Saturday, July 10, 2010

BBA Post: Heather @ Darkly Reading Guest Blog

Today, I asked Heather to come by and talk about Mind Games by Carolyn Crane, since I know it’s one of her favorite books. You should all go check out Heather’s awesome blog Darkly Reading. You can also follow her on Twitter! Here’s Heather!

Darkly Reading,button,blog

Top 5 reasons to read and love Mind Games:

1. A flawed heroine I can relate too. Let’s face it – most urban fantasy heroines are flawed but in such extraordinary ways it’s hard to relate too – daddy’s the big bad destroyer of worlds and damaged your childhood, if you fall in love with someone you might suck away their life, your bad breath could destroy humanity (ok so that is not really an affliction from a book but some mornings I think I might have this superpower). But if you ever think to yourself maybe this potato salad at the family reunion will be your last or you forgot to wash your hands at a public restroom and are therefore destined to get a flesh eating bacteria then I have the perfect heroine for you - Justine. She uses her powers of hypochondria for good to break down the bad guys and man would I like to believe my own personal idiosyncrasies could lead to super powers.

Heather Guest Post,Benjamin Bratt

Kevin McKidd,Heather Guest Post

2. Picking a team (and a man for Justine) is like picking a food group. So by the end of Mind Games there are clearly two men going for the leading hero slot in Justine’s life – Otto and Packard who have been dubbed Team Cucumber and Team Kebab, respectively. They both have a lot going for them – Otto wears a beret and capes and is the hero of Midcity while Packard is a little dangerous and has that whole living in a Mediterranean restaurant while running a vigilante group thing going for him. I see Sanchez as Benjamin Bratt while Kevin McKidd makes a great Packard.

3. Superpowers through environmental pollution. Let’s face it – the way the environment has been abused lately it would be nice if someone could say..”hey I destroyed this pristine coastline but all the children born in this area will have the ability to destroy me with their mental powers.”

4. There has never been a supernatural called a disillusionist or highcap before. After all the vampires and werewolf books you’ve read lately isn’t it nice to add a new supernatural group to the family.

5. I wouldn’t call Justine a slut but she does see a lot of “action” in the book. I can’t help it – I love the smutty parts too ;)

Heather Guest Post,Mind Games

Well that’s my quick top 5 – I would love to hear who ends up on Team Kebab or Team Cucumber and who is your favorite disillusionist?

15 comments:

A Buckeye Girl Reads said...

I love this book for all the reasons you do, and speaking of smuttiness-the hot tub scene, was just wow!

Jenny said...

Team Kebab for sure:) He's got a lot going on and I look forward to when we find out more about him and his powers now that he's out!

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

Love this post! Team Kebab all the way :)

Mind Games is one of my fave reads this year.

Amanda Leigh said...

I must say I'm with the rest of you on Team Kebab! lol. The hot tub scene was extremely hot and all, but I just love me some Packard!

Heather (DarklyReading) said...

Wow..I'm the only Team Cucumber so far ehh?! There is just something about a man in a beret and cape that gets me all excited ;) And the rooftop garden hot tub scene..and the office scene..all pretty hot!

Beth (maybe-tomorrow.org) said...

I must admit I was a little wary of this book when I first read about it, but once I started I couldn't put it down!

SOOO agree with the whole 'new' supernatural part, I was getting a little bored with vamps and wolfs.

Team Cucumber or Team Kebab? I'm torn, but I'm more leaning towards Packard, something I can't put my finger on. Looking forward to learning more about him in the next book!

Anonymous said...

OOH this sounds awesome! Hot-tub scene? Cape? (I don't know about the beret, though ...) I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for this book :)

emmad said...

must admit that I'm still waiting to read this. But would have to be a Team Kebab member unfortunatly capes just don't do it for me

Sullivan McPig said...

Team Kebab!
And my favourite disillusionist is Justine!

Dot S.(ladeetdareads.wordpress.com) said...

MIND GAMES is the most original book of 2010. Carolyn Crane is the best author of 2010. Thank you Carolyn for this wonderful read.

There is no way I could have my kebob without a side of cucumber so I guess there is just no way to choose one over the other.

Amanda Leigh said...

I'll admit it was a very tough choice for me. I do really like Otto as well, but I agree w/ Beth. There is just something about Packard. Even if I can't always figure out what that something is. Besides, I don't like cucumbers. ;)

Anonymous said...

I've met Benjamin Bratt and that man is even hotter in person.


Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven

Heather (DarklyReading) said...

It's true that Packard has got the mysterious with a hint of danger thing going for him but I'm sticking with Otto - I can't believe you don't like cucumbers Amanda! And Stephanie I am so jealous you met Benjamin Bratt in person - he's yummy! ;)

Amanda Leigh said...

*picks jaw up off of floor* Stephanie, you've met Benjamin Bratt! Oh my goodness!! No fair!!!

LOL and nope don't like cucumbers one bit. Sorry Heather. :)

Melissa said...

Team Kabob - I am sorry but I could not get past the beret and cape. As soon as I read that description, there was no way that I would go for Team Cucumber.

I agree with the other posts in that the book was so different from everything else I have been reading. Justine did feel more like the average everyday person with their issues.