Of Two Minds

Minds #1

by Carol Matas, Perry Nodelman

The complex plot follows the adventures of Lenora, a headstrong princess with the power to make anything she imagines real, and Coren, the shy prince chosen by her parents to be her husband. Trapped in a strange land and stripped of their powers (Coren had been able to read the thoughts not only of humans, but also of animals and objects), the two must work together to overthrow the tyrannical Hevak, restore harmony to the country, and return home safely.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult Fantasy

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Update 2021: I ordered some middle grade books and just had to revisit this. It’s a little shallow in parts, and more than a little juvenile, but it still has some great ideas. I still enjoyed it, though I’ve read so many more books now that I don’t know if it would have drawn me in the same way if I’d just read it for the first time. It will always hold its spot in my memory as an important book in my progression as a reader.

I've recently remembered this book, and I'm curious enough to want to read it again. I read it at least three or four times when I was in elementary/middle school and loved it. I don't remember why, exactly, but I do remember that I checked it out of the library frequently. I still remember where it was shelved (on one of those revolving wire shelves). It's one of the books that got me interested in fantasy.

[Lady Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this book when I was ten years old and loved it. Re-reading it now, I find that the book hasn't lost any of its pleasure. Sure there are parts that seem a little simplistic now, but overall still a great read.

Lenora is a princess, but not just an plain old boring one! No, she has the ability to make whatever she imagines come true. Actually everyone from her country can. So when she hears that her betrothed can do that, she thinks he's a little handicapped. Coren can hear everything, and even read minds; something that everyone from his country can do. So, when he hears that Lenora can't, he thinks that that is a little strange.
Lenora is outraged when she finds out that she's going to be married without her consent. So she plans to run away, but poor Coren foils her plan by breaking a vase at a key moment in her escape. This forces the wedding date up. The next day during the ceremony, Lenora and Coren get pulled into an alternate universe ... it could even be a figment of Lenora's mind....

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this in middle school and loved it, but sadly it doesn't hold up to nostalgia. The writing is choppy and full of anachronistic phrases (Princess Lenora once thinks "blah blah blah," for example) and the characters are boring and predictable. Even though the characters show some growth in the end, it's more like a sudden light bulb going off than a gradual development, and even then it doesn't seem enough to justify their sudden change of heart about each other.

The fantasy adventure part is entertaining enough, but not particularly unique. Maybe tweens would enjoy this as an opposites-attract type love story, as I did at that age, but as an adult it didn't do anything for me.

[Moon Captain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely wild ride! I don't read YA often but this felt especially spectacular. I don't want to say anything about it in my review, best to go in blind I think, and you'll know in the first chapter whether you're interested or not. Absolutely a page turner for me. Super imaginative and containing important lessons

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Half-baked world, pretty dull characters. The plot was ambitious but not enough effort was put into the delivery for it to actually be good.

[Phoenyx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book and enjoying it as a teenager. Years later I discovered there were sequels, so I picked up the first book again since I didn't remember much.

Adult me didn't enjoy it as much, and I don't think I would have made it through the book had I not already read it once before.

Lenora and Coren are both hard to like. Rather than being fully realized characters, they mainly seem to be the embodiment of two opposite traits, Lenora is Recklessness, Coren is Overly Cautious.

None of the characters really stand out. It's also unfortunate that the author gave them both powers that would have been interesting to see developed in the story line, and then promptly had them taken away.

Some of my favorite parts of the book were Coren reading the minds of inanimate objects. But that is a rarity.

I had actually forgotten the twist at the end until I had almost reached the end of the book. It's mildly clever, but probably won't be a huge shock to anyone who reads scifi or fantasy with any regularity. And it made me dislike a character even more, which may not have been what the author was hoping for.

For a young teen who's primarily concerned with an adventurous plot, it might be a good read, but anyone hoping for real character development will probably be disappointed.

[Inknose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book so long ago. It made the hugest impression on me but for years I could never remember the title! It stuck with me so much that I would remember random sentences or scenes from it even after all that time... it drove me crazy not being able to remember what book they were from.

Obviously I can't remember much about this book, except that it was beyond strange and that it must have captured my imagination in a huge way. I'll have to re-read it!

[Abbi Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one I started reading because we didn't have many other books at the time. It's a pretty weird book with some strange concepts, but overall I enjoyed it enough to re-read at least once :)

[Laura Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently found this book in my parent's attic and it brought back a wave of nostalgia. I loved this book as a kid and was curious to see how it held up over the years. I was pleased to find it did, and with some surprisingly progressive ideas to boot!
The story is a fantasy, but it doesn't mind blending into other genres as well, throwing in a little sci fi just to keep it interesting. It keeps the reader on their toes, reminding them that this story, rooted so wholly in the power of imagination, has no boundaries.
In addition, the heroine and hero don't hold to typical gender norms either. The heroine is bold, brash, and confident in her instincts and abilities. She could be bratty and selfish but owned up to her responsibilities. The hero, meanwhile, was nervous and slow to action, preferring logic but not being portrayed as a nerdy bookworm. He had his own powers, but used them almost exclusively to support the heroine, never swooping in to save the day or sweep her off her feet.
The novel was a refreshing reminder of rich and real a story becomes when you don't rely on stereotypes and boundaries.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a delight when you return as an adult to a book you loved as a kid and discover it holds up. I read this so often the cover fell off and had to tape it back on. But it's been at least a decade (maybe two) since I last read it so I'd totally forgotten the plot.

For a middle grade novel, this is solid! The world building is simplistic but in a way that serves the story; I love Lenora and Coren and the way their personalities play off each other, introducing moral complexity as well as moving the plot along; and the story is both exciting and true to its theme. Definitely a story that still feels relevant, and that I'd gladly share with a kid in my life who'd love it as much as I did.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably a three star book if you’re under 17. A cute interesting concept that felt more like two authors exploring an idea than actually writing a book. Intriguing concepts of life of the mind and culpability and parallel universes and the like, but limited by the fact that every conflict was resolved extremely easily. The profound concepts are raised rather than explored. The beginning of the book was a bit slow paced and confusing, while the latter half needed to be four times as long to dig into the worldbuilding and ethical issues that could have been meaty. A fun little fluff piece. Won’t reread.

[Maricel]

Picked this up from a $1 bin at a used book store. Saw the cover, and a flash of recognition sparked in my brain from childhood reading! Couldn’t remember what it was about, but had to read it again.

I will say, as an adult, it was HARD to read how brash Lenora is! So quick to temper and judge. But that would track. Even as a kid, I was slow to decision making, so I’m sure it probably bothered me to a degree as a kid, too. Loved Coren.

Interesting premise and imaginative. Just the kind of book I loved as a kid - magic, adventure, creatures, princes and princesses.. okay maybe not much has changed there.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

PopSugar Challenge 2023: "A book you read more than 10 years ago."

I first read this book in middle school, and I attribute this in part to my love of the fantasy genre.

The world-building is done quickly, but it's done very well IMO; this same holds true for the two main characters, Lenora and Coren. I did find that I would have liked a little more for the side characters, but recognize that would have probably pushed this book into an older age target audience than it is.

I would definitely recommend this to younger readers that enjoy or are curious about the fantasy genre.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Princess Lenora and Prince Coren are arranged to be married. Prince Coren's people can read minds; Princess Lenora's people can create anything by imagining it - although her people have agreed not to use their powers. Lenora is stronger than most and she feels herself being summoned by a stranger who knows her powers should be put to use. But who is this stranger really?

Lenora and Coren's relationship is humorous.

[Kay]

Maybe I would have liked this in Middle School, but it doesn't hold up as an adult. The characters are unlikable, their relationships with their families are 2D, and the dialogue is pretty weak (and whiny). I didn't get up to any action & called it quits pretty early (around page 50). Happy to DNF and save myself some time.

[Neda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this novel in just one night while I was at the International Youth Library in Germany! Oh, God, I just couldn't put it down! I finished it in a night!
Amazing!
At times it got boring, especially towards the end where all the fairy creatures showed up, but still I wanted to know how it ends! ;)

Thanks Carol and Perry! :)

[Amy McFadden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The action parts of this book where riveting and well written, but the bits of romance and excessive descriptions of fashion felt forced & artificial, as if someone said, “wait, girls like romance and fashion, throw some of that in.” Overall, a unique story built on an intriguing premise.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember liking this book more when I was younger. I have a hard time with books that have unlikeable protagonists, and Lenora has virtually no redeeming qualities. I started this thinking she was between 11-13 and then realized she’s almost 17 years old. Two stars mostly because it was short. 😂

[Damean Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting YA read. The concept of a race of people who can make their imaginings a reality is very tantalizing. I really loved the twist ending. Just a great starter to the series. I'll have to keep my eyes open for the rest!

[Stormie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was different than I remembered but a really good read.

[Sierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a little odd at first but when you get used to how crazy, to say the least, that the plot starts out as it gets better.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected, but quite delightful nonetheless! I liked Lenora's flights of fancy, and Coren's solidity was a comforting contrast.

[Denauli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lenora was pretty much an unbearable brat throughout the book, but I must say the ending was very good. A good book for someone who likes easy to read imaginative books.

[Hannah Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this book if I had read it at the age it is targeted at but as an adult it just was not a very compelling story.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, imaginative book that draws you in until the very last page.. One of my all time favorites.

[Zahra Henkel · Rating 2 out of 5]

A solid enough quick read

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay, not great. I think they needed to put more of the villain in there, and that the entire first half of the story didn't make much sense.
Then again, neither did parts of the second half. (Fairies and trolls? Really? Why? Just...why? No plot importance. No significance. They get about half a scene.)
Lenora got on my nerves. She's supposed to be a strong heroine, but she comes across as bossy, self-centered, and way too used to getting her way. I liked Coren, but he comes across as a bit of a whiner at the beginning. I found the part where he can't walk because his powers are being suppressed and he's used to sensing his surroundings telepathically as well as seeing them entertaining.
The descriptions of Coren's telepathy were fairly straightforward and easy to follow, but Lenora's Reality Bender scenes drove me crazy. None of it made sense. I mean, for the entire first chapter I was flipping back through pages, trying to figure out what was going on.

The lack of wedding bells at the end of the book was nice. They understand each other a bit better, but there is no "marry me now".
All in all, it was worth a completely average rating of about 2 1/2 stars. I'd read the sequels if I could find them, but they wouldn't be at the top of my list.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two minds was one of my most favorite books as a "tween". It's a very unique read for the Young(er) Adult genre when it comes to theme. The story has a little bit of everything fantasy related thrown in to the mix, from "fairyfolk", giants, doppelgangers, mind reading even a type of psychokinesis and of course a dire end-of-the-world scenario.
I've kept this book in a box with all my Fear Streets and Vampire Chronicles for 16 years before a review piqued my interest to reread it(nostalgia also had played a role).The characters seemed a tad mary-sue-ish and the composition of the story line was a bit hurried. However I still felt obligated to give the book a higher rating out of respect for the authors which had sparked my 10 year old imagination (not really a difficult feat)and although I do agree that the caliber of writing doesn't meet my current standards I can recall being able to easily identify with the writing and had felt inspired long after reading this book, which I strongly believe is crucial regarding any genre. After reading this book as an adult it was apparent the author's target was a limited audience which they were successful at reaching, I however am no longer that audience.

[Tamara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to convince myself to even kind of like this book. I fully expect it that it's one of those things that you adore if you first read it as a twelve-year-old. I certainly would have wanted to be Lenora, because she has spunk and I was not that far from average twelve-year-old bookworm and therefore loved spunk, with extra magical powers on the side. But reading it as an adult the first time, I felt that the prose is somewhere between bland and boring, the characters are one-dimensional (yes, short of two - their chemistry was zero), and, in terms of plot, developments seemed too awkward and sudden.

The story itself could have been fine - two stars, at least, and three with a few smoothing-outs and eliminations (as in when it kind of bounced between or slammed together subgenres rather than melding them) - but I couldn't care about either main character. There was almost no description, and the pacing was completely inconsistent. There were moments in which I felt like it had been excerpted from the stories I wrote as a twelve-year-old. I wish I could've liked it - I read it in one sitting trying to find reasons - but I just couldn't.