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Mind Readers #2
The Mind Thieves
What would you do if someone told you that your past and everything you believed was a lie?
Cameron Winters is a freak, a mind reader who can hear the thoughts of those around her. Although her life has been far from ideal, she has finally found peace on a Caribbean island far away from her troubles. But her troubles are about to find her in the form of a gorgeous government agent named Maddox.
Maddox claims Cameron’s father sent him to protect her from encroaching enemies. There’s only one problem…Cameron’s father has been dead for over a decade. When men arrive, threatening Cameron’s very life, she has no choice but to trust Maddox and escape to the United States. Shockingly, Cameron realizes Maddox has been telling the truth all along when she’s introduced to her father, a man she barely remembers. Suddenly, Cameron has everything she has always wanted…a family and home. But as her powers are exploited by the very people she trusts, Cameron realizes the old adage is only too true…be careful what you wish for.
Cameron Winters is a freak, a mind reader who can hear the thoughts of those around her. Although her life has been far from ideal, she has finally found peace on a Caribbean island far away from her troubles. But her troubles are about to find her in the form of a gorgeous government agent named Maddox.
Maddox claims Cameron’s father sent him to protect her from encroaching enemies. There’s only one problem…Cameron’s father has been dead for over a decade. When men arrive, threatening Cameron’s very life, she has no choice but to trust Maddox and escape to the United States. Shockingly, Cameron realizes Maddox has been telling the truth all along when she’s introduced to her father, a man she barely remembers. Suddenly, Cameron has everything she has always wanted…a family and home. But as her powers are exploited by the very people she trusts, Cameron realizes the old adage is only too true…be careful what you wish for.
228 pages, ebook
First published April 27, 2012
About the author
Lori Brighton
23 books719 followersAs a child, thoughts of far-off places and adventure consistently kept Lori up late at night. After graduating high school, she came to the conclusion that there was no better way to seek adventure and nourish her love of history than to become an archaeologist. She went on to receive a degree in anthropology, but digging in the dirt during humid Midwestern summers wasn’t exactly as fun as she thought it would be.
Instead, she went to work in an air conditioned museum where she spent her days surrounded by creepy Victorian animal mounts. Still, she wasn’t satisfied.
Deciding the people in her imagination were slightly more exciting than the dead things in a museum basement, she set out to write her first romance novel. That book was soundly rejected. As was the next. Years went by and she began to wonder if she’d ever see her dream fulfilled. Until one day she came up with an idea for a book that brought together her love of history and adventure: a book now titled Wild Heart. Since Wild Heart's release, Lori has written Historical Romance, Contemporary Paranormal Romance and Young Adult.
Lori currently resides in the Southern U.S., where she juggles her time between a husband, a son, a golden retriever, a cat and the many, many people in her imagination.
Instead, she went to work in an air conditioned museum where she spent her days surrounded by creepy Victorian animal mounts. Still, she wasn’t satisfied.
Deciding the people in her imagination were slightly more exciting than the dead things in a museum basement, she set out to write her first romance novel. That book was soundly rejected. As was the next. Years went by and she began to wonder if she’d ever see her dream fulfilled. Until one day she came up with an idea for a book that brought together her love of history and adventure: a book now titled Wild Heart. Since Wild Heart's release, Lori has written Historical Romance, Contemporary Paranormal Romance and Young Adult.
Lori currently resides in the Southern U.S., where she juggles her time between a husband, a son, a golden retriever, a cat and the many, many people in her imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 364 reviews
November 18, 2016
This was a YA paranormal story which led on from book 1.
Cameron was an okay character and I felt quite sorry for her when it seemed like she didn’t know who to trust.
The storyline in this was about Cameron going on the run again as she slowly got her memories back, and not knowing whether she should be trusting the SPI, or Aaron, or her father, or someone else entirely. We did get quite a lot of twists thrown at us, with regards to who she should be trusting, but unfortunately the story still dragged for me.
The ending to this left us with another cliff-hanger.
6 out of 10
Cameron was an okay character and I felt quite sorry for her when it seemed like she didn’t know who to trust.
The storyline in this was about Cameron going on the run again as she slowly got her memories back, and not knowing whether she should be trusting the SPI, or Aaron, or her father, or someone else entirely. We did get quite a lot of twists thrown at us, with regards to who she should be trusting, but unfortunately the story still dragged for me.
The ending to this left us with another cliff-hanger.
