| Title | : | Mind Games (Mindjack Origins #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 26 |
| Publication | : | First published May 2, 2012 |
Raf, a regular mindreader, is in love with Kira, the only girl in school who can't read minds. Raf struggles to keep his thoughts about her private, but secrets are something that only zeros like Kira can keep. As he works up the nerve to ask Kira to the mindware Games, his friends have other games in mind for him.
Mind Games is Raf’s origin story.
MINDJACK: KIRA
Open Minds (Mindjack: Kira Book One)
Closed Hearts (Mindjack: Kira Book Two)
Free Souls (Mindjack: Kira Book Three)
MINDJACK: ZEPH
Locked Tight (Mindjack: Zeph Book One)
Cracked Open (Mindjack: Zeph Book Two)
Broken Wide (Mindjack: Zeph Book Three)
Mind Games (Mindjack Origins #1) Reviews
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I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Mind Games was a great short story. It takes place a bit of time before the first book and shows the point of view of Raf. Raf is in love with Kira, but Kira is a zero. In this short story we see how the zero's are treated and how the other mindreaders think of them and about Raf for having feelings for her. I felt so bad for Kira and how the other mindreaders thought about her.
You can read this novella before the first book or later. I thought it gave a nice extra perspective and I enjoyed hearing Raf his point of view and the point of view of mindreaders. And it has been a while since I read this series, so it was nice to be back in this world for a bit.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this novella. We get to see Raf his point of view and how mindreaders think and treat Zero's, it's really appalling to see how they think of zero's and also a bit about Raf as he's having feelings for them. It really shows how the society things about zero's. It's a nice addition to the series. -
Mind Games by Susan Kaye Quinn is a short intro to a series by Ms Quinn (MindJack) in which these characters and themes carry forth. This is a very unique and intriguing intro to be sure. The teens at the high school all can read each others thoughts and one girl can't. They can't read her mind and they assume she can't either since they 'mind talk' about her badly. One of the guys likes her and the other teens give him trouble for it because she is a bit of a freak for being abnormal. But she says something near the end that makes you think hard about things to come in the upcoming book, can't say more. I liked the intro and it made me want to read the next book for sure. Dialogue was great, characters seem real, and looks like surprises are on their way!
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A quick snippet prequel about Raf's struggles because he likes a girl that is different and deemed dangerous by society because unlike the majority, she can't read minds or have her mind read. Definitely does the job of whetting my appetite for what is to come in the rest of this YA Sci-Fi series.
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Mind Games by Susan Kaye Quinn Mind Games by Susan Kaye Quinn is a paranormal-futuristic book. I gave it four stars.
"Raf, a regular mindreader, is in love with Kira, the only girl in school who can't read minds."
I received a complimentary copy from Amazon. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase:
https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Games-Min... -
A zero is someone who can’t read minds; in a world of mind-readers that’s not something your best friend wants you to be. But all the wishing in this world won’t change the fact that Kira’s not gone through the change, while Raf hears all the world and all the corridors of school ring to the sound of his love for the girl who can’t tell what he’s thinking.
Susan Kaye Quinn’s Mind Games introduces the teens of this curious world and nicely fills in how it might feel to hear, to know… to be cruel and to be wounded. Raf’s voice is convincing, torn between the lure of his future and the love of his past, trying to protect without letting himself seem too far out of place. He’s popular. He’s successful. He doesn’t quite know why students still study the fiction of a mind-blind past. And I want to know more.
I want to know who Raf will take to dance. I want to know if Kira can tell what lies behind Jennifer’s smile. And I want there to be hope. By the end of this short story I’m mourning loss and eager to read more novels of the series. The story’s not complete, but the setup is after this enjoyably quick intriguing read. Mind Games introduces a young adult series with a fascinating premise, great characters and justifiably confident writing; it’s highly recommended.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to get a free ecopy of this short story. -
Quinn's short story Mind Games is the springboard for her full-length novel,Mindjack Origins, Book I, and I have high expectations after reading it. The story was so good that I went back to Starbucks as soon as I finished it and downloaded Mindjack Origins because I wanted more. The story was excellent and unique. In a world where nearly everyone can read minds, the "zeros" are the outcasts, and secrets are hard to keep.
~Vlad Vaslyn~
Author of
Brachman's Underworld -
This is a short story that gives more insight into Raf. I really like Raf, and think he will come into play a lot in the future books. In this we get a look at his crush on Kira that is considered tabboo since she is not a mind reader and is considered a zero. It was nice reading about how he has liked her for ever. But then there is eveil manipulative Jessica. I wanted to smack her with how she blackmailed Raf. Good book to read before Open Minds, which I read first and loved.
