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Mindcull
In a time when nothing is as real as virtual reality, sixteen-year-old Eila is short-listed in a competition by a global technology giant. But then law enforcement officers force her to spy for them, underground activists reveal a murderous plot and someone uses virtual reality to fill her head with a stranger’s thoughts.
Amid secrets, lies and distortions, Eila must decide how far she will go to protect innocent lives.
Amid secrets, lies and distortions, Eila must decide how far she will go to protect innocent lives.
290 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
K.H. Canobi
1 book5 followersK H Canobi lives in Melbourne and writes fiction for young adults and children. Her YA futuristic thriller, Mindcull, was published by Ford Street Publishing in 2019. She is a skilled and enthusiastic public speaker, having worked as a university tutor, lecturer and research fellow in cognitive developmental psychology for over twelve years.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 6, 2019
A fast paced teen sci fy novel. I couldn't put it down. Love Eila the strong independent female character in a world not far from ours. This has left me wanting more.
April 2, 2019
Read Mindcull! This book is amazing. Action packed and fast moving this is a perfect read. I strongly recommended reading this book it’s AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 8, 2019
I love YA novels, and this one did not disappoint. The VR genre reminded me of James Dashner (who wrote Maze Runner) “Mortality Doctrine” series. I love the relatable, strong female protagonist, and will recommending this to my younger female friends as there are not enough books with strong, female characters. Hoping to learn more about this in the future, and looking forward to more book by KH Canobi.
July 19, 2019
Hello Everybody and welcome back! The holidays are over and I spent a lot of time reading! Specifically, rereading many series I like (Fablehaven, The Threshold Series etc, I might tell you the details later 😁), but I did enjoy one new book!
Mindcull is by an awesome new Aussie author I know and this is her first book! It's not my typical genre but by the end I was pumped up and ready for more!
Right from the start I knew that it was really well written, I could see it in each sentence.
Eila is a street-smart, conscientious and considerate girl who gets dragged into a world of lies and ulterior motives when she is shortlisted for an international competition involving VR. I enjoyed hearing her realistic voice and the plot twists excited and surprised me much more than I expected! The themes of reality vs fantasy, truth vs deception and right vs wrong (plus all the grey in between!) were explored in a really refreshing way.
The way relationships were characterised, in particular Eila's guardian Malcom and her friend Mei, were exceptional. From scavenging popcorn and cookies to just talking to each other, Mei was very genuine and true to how a real friend is. Although it was implied that Eila was basically an orphan, Malcom was not your typical guardian in that he didn't hate her neither did he not care as in many YA orphan tropes. Malcom cared about the stuff any reasonable parent cares about when their kid is forced to go overseas alone for a competition! I cannot express my relief at the real characters and real relationships that I see in Mindcull, so different from a lot of other works in the YA genre. Speaking of refreshing differences, I loved the wholesome lack of swearing and Insta-love!
The only thing I wasn't sure about (apart from how to pronounce Eila's name 😜) was just personal preference. The distopic undertones made it hard for me to engage at the beginning but by then end I was still completely sold! Like I said, this isn't the sort of thing I'd normally pick up in the bookstore, but I'm glad I got to read it through a friend's generosity!
Wrapping up, I reckon because of the themes I'd recommend it for 12+, but otherwise an awesome read! Like I said, no swearing (unless you count 'crap'...I don't), and no sexual content. I really enjoyed this one and was left with a great after-book feeling! All in all I'll give five stars to a great debut novel from a great Aussie author! I'm looking forward to reading more of her work (maybe a sequel...wink wink nudge nudge 😉)!
StoryGirl
Read more of my reviews here: https://storygirlsbookreviews.weebly....
Mindcull is by an awesome new Aussie author I know and this is her first book! It's not my typical genre but by the end I was pumped up and ready for more!
Right from the start I knew that it was really well written, I could see it in each sentence.
Eila is a street-smart, conscientious and considerate girl who gets dragged into a world of lies and ulterior motives when she is shortlisted for an international competition involving VR. I enjoyed hearing her realistic voice and the plot twists excited and surprised me much more than I expected! The themes of reality vs fantasy, truth vs deception and right vs wrong (plus all the grey in between!) were explored in a really refreshing way.