6 out of 10
May 1, 2013
Ever watch a movie you find tons of faults with yet watch to the end because there was enough interesting plot you want to find out what happens? That’s the way I feel about this series.
This is the second of a three book series which initially I didn’t know was geared for YA. As in the first book, The Mind Readers, the author uses the same trite phrases so often you want to scream “Get a thesaurus would you please!”( He raked his hands through his hair. My heart was about to slam through my chest.) and so on. Not only were they repeated again and again, but throughout the novel huge portions from the first book were copied in this one as situations prompted memories in the main character. I understand why, however a few sentences here and there would have sufficed instead of entire pages directly from book one in each instance.
There was enough interesting plot I wanted to finish this book. Again, as in book one, it ends with a “cliffhanger” sort of surprise to entice the reader into getting the next book. Had the author used an even somewhat adequate editor, the 3 book series could have been condensed into perhaps a single good book. I want to find out what happened but not sure I want to put up with so much repetition again.
This is the second of a three book series which initially I didn’t know was geared for YA. As in the first book, The Mind Readers, the author uses the same trite phrases so often you want to scream “Get a thesaurus would you please!”( He raked his hands through his hair. My heart was about to slam through my chest.) and so on. Not only were they repeated again and again, but throughout the novel huge portions from the first book were copied in this one as situations prompted memories in the main character. I understand why, however a few sentences here and there would have sufficed instead of entire pages directly from book one in each instance.
There was enough interesting plot I wanted to finish this book. Again, as in book one, it ends with a “cliffhanger” sort of surprise to entice the reader into getting the next book. Had the author used an even somewhat adequate editor, the 3 book series could have been condensed into perhaps a single good book. I want to find out what happened but not sure I want to put up with so much repetition again.
November 15, 2016
Really good series.
April 11, 2013
2.5 stars
So, I'm going into my review assuming the person reading it has read the first book, so I'm not spoiling it for them. If you haven't read it, then avert your eyes and go read the first book in the series so this one actually makes sense.
Things I liked:
1. Tara and Nora. They were essentially kick butt girls who could keep a secret or let you in on things you needed to know when you needed to know them. As far as I'm concerned, these two characters provided the most answers to the bazillion questions that seem to come up.
2. Cam seemed to have a lot more back bone in this book, which I definitely preferred. She attempted to stand her ground more frequently and didn't just go along with things because of some cute boy. (Ok, that happened too, but I didn't think it was to the same extent as the last book).
3. The twist with Lewis coming back into the picture.
4. The "twist" at the end of the book. I called it a while before it actually happened, but still, it was nice to be right.
Things I didn't like:
1. Nearly the entire first chapter in this book is the last chapter in book one. It was annoying to reread something I literally read minutes before starting this book. And no, it was a sample chapter at the end of the book. I know. I checked.
2. A fair amount of this book was a recap of the previous one. Yes, she lost her memory because of Aaron's mind erasing, but it was kind of annoying to reread the first book through flashbacks. Mostly what I was annoyed with was that Cam seems to blank out when they happened. She could be in mid-sentence and be all, "I really like eating ch--" [blank, mouth agape, stare off into the ethers as a flashback hits] and the only way she comes out of it is if someone yells her name or grabs her arm to jar her back into reality.
3. This book was essentially the first book all over again, but with the opposite players. Instead of Aaron we have Cameron's dad (Oh my goodness! he wasn't dead afterall! [no surprise there]), instead of Lewis we have Maddox, instead of Caroline and Olivia we have Jake and Gemma, instead of Maddox as the prisoner we have Deborah, and so on.
Ultimately I will probably read the next installment of the series. I'd like to see how the two sides clash together and what answers (if any) come out of it. Why are both sides so intent on having Cam on their side. What crazy powers will she figure out how to use. Will she finally decide to say "screw you" to everyone and go off on her own...I'm interested, but not in an I'd give my left arm to find out what happens next kind of way.
So, I'm going into my review assuming the person reading it has read the first book, so I'm not spoiling it for them. If you haven't read it, then avert your eyes and go read the first book in the series so this one actually makes sense.
Things I liked:
1. Tara and Nora. They were essentially kick butt girls who could keep a secret or let you in on things you needed to know when you needed to know them. As far as I'm concerned, these two characters provided the most answers to the bazillion questions that seem to come up.
2. Cam seemed to have a lot more back bone in this book, which I definitely preferred. She attempted to stand her ground more frequently and didn't just go along with things because of some cute boy. (Ok, that happened too, but I didn't think it was to the same extent as the last book).
