Minder: A Ganzfield Novel

Passionate, Powerful, and Amazing.

One book that has been on my TBR list that I finally got around to reading (and I'm so glad I did!) is Minder. If you read my blog enough, you know that I have series issues with abuse in stories. I just can't read it myself--don't watch it in movies, and find it very difficult to invest myself in a book that deals heavily on the subject. When we first meet Maddie, she is in the midst of being attacked. Oh God, my heart almost gave out on me. I almost put the book down. However, the scene was quickly over, and no sooner was she attacked than she was able to save herself. The means in which she defeated her attackers had me hooked on the story by the first chapter. I'm so happy I pushed through. What Maddie had endured, and the way she handled it, brought me very close with her character. And as she began a new life in the Ganzfield boarding school, I felt for her as she faced all new obstacles and hardships. She was more than a likable character. I always fail in my reviews to express just how much I love a character when they truly touch me, but just trust me; Maddie is a strong, fierce, and thoughtful girl with amazing insight. And that's not just because of her ability which allows her to see into other's minds, though that does help with her growth as she evaluates the rights and wrongs of doing so. But she herself grew throughout the story to become a much stronger person because of who she was and her principles.

What I really loved about this story was the relationship between Maddie and Trevor. Normally I'm all swoony over a great lead guy, but I'm hooked on Trevor in a deeper way. He is drop dead gorgeous for sure, but because we are able to see what he's thinking through Maddie, we are given everything. His vulnerability, worries, desires, strengths, weaknesses.. Everything. He's an amazing character. The love between Maddie and Trevor literally made me breathless. While I was reading, there were passages where Maddie had to remind herself to breathe, and I found that I'd been holding my breath also. It's just that passionate.

The paranormal aspect of the story was phenomenal. I'm so picky about this. For me, if there's not a strong enough plot, the romance fails. Both have to balance each other to make the story work. I completely lost myself in this story--rooting for the characters as they discovered more about their abilities and also following along with the logic and theories. I didn't pause once to question if something wasn't plausible, I simply nodded along, caught up in the world. Even had a discussion with my 13yo son later at the table about lucid dreams lol.

Okay, when I love a book this much I can go on and on. I tend to ramble. So I'm going to end my review here and simply say that Ms. Kaynak is an amazingly talented writer. I loved the voice of this story, and I fell in love with the characters. If you're looking for something fresh in the YA Paranormal Romance department, do yourself a favor and check out Minder. If I still listed my review flames for ratings on my site, my blog would be on fire!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Read it now!

Minder grabbed my attention and did not let go! This has supernatural powers, an awesome love story, and a protagonist that I can admire, she can stand her own. Maddie is a strong character, a protector, quick learner and holds her own ground. She questions the immediate attraction to her love interest, instead of just simply accepting love at first sight. I like that because they know what each other is thinking, there is a real reason for this quickly developing relationship. There is no room for subterfuge. While the love story is strong element, Maddie still pays attention to other duties.
Forgive the Twilight reference here, but I always wondered if the appeal to Bella would have been so high if Edward could read her thoughts, and come up empty. Minder however, is from the mind reader's perspective, and I love that Trevor is sweet, caring and selfless enough to pass the test; and deserving of love. However, he is not perfect and I think that is actually an outstanding characteristic in novels. His issues can be worked through though, as Maddie can read his insecurity and fuel it toward positive.
The minor characters are well thought out, and they are diverse in personality which is amazing to read. Sometimes all of the groups of characters have the same personality and voice, and it was refreshing to see. Dr Williamson is a wonderful lead and father type figure. Maddie looks for his approval and it is good to have someone steady and there to mentor her.
Minder deals with some deep issues, the characters struggle with death, murder and the moral ramifications; because where is the line of too evil to live? She strives for equality among the supernatural and for evilness to be quelled. There are times when she herself steps over the line that she doesn't want crossed, but she has support and friends to help her find her way. Faith is also touched on but there is nothing pushy or negative about it. It is done beautifully and it relates with scenes that are taking place.
This is also a book with humor laced in- I absolutely love it when books make me laugh. There was much fun poked at New Jersey, but I think that NJ is a big boy and can handle it. ? There are also lighthearted sections such as when fireball is being played that for me if for some reason reminiscent of Quidditch in Harry Potter.
This book is a part of a series, but the ending is done well; where I want and crave more, but it is not making me want to throw the book because of where it left me. The story is tied up well enough to sustain for a bit, but loose enough to make me think about what will happen next.
This is a wonderful novel, and I cannot wait to read more. I recommend picking it up!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great new series

I just finished Minder and Adversary back-to-back, and I LOVE this new series! Can't wait for book 3!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Alice Cullen fans will love Maddie Dunn!