The way relationships were characterised, in particular Eila's guardian Malcom and her friend Mei, were exceptional. From scavenging popcorn and cookies to just talking to each other, Mei was very genuine and true to how a real friend is. Although it was implied that Eila was basically an orphan, Malcom was not your typical guardian in that he didn't hate her neither did he not care as in many YA orphan tropes. Malcom cared about the stuff any reasonable parent cares about when their kid is forced to go overseas alone for a competition! I cannot express my relief at the real characters and real relationships that I see in Mindcull, so different from a lot of other works in the YA genre. Speaking of refreshing differences, I loved the wholesome lack of swearing and Insta-love!
The only thing I wasn't sure about (apart from how to pronounce Eila's name 😜) was just personal preference. The distopic undertones made it hard for me to engage at the beginning but by then end I was still completely sold! Like I said, this isn't the sort of thing I'd normally pick up in the bookstore, but I'm glad I got to read it through a friend's generosity!
Wrapping up, I reckon because of the themes I'd recommend it for 12+, but otherwise an awesome read! Like I said, no swearing (unless you count 'crap'...I don't), and no sexual content. I really enjoyed this one and was left with a great after-book feeling! All in all I'll give five stars to a great debut novel from a great Aussie author! I'm looking forward to reading more of her work (maybe a sequel...wink wink nudge nudge 😉)!
StoryGirl
Read more of my reviews here: https://storygirlsbookreviews.weebly....
April 20, 2019
So I managed to get an early release of this amazing book and really loved it. Mindcull is a fast moving tension filled thriller which had me in its grip from the first page! The characters are powerful and the plot enthralling. I love action packed YA and this is one to have on your 2019 list when it’s released!
May 26, 2019
Such an amazing book! I couldn’t put it down! I would especially recommend for people who love technology but it is an amazing read for all! KH Canobi’s futuristic world in the book ties in perfectly with the story!
June 4, 2019
I loved, loved, loved this book. What a cracking debut novel, KH Canobi. I couldn’t put it down. Whatever you do next, don’t stop writing!
August 24, 2019
Mindcull sucked me in. This book is a very easy read. The prose is accessible for young readers. Descriptions of people and places are intentionally pared back, and the language and writing style do not make demands of older readers. It took me three or four pages to come to terms with this and to relax into the mood of the book.
The book is short, and the plot drives the narrative. The story is engaging, fast-paced and realistically futuristic. If that's a thing. I was very happy to immerse myself fully and read Mindcull over a weekend. And so was my 13 year old daughter.
I hope KH Canobi gives us more books. And I also wonder whether she might give us more in a futuristic novel for older readers that deals with similar themes. As an adult reader I'd appreciate richer descriptive language at times, and somewhat deeper character development. (The 13 year old me, if he'd been able to take time out from reading The Belgariad in the early 80s, would have given this book five stars).
Four stars for Mindcull from me. Give it to your kids, read it as well, and discuss it with them.
The book is short, and the plot drives the narrative. The story is engaging, fast-paced and realistically futuristic. If that's a thing. I was very happy to immerse myself fully and read Mindcull over a weekend. And so was my 13 year old daughter.
I hope KH Canobi gives us more books. And I also wonder whether she might give us more in a futuristic novel for older readers that deals with similar themes. As an adult reader I'd appreciate richer descriptive language at times, and somewhat deeper character development. (The 13 year old me, if he'd been able to take time out from reading The Belgariad in the early 80s, would have given this book five stars).
Four stars for Mindcull from me. Give it to your kids, read it as well, and discuss it with them.
August 12, 2019
Excellent book. Explores some very profound questions of reality and identity which are very relevant to teens. Enjoyed it a lot.
May 25, 2020
This is a curiously compelling thriller that sets your mind whirling with speculation. After an initial period of accustomization of where and why (and wrapping my head around a slew of acronyms I thought I had to remember), this YA thriller settled into a convincing mystery of deceit and apprehension.
Sixteen-year-old Eila is shortlisted to be the face of a global marketing campaign for a new virtual reality skinsuit, the kind never before seen in her futuristic world of VR and AR commonality. These skinsuits have the ability to adhere to their wearers' thoughts and emotions with action, surpassing conventional VR 'normality'. In short, they are uber high tech units.
K H Canobi has crafted an action imbued tale of suspenseful turmoil that crackles with tension and doubt. Once we are lured into Eila's world, one that is eerily easy to accept as our own; as it might be just a few years from now, we are swept along with her in a confusion of mind altering, sinister subplots. It's hard to know who to trust and when to yell out to Eila to 'Look behind you!'.