3. The twist with Lewis coming back into the picture.
4. The "twist" at the end of the book. I called it a while before it actually happened, but still, it was nice to be right.
Things I didn't like:
1. Nearly the entire first chapter in this book is the last chapter in book one. It was annoying to reread something I literally read minutes before starting this book. And no, it was a sample chapter at the end of the book. I know. I checked.
2. A fair amount of this book was a recap of the previous one. Yes, she lost her memory because of Aaron's mind erasing, but it was kind of annoying to reread the first book through flashbacks. Mostly what I was annoyed with was that Cam seems to blank out when they happened. She could be in mid-sentence and be all, "I really like eating ch--" [blank, mouth agape, stare off into the ethers as a flashback hits] and the only way she comes out of it is if someone yells her name or grabs her arm to jar her back into reality.
3. This book was essentially the first book all over again, but with the opposite players. Instead of Aaron we have Cameron's dad (Oh my goodness! he wasn't dead afterall! [no surprise there]), instead of Lewis we have Maddox, instead of Caroline and Olivia we have Jake and Gemma, instead of Maddox as the prisoner we have Deborah, and so on.
Ultimately I will probably read the next installment of the series. I'd like to see how the two sides clash together and what answers (if any) come out of it. Why are both sides so intent on having Cam on their side. What crazy powers will she figure out how to use. Will she finally decide to say "screw you" to everyone and go off on her own...I'm interested, but not in an I'd give my left arm to find out what happens next kind of way.
August 3, 2018
The writing style for this was not great. Neither was the plot, or the character development. But I honestly just really loved the premise too much to not continue.
October 22, 2012
This series is annoying and mediocre. I seriously feel like anyone could have written this. The SAME cliff hanger for book one is the cliff hanger for this book. OMG I AM SO SHOCKED. Also, why am I now on book 3 and NOTHING has been cleared up yet. Oh no, I cant trust anyone.... oh no, everyone is lying to me and NO ONE will EVER tell the fucking truth... for two books... its all just "oh, sorry, we can talk about that later" and I feel like 50% of the book is recaps from the other book... like.. did you feel like your book wasnt long enough, so you decided to just.. write the same shit over and over? What kind of author uses flashbacks to the EXACT same scenes we've already read about continuously. I mean, atleast change it up... or just... remind us what she's remembering. The only reason I am even finishing this series is because I dont like not doing it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2012
I enjoyed the first book and thought the story was kind of cool and different. I wasn't too thrilled to find that the plot in this book was so similar to the first book, in my opinion. Overall, I did enjoy the book but I gave this follow up two stars because I felt like there was ENTIRELY TOO MUCH recapping of the previous book. Not only was there too much recapping of the previous book, but I don't need something that I read literally 3 to 5 pages ago repeated to me in detail. I found my self skimming through various parts of the book several times. I will read the third book because like I said the story itself is interesting and I want to know how it ends. I just hope that I don't have to practically re-read the second book within it to get to the resolution of the story.
May 4, 2013
This review doesn't contain spoilers for the first two books in the series.
After The Mind Readers, I was really excited to read the sequel. And I have to say, The Mind Thieves didn't disappoint.
There is something about this series that makes me go crazy because even after two books, I still don't know who the bad guy is. In The Mind Thieves we see that both sides aren't bad per se, just the way they're doing what they think is right is sometimes anything but good. I really love how the series makes it hard for you to decide who the good guy is, until you have to admit that no one is the good guy, even if there is something about both sides that is good, there is just too much bad to make it good. (Does that make sense?)
Although the series isn't perfect, it's so much fun to read and the characters have really grown on me. I love how it keeps suprising me, even if I saw some suprises coming but overall the twists are done well and do make sense.
I love the characters, especially Cam and Maddox in this installment. I loved how much fun they were together and really liked Maddox in general. Here is an example of his awesome comments sometimes:
"What," he asked softly, his voice completely controlled. "Have you seen?" [...]
"You. I saw you while I was in the bathroom."
"You saw a flash of me while sitting on the toilet? Great."
Anything but awesome was the cliffhanger ending. I mean, it kind of was awesome but now I just can't wait to get my hands on the final book and that is making me even more crazy than not being able to decide who the good guy is. It's not like I didn't see something along the lines the ending went coming but I didn't see it that way coming, which makes me just question everything. Again.
I have to admit, I kind of love this series. I love how much fun it is, I love the characters and I love how much it's making me crazy not being able to decide who the good guy is. The suprises throughout the book kept me glued to the pages because they made it even harder to decide anything, like who to trust, who to like. A great series that I don't want to end but also can't wait to see how it ends.