Ganzfield is an exclusive private school for the gifted. Gifted as in every student can either move objects with their mind, start fires just by thinking it, or are skilled in mind control. Maddie Dunn was recruited to Ganzfield after stopping three guys from attacking her with only wishing it. Students aren't exactly welcoming Maddie because her abilities are so unique that they have only been seen in a handful of people.

Trevor student and outsider at Ganzfield instantly falls for Maddie. Trevor keeps Maddie's nightmares away in a very unique way. He is sweet, caring, and wants nothing more than to protect her. Maddie's skills tend to become stronger when Trevor is near and he makes her life better. With their combined skills there are no miscommunications and the relationship quickly intensifies. Author Kate Kaynak does a great job making you wish you had the type of relationship that Maddie and Trevor share.

Students at Ganzfield have dark secrets that Maddie stumbles upon and she starts making changes to make life better for all students. Only she has to balance her powers because losing control can kill. Apart from the students the outside world thinks Ganzfield is unnatural and want to study or kill them. While taking a routine trip to town for supplies one of the students is captured and Maddie assembles a rescue mission where they are forced to use their powers to stay alive.

I must also warn you to be prepared for lots of swooning because this story is so sweet and romantic. Alice Cullen and Sookie Stackhouse fans will love Maddie! Kaynak brings plenty of action, unique story telling, and lots of romance. Minder is the first in a Ganzfield series, Adversary comes out August 20th 2010 and Legacy will be published in 2011. I can tell you this is a must read and will be a book I re-read over and over.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fun story!

This book will draw you in quickly. The action in Minder starts early, and the narration by the main character Maddie carries you along as she's swept into unfamiliar experiences.

Teen readers will identify with Maddie, who hasn't always fit in during her life. During her teenage years she suddenly finds herself changing in unexpected ways, and at the same time she finds new friends, new responsibilities, adventure, danger, and love.

Life at Ganzfield is also much like the social order at a typical high school, where (even without formal superpowers) the popular crowd generally wields and abuses a broad control over others. Everyone else wants someone to stop them.

In general it's an exciting novel with lots of cool heroes doing awesome stuff. You'll enjoy it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A MUST read!!

I absolutely LOVE Minder and I'm counting down the days until the next book in the Ganzfield series comes out! My reading habits typically consist of a chapter a night before I nod off to sleep, but I literally couldn't put the book down and gobbled it up in a couple of sittings. I know books and shows about teenagers with supernatural powers are kind of everywhere right now, but I was blown away with how original the book is, especially Kaynak's take on telepathy. Plus, the characters are refreshingly believable teenagers whose lives you can't help getting wrapped up in, no matter what age you are. Weeks later, I'm still thinking about Maddie, Trevor and life at Ganzfield!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Had a hard time putting it down!

Minder is a tremendous novel -- it has elements of other books I have read, but put together in a refreshingly original way. Action rises and falls, characters are introduced and developed, and battle lines are drawn, all through the sarcastic, intelligent voice of Maddie, the sometimes fragile main character. As a middle school teacher, I was struck by how authentically these teenagers sound and act. Their words, their desires, their behavior -- they all ring true to actual young adults. This is unusual -- Bella Swan, Harry Potter, the Gossip Girls, and the Pevensie siblings too often sound like adults in smaller bodies. Kate Kaynak, however, truly captured the essence of teenagers, and that gives this book the credibility it needs to make it as great as it is. I spent a couple of late nights reading, unable to stop reading, and I look forward to many more readings (as well as the continuation of the series).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

MOVE OVER, TWILIGHT!

I read an advance copy of this for my blog review. The first chapter had me scared--and hooked. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next! The characters drew me in, and the ending kept me turning pages late into the night. I can't wait for the sequel!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

LOVED IT!

