Mind Games

Summary
Fia and Annie are as close as two sisters can be. They look out for each other. Protect each other. And most importantly, they keep each other's secrets, even the most dangerous ones: Annie is blind, but can see visions of the future; Fia was born with flawless intuition—her first impulse is always exactly right. When the sisters are offered a place at an elite boarding school, Fia realizes that something is wrong . . . but she doesn't grasp just how wrong. The Keane Institute is no ordinary school, and Fia is soon used for everything from picking stocks to planting bombs. If she tries to refuse, they threaten her with Annie's life. Now Fia's falling in love with a boy who has dark secrets of his own. And with his help, she's ready to fight back. They stole her past. They control her present. But she won't let them take her future.

Afterthoughts
I really liked this book and the way it was written. The chapters flip between past and present, moving the story along while slowly revealing the sisters' backstory. The characters were quite complex, making me unsure who to support until the end, and relatable, which is always important to a good story.
The plot was intriguing and ends in a huge twist, one that I never saw coming. Fia and Annie are great POVs, dropping clues about their past without actually revealing anything until the end, which kept me hanging on!
The worst part of the book was the ending, because I was pretty sure that the book was a stand-alone and I wanted to know what would happen! Thankfully, I was wrong and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel.

Warnings
Some underage drinking, violence.

Extras
Kiersten's Blog

Falling Kingdoms

Summary
In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined.
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into
enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Afterthoughts
Magic and adventure are my two favorite story elements and, as this story had both in abundance, I was well intrigued. The story itself was good, containing enough action to keep the story going, but not remarkable. I was a bit disappointed that the twist I expected never materialized and the story was fairly predictable.
I do not feel as if this book was a waste of time, but I wasn't impressed with it. It was a bit cliche and certainly not 'The gripping New York Times bestseller that is Game of Thrones for teens.' Overall, I was disappointed.

Warnings
None.

Extras
Book Excerpt
Book Trailer:

Code Name Verity

Summary
Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Afterthoughts
Wow. I am blown away by the beauty and emotional journey this book took me through. Initially, I hated the main character. This was a completely foreign feeling for me, as I had never felt such dislike for a main character before. Verity's cowardice disgusted me, partially, I think, because cowardice is a fear of mine. The story was intriguing but confusing, because I couldn't see the point to it.
Then, it picked up pace and blew me away. Once I reached the end and everything came together made sense, I was appalled at my initial feelings. But, enough about that before I give stuff away.
The relationship between the protagonists is beautiful, warming and breaking my heart at the same time. The twist in the story was completely unexpected and I spent the last pages in tears.
Please read this book, it will never be something you regret.

Warnings
Violence (including torture) and language (including a few F-words).

Extras
Author's Site