After The Mind Readers, I was really excited to read the sequel. And I have to say, The Mind Thieves didn't disappoint.
There is something about this series that makes me go crazy because even after two books, I still don't know who the bad guy is. In The Mind Thieves we see that both sides aren't bad per se, just the way they're doing what they think is right is sometimes anything but good. I really love how the series makes it hard for you to decide who the good guy is, until you have to admit that no one is the good guy, even if there is something about both sides that is good, there is just too much bad to make it good. (Does that make sense?)
Although the series isn't perfect, it's so much fun to read and the characters have really grown on me. I love how it keeps suprising me, even if I saw some suprises coming but overall the twists are done well and do make sense.
I love the characters, especially Cam and Maddox in this installment. I loved how much fun they were together and really liked Maddox in general. Here is an example of his awesome comments sometimes:
"What," he asked softly, his voice completely controlled. "Have you seen?" [...]
"You. I saw you while I was in the bathroom."
"You saw a flash of me while sitting on the toilet? Great."
Anything but awesome was the cliffhanger ending. I mean, it kind of was awesome but now I just can't wait to get my hands on the final book and that is making me even more crazy than not being able to decide who the good guy is. It's not like I didn't see something along the lines the ending went coming but I didn't see it that way coming, which makes me just question everything. Again.
I have to admit, I kind of love this series. I love how much fun it is, I love the characters and I love how much it's making me crazy not being able to decide who the good guy is. The suprises throughout the book kept me glued to the pages because they made it even harder to decide anything, like who to trust, who to like. A great series that I don't want to end but also can't wait to see how it ends.
April 2, 2013
Even better than the first book, The Mind Thieves really touched me.
A world is uncovered to not be at all as it seems Cam's search for the truth is definitely step-by-step, and keeps the suspense going all the way through. There are so many surprises to unfold, and the unpredictability was perhaps one of the many things that got to me.
Moreover, I loved how rigid Cam is in her belief in Lewis. He was the one memory that she never lost, and it shows that her feelings are real through and through.
The reason why I found this book better is because first of all, it came as a surprise. You seldom find the second or third book in a trilogy even better than the first. Somehow, authors always seem to run out of great ideas by the end of the first book. That is, except for The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, the Divergent trilogy, the Delirium trilogy, the Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy, the Fallen Lauren Kate series... (okay so there are quite a few I can list, but that is not the point) Also, there just seemed to be more feeling and investment in this book. I felt more for the characters, and this increase in empathy made it quite a few times better.
FIVE STARS WELL DESERVED!
A world is uncovered to not be at all as it seems Cam's search for the truth is definitely step-by-step, and keeps the suspense going all the way through. There are so many surprises to unfold, and the unpredictability was perhaps one of the many things that got to me.
Moreover, I loved how rigid Cam is in her belief in Lewis. He was the one memory that she never lost, and it shows that her feelings are real through and through.
The reason why I found this book better is because first of all, it came as a surprise. You seldom find the second or third book in a trilogy even better than the first. Somehow, authors always seem to run out of great ideas by the end of the first book. That is, except for The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, the Divergent trilogy, the Delirium trilogy, the Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy, the Fallen Lauren Kate series... (okay so there are quite a few I can list, but that is not the point) Also, there just seemed to be more feeling and investment in this book. I felt more for the characters, and this increase in empathy made it quite a few times better.
FIVE STARS WELL DESERVED!
June 28, 2016
I think I might've have to pause a little bit before I carry on with this series. You can only take in so much before you get a little bit annoyed at the 'plot twists'. Urgh truth be told I'm annoyed at how this ended.
Okay yeah it is a little bit repetitive of the first book and again, the main character is a bit needy (wouldn't expect her to change over one book) but she is just so damn naïve it really gets on my nerves.
I mean, I finished the book so that's something, right?
Okay yeah it is a little bit repetitive of the first book and again, the main character is a bit needy (wouldn't expect her to change over one book) but she is just so damn naïve it really gets on my nerves.
I mean, I finished the book so that's something, right?
Want to read
February 15, 2012OMG. Just saw the cover!
It's amazing!
I can't wait for the book.
Cover: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRQZxLmZNPg...
It's amazing!
I can't wait for the book.
Cover: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pRQZxLmZNPg...
September 26, 2012
I really enjoyed this book but it actually ended at the climax. ARGGGGHHHHH!!!! I'm giving it three stars for such a frustrating ending. The last and third book is no where to be seen.
