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The Mind Agents #1
Awakened
Life is hard for “bad boy” Jack Ellis. He’s just minding his own business one day when FBI agents start chasing him. Soon a deadly terrorist also has him in his sights.
Why are they after him? Because they know something he doesn’t—Jack has a paranormal gift that could make him an incredibly powerful teen superhero … or get him killed.
Join Jack as he discovers his awesome new psychic ability, enrolling in a secret-agent training program with other psychic kids (including a teen girl with a uniquely romantic telepathic gift). Jack and his new friends must race against the clock and break every rule to develop their hidden paranormal powers in time to stop an out-of-control psychic terrorist bent on destroying the world!
Why are they after him? Because they know something he doesn’t—Jack has a paranormal gift that could make him an incredibly powerful teen superhero … or get him killed.
Join Jack as he discovers his awesome new psychic ability, enrolling in a secret-agent training program with other psychic kids (including a teen girl with a uniquely romantic telepathic gift). Jack and his new friends must race against the clock and break every rule to develop their hidden paranormal powers in time to stop an out-of-control psychic terrorist bent on destroying the world!
220 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2017
17 people are currently reading
658 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 22, 2017
I am left wanting more.
I received an e-copy in return for an honest review so here it is.
I found Awakened to be a great read with an interesting plot, likeable characters, and an easy progression of the story line.
Now I'm going to get my one dislike about the book out of the way, maybe 4-6 times through the book the author used an unnecessarily complicated word such as: on page 96 “On the other hand, if evidence of sabotage is uncovered, the project will be buttressed.” This is a YA novel it would have made much more sense if the author had said something along the lines of "confirmed, fortified, proven reliable" rather than buttressed, It just didn't flow in my opinion nor do I think many young adult readers will know what buttressed means.
Back on to what I liked about this book!
The characters were likeable though much of the character’s backstories are yet to fully come out I assume we’ll learn more in the next book but I already like all of the main characters especially Sabine I found her to be such a cutie and to be such a young yet strong character there was a lot to like about her and her and Jacks big brother little sister dynamics just felt so right.
The Story progressed nicely it was easy to read and follow along with that was happening, when POV changed I was executed well the ‘good guys’ chapter finished and was rounded off to a stop quite well before the next chapter the ‘bad guys’ started off without confusion at no point were you not sure who’s POV you were reading. The only thing is I would have liked a little more in the story another 50-100 pages of how everything came about and the learning curves faced would have been nice but that was probably just me wanting either more from the book or the next book already.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend that you give it a read it was satisfying and left me wanting more.
I received an e-copy in return for an honest review so here it is.
I found Awakened to be a great read with an interesting plot, likeable characters, and an easy progression of the story line.
Now I'm going to get my one dislike about the book out of the way, maybe 4-6 times through the book the author used an unnecessarily complicated word such as: on page 96 “On the other hand, if evidence of sabotage is uncovered, the project will be buttressed.” This is a YA novel it would have made much more sense if the author had said something along the lines of "confirmed, fortified, proven reliable" rather than buttressed, It just didn't flow in my opinion nor do I think many young adult readers will know what buttressed means.
Back on to what I liked about this book!
The characters were likeable though much of the character’s backstories are yet to fully come out I assume we’ll learn more in the next book but I already like all of the main characters especially Sabine I found her to be such a cutie and to be such a young yet strong character there was a lot to like about her and her and Jacks big brother little sister dynamics just felt so right.
The Story progressed nicely it was easy to read and follow along with that was happening, when POV changed I was executed well the ‘good guys’ chapter finished and was rounded off to a stop quite well before the next chapter the ‘bad guys’ started off without confusion at no point were you not sure who’s POV you were reading. The only thing is I would have liked a little more in the story another 50-100 pages of how everything came about and the learning curves faced would have been nice but that was probably just me wanting either more from the book or the next book already.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend that you give it a read it was satisfying and left me wanting more.
April 16, 2017
“Awakened” the first book in the “Mind Agents” series heats up when Jack Ellis is swept up in a secret experimental government program with three other kids, all with powerful gifts that they don’t know they have at first. But when a ruthless psychic terrorist escapes imprisonment murdering two field agents and grafts a deadly plan into the mind of the President, Jack and his friends must quickly refine their psychic abilities and stop the terrorist before the world is destroyed.
Set in Washington, DC this action-packed, high-powered thriller explodes when a psychotic terrorist with a destructive gift not only murders indiscriminately but instigates a mysterious explosion at the facility where Jack and his friends are staying, hoping to kill the kids before they can develop their psychic gifts. Yet it’s his insidious plan to infiltrate the President’s mind and insight global destruction that has the kids racing against time to develop their skills so they can stop him.
Plot-oriented there are twists that include Jack’s unraveling the intent behind Dr. Conway’s covert program as well as the terrorist’s connection to her. Intensity and suspense quickly escalate when Jack, Chris, Maya and Sabine join forces to infiltrate not only the Pentagon but the White House to stop the terrorist’s scheme to destroy those he feels ruined his life. An intriguing plot with fascinating characters, it’s short in length which could have been enhanced with more background information and detailed descriptions.
Jack Ellis growing up in a rough neighborhood where he’s made “bad decisions and tough choices” is smart, resourceful and brooding, a teen with a strong sense of self-preservation. Yet as the plot progresses he’s shows strong initiative, bravery and commitment. His team includes eight-year-old Sabine who’s shy and sensitive but endowed with an intense resolve; Chris a confident alpha male who’s good-humored but annoying at times; and Maya a cute, spirited teen drawn to Jack romantically. Jewel Klammer is the empathetic, tough and authoritative agent working for Dr. Conway a psychiatrist and the shrewd, secretive head of the experimental program under the Army Intelligence and Security Command part of the NSA in Washington. It is these characters that infuse the story with excitement, energy and dramatic flare.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Awakened” a well-developed and imaginative science fiction -thriller that’s captivating from the first chapter to the last and I am looking forward to reading “Deceived”.
Set in Washington, DC this action-packed, high-powered thriller explodes when a psychotic terrorist with a destructive gift not only murders indiscriminately but instigates a mysterious explosion at the facility where Jack and his friends are staying, hoping to kill the kids before they can develop their psychic gifts. Yet it’s his insidious plan to infiltrate the President’s mind and insight global destruction that has the kids racing against time to develop their skills so they can stop him.
Plot-oriented there are twists that include Jack’s unraveling the intent behind Dr. Conway’s covert program as well as the terrorist’s connection to her. Intensity and suspense quickly escalate when Jack, Chris, Maya and Sabine join forces to infiltrate not only the Pentagon but the White House to stop the terrorist’s scheme to destroy those he feels ruined his life. An intriguing plot with fascinating characters, it’s short in length which could have been enhanced with more background information and detailed descriptions.
Jack Ellis growing up in a rough neighborhood where he’s made “bad decisions and tough choices” is smart, resourceful and brooding, a teen with a strong sense of self-preservation. Yet as the plot progresses he’s shows strong initiative, bravery and commitment. His team includes eight-year-old Sabine who’s shy and sensitive but endowed with an intense resolve; Chris a confident alpha male who’s good-humored but annoying at times; and Maya a cute, spirited teen drawn to Jack romantically. Jewel Klammer is the empathetic, tough and authoritative agent working for Dr. Conway a psychiatrist and the shrewd, secretive head of the experimental program under the Army Intelligence and Security Command part of the NSA in Washington. It is these characters that infuse the story with excitement, energy and dramatic flare.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Awakened” a well-developed and imaginative science fiction -thriller that’s captivating from the first chapter to the last and I am looking forward to reading “Deceived”.
March 19, 2017
I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a fair review. I liked the book. The writing is good and the theme is one that everyone can get into...mind control. The four kids being trained by the scary people are unsure of why they were brought to the place. Soon, they begin to discover that the mind games are more than just games. The doctor has her own agenda but all comes crashing down when the man watching them acts. The ceiling falls in and things start to happen. How can four unrelated kids come together to save the world? Read this book and find out. Mr. Max is very skilled at building anxiety in the reader and even though I was pretty sure all would turn our for the good, it wasn't clear. I predict we will hear more from Igor Max.
March 5, 2017
Jack thought he was an average 17 year old until government goons kidnap him. He is locked in a room with little explanation. Then Jack escapes only to find out Russian agents want him dead. So for his own protection Jack plays nice with the government agents.
March 11, 2017
Awakened: Book One of the Mind Agents Series by Igor Max is a fantastic tale that is a well written fast paced suspenseful book...if you like Urban Fantasy with lots of action this is the book for you....I'm looking forward to further installments...
February 27, 2017
Non-stop, high octane action!
An easy read with all the ingredients for plenty more episodes. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this and future volumes on the silver screen.
An easy read with all the ingredients for plenty more episodes. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this and future volumes on the silver screen.
April 29, 2017
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2017
Awakened: Book One of the Mind Agents Series (A Coming-of-Age Psychic Thriller)
byIgor Max
Have you ever read a book you weren’t 100% certain you liked…but, found you couldn’t put down?
That’s how I felt about Awakened.
It’s a story about four very unusual teens with psychic abilities who are “recruited” (kidnapped—Tomato/Tomahto) by the government to take on a pretty scary bad guy—Kasym (who also has certain unusual abilities).
This book could be categorized as a Young Adult story. It could also fit in the mystery, adventure, thriller and super-natural genres. None of that is a problem for me despite the fact that I’m a 52-year-old grandmother.
The issue I had, for a while, was how long it took to get started, really started. I’m one of those people who normally would close a book and never pick it up again if I’m not 100% engaged in the first chapter. I was not 100% engaged in the first chapter. Or, any of the subsequent four or five chapters. However, I promised someone I would give this book a chance and so I did.
Once the story got going, it was a neat read. (Showing my age with the word “neat”.) Once confronted with the knowledge that they did indeed have unique capabilities, the teens must learn how to use them to defend themselves and the rest of us against Kasym. That was a wild ride.
Having raised three teens myself, I felt the characters were truly well written. They were both believable and genuine—at least as believable as teen psychics and super-natural bad guys can be. Fear, anger, confusion, wit, humor and courage were all evident in these kids and they felt real, to me. These are all the emotions real teens would be feeling in these same situations. None of them went from being “Joe Blow” in algebra one minute to Spider Man the next. There was a real progression of character and time…maybe even a little too much of the latter. However, I WAS glad I held out.
There are some THRILLING moments in this book. Chases and battles are written with such ease that I almost felt as if I were watching them on TV.
This is the first book in a series to come. This book, AWAKENED, does leave the reader wanting more.
I WOULD recommend this book to anyone. My four-star rating (as opposed to a 5-star one) is due entirely to the slow start. Other than that, this was good book.
byIgor Max
Have you ever read a book you weren’t 100% certain you liked…but, found you couldn’t put down?
That’s how I felt about Awakened.
It’s a story about four very unusual teens with psychic abilities who are “recruited” (kidnapped—Tomato/Tomahto) by the government to take on a pretty scary bad guy—Kasym (who also has certain unusual abilities).
This book could be categorized as a Young Adult story. It could also fit in the mystery, adventure, thriller and super-natural genres. None of that is a problem for me despite the fact that I’m a 52-year-old grandmother.
The issue I had, for a while, was how long it took to get started, really started. I’m one of those people who normally would close a book and never pick it up again if I’m not 100% engaged in the first chapter. I was not 100% engaged in the first chapter. Or, any of the subsequent four or five chapters. However, I promised someone I would give this book a chance and so I did.
Once the story got going, it was a neat read. (Showing my age with the word “neat”.) Once confronted with the knowledge that they did indeed have unique capabilities, the teens must learn how to use them to defend themselves and the rest of us against Kasym. That was a wild ride.
Having raised three teens myself, I felt the characters were truly well written. They were both believable and genuine—at least as believable as teen psychics and super-natural bad guys can be. Fear, anger, confusion, wit, humor and courage were all evident in these kids and they felt real, to me. These are all the emotions real teens would be feeling in these same situations. None of them went from being “Joe Blow” in algebra one minute to Spider Man the next. There was a real progression of character and time…maybe even a little too much of the latter. However, I WAS glad I held out.
There are some THRILLING moments in this book. Chases and battles are written with such ease that I almost felt as if I were watching them on TV.
This is the first book in a series to come. This book, AWAKENED, does leave the reader wanting more.
I WOULD recommend this book to anyone. My four-star rating (as opposed to a 5-star one) is due entirely to the slow start. Other than that, this was good book.
February 28, 2017
I'm glad Igor Max's debut novel "Awakened" crossed my path.
The story's about a group of four young people who are brought to a government facility. Their results on an IQ test show that they're likely to have psychic powers. For the most part, the kids don't even know they have these powers until they're forced to use them to save their lives--and eventually everyone else's. It seems that they aren't the first to be studied for abilities. One of the program's earlier participants has escaped from jail, determined to destroy the world.
Max does a wonderful job of introducing Jack, a typical teenager trying to get through school while taking care of his grandfather. He has no idea what's going on when he's abdicated, given no information and tossed together with three other kids: Chris, Maya and Sabine. We also meet the evil Kasym who has a plan to unleash armageddon.
The tension ramps up perfectly as Jack and his friends discover how to use their powers and exactly what's at stake. I don't want to give away too much because Max takes the reader on a fantastic ride in Awakened. I will say the chase through Washington D.C. is thrilling and the book ends tremendously, although with a bit of a cliffhanger. I'm already looking forward to book two, "Deceived," which is due out in March (I'm so eager that I've already pre-ordered it).
The story's about a group of four young people who are brought to a government facility. Their results on an IQ test show that they're likely to have psychic powers. For the most part, the kids don't even know they have these powers until they're forced to use them to save their lives--and eventually everyone else's. It seems that they aren't the first to be studied for abilities. One of the program's earlier participants has escaped from jail, determined to destroy the world.
Max does a wonderful job of introducing Jack, a typical teenager trying to get through school while taking care of his grandfather. He has no idea what's going on when he's abdicated, given no information and tossed together with three other kids: Chris, Maya and Sabine. We also meet the evil Kasym who has a plan to unleash armageddon.
The tension ramps up perfectly as Jack and his friends discover how to use their powers and exactly what's at stake. I don't want to give away too much because Max takes the reader on a fantastic ride in Awakened. I will say the chase through Washington D.C. is thrilling and the book ends tremendously, although with a bit of a cliffhanger. I'm already looking forward to book two, "Deceived," which is due out in March (I'm so eager that I've already pre-ordered it).
July 8, 2017
Awakened, as the debut novel of Igor Max and the first book in the series was a fantastic read all along. That psychic powers of all the four recruited teens were not really normal to have and awesomely I want those too. I feel attached to every one of them especially Jack. Jack from the start of the story has his very own sad side tape. On that age, I can't or don't know how will I faced ahead of me but he is brave and resourceful. I also find him smart considering he can read people impression just by looking or the way they behave even he has still not had that psychic ability. Though, he used this type of reading in a bad way. I'm not blaming him since that could be life. In a positive way, he does just want to live a good life but it changes the moment he meets the 'agents'. His life is on the line. He must cooperate or die trying. Together with the three: Chris, Maya, and Sabine. Sabine is the youngest of them. At her age, she is really strong enough. Maya and Chris the way I look at them first is quite average but proves me wrong as the story goes on. Each has their unique ability where in the middle of the plot, they really engage into a team. I like that moment they dive not-well-planned to unknown future after just awakening their psychic side thing.
Full review here >> https://descendantofposeidonreads.wor...
Full review here >> https://descendantofposeidonreads.wor...
January 11, 2018
An easy read that left me wanting more - lots of scope to be developed in future books. Though the plot is fairly simple (and perhaps a little short) it holds up thanks to some great pacing and enjoyable characters - I look forward to seeing where the author takes them next. I was little confused by the summary description of Jack as a "bad boy" - I felt there was little in the book that relates to this - and he comes across a very empathetic and more complex character.
June 8, 2017
I won a copy of this book from goodreads in exchange for an honest review. I found that the pace of the book was quick perhaps a little too fast with regards to the charcters development. This book would appeal to young adults that like super powers and the like. Yes I would recommend this book to younger adults and others that like paranormal superpowervtype stuff.
April 17, 2018
Well, well, this was a deliciously messed up book!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews