Rating (1 to 5 *): *****
Mind Over Mind is a very interesting take on science fiction, in that we see very little of the science fiction aspect of the story, and what we do see comes in flashes through Ydrel's dreams. The concept of Neuro Linguistic Programming is a real concept, and it was interesting to read about being used in the book. However, I do wish that more of the story had centered on that and on Ydrel's struggles--I felt Joshua's romance with Sachiko distracted just a bit too much from what I thought the main point of the story was. However, the writing is good, the characters well developed, and the story line is very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next two books in the trilogy go.
Lee Barwood, http://www.leebarwood.com/blog.htm?post=811152
Readers will enjoy this book, the first in a trilogy, from the very first page as Ydrel, mired in a memory from a World War II boxcar on its way to a concentration camp, soothes the old man with a vision of his own to free him from his terror and to save his own sanity. From that point on it is an engaging story of a young man coping with phenomena that others don’t believe, but this time with help: Joshua, who decides that whether Ydrel’s alternate worlds are real or not, he needs coping strategies for them because he believes they’re real. And Joshua is resolved to give Ydrel just that, risking running afoul of Dr. Malachai – who does indeed want to keep Ydrel just where he is for a number of reasons.
Nicole Zoltack, http://nicolezoltack.blogspot.com/2011/09/mind-over-mind-book-review.html
This book was a refreshing read, both fantasy and science fiction or science fantasy. The blending of the two genres was well done, but the best part for me was the character Deryl Stephens. Strong yet unsure, Deryl learns not only how to control his powers, he also learns who exactly he is. Mind Over Mind is the first in a trilogy and a lot of times, the first book tends to just stop and not have a real ending. Mind Over Mind has a satisfying conclusion as it sets up the second book. Thank you, Karina, for a worthwhile and entertaining read.
John Koneski, http://apiusman.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-mind-over-mind-by-karina-fabian.html
Overall, I liked this book. The characters have great chemistry. The three main characters click together like the pieces of a puzzle. The main cast effortlessly operates like a well-oiled machine. Even when the novel crosses over from “mere” telepathy, and into aliens, the book works well, and slides back and forth from one to the other with ease. Even the dialogue with Deryl's alien “handlers” is interesting.
Mind Over Mind has a nice, complex plot. It's not convoluted, and it's easy to follow, even after the introduction of the two alien species, interoffice politics and personality clashes, and a bit of hospital soap opera.
These are the compliments, honest.
There's even a good, solid romantic subplot that, miraculously, does not make me want to acid wash my brain … and that's hard, even on a good day. It was easy and gentle, and there were little to no cliche's … I give a range because that depends greatly on what you may consider a cliché. After all, there are common traits to any bit of developing romance, and if that makes them cliché, well, they are cliché because they're true.
The interesting part is that the most evil character in the entire novel seems to be .... the hospital administrator, who not only believes Deryl's psychic powers, but tries to manipulate Deryl anyway he can. The Master and the ones who ask him for information are antagonists (neither are certainly helpful to Deryl's sanity), but the guy who runs the asylum is an evil little bastard. I'd read the rest of the trilogy just to see if he gets thrown down a mine shaft or something.
Overall, I liked this book. It's a good start for a trilogy, and I suspect the story will only get better when it's complete. Right now, it feels like The Hobbit just waiting for The Lord of the Rings.
Basically, by the time everything is said and done, I want to read more about these characters and where they're going. I suspect you might too.
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