Read
November 7, 2016Okay for real?
Oh my gosh...speechless again.
Guess it will be yet another late night.
Great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh...speechless again.
Guess it will be yet another late night.
Great book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 17, 2020
“In this world, don’t trust anyone but yourself”
That’s the theme of this book. Just when you think Cameron has finally found someone to trust, she gets stabbed in the back. Over and over. Will she learn?
I really wanted her with Maddox. Except when he calls her “sweetheart” in the most condescending way. But she’d have the same issue she had with Lewis. She didn’t believe in the work he was convinced was for the greater good. I wish there was a buildup to the kiss. It just happened and then all of a sudden Maddox liked Cameron? It was hard to believe when you didn’t see any chemistry.
The true twist of the story was that Lewis also got his memory taken away. That, I did not see coming!
Her mom and dad resurfacing I did see happening at some point. But Nora having the same mom? I need the details!
She doesn’t like what Aaron does with the kids, or what her dad does with torturing spies for the government, so let’s see what her moms role is in all this. Three sides? But her moms the only one who locked her up underground. What’s her fourth option?
Slow at the beginning, but all the action at the end had me on the edge of my seat.
That’s the theme of this book. Just when you think Cameron has finally found someone to trust, she gets stabbed in the back. Over and over. Will she learn?
I really wanted her with Maddox. Except when he calls her “sweetheart” in the most condescending way. But she’d have the same issue she had with Lewis. She didn’t believe in the work he was convinced was for the greater good. I wish there was a buildup to the kiss. It just happened and then all of a sudden Maddox liked Cameron? It was hard to believe when you didn’t see any chemistry.
The true twist of the story was that Lewis also got his memory taken away. That, I did not see coming!
Her mom and dad resurfacing I did see happening at some point. But Nora having the same mom? I need the details!
She doesn’t like what Aaron does with the kids, or what her dad does with torturing spies for the government, so let’s see what her moms role is in all this. Three sides? But her moms the only one who locked her up underground. What’s her fourth option?
Slow at the beginning, but all the action at the end had me on the edge of my seat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2014
Another great book in the Mind Reader series. This book was a little faster passed than the first one. In this book Cameron starts to learn about her past but the real questions is, it that what is the real truth and who can she trust? The only thing I did not like about it was all the flash backs. But then again it does add to what had happened in book one and shows a deeper reasoning to her feelings. This book also shows me that you never know who you can truely trust. This book has a lot of twist and turns which made me keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. Can not wait to read the next book and see where her abilities take her and what more she can learn about her past and her abilities.
February 25, 2015
I wanted so badly to love this series, but it pretty much seems impossible now.
The first book was OK, the second one... not really.
I mean, flashbacks are practically copied parts of the previous book. I don't mind them that much, but I feel like copying two sentences would be enough, not an entire page.
The writing style remained the same, and by that I mean the writer used the same descriptions for completely different events, something that's definitely not very professional.
The story itself is amazing, but the writing style keeps giving me this feeling that the story is repeating all over again. I'm not even sure will I continue with this series after this book. I feel... disappointed.
The first book was OK, the second one... not really.
I mean, flashbacks are practically copied parts of the previous book. I don't mind them that much, but I feel like copying two sentences would be enough, not an entire page.
The writing style remained the same, and by that I mean the writer used the same descriptions for completely different events, something that's definitely not very professional.
The story itself is amazing, but the writing style keeps giving me this feeling that the story is repeating all over again. I'm not even sure will I continue with this series after this book. I feel... disappointed.
November 17, 2016
The main character in this wasn't awful, but she annoyed me quite a few times, so I didn't love her.
It took me a while to get into this one. It did get a bit better, but there was still quite a lot of it that bored me. Some parts seemed very repetitive for me, and there were a few parts that seemed a bit silly too.
Overall, Not awful, but not a very enjoyable read either.
It took me a while to get into this one. It did get a bit better, but there was still quite a lot of it that bored me. Some parts seemed very repetitive for me, and there were a few parts that seemed a bit silly too.
Overall, Not awful, but not a very enjoyable read either.
May 14, 2014
Cameron, the mind reader is a freak and she believed that there is no one of her type until she meets other mind-readers.
She come to know of her powers but also come to know that whatever was told to her was a lie and she struggles to get fit into the present, which was kept hidden from her since long.
Again she is at brink where she trusts no-one but her on instincts. All seems to exploit her for her powers.