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Great short story. The world Quinn has developed is very intriguing. I can already tell she's a great writer.
Reading this short from Raf's mind makes me want to find out more. I can't wait to read Open Minds and find out what's up with Kira, discover whether she'll become a "reader" or not, and see what happens between she and Raf.
My appetite is properly whetted. Bring on the next book! -
This is a short prequel to
Open Minds. It gives a peak into Raf's point of view. If you haven't read the Mindjack Trilogy, this will wet your appetite. If you have read it, you'll enjoy looking back for a moment. -
Ok so Raf likes Kira. That was pretty prevalent in Open Minds, pretty much rendering this prequel useless. There was nothing compelling in it that would've made me want to read Open Minds, so it's actually a good thing that I read it after the fact. -
Very short
Though well written like all the books in the series, this is not really a book four, it' s a super short and kind of pointless story from Raf's point of view that predates the first book. I bought it automatically without checking because I enjoyed the first three books so much. I'll have to check the next book to make sure it's not the same thing. -
The story is told from Raf's POV. Finally, I was excited. It happens before Open Minds when Kira is a zero. Loved being in his head, getting to know more about him and his feelings for Kira. He is sweet wish Molloy had left him be.
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Not much happened, but it did introduce an interesting world. I'd like to check out the series.
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So how do you review a prequel novella to a series you haven’t read yet? Hmm… Well first let me give you a little bit of backstory. I won Open Minds in an Armchair BEA giveaway back in 2012? I think. Maybe 2013. Either way, I’ve had it for a while and just haven’t gotten around to reading it. Browsing NetGalley one day, I zoned in on this novella by Susan Kaye Quinn thinking that it was the same book as the one I’d won. I really wasn’t paying attention at all. And since I already owned this book (or so I thought), I figured scoring it for review would be liking killing two birds with one stone. It would push me to read and review it sooner if it was a "review" book, but it would also improve my NetGalley ratio since this is a book I knew I was going to read one way or the other. Well when I finally started Mind Games I noticed that I was flying through the book even though Goodreads showed it was 300+ pages. That’s when things started to feel fishy. I went to Goodreads and searched “mindjack” and saw two different entries. One for Mind Games and one for Open Minds. This just goes to show you how little attention I was paying. I knew they had different covers, but I figured this was just a re-release. Publishers do that all the time, right? Oh silly me. And that’s the backstory for my relationship with this novella.
All of that being said, I feel like Mind Games was a good, but extremely brief introduction to this Mindjack world that Susan Kaye Quinn has created. Everyone can read everyone’s mind. CREEPY. And annoying. Can you imagine someone being inside your head all the time? All day long? And not just one someone. Every someone. A witness to every thought you ever have. The good and the bad. Except well…the one person you’d actually like to know what you’re thinking.
In Mind Games Raf is our narrator. He’s got this huge crush on his best friend Kira. And well Kira happens to be the only one in their school who can’t read minds. Not only is that extremely rare, but it singles Kira out as a target for ridicule. She’s different. And we all know that everyone else fears the different. Of course, everyone is going to fear the one girl who can keep her thoughts to herself. What kind of crazy thoughts is she thinking? This takes the idea of “what does so-and-so think about me” to a whole new level. Having a huge crush on Kira like Raf does, he wants to protect her. But his “protection” comes in a way that Kira just might not appreciate.
All in all, I’m intrigued by this world and these characters. And I’m ready for more. I predict that it won’t take me another two years before I dive into Open Minds (ha!). Without knowing much more, and with Mind Games only being 20 pages long, I just don’t feel like I have a lot to base my rate on, so I’m going with 3.5 Stars. I liked it. I want to know more, but it’d be pretty hard to blow me away in 20 pages I think. Have you read Mind Games? What did you think? Let me know!
Somewhere Only We Know -
3.75 stars
MIND GAMES (found in the anthology In His Eyes) is the prequel short story to indie author Susan Kaye Quinn’s new Mindjack Trilogy .
Background: Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can't read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can't be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves.
In a world of mindreaders, Kira is an anomaly. She has yet to enter the change and is unable to read the minds of her fellow students. But at the same time, her mind is a blank to anyone who dares to enter. To be forever branded as a zero is not the title Kira wants. As the end of the school year approaches, Kira is hoping that summer vacation will usher in some new changes in her life.
Raf Santos is one of the most popular guys in school. With the upcoming year end Gamesdance, Raf has only one girl in mind for his date, but the others have different plans that do not include Kira. When Raf’s so called friends threaten to harm Kira, Raf will make a decision that could hurt Kira and destroy their fragile relationship that appears to be unraveling day by day. Once best friends with Kira, Raf will have to face the consequences of his actions, when Kira may no longer be a part of his life.
Mind Games in the introductory short story in Quinn’s Mindjack Trilogy. An interesting concept that includes the ability to read minds, hear thoughts and the isolation of those who have yet to attain status in a world governed by the reality of truths. Without the ability to be read, the zeroes cannot be trusted-for fear they hold secrets. A concept based in prejudices and stereotypes, I look forward to reading Open Minds-Book 1 in the Mindjack Trilogy.
copy supplied by the author
www.thereadingcafe.com -
OMG. I wanted to cry reading this novella! It's such a heart-breaking tale.
This novella is a prequel to OPEN MINDS, the first book in the Mindjack trilogy. I have read all three books in the trilogy, but wondered about how things got started between Kira and Raf, so when I found this novella, I pounced.
In this dystopian world, everyone can read minds--well almost everyone. Kira has yet to go through the "change" a switch that happens in puberty to open her mind to every other Reader around her. Without an open mind she is considered a threat, and not a person any other Reader should associate with--she could be a liar, after all. As such, Kira is considered a Zero, and ripe for the taunts and suspicion of her peers.
Unfortunately, her childhood friend, Raf, is a popular kid--a remarkable soccer player and Gamer. He's also terrifyingly smitten with Kira. His thoughts about her transmit to heir peers, all who believe him a praver--a sicko who preys on zeros as they can't defend against a Reader--today's equivalent would be a pedophile...
Raf only wants to protect Kira from the nastiness of their fellow students, but it's his attention that actually causes Kira more harm than good. Having this story told in his voice gives the reader a front-row (or should I say open minded) view of Raf's anguish for the girl he totally loves. When a malicious girl, Jessica, uses Kira as a pawn, well, it's just wrecking--to Raf, and me...
I loved it!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for review. -
Part of the Mindjack Trilogy Box Set
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The writing is good, and the world is well-developed, with a nice touch of made-up slang that's believable and easy to understand. I also enjoyed the thought-provoking bits about how society would be different if we could all know each other's thoughts. (Theme: trust.) Bonus points for being an indie that's as good as most traditionally published YA, and better than some.
However, there were a few elements that kept pulling me out of the story. Mainly:
- The opening sounds a lot like Twilight. The difference is quickly made clear -- our hero is not a brooding mystery man with paranormal powers like Edward, but rather a "normal" teen in a world of mind-readers -- but still, the heroine is "other," a rarity, someone he can't read.
- The hero's name is Lobos (aka "wolves" in Spanish) which I have a really hard time taking seriously. And where'd he get the nickname "Raf" from anyway? (I'm guessing middle name is Rafael, but we never find out.)
- Everyone in the story seems to be both hot and "horny." Why? (To me this seems like an adult's view of the teenage world.)
Even with those factors in mind, this story makes me want to check out Book 1 of the Mindjack trilogy. -
PREQUEL OR SEQUEL
Mind Games can be either a prequel or a sequel to the Mindjack Series by Susan Kaye Quinn. For me it was a prequel. It tells a deeper story of Raf, who like everybody else in his school can read minds! Except for one person. The one whose mind he can't read, nor can anybody else, he really wants to. He wants to be more than best friends with Kira. Imagine if everybody could read your mind and you could read everybody else's. Basically everybody is the same. Now put yourself in Kira's shoes. You can't read minds and nobody can read your mind, so you are and always will be an outcast. They all make fun of Kira because she can't read minds and they make fun of Raf because they all know what's in his mind concerning Kira. Quinn gives you just a little more information about Raf and Kira to wet your appetite, if your reading this as a prequel. I imagine if your reading it as a sequel it takes you deeper into their story. Either way Quinn's unique imagination holds your attention and that makes you want to read more of this series. Be sure to get this, you won't be sorry. -
Goodreads Synopsis: Raf, a regular mindreader, is in love with Kira, the only girl in school who can't read minds. Raf struggles to keep his thoughts about her private, but secrets are something that only zeros like Kira can keep. As he works up the nerve to ask Kira to the mindware Games, his friends have other games in mind for him.
(Mind Games is a short story prequel to the novel Open Minds. It is the first in a planned series of shorts told from the point-of-view of characters in the Mindjack universe.)