Great read! The whole series flows smoothly and i found that i could not wait to start the next book when i finished each one.

I was nervous about reading this novel, but as soon as I did I c

I was nervous about reading this novel, but as soon as I did I couldn't put it down. I ended up reading the series and I can't wait for the 6th book.
Kate Kaynak is a great writer and really puts you in the character's places without too much description that takes up the entire book. I only have one complaint about the book, but I can't say if you don't want spoilers.
I really liked that it was pretty original and it kept you on your toes the whole time. I loved the main character Maddie too. She finds out she has this ability and doesn't shy away from it or get all angsty about it like in so many other books. She accepts it pretty much right away, still having concerns, but she doesn't deny it throughout the book. She's pretty much like "Okay I have this ability. I'm gonna learn how to control it." Pretty mature.
I felt all the characters were well developed. I especially loved Rachel throughout the series and wish there was more scenes with her. She's so meek in the first book and then she turns into this spit fire who doesn't take anything from anyone.
Needless to say, I loved these books and can't wait for December 2012 for the next.

Fast Paced, Excellent Book

After we learn about Maddie Dunn and her ability the book keeps getting better and better. I heart you Kate Kaynack if your out ther.

Good, interesting

I really enjoyed the premise of the book. The idea of a training facility for kids with special abilities was unique. I liked thr characters and the plot. The only negative is the love story. Its not romantic, just extremely annoying that two kids meet and they are suddenly in love... if you can get past the stupid teen love then its overall a great read.

A Promising Start

Don't you always love when a book manages to impress and surprise you time and time again? Well, I do, and thankfully enough that's exactly what happened with Minder, the first spellbinding addition in the Ganzfield series.

After a fatal accident involving three boys and Maddie Dunn and a single, mind killing thought, Maddie is recruited by Ganzfiled, the opulent, fancy academy for teens who have special abilities like herself. At Ganzfield, Maddie learns she's a minder, someone who can not only read people's thoughts and implant her own in them, but overload their brains so much that they can die. Loving the fact that she's finally learning about her ability and making new friends, Maddie finally fells at home so to say, even though the other teens aren't always too nice to her and the fact she's kind of scared of her ability and what it entitles. Better yet, when she meets Trevor, everything gets even better. Though, even with this fun, there's still a stealthy, killing man out there who has only one goal in mind: kill off all of Ganzfield's population. Will Maddie and her friends be able to stop him in time? Or will he succeed? Only time and more pages will tell.

With Minder, Kate Kaynak has created quite the cast of diverse and interesting teenagers with a range of "special abilities." I always truly enjoyed finding out more about what each group (the sparks, charms, RVs, healers, etc.) could do, and how their talents affected their attitudes towards life in general. Though, my favorites out of the bunch would have to be main character Maddie and her group of friends. All were thoroughly developed, in my opinion, which has left only more eager to find out more about them in the future. Better yet, even with their talents, I think everyone one who reads this series will at least find one character to relate to. The only thing I wasn't too big on about the characters was how fast Maddie and Trevor's relationship occurred, because as you know if you're a long-time reader of my blog, one of my biggest book pet peeves is unrealistic romantic relationships.

Moving on, the premise of this was pretty great, because who doesn't love a book about a boarding school with students who are more than just the average teen? And the execution was even better, because not only did Kate constantly surprise and impress with the amount of world building and plot development she did within this, but I was unceasingly on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next, as Kate also does a pretty great job when it comes to the sudden twists and turns everyone loves to hate.

Full of surprises and heart stopping moments, Minder is the perfect start to a series I feel I'll come to love even more as time goes on. And Kate Kaynak- she's a pretty fantastic author too so far!

Grade: B+

great teen series

After a scary near gang rap that ended with all of the boys suddenly dropping dead leave Maddie Dunn wondering what she is. She is approached by a man by the name of Dr Williamson. He claims to run a school where she can attend to lean to Channel her gift. Of course any idea that gets her out on Jersey and facing murder charges sounds good to her right now.