She come to know of her powers but also come to know that whatever was told to her was a lie and she struggles to get fit into the present, which was kept hidden from her since long.
Again she is at brink where she trusts no-one but her on instincts. All seems to exploit her for her powers.
June 15, 2012
better than the 1st book... so good! I love how you feel like you are Cameron when you read this, you can feel everything she feels, her frustration, her excitement... love it! I hope the 3rd book is out soon!
July 3, 2012
There was too much back and forth "who do you trust" and then "who doesn't remember what" going on in this book for me. I'll still read the third, just to see how it all turns out but this was a letdown from the first.
June 21, 2013
I loved the first book. this book I enjoyed but not as much. I started getting annoyed with how often she gets into arguments to find out facts only for the argument to blow up and not help move along info... But it was still a very enjoyable read and looked forward to reading the third book!
April 27, 2014
Really Really did not like this book....felt like the author just dragged me toward the end.....felt like reading it (forced myself to) just out of curiosity to see if something Really good happends in the 3rd one.... Let's see
April 30, 2012
Loved it!!! Can't wait for the third and final book - hope it comes out SOON :-)
June 7, 2012
I hate the language this author uses! The story is so good if only she didn't take the Lords name in vain, it totally ruins it!!
April 10, 2019
Even worse. I cannot remember a more annoying and STUPID protagonist. But I had to be a hero and try to finish the series...I have completionist impulses, what can I say?
February 16, 2016
DNF at 65%. I just cannot with this book any more.
February 3, 2019
Where to even begin....
The first book of this series was not great. I stayed up all night reading it because it was such a good laugh. The characters seemed so entirely one-dimensional and unbelievable, but I desperately needed to boost my book count for the year, so I continued on. Eventually, we met a character named Maddox, who seemed to be the most realistic of them all. With the cliffhanger the book ended on, I thought perhaps all the characters were PURPOSELY one-dimensional. I went so far as to purchase The Mind Thieves, believing it MUST get better. Boy, was I wrong....
“There is an alternative, we trust no one and figure things out on our own.”
This is the concept we hear in every chapter and what begins to feel like every page. " Trust no one. " The protagonist has spent an entire book being burned by people she doesn't trust, and now after discovering everyone has been lying to and manipulating her, is absolutely certain she can only trust herself. This seems interesting, but then.... Cameron goes on to be naive enough to trust every single person she meets along the way ?? Deadbeat/presumed dead dad shows up and says to trust him ? Makes sense. Random girl in a gas station bathroom says not to trust her dad ? Sure, why not listen ? Random punk kid who exists for no reason other than to tell her not to trust anyone ? Sure, let's trust him, too.
Cameron spends this entire book going back and forth between running away from one "trusted" person to another for literally no reason other than a completely random occurrence or comment that makes her run away. She suffers from "the grass is greener on the other side" syndrome so hard that I cringed reading most of this book. " I wish Grandma would treat me like an adult. I hate her. " -> Cue running away with Maddox. " Maddox treats me like an adult and has no sympathy for me. I hate him. " -> Cue INJURING him and running away with her dad only to find out he employs Maddox (this is supposed to be a revelation, but Maddox literally showed up like "Yo, your dad sent me.").
This continues on for the rest of the book, before she eventually decides to go after her boyfriend/ex-boyfriend to see his side of the story. He yells at her multiple times, they end up making out in a random bed, she realizes he has no feelings for her and is just "doing what boys and girls do" (.... What ??? ), decides to leave, and then decides she's still in love with him because he shoves her to the ground to save her. Somehow this makes him a better romantic interest than Maddox who we're supposed to believe is the devil because he kissed her unexpectedly and therefore isn't over his ex?
Beyond all of these flaws in the characters, there are plenty of grammar errors as well. Even the final chapter had mistakes like "we followed the other's down the hall".
Despite having a known issue where I always want to finish a book series -no matter how bad I hated the previous books- simply to see how it ends, I thankfully have no desire to attempt to read the final book. Someone spoil it for me? I'm assuming she ends up with Lewis and her new "new" family and lives happily ever after until she decides she hates them too ?
The first book of this series was not great. I stayed up all night reading it because it was such a good laugh. The characters seemed so entirely one-dimensional and unbelievable, but I desperately needed to boost my book count for the year, so I continued on. Eventually, we met a character named Maddox, who seemed to be the most realistic of them all. With the cliffhanger the book ended on, I thought perhaps all the characters were PURPOSELY one-dimensional. I went so far as to purchase The Mind Thieves, believing it MUST get better. Boy, was I wrong....