Despite the glory of her position, Eila is crushed by the weight of her genetic history, her desire to secure herself in the world of fame and her inherent coding to care. All these concerns are further compressed by her need to comply with some not so nice law enforcers who coerce her to spy for them. As various factions compete to secure the secrets behind the skinsuits' technology, Eila races against time and the imminent loss of her sanity, desperate to divulge the truth and save as many minds as she can.
This is the type of edge-of-the-seat high tech psychological thriller that would make a gripping VN - virtual novel. Although to be honest, the decent into Eila's VR world made my head spin as it was...in the most electrifying way. The mind occupation episodes not only thrill, they force you to question a morass of morality questions and make me wonder if this will be our teenagers' reality in the not too distant future.
Mindcull is an exciting, thought-provoking chiller perfect for tech-orientated teens who enjoy a light dusting of dystopia in their YA.
Sixteen-year-old Eila is shortlisted to be the face of a global marketing campaign for a new virtual reality skinsuit, the kind never before seen in her futuristic world of VR and AR commonality. These skinsuits have the ability to adhere to their wearers' thoughts and emotions with action, surpassing conventional VR 'normality'. In short, they are uber high tech units.
K H Canobi has crafted an action imbued tale of suspenseful turmoil that crackles with tension and doubt. Once we are lured into Eila's world, one that is eerily easy to accept as our own; as it might be just a few years from now, we are swept along with her in a confusion of mind altering, sinister subplots. It's hard to know who to trust and when to yell out to Eila to 'Look behind you!'.
Despite the glory of her position, Eila is crushed by the weight of her genetic history, her desire to secure herself in the world of fame and her inherent coding to care. All these concerns are further compressed by her need to comply with some not so nice law enforcers who coerce her to spy for them. As various factions compete to secure the secrets behind the skinsuits' technology, Eila races against time and the imminent loss of her sanity, desperate to divulge the truth and save as many minds as she can.
This is the type of edge-of-the-seat high tech psychological thriller that would make a gripping VN - virtual novel. Although to be honest, the decent into Eila's VR world made my head spin as it was...in the most electrifying way. The mind occupation episodes not only thrill, they force you to question a morass of morality questions and make me wonder if this will be our teenagers' reality in the not too distant future.
Mindcull is an exciting, thought-provoking chiller perfect for tech-orientated teens who enjoy a light dusting of dystopia in their YA.
October 10, 2019
I like reading novels by Aussie authors. This one did not disappoint. It was engaging from the start and in the middle I had one of those "it's midnight & I need to get up early tomorrow" moments! I enjoyed the "not to distant future" VR and ever increasing time spent online-too close to real life for me. The exploration of that theme was the biggest positive from this novel for me (loved the strong female characters too). I will be recommending it to high our school students.
April 3, 2022
An enjoyable YA novel. I’m not sure I would categorise it as Science Fiction. The use of VR and mind altering technologies perhaps pushes it into SciFi but it is close to reality as well.
The first 2/3 of the book read fairly smoothly but didn’t cover a lot of time. The last third was a little clunky. It took time for me to work out what was going on.
Overall an enjoyable book.
The first 2/3 of the book read fairly smoothly but didn’t cover a lot of time. The last third was a little clunky. It took time for me to work out what was going on.
Overall an enjoyable book.
June 11, 2019
I really loved this book, KH Canobi has created a really well rounded protagonist, strong and weak in ways that are so real it took me back to being a teenager myself. Can't wait to read what Canobi writes next.
August 14, 2019
Loved this book. Strong female protagonist with vulnerabilities - she felt very real. Surprising plot twists. Raised interesting questions about the intersection between virtual reality and the real world. I enjoyed the story and it made me think. Win!
April 9, 2020
The storyline of this book is very intriguing and keeps you engaged right until the very end. It is well crafted and entwines VR into an exciting adventure. Looking forward to another book by KH Canobi.
August 23, 2020
A young adult fiction book that is set in a world where today��s technology might have evolved to. It was interesting to think about the virtual world of relationships versus relationships in real life. It got very exciting towards the end. Look forward to reading this author’s next book!
August 11, 2019
This book was really good I could not put it down it was exhilarating and is a must read.
October 22, 2019
More like 3 1.2 stars
January 12, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!
