INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: Book Review/Giveaway, Forbidden Mind, by Kimberly Kinrade

 

 

 

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in the 

FORBIDDEN MIND

blog tour,

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Forbidden Mind

(Forbidden Trilogy #1)

Kimberly Kinrade

Paperback, 218 pages

Evolved Publishing

September 6, 2011

Genres:

Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy,

Young Adult

 

 

From the Goodreads Synopsis

 

 

My employers pay me well to be right, to know things others can't. But I don't know why they brought that boy in, strapped to a stretcher, barely conscious. He asked me for help when I could give none.

 

So begins the tale of Sam and Drake—from the time they link minds, forging a bond that leads to an unconventional romance—to their fight for survival against the corrupt, twisted organization known as 'Rent-A-Kid.' Evolved Publishing brings you "Forbidden Mind" (Book 1 of the Forbidden Trilogy), by award-winning author Kimberly Kinrade.

 

Winner of 2011 Forward National Literature Award

 

 

My Review

 

(Note: The author graciously provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

 

 

Kinrade's handling of this darkly dystopian tale makes for some highly compulsive reading!   This is a novel full of great characters that the reader can empathize with and get to love immediately.  It starts off a bit slowly at first, but then builds momentum until the tension created by the suspense has the reader frantically turning pages to find out what happens next.

 

The plot involves a sinister, although apparently benign, organization known as "Rent-A-Kid".  It's obvious, however, that no organization with such a name could possibly be harmless, because the idea of 'renting' a kid -- whether a child, pre-adolescent, or adolescent -- is an immediately repugnant one.  

 

The kids in question all possess various paranormal powers, and the organization sends them on 'assignments' for wealthy clients, to perform several services that require the use of such powers as reading minds, setting fires, or levitation, to name a few. 

 

There are very sinister underpinnings indeed, such as genetic experimentation and....well, you'll have to read this exciting novel to find out!

 

The main character is Sam (probably short for "Samantha", although the author never does mention this), who can read minds.  We are first introduced to her as she's putting the finishing touches on her best painting so far.  She has dreams of being a famous artist someday, and is hoping to apply for a scholarship at Sarah Lawrence, a very prestigious art school in New York.  She is encouraged in this dream by her art teacher, Mr. Krevner, who is openly critical of certain school rules and procedures.  

 

Her best friends, Lucy, who can detect lies, and Luke, her brother, who can walk through walls, also encourage her.  They're very appealing characters in their own right.  Sam can safely share with them her growing suspicion that the school they've all grown up in isn't what they've been told it is -- a place where children and teens with special abilities can be given an education that will best meet their needs.

 

The first-person narration at the beginning of the novel gives way to third-person as we're introduced to Drake, who will become Sam's boyfriend.  He, too, has paranormal powers -- super strength and the ability to control minds.  He does not live at the Rent-A-Kid school, however, because he was successfully hidden by his parents, and has been trying all his life to stay under the radar.  Everything changes one fateful afternoon, during a surfing competition at Venice Beach, California, in  which he's participating.  He's suddenly kidnapped... 

 

The organization's evil intentions soon become readily apparent as Sam and Drake meet and begin falling in love, all through a telepathic link.  As events escalate in a frightening manner, Sam plans her escape.  Her dreams have been shattered, and she soon becomes a prisoner at an undisclosed facility. 

 

Through these characters, Kinrade deals with some very important universal themes -- love, loyalty, and the ethical issues inherent in scientific investigation, not to mention the use of paranormal powers, although the latter are fictional.  She accomplishes this through skillful characterization and plotting.  I do think that her villain, Dr. Pana, is a bit too stereotypical, and not a fully-developed character, but the other presumably evil characters presented in the book, such as Gar, one of the guards, are more believable because she doesn't present them as being completely evil. 

 

The concept behind the plot, although seemingly far-fetched, does sound credible, even if paranormal powers aren't real.  (There are those who affirm that they do indeed exist.)  Furthermore, Kinrade gives her evil organization enough of a background to make it seem very real, especially to those who are fond of conspiracy theories. 

 

The love story between Sam and Drake is a sweet, very compelling one.  Drake is such a nice, honest, good-hearted guy, as well as a great athlete.  Sam is a very determined, smart, creative girl.  The fact that their relationship begins through a mental link is very appealing, because they fall in love with the inner person before they ever see the physical person.  Once they do meet in person, the romance becomes even more intense, as well as full of angst, as they join forces in order to attempt to escape from the clutches of the organization that is trying to control their lives. 

 

What I find especially wonderful about Sam and Drake's relationship is their mutual tenderness, their willingness to sacrifice their lives for each other, their ability to work together without trying to dominate the other, their bonding on most levels.  The physical aspect of their relationship, although strong, must temporarily remain in the background, not because they don't desire each other, but because of the danger involved.  There's plenty of sexual tension, though, and I presume that they will finally consummate this bond in the final book.

 

To sum up, this is a wonderful read, and a great beginning to a trilogy that will most likely be made into movies!  And I can hardly wait for that to happen!  I would most certainly be the first one at the door, brandishing my pre-paid ticket!

 

 

MY RATING:

  

Kimberly Kinrade

Author Bio

 

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for children, YA and adults and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal novels Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire and her illustrated children's fantasy chapter books Lexie World, and Bella World, all on Amazon.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

NOTE: My married name is Karpov-Kinrade, but my books are published as just Kinrade.

 

For a list of her books, check out: http://Amazon.com/author/kimberlykinrade

For a fun fan experience, join the team at I.P.I. at http://IPIAcademy.com

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ONLINE LINKS:

·         Website:  http://KimberlyKinrade.com

·        Twitter: @KimberlyKinrade

·        IPI Twitter: @IPIAcademy

·        Facebook: /KimberlyKinrade

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