Indie Book of the Week #5 - Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn

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 world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

This week’s top indie choice is Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn, the first in an imaginative and gripping sci-fi trilogy set in a world where almost everyone is a mind-reader. As one of a handful of people unaffected by a chemical imbalance in the water, Kira is known as a zero, and is distrusted by most people. But one day, when Raf, her only friend, tries to kiss her, she accidentally does something to his mind and nearly kills him. Another student, Simon, tells her that she’s capable of ‘jacking’ someone’s mind and taking over, an ability he shares. She’s unwillingly drawn into a lie, forced to manipulate the minds of those around her to convince them she is normal. But when Simon introduces her to an entire network of people with abilities like hers, that’s when things get dangerous.

I love the concept of the mind-jackers, and the idea of a society in which everyone is always open to everyone else’s thoughts is a fascinating one. The world-building is great and I really liked the futuristic elements as well as the echoes of the world we live in today. Kira gains our sympathy from the outset, a girl who just wants to fit in, but is forced to make some difficult choices once she learns that she has a rare ability. The combination of paranormal and sci-fi elements makes for a fast-paced and entertaining read. This is a very well-written novel with a great concept, and one I’d highly recommend!

Buy on Amazon.