June 3, 2020
Refreshingly free of insta-love. An original story with familiar VR aspects and great intrigue. I really liked how it touched on some possible social and mental wellbeing impacts of AR and VR
December 5, 2020
Was a little bit slow to start, but the ending was fast past and you couldn’t put the book down, need to know if Eli could save the day
March 2, 2023
7/10, an interesting and thrilling YA sci-fi novel. Definitely recommended if you want an easy near future thriller read, with a hint of dystopia.
August 20, 2020
Eila is short-listed in a Virtual Reality competition to become the Face of Pearl. All she needs to do is go to a luxurious English getaway and enjoy sessions in fully immersive VR SkinSuit technology. After being kidnapped and forced to spy for the law, Eila has to decide who are the right people to trust, and who to save.
I really liked the concept and entry to this novel – VR being used to camouflage the ugly and dead real world, and yet Eila still being pulled back by the simple method of someone chasing her! However even though this novel was fast-paced, or perhaps because of it, there were too many loose ends for me to feel properly satisfied.
I was strangely disappointed in this novel. Eila should come across as a plucky heroine, but instead she seems to be bowled over by Hugo’s charm and seems quite whiny. Everyone was just a little too understanding and ‘cool’ about absolutely everything. I think the author attempted too many twists, and thus there were too many just ‘coincidences’. We never get to the bottom of why Elia’s parents don’t seem to exist anymore. Or whether the therapy for Discordants works or not. I’d say it was being left open for a sequel to answer these questions, but I can’t see anywhere else for the admittedly shallow plot to go.
If you’re thinking of Ford Street as a forward-thinking and innovative thinking publishing house, you’d be right. That’s one of the reasons I was not surprised to see that they had taken on this novel. They’re also the most recent publishers of Alyzon Whitestarr by the wonderful Isobelle Carmody. However this novel’s a miss – I’m giving it 3 stars and directing you to go read Ready Player One instead.
Did you enjoy this goodreads review? If so you may find it useful to visit my blog The Cosy Dragon . I regularly post new reviews on a variety of genres.
I really liked the concept and entry to this novel – VR being used to camouflage the ugly and dead real world, and yet Eila still being pulled back by the simple method of someone chasing her! However even though this novel was fast-paced, or perhaps because of it, there were too many loose ends for me to feel properly satisfied.
I was strangely disappointed in this novel. Eila should come across as a plucky heroine, but instead she seems to be bowled over by Hugo’s charm and seems quite whiny. Everyone was just a little too understanding and ‘cool’ about absolutely everything. I think the author attempted too many twists, and thus there were too many just ‘coincidences’. We never get to the bottom of why Elia’s parents don’t seem to exist anymore. Or whether the therapy for Discordants works or not. I’d say it was being left open for a sequel to answer these questions, but I can’t see anywhere else for the admittedly shallow plot to go.
If you’re thinking of Ford Street as a forward-thinking and innovative thinking publishing house, you’d be right. That’s one of the reasons I was not surprised to see that they had taken on this novel. They’re also the most recent publishers of Alyzon Whitestarr by the wonderful Isobelle Carmody. However this novel’s a miss – I’m giving it 3 stars and directing you to go read Ready Player One instead.
Did you enjoy this goodreads review? If so you may find it useful to visit my blog The Cosy Dragon . I regularly post new reviews on a variety of genres.
May 6, 2020
Review originally published on my blog here!
A spectacular, fast-paced read! The writing was crisp, yet left me with enough detail!
This book provided me with a quite well-rounded and strong main character, Eila, as well as an interesting villain and side characters. The plot was also clearly well though out, and I just had to keep reading!
As a fan of tech-based stories, this book takes filled that need!
I 100% recommend this book for fans of the Insignia series (S.J. Kincaid) and Jinxed (Amy McCulloch).
Rating: 5/5
A spectacular, fast-paced read! The writing was crisp, yet left me with enough detail!
This book provided me with a quite well-rounded and strong main character, Eila, as well as an interesting villain and side characters. The plot was also clearly well though out, and I just had to keep reading!
As a fan of tech-based stories, this book takes filled that need!
I 100% recommend this book for fans of the Insignia series (S.J. Kincaid) and Jinxed (Amy McCulloch).
Rating: 5/5
May 12, 2020
A fabulous debut novel that sets a fast pace to keep the pages turning and doesn't stop until the end! Canobi creates a world that allows the reader to be easily drawn in and follow Eila on her desperate journey to uncover a shocking truth.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews