REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: OPEN MINDS by Susan Kaye Quinn

I have a little post long weekend surprise for all you lovely readers! I am part of author Susan Kaye Quinn's Share A Book giveaway. What does that mean you ask? Well, in short, it means that I won a copy of her novel OPEN MINDS, and that now I am going to share it with you! Now there are going to be some very specific rules for this giveaway. But before we get to the rules, here's a little more info about the book.

OPEN MINDS: THE MINDJACK TRILOGY #1
When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.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. When she accidentally controls Raf's mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she's dragged deep into a hidden underworld of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

My Thoughts:

Wow, OPEN MINDS was so creative and well developed! I was sucked in from the first page. I mean, everyone can read minds! First off, that's just creepy. Second, that's a pretty detailed world to develop. But Quinn mastered it! All the details of being a changeling were explained, without the boring explanation part. How? Easy, she flawlessly wove explanation with experience and history through the characters.

The story was packed with suspense! I never knew what was going to happen, and I was often surprised with the way things turned out. I could feel Kira's inner conflict, and I wanted to trust certain characters so badly. The betrayals in this book were intense, and the relationships were severely strained as a result.

All Kira's relationships are interrelated and consumed by lying and fear. Her relationships with her best friend Raf and her family are all affected by her connection to Simon, who I actually like (you might get that statement when you read the book). I will admit, Simon had his moments when I really wanted to punch him, but he was also the most fragile character in my opinion. I really want to know more about his past, but the mystery is so important to his character. Then there's Raf, who I kind of felt sorry for for a while. He really likes Kira, and they've been best friends for a long time. I really hated to watch him go through all the pain Kira puts him through.

The most interesting character of them all was Kira. Her character changes and develops so beautifully throughout the book, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for her as the trilogy continues. Her bravery, determination, and unique skills are all bound to increase throughout the story arc, and I expect great things of her. She's a strong female character, and her concern for others is inspiring. I'd like to think that if I were in her position I would react in the same way. Quinn did an amazing job with Kira.

Overall, this is a fabulous book with an interesting and well developed story and world and wonderfully interesting characters. It's packed with suspense and secrets, and is definitely a must read. Don't miss OPEN MINDS, and the 2nd book in the MINDJACK TRILOGY: CLOSED HEARTS, available NOW!

BUY OPEN MINDS
Amazon: Paperback or E-book
B&N: Paperback or E-book
BUY CLOSED HEARTS
Amazon
B&N
And don't forget to check out Raf's story Mind Games:
Amazon


Connect with Susan Kaye Quinn
Susan's Website
Facebook
Twitter


Ok, now that you've heard how fabulous OPEN MINDS is, it's time for the GIVEAWAY! That's right, I have a SIGNED paperback copy of OPEN MINDS.  But this giveaway works a little differently than normal. The whole point is to help spread the word and SHARE the book. So, there are rules for the WINNERS of the book. Please pay close attention, because I really want the winner to follow the rules for the SHARE A BOOK giveaway:


1) Read OPEN MINDS
2) Take a bookmark (an envelop will be mailed with the book, the winner keeps one (1) bookmark)
3) Pass the book on! Yes, you must SHARE the book! (you can give it to a friend, a favorite teen, a random stranger at Starbucks, or hold a giveaway if you like) 
4) Repeat step 1 until you get to the last bookmark. The last person can KEEP the book or keep passing it on!


So, the point of this giveaway is to SHARE A BOOK! Obviously I can't come to your house and make sure you follow these steps, but shame on you if you don't! I'd also love it if the winner posted a review somewhere. It can be on your own blog, Goodreads, Amazon, etc. This is not required, but it helps out the authors and helps other readers find the book. So, this giveaway will run for 2 weeks. At the end of the two weeks (you can look on the rafflecopter form for when exactly that is. I don't like math.) I will pick the winner and notify them. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email. Please, please, please follow the rules if you win. Not only will I appreciate it, so will Susan! And maybe we can have some more giveaways! So, go on, you know you want to.... get entered below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway