Title: Minder
Author: Kate Kaynak
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Print ISBN: 978-0-9845311-0-3
Ebook ISBN : 978-0-9845311-1-0
Release Date: June 18th 2010
Format: Ebook and Print
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Thriller, Romance
Length: Novel
Rating: 4 Lyres
Reviewer: GJM
When we first meet Maddie Dunn she is about to be assaulted by three boys that attend her school. The three young men have bitten off a lot more than they can chew, as they are the one that end up being the victims. Maddie is the only witness and she can’t explain how all three boys end up dead in the back of the van. When the police show up at her school and take her to the station because they find her prints in the van, Maddie is scared. She can’t offer any explanation for what happened. Enter Dr. Williamson and his young associate. Within minutes, Maddie is released into the good doctor’s custody and on her way to Ganzfield.
Ganzfield is a live-in complex where youngsters with exception talents are educated in how to use and cope with their powers. It’s here we find out that Maddie is a very strong telepath, ohh and did I mention she can actually kill with just a thought? We also meet Trevor who is a powerful telekinetic. Maddie and Trevor had an instant attraction and he seems to be able to help her cope with her powers. Ganzfield also has teens with other abilities. Remote Viewers can find things and people with their powers, Sparks can control fire, Healers who can heal just about anything using just their minds, and, of course, the Charms who in most cases misuse their powers and manipulate the other students into embarrassing and at times humiliating situations.
When Trevor is kidnapped by an evil mad scientist it’s up to Maddie to gather together a rescue team strong enough to put aside their fears and use their different powers to help get to Trevor before it’s too late.
I really enjoyed this book. It is kind of like combining The X-Men, Carrie, and Firestarter all in one book. The characters are likeable with the exception of a few really nasty Charms who deserve a severe beat-down. The tender love story between Maddie and Trevor is well written and I loved they way the two of them found acceptance with each other that they hadn’t managed to find with anyone else. I’ll be looking forward to continuing the adventure with them and their friends in Adversary, which is book two in this series.