“There is an alternative, we trust no one and figure things out on our own.”
This is the concept we hear in every chapter and what begins to feel like every page. " Trust no one. " The protagonist has spent an entire book being burned by people she doesn't trust, and now after discovering everyone has been lying to and manipulating her, is absolutely certain she can only trust herself. This seems interesting, but then.... Cameron goes on to be naive enough to trust every single person she meets along the way ?? Deadbeat/presumed dead dad shows up and says to trust him ? Makes sense. Random girl in a gas station bathroom says not to trust her dad ? Sure, why not listen ? Random punk kid who exists for no reason other than to tell her not to trust anyone ? Sure, let's trust him, too.
Cameron spends this entire book going back and forth between running away from one "trusted" person to another for literally no reason other than a completely random occurrence or comment that makes her run away. She suffers from "the grass is greener on the other side" syndrome so hard that I cringed reading most of this book. " I wish Grandma would treat me like an adult. I hate her. " -> Cue running away with Maddox. " Maddox treats me like an adult and has no sympathy for me. I hate him. " -> Cue INJURING him and running away with her dad only to find out he employs Maddox (this is supposed to be a revelation, but Maddox literally showed up like "Yo, your dad sent me.").
This continues on for the rest of the book, before she eventually decides to go after her boyfriend/ex-boyfriend to see his side of the story. He yells at her multiple times, they end up making out in a random bed, she realizes he has no feelings for her and is just "doing what boys and girls do" (.... What ??? ), decides to leave, and then decides she's still in love with him because he shoves her to the ground to save her. Somehow this makes him a better romantic interest than Maddox who we're supposed to believe is the devil because he kissed her unexpectedly and therefore isn't over his ex?
Beyond all of these flaws in the characters, there are plenty of grammar errors as well. Even the final chapter had mistakes like "we followed the other's down the hall".
Despite having a known issue where I always want to finish a book series -no matter how bad I hated the previous books- simply to see how it ends, I thankfully have no desire to attempt to read the final book. Someone spoil it for me? I'm assuming she ends up with Lewis and her new "new" family and lives happily ever after until she decides she hates them too ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2017
3.5
although I definitely still have my reservations about the writing style and Cameron's obsession with Lewis, (who is so unimportant to me, I could remember his name until she remembered it even though I only read the first book last week) this book was better than the first one for sure.
As I thought at the end of the first book, the plot is so promising that even if the writing is painful at times, it's worth it to me to finish the story.
The "surprise" ending was definitely something I expected but I'm still very intrigued to see how everything will play out.
I'm kind of angry that she never considered trusting Maddox but she trusted Nora THE MOMENT she mentioned Lewis and continued to trust her, and even consider her a friend, after she found out she had hidden information from her. I'm also incredibly upset because she seems to just throw away her morals in this book. Things she was completely against doing before are no longer really a problem for her just because it's her dad asking for them and she wants to "gather information for herself". like, really, what are you even going to do with any info you might gather. And on top of that, she almost kills someone because of some guy SHE STILL DOESN'T REALLY KNOW. SHE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ALL OF HER MEMORIES BACK AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM BACK THEN.
I'd also like to add that I'm sick of hearing about how handsome every guy is over and over again. every once in a while is fine but every time they speak is so unnecessary.
although I definitely still have my reservations about the writing style and Cameron's obsession with Lewis, (who is so unimportant to me, I could remember his name until she remembered it even though I only read the first book last week) this book was better than the first one for sure.
As I thought at the end of the first book, the plot is so promising that even if the writing is painful at times, it's worth it to me to finish the story.
The "surprise" ending was definitely something I expected but I'm still very intrigued to see how everything will play out.
I'm kind of angry that she never considered trusting Maddox but she trusted Nora THE MOMENT she mentioned Lewis and continued to trust her, and even consider her a friend, after she found out she had hidden information from her. I'm also incredibly upset because she seems to just throw away her morals in this book. Things she was completely against doing before are no longer really a problem for her just because it's her dad asking for them and she wants to "gather information for herself". like, really, what are you even going to do with any info you might gather. And on top of that, she almost kills someone because of some guy SHE STILL DOESN'T REALLY KNOW. SHE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ALL OF HER MEMORIES BACK AND SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HIM BACK THEN.
I'd also like to add that I'm sick of hearing about how handsome every guy is over and over again. every once in a while is fine but every time they speak is so unnecessary.
