due in large part to Fia’s unpredictability, both as character and protégé (to the endless frustration of the higher-ups at Keane). A sequel is likely and would be welcome. Ages 12–up. Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary Agency. (Feb.)
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
Brilliant in both character development and narrative structure, this is a psychological thriller that will challenge readers even as it speeds them through the pages.
Laini Taylor
You might think you know Kiersten White, but here is a darker, more dangerous Kiersten White. A sharp, heart-wrenching, lightning-fast, and fabulously fun read in which twining narratives weave a trap around two extraordinary sisters. Fia may be the angriest narrator I’ve ever loved. I bet you will too.
Holly Black
Mind Games is a thriller of the best sort, one with many characters vying to have things their way, who will go as far as they need to get what they want—and a protagonist who will go even further. A brutal, exciting gem of a book.
Booklist
A visceral thriller. White effectively captures Fia’s unpredictable, moment-to-moment existence, while Annie’s narrative is grounded but emotionally complex. White’s world building is as intriguing as her characters, making this a must-read series opener.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Brilliant in both character development and narrative structure, this is a psychological thriller that will challenge readers even as it speeds them through the pages."
Kirkus Reviews
In this series opener from the author of the Paranormalcy trilogy, two strong-willed sisters struggle to free themselves from a sinister organization that grooms girls with paranormal abilities to serve twisted, illegal ends. Two years after their parents' deaths, the Keane School foundation offered to house and educate Annie and Fia. Sighted Fia--knowing their reluctant caregiver was attracted by the free ride and that Annie, blind, longed for educational opportunities--acquiesced, setting aside her suspicions about the foundation's hidden agenda. For five years the coldly manipulative staff has controlled the girls by holding each hostage against the other. Though Annie's clairvoyant visions interest them, Fia's gift for making successful choices is more valuable. Scarred and toughened by brutal conditioning, the girls fight back; their unwavering mutual devotion brightens the dark tale. Annie's a rounded, co-equal protagonist, not merely an extension of her disability. (Yes, she's magically gifted, but so are the disability-free female characters, and like them, she has flaws.) While she uses the prejudice blindness evokes in sighted people to gain unique access to Keane's powerbrokers, Fia, more damaged, is forced to serve its ends by the founder's handsome son, James, charismatic and equally damaged. The flashback-heavy narration, initially confusing, proves effective, constructing a temporal mosaic that holds readers' interest and builds suspense as events come into focus. An effective paranormal thriller, even in this crowded market. (Paranormal thriller. 12 & up)