Once at the school she finds it's full of other kids with special gifts. They have what they call charms they are the bullies of the school and their gift is to be able to force an idea in your head and force you to act on that command. Then there is the sparks they have an infinity to pyrotechnics they can manipulate fire. Next they have RV's these kids have the ability to remote view people and locate them or track them. Then of course there is healers who of course of the gift of healing. Then like Maddie there those who have the gift for Telekinesis they can read mines and push thoughts in to others minds and in special cases like Maddie they can actually cause physical harm or death with their mind. Last but not least the school has one Psychokinetic who comes to Maddie's rescue when she flees the dorms to sleep in the church to stop projecting her nightmares into everyone in the dorm. Only to project it in to the u expecting Trevor who immediately ran to side to awaken her from her dream and help her.
Soon they find a connection between each other they can't explain its like their souls connected. He makes all the other voices receded to a distant mumble in her mind when she is around him. Can they build this relationship and explore what this connection means to them all the wail help rid the school of all the cruel Things the bullies do to all of the other kids.

The book is very well written and has very strong characters. There is a bit more tee. Angst than I prefer. There is a great connection between Maddie and Trevor I like how much they feel for each other. Maddie is a strong character she is new to this world but adapts quickly. Trevor has had. Lonely life and finally feels for the first time someone who genuinely cares about him. I like that this world is new not like anything I've read before. I think this is a good teen read. Teens can relate to the emotions that they are feeling and some the trails that Maddie faces at the school. It should be Interesting to see what happens now in the next book.

An Exciting and Well-Written Series Opener

You know how that saying 'never judge a book by its cover' can also be used when talking about people? Well it certainly applies to nearly everyone in Minder. Each and every person appears to be perfectly normal human beings. And they are, aside from the fact that they have these extraordinary powers ala X-Men (which I love...Gambit was always my favorite).

Minder jumps off to an explosive start and rarely lets up. The world of Ganzfield is intriguing and laced with mystery and Maddie Dunn's acclimation to this surprising world is perfectly paced. Maddie's realization that she is a 'minder' or mind-reader comes with hearing the thoughts of everyone around her. Being bombarded with insecurities, mistrust, deviousness, and the more than occasional dirty thought should drive Maddie crazy, but once she meets Trevor, the only telekinetic at Ganzfield, she's able to nearly block everything else out.

Trevor is sweet and gorgeous and not at all put off by Maddie's mind-reading abilities. His thoughts are refreshingly of the not dirty teenage boy variety and he clearly cares about Maddie. The only negative thing about Minder was probably the pace of Maddie and Trevor's relationship. They meet and then BOOM they are instantly in love. The whole hearing thoughts thing could certainly hasten the development of their relationship, but it happened a bit too quickly for my liking. Still, their relationship is passionate and honest. They make quite the pair.

Spiderman taught us that 'with great power, comes great responsibility.' The students at Ganzfield are young and can be reckless, but the powers that they have could do some serious damage. Kaynak shows us the good and the bad of it. Not all people with extreme power use it for good. The action-packed ending gives us both sides to that story.

Kaynak does and extraordinary job creating a vast, sprawling world filled with just enough science and psychology to make it believable. The explanation into the powers that the Ganzfield students have is plausible. Government conspiracies and secret spy programs kept me on my toes about what was really going on.

Minder is an engaging read with unique characters and a steamy romance that sizzles off the page. The inappropriately timed humor and sarcastic comments (See my favorite line below) also had me laughing my way through some of the more serious moments. The ending had me begging for more and, lucky me, Adversary is already out. I'll be getting that very soon.

Opening line(s): I felt the eyes on the back of my head, like a too-warm itch within my skull. Someone was watching me. ~ pg. 1

Favorite line(s): Trevor's concern flooded over me. Seizure?
No, thank you. Maybe I'll have one later, though. ~ pg. 179

Minder is Marvelous!

Minder was such a great read. It kept me fully engaged the entire time. I read the entire book in one sitting because I could not put it down! I cannot wait for the next one to come out.

A Must Read! An Emotionally Stimulating Treasure!

If you have not picked up a copy yet, you have got to get one. Also visit www.ganzfield.com to watch her intriguing book trailer. Minder is a quick read for some, but I took my time. I wanted to savor the book and wasn't ready to let go of the main characters, Maddie and Trevor, until most of the summer had passed. Fortunately, the sequel Adversary will be out August 20th . I will try not to spoil the story here. Minder shares a story about Maddie, a girl who discovers that she has the ability to hear what people are thinking, project thoughts into peoples minds, as well as overload their brains with energy if she feels threatened. After an horrific attack on her by neighborhood boys causes her to fry their minds, the authorities at the Ganzfield facility discover her ability and whisk her away, making her one of their students. She meets other students with a variety of abilities, some like her - many fear her, but none connect with her like Trevor. He also has unique abilities, and they are drawn to each other like superpowered magnets. I would not want to stand in their way! Trevor's character is written in a way that you immediately fall in love with him too. Even with Maddie's ability to read his thoughts, he remains unashamed of his humanness and humble in every way. When I finished the book, I saw this image in my mind of a brightly colored quilt made of tiny, wildly-patterned squares with burn marks, tears and mended scars and zig-zagging top threads that travel outside their boundaries. Each square represented to me a student sharpening their ability and they were all sewn together making one huge, messy blanket of safety for the rest of us. The story interwove their abilities and personalities, and then put them all to the test when one of their students is put in grave danger. The story characters are witty, charming, deep, strong and committed to each other and acting with integrity for the greater good. Kate Kaynak writes in a way that makes you feel like you are part of their conversations. There are a few villans that are just as creepy and evil as any can get. The story starts out with one character, builds friendships between some of the main and supporting characters - both peers and authority figures, develops a unique and emotionally transparent romance, adds some seriously thrilling and exciting adventure as well as some drama, making my chest tighten with fear for the character's life. I will not only give this book 5 stars ***** I will be giving it an extra star* for "I could read this again right this minute"

LOVED IT!

I love this book! But then again, I seem to love the paranormal books. I really like the RV guys, the remote viewing. Being able to see and connect with those I love, just to make sure they are doing all right, would be awesome. I liked how we are able to see, and feel even, how Maddie is struggling with her ability. But I must say, my favorite character so far is Trevor. He's like the gentle giant, that can move things with his mind and drive with no actual hands on the wheel!

Great new YA series

My thoughts...Suspenseful, enchanting, and romantic, Minder is a great start to an exciting new series.

Minder is an exciting debut YA novel from author Kate Kaynak. In this first book, we meet some exciting characters including the heroine Maddie. She is a smart girl who finds herself in some unpleasant situations. Despite this, she finds her confidence quickly and takes charge of her life. Maddie's character is very strong and memorable. I liked her and found her believable and easy to relate to. We meet several of her classmates who like Maddie have special abilities. While she can read people's thoughts, others can start fires, move things with their minds, or even control the actions of others. I found some of the characters lovable and others were just cruel. All of the characters played a great role in the story.

The action in Minder kicked off in the first chapter. The author did a brilliant job of setting the emotion for the book. From there, the story transitions to her new home at the Ganzfield Institute. While the pace does slow down a bit, readers learn about the institute, other residents, and their abilities. Trouble is just around the bend for Maddie and her new friends. The ending of the story left me on the edge of my seat. Overall, Minder was a fun, face-paced read.

Minder offers something for everyone. I think this book will be enjoyed by male or female readers. There is a developing romance, which at times was a bit over the top and rushed for me, but I could feel the connection between the two characters. Younger audiences need to be aware of some violent situations and some heavy kissing scenes. I am very eager to learn more about the characters, their abilities, and their upcoming adventures. Book two, Adversary, is already on my wish list!

Great New Series

I love this book and I am anxiously awaiting the second book in the series! Don't get scared off by the powerful and uncomfortable scene in the beginning of the book; it is not indicative of the remainder of the book, but necessary to many of the main character's motivations (no details because I don't want to give anything away). It then quickly shifts into a well-written narrative about teenagers who have extraordinary abilities (being able to read minds, heal others, convince others to do one's bidding, and more) and their secret school in New Hampshire. The gene that causes their abilities seems very plausible. The story includes a beautiful and unique (given their extra abilities) romance between the main character, Maddie, and another student at the school. There were times in the first half of the book when I felt that the newly forming relationships took over the storyline too much, but that deep knowledge of them helped me to understand the motivations and connections during their adventures in the rest of the book. The characters and their personal histories are very well thought-out and the ways they use their abilities are completely believable. By the end of the book, I had a clear understanding of all the characters and how they were able to use their unique talents to work together and I'm excited to read about their further adventures! I would definitely recommend this book to a friend (and already have)!