My Review: I'm not sure how I feel about this short story. I mean, I liked Open Minds, it was good. But this book just kind of seemed.. useless. what was the point of it. Sure, we get to know Raf, but nothing we didn't already know about him from reading the first book in the series. And this book was 18 pages long. That shouldn't count as another book in the series.. I don't know. Not for me. Thanks for reading this extra short to the point review for this tiny little book I didn't like very much.
(Radioactivebookreviews.wordpress.com) -
Raf is a mind reader in a high school where nearly everyone else can read minds as well. Too bad Kira, his best friend and the girl he has a crush on is a zero - someone who can't read minds and may never go through the change. As Raf struggles to hide his true feelings from the other mind readers his "friends" make it widely known just how much they frown upon him taking interest in a zero.
Mind Games is a stunning prequel short story that takes a look into how dangerous a world can be when nearly everyone can read minds. Raf's want to protect Kira is so unbelievably charming and sweet and what his friends do to him to prevent him from acting on his crush is gut wrenching. After this intriguing glance, I can't wait to read this series. I must get Open Minds and its sequel Closed Hearts stat! I'm looking forward to getting entangled in the Mindjack world. -
What if everyone in your school could read minds, except you? You’re not yet sixteen, so there is hope that you may change. What if you don’t? MIND DREAMS, a novella by Author Susan Kaye Quinn, is the prequel to the first novel in the MINDJACK ORIGINS series. Told from the point of view of Raf, popular boy in school and best friends with Kira since childhood. He’d like to be more. The problem is Kira is a zero, the name they give to those that missed the gift of reading minds. Will they overcome their differences or will Kira’s being a zero and the plans Raf’s friends have for him, keep the two apart?
This short story was a joy to read. Kira touched my heart and I wanted things to turn out for her. With characters like Raf and Kira and their friends and enemies, the series should be a good one.
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Mind Games is a short prequel to the first novel in the Mindjack Trilogy, Open Minds. I read this short story after Open Minds, if you want the experience to learn things as Kira does in the novel, then I think it's good to read if afterwards, but it doesn't spoil anything if you want to read it first either. It's written in first person from Raf's point of view and is set a few months before Open Minds, which is written in first person from Kira's point of view.
I really enjoyed this for the most part. Reading from Raf's point of view is nice as it gives some insight into his mind and his view on Kira. It's not particularly needed to understand the series, but it's nice to read all the same.
Something for those who want to read Raf's point of view.
www.lfbookreviews.co.uk -
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a short story prequel to the Mindjack series. Theoretically you can read this before the first book, but I did in in a reverse order. It's a very very short story, so don't be surprised when it ends!
This little story gave us all a look into Raf's mind, his motivations, and his sappy puppy dog love for Kira. It was adorable and cute to watch him get flustered and beat himself up a bit. It brought me back to a time before Kira's life spiraled out of control.
For fans of the series, this was a nice little gem to add to your kindle. -
„Mind games“ ist ein kurzes Prequel zum ersten Band der Mindjack-Trilogie.
Es ist aus der Sicht von Raf geschrieben, dem besten Freund der späteren Protagonistin Kira.
Dieses Prequel ist super dafür geeignet einen ersten Eindruck zu gewinnen, sich schon mal auf die Geschichte einzulassen und ein Gefühl für diese neuartige Welt zu bekommen.
Zudem kann man dadurch die ersten Figuren kennenlernen und auch für diejenigen, die „Open minds“ bereits kennen, ist es eine gute Möglichkeit einen Blick in Raf´s Kopf zu erhaschen.
Fazit & Bewertung
Toll zum Einstimmen auf die Trilogie oder auch um einfach Raf etwas besser kennenzulernen.
5***** -
Eh. It was alright to read and an OK introduction into the world the author's trying to build. I never fully understood what the "Mind Games" are exactly and it seems odd that that was left so ambiguous (at least for me). I'll try reading this series, but I'm kind of disturbed at the acceptance of mind readers in the future Quinn has created. I think it's honestly pretty unrealistic that it would just be accepted, but I'll probably get more into that in my review of the first full book in the series. Overall it was kind of cute, but just OK.
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This is a high 3 stars. This is a short story (prequel) to the first book of the Mindjack Trilogy. I decided to read this short story first to get a feel for the premise of the series. It did intrigue me. However, I wasn't really thrilled about the High School scene. Seemed almost like Twilight in a way. But other than that, the plot and characters interest me. I'm looking forward to starting Book#1.
