Mind Games by Kiersten White

Mind GamesMind Games, 1Kiersten WhiteYA ParanormalHarperTeenDecember 3, 2013Hardcover237

Fia and Annie are as close as two sisters can be. They look out for each other. Protect each other. And most importantly, they keep each other’s secrets, even the most dangerous ones: Annie is blind, but can see visions of the future; Fia was born with flawless intuition—her first impulse is always exactly right.

When the sisters are offered a place at an elite boarding school, Fia realizes that something is wrong . . . but she doesn’t grasp just how wrong. The Keane Institute is no ordinary school, and Fia is soon used for everything from picking stocks to planting bombs. If she tries to refuse, they threaten her with Annie’s life.

Now Fia’s falling in love with a boy who has dark secrets of his own. And with his help, she’s ready to fight back. They stole her past. They control her present. But she won’t let them take her future.

In this gripping young adult novel, author Kiersten White creates another engaging world in which readers can immerse themselves. I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of being supernatural? Being better than normal people? I know that I’d love the extra advantage, but this book and Kinetic by S.K. Anthony prove that being extraordinary has its price—and usually a very steep one. 

Sisters Sofia “Fia” and Annie are both supernaturally gifted. Kept at a special school, they are trained to hone their powers and run “missions” for the head of school and his son. When Fia almost dies, both sisters realize they must escape and protect each other against all odds.

Written in first person from both sister’s points of view. It’s a very hard literary technique to pull off, but Kiersten White does so with flair. The reader really sees what’s happening in these two girls’ minds (in accordance with the title).

At first, I was skeptical of the story. I was worried it would fall into clichés of missions gone wrong and sibling rivalry. White proved me wrong and turned both overused themes into fresh story elements that propelled the adrenaline-filled plot full speed ahead. There were times that I didn’t realize how emotionally invested I had become until I started crying.

I recommend this book to fans of spy, action, and family dramas— there’s enough of each to keep anyone excitedly turning pages all the way to the end.

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