March 26, 2019
What would you do if someone told you that your past and everything you believed was a lie?
I read the original book in this series a long time ago and marked this one to read in the future. I guess I didn't realize exactly how far in the future I would be trying to dive right in. Lucky for me, the main character doesn't remember anything either!
We join Cameron after her memory has been erased. She's got lots of magical mind powers, but no recollection of the life she lives as recent as a few months ago. All of that changes abruptly when she is forced to leave her comfortable home and go on the run from some possibly evil but definitely deadly mind readers and their associates. This book was an exercise in betrayal. I felt very much like Cameron, in that I had no clue who to trust and who were my actual allies. I absolutely *hated* some of her relatives and was just rooting for her to kick everyone's butt in the end here.
The end of this book, we need to talk about, even if it is in loose terms. There is a big ole cliffhanger and no real resolution. I was left staring at the last page in shock and disappointment. The rest of the book was interesting and engaging, but I just don't get why I couldn't get *some* sort of answer to... something? I guess the point is to get you hooked on the series, but, as you can see by the time between books for me, that is not really going to work. Sadly, I'll probably say goodbye to Cameron here, and wish her well in her love triangle, amnesia filled, mind power world.
I read the original book in this series a long time ago and marked this one to read in the future. I guess I didn't realize exactly how far in the future I would be trying to dive right in. Lucky for me, the main character doesn't remember anything either!
We join Cameron after her memory has been erased. She's got lots of magical mind powers, but no recollection of the life she lives as recent as a few months ago. All of that changes abruptly when she is forced to leave her comfortable home and go on the run from some possibly evil but definitely deadly mind readers and their associates. This book was an exercise in betrayal. I felt very much like Cameron, in that I had no clue who to trust and who were my actual allies. I absolutely *hated* some of her relatives and was just rooting for her to kick everyone's butt in the end here.
The end of this book, we need to talk about, even if it is in loose terms. There is a big ole cliffhanger and no real resolution. I was left staring at the last page in shock and disappointment. The rest of the book was interesting and engaging, but I just don't get why I couldn't get *some* sort of answer to... something? I guess the point is to get you hooked on the series, but, as you can see by the time between books for me, that is not really going to work. Sadly, I'll probably say goodbye to Cameron here, and wish her well in her love triangle, amnesia filled, mind power world.
July 20, 2017
Just, no.
I was so excited to read this series literally for the sole reason that mind reading seems so cool and the first line of the first book, "The man across from me was thinking about killing his wife", (or something to that effect) intrigued me from the get-go. Now, after having read books 1-3 and the ending novella, I have never been more annoyed or frustrated not only in a story line but also in a writer's incompetence for her own story.
-I can't say how many times Cameron said "This will be the last time I'll ever see ______." It lost it's punch quickly.
-The author had the same descriptions over and over. Pink and orange sunset, nails biting into her arms, the scent of spicy cologne, men being "warm". It just got lazy.
-The 2nd and 3rd book not only start out with the last chapter of the previous book, but also copy PAGES and pages of "memories" from prior books. I almost had to skip over them seeing as I'd just read them in the last book.
-The author literally changed names and spellings like it was nothing. The receptionist went from Ellen to Helen, and Aunt Elizabeth turned to Aunt Lindsey to Aunt Lyndsey. I can't.
Not much happened as I look back. The smallest actions were sooo drug out and it was a chore to finish the last book. Again, a great concept, just not a great execution.
I was so excited to read this series literally for the sole reason that mind reading seems so cool and the first line of the first book, "The man across from me was thinking about killing his wife", (or something to that effect) intrigued me from the get-go. Now, after having read books 1-3 and the ending novella, I have never been more annoyed or frustrated not only in a story line but also in a writer's incompetence for her own story.
-I can't say how many times Cameron said "This will be the last time I'll ever see ______." It lost it's punch quickly.
-The author had the same descriptions over and over. Pink and orange sunset, nails biting into her arms, the scent of spicy cologne, men being "warm". It just got lazy.
-The 2nd and 3rd book not only start out with the last chapter of the previous book, but also copy PAGES and pages of "memories" from prior books. I almost had to skip over them seeing as I'd just read them in the last book.
-The author literally changed names and spellings like it was nothing. The receptionist went from Ellen to Helen, and Aunt Elizabeth turned to Aunt Lindsey to Aunt Lyndsey. I can't.
Not much happened as I look back. The smallest actions were sooo drug out and it was a chore to finish the last book. Again, a great concept, just not a great execution.
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