Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Author: Kiersten White
Title: Mind Games
Series: Mind Games #1
Publication: February 19, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Synopsis
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her-except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other's lives by refusing to obey.

Thoughts: Fia and Annie were orphaned at young age after their parents were killed in a car accident. Now, the responsibility of their care falls to an aunt seemingly unprepared and eager to pass on the burden, so when this school shows interest in Annie and promises to help fix her eyes she encourages her to go. The only problem is Fia, she knows something isn't right but doesn't want to dampen her sisters’ happiness. So, both girls attend the school, yet Annie's disillusioned about the schools purpose and finally belonging amongst those that have similar abilities as her own that she appears truly blind to the happenings of the school and even more as to what the instructors are doing to Fia. What the girls don't realize is that Fia was an unexpected find, she is a gem and they will do anything to keep her...even threaten Annie's life to control her. Fia tries hard to look out for her older sister but no one seems to be looking out for her. She just wants their freedom and she will not stop until she has it.

Fia comes off as fierce and unstable. I was waiting for her to finally snap and when she did, oh my goodness, my jaw dropped because it was so sudden. She's so angry and damaged from all that the abuse they put her through at the school and this contributes largely to her destructive and internal meltdown. The only person that seems to draw her out is the one person her sister wants her stay away from, James, but even he has ulterior motives where Fia's concerned. In essence the sisters are each trapped in their own personal hell, not knowing what move will result in the death of the other. I liked the tone of this story; it was so easy to delve into the emotional turmoil that the sisters experience. I really liked getting to feel Fia's fear and loss but also her strength. The interactions between Fia and James were interesting but the dynamic between her and Adam seemed to give a different glimpse of Fia. Overall, the plot transitions fluidly from each girl’s perspective from past to present and the characters are engaging in their plight for freedom. This is a good read and I look forward to reading the next book.