The only other book I've read from the Steampunk Chronicles series is The Girl with the Iron Touch..and frankly I didn't even took the time to check the order of the books. While I like this one, I would say I like the earlier one better. Both the books have a kind of serious tone to them I would say, but this is definitely a recommended read for those who like steampunk novels.
Rachel had a very disturbing life overall. Still, she is not some cry-baby and knows how to face the challenges. What I liked is her determination to go ahead to get rid of her troubles, no matter what she has to face (or even if it means jumping off of a bridge :p) When Jason comes across Rachel, he offers her a place to stay out of generosity or compassion, whatever you say. However, this one small decision changes both of their lives. I think Jason faces more problems after this because he seems to have an almost perfect life, with his family and fiancée and all. But his one decision to help Rachel out, and eventually fall in love with her, jeopardizes all the other relationships he has. He brakes off Lindy's heart, the person he had known since he was 16, because he doesn't feel anything like 'love' for her, and he realizes that all the more after knowing Rachel. While Rachel doesn't consider herself a human being with dignity and respect at all, Jason is the person who looks at her like no one ever has before. All the time, Jason seems more aware of Rachel as a person than Rachel herself. Jason never backs off from what he feels is his responsibility, or his feelings.
Perhaps I was a fool, or a little mad today, but if I was mad today, I was mad for her.
Jason is kind of a perfect guy (which in reality never exists) compared to Rachel, possibly broken in many ways, and yet they seem to fit together so well, like pieces of a puzzle. Even Jason feels the same.
We’re right for each other, we both know it.
It’s really hard to show such chemistry without making it look like he pities her but the author pulls it off so well! I loved that :D The narrative is pov based, where we see Rachel and Jason's thoughts back-to-back. It was a wee bit hard to follow a few times because it wasn't exactly divided into chapters always. I mean, there are chapters or sections, but at times povs of both Rachel and Jason are put into one, so one moment you're reading Jason's thoughts and the other moment you see Jason calling himself out only to realize the narrative has moved to Rachel (sorry as in my writing it sounds more confusing than it actually is!) As the story focuses almost entirely on these two characters, I (totally unintentionally) overlooked others things happening. I’m not much of a romantic person and Rachel and Jason’s story seemed way too sweet to digest sometimes. But since I had knows that it’s basically NA romance read, I could cope up with it. And two of the main reasons are probably the author’s skill and effort, that makes the story so wonderful as a whole. For everyone out there who loves a good NA read, be it romantic, tragic, funny, sweet or hot, I would strongly suggest this book:)
*I had received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*
I've read this book long ago, but writing my thoughts on this somehow slipped my mind. I would have liked it more if a proper back story was given in the beginning, the beginning seems to rush into the story without giving necessary details to go ahead with. I don't like when a story drags, but I also don't like jumping into the middle of one without being mentally prepared. And I feel the plot could have been made more attractive, with the Persephone theme and all, and a little more description on that part would have made the story REALLY attractive and interesting. The author chose a very interesting idea but could have executed it a lot more successfully.
As for the characters, I really felt the lack of finesse there. I'm not very much into boy-maniac girls, and though I have no issues with love triangles, this time it didn't click for me. I would have liked Noel more if she was a little more resolute. In comparison to her character, I liked Autumn, Boone and even Augustine! However, I felt the lack of connection to them I usually do while reading these kind of books.
The narrative was a little dull and at times, choppy. I have a hard time relating to a story if I keep stumbling on the words.
Overall, the plot was good, the theme was really good. I just wish the author had made it a little more polished with well-built characters, a nice back-story and narration. This is a book in The Persephone's League of Immortals series, so I really hope the next book/s are successfully able to make up for these issues.
First things first. As you peeps already know, I have a very bad cover glutton, and this book has one of the most mind gobbling covers I've ever seen! Seriously, I could EAT it @_@ I mean, just look at the cover...are you sure you're not in love with it already? Whoever has made that freaking breathtakingly beautiful cover...Bravo *claps*
Jumping in to the characters, their names...Perfect! I know this may sound lame but I really believe that name is an important part in reflecting a character. Author Kiersten White has made sure of that I must say. The female lead (for the time being;)) is Sofia and I feel like somehow the name fits her character perfectly. Her monologues, jumbled thoughts and often meaningless rants made her quite similar to the Sophie of Sophie's World, though the comparison does seem a little far fetched (having graduated in Literature, I cannot help it:p) Though it was a little disturbing at the beginning, but once I got a hold, it was like a roller coaster ride...you can never read enough!
Then there is Adam...and there is James. Honestly speaking, this is one of the very few books where I couldn't decide until the end (end of book 1 that is) which hero I ACTUALLY like. I seem to have come up with the same dilemma as Sofia, only more prominent (because I couldn't tap tap tap my fingers to take my mind off this:/) Adam is the nice guy, the boy next door, and James is, in short, the perfect liar. But who should Sofia look up to?
Before you think I'm insane to not have mentioned Annie earlier, centering whom Sofia's whole life revolves, let me tell you that no, I was just waiting. She is...how do I say?...a complicatedly interesting and likeable character. I must warn you though...there are times..a LOT..when you may feel like throwing something at her face, or punching her for her guts. But at the end of the day, she IS Sofia's sister, and that makes her do things, that leaves you with no other choice than liking her as well!
The question of choice Sofia is to face every time, more for her sis than herself is what I enjoyed the most. Sofia seem to have one reason only to do what she does: keep her sister safe. While Annie is at the receiving end of help and favors most of the times, you may pass your verdict saying she's nothing but a self-pitying selfish sister who actually doesn't deserve half the things Sofia does for her. But with each passing moment and incident, you may start realizing that Annie is no less important a character. Both are different, of course...but somehow, they are linked with each other despite their physical and mental differences, and this is something I really really liked. It is not only the tale of Sofia and her fight, it is a beautiful narration of both Annie and Sofia's povs, the torments they face, torn between choosing for the self and the other one.
Mind Games is a beautiful, beautiful book that fills you gradually with anticipation along with each reading and specially after such an unnerving and cliffhanger ending, leaves you with no choice other than waiting to read the next book in the series. In short, just GRAB the book to read the minute you get the opportunity, you won't regret it :D
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