Operative

Ganzfield #5

by Kate Kaynak

Maddie and the rest of the team must catch the person selling classified information to terrorists--before they become the targets.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Romance

260 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Just a person · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operative is as full of amazing as I've come to expect from Kate Kaynak. She did not disappoint, and the only complaint I have is that I have to wait for Soulmate.
Maddie is brave as ever, and I continue to admire her initiative and her concern for others. I'd really love to be more like her, and that would be true even if the hotness that is Trevor wasn't part of the package deal. Their relationship is so sweet to watch, and I love how it keeps developing, even though they had me a bit nervous at the beginning of this one, because I wasn't sure how things would be fixed.
Kate writes some of the best secondary characters I've ever read as well. They all have so much life, and I'm always eager to find out more about them. It is hard though because she writes the story her way, and it's not always the easiest to read because it can break your heart.
I am amazed at how she keeps surprising me and throwing in a curveball just when I think I have everything and everyone figured out--shows the mark of a true and talented author. I'm honored that she sends me her books to read, and that I can call her a friend as well.
I've said it before, and I don't mind repeating, if you haven't read this series, you are seriously missing out! It's consistently been on my list of favorites that I recommend to anyone. Great characters, writing that's superb and evokes so much emotion while still managing to leave me on the edge of my seat.
Review from Blkosiner's Book blog, read more of my reviews here: http://blkosiner.blogspot.com/

[Kate Kaynak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now scheduled for release in March of 2012. It gets back to more of the action of Adversary, and there's a HUGE twist coming.

hee hee

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am finding that the more books that are added to series that I love, the harder and harder it gets to write a review on it. It seems like I have already mentioned everything I love about the books and it is pretty consistent from book to book. Each book has been filled with passion, emotion, action, danger and thrills that keep my heart racing. Each book the connection between Maddie and Trevor has developed more and more and their love grows more fierce. The characters are always well written and ingrained into the story that I couldn't imagine them not being in the series forever and would be destroyed if they were hurt or killed off. I am about 95% positive that I have cried at least once if not multiple times (or throughout the whole thing as was the case with ACCUSED) in all of the books and tend to adapt to the emotions right along with the characters that are feeling them. I know that once I start reading one of Kate's Ganzfield books to not plan to leave the house because I don't want to put it down and thankfully they have all been so fast paced and easy to get into that I finish them pretty darn fast. Even though the books are consistent in their awesomeness we always get great twist and turns thrown at us and a fresh new plot to get us even more addicted.

So on to OPERATIVE..... I'm not telling you what happens..... You will have to go out and discover the awesomeness all on your own so that I don't mistakenly give away something that would compromise your reading experience. You will have to be ok with me telling you that OPERATIVE continues the series as all the others have with fantastic twists, heart pounding turns, fantastic humor, heart wrenching loss and passionate reunions.

I'm going to once again repeat myself GO BUY THIS SERIES you will be far from disappointed and if you are then you have horrible taste in reading material. This series is in my top 5 must have must read series and will continue to be there as long as Kate keeps the great characters and plots coming. SOULMATE is set to release October 1 2012 and has been on my wishlist since it was added to Goodreads.

[Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five books into a series, a reader tends to develop some expectations about writing and characters and storyline. I’m happy to say that Kate Kaynak has no clue how to disappoint. Operative has just as much action, just as much depth, and the fantastic storytelling that I’ve come to expect from the Ganzfield series.

The last book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger. It ended with a bang and I wasn’t sure what to expect after. Well, Operative was not what I expected at all, but it was so much better than I imagined. Sure, Maddie and Trevor can be somewhat cheesy, but they are totally THAT couple. They’re ridiculously in love, so they’re allowed to be a little cheesy sometimes.

Aside from the cheesy, Kaynak throws in tons of action in an entirely new setting. Some of the Ganzfield group heading off on a military trip to Germany sounds kind of strange (and it is), but it makes total sense in the grand scheme of things. The purple monkey spy they discover, which also sounds very strange (it soooo is), is just one of the great new twists that are thrown in. Even if I told you to expect the unexpected, you’ll still be surprised by Operative.

The characters we’ve all grown to love are still present, but the new characters add another layer to the complicated world that Maddie is still growing into. She’s a leader now and she’s falling into that role fairly well. Obviously everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows because sunshine and rainbows, while pretty, are BORING. And as readers, we do not like boring; and it seems that Kate Kaynak does not like boring either.

Operative is another chapter in a twisting, turning, deliciously addicting series. Each book in the Ganzfield series has resparked my love for the story and while I know it’s coming to a close, I’m dying for the next book and to find out where things go from here…especially with the sneak peek chapter of Soulmate because that is INSANE!

[Andye.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, so much to say about these books. I feel like I have such a personal connection with each of them because I've loved them for so long, and they just keep getting better and better. Operative begins with a very interesting turn of events, this time Maddie ends up working with the government (very unlike her situation in Accused). But everyone is still in just as much danger. Maddie's whole team takes a trip overseas where they drive Ferraris, charm government officials, and kill bad guys, and that' s just the beginning. Operative is exciting and will keep you on the edge of your seat. Luckily I was already on summer break when I started it, because I wasn't about to get any homework finished while reading this book. BUT, not only is Operative exhilerating and action-packed, it also continues one of my favorite love stories of all time. Kate entwines battles and romance so seamlessly that I fall in love a little more with each new installment. I will be anxiously awaiting the next Ganzfield Novel Soulmate, and in the mean time, you should definitely read every single one of these amazing books.

-Kit

P.S.- If you really don't want to start from the beginning of this series, but you think Operative sounds interesting, you should know that Kate recaps the story and explains everyone's powers at the beginning of this book.

[Kelly Hashway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operative is the fifth book in the Ganzfield series. It picks up with the high emotions left off on in book four, Accused. Maddie has to rescue Trevor before she can concentrate on a new case, which involves catching spies only Maddie can see. The relationship between Maddie and Trevor is key to this mission, and the pair makes an amazing team, despite the limitations their abilities can place on them.

By far, my favorite part of the book, other than Maddie's snarky internal monologue, which she projects into the minds of others, is the intense action scenes Kaynak creates. Maddie and Trevor are incredibly strong together, both emotionally and physically. Their connection kept me turning the pages. And the ending of this book is phenomenal. You are on your seat and worrying for each character.

Operative is the perfect combination of paranormal, action, and suspense with a little romance thrown in. There's something for everyone. It's one of those rare books where I couldn't decide what I enjoyed more, the characters or the plot. They're both amazing.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I have decided not to mention anything in the book. I don't want to give away anything. And there is so much going on, I might inadvertently spoil something.
So this is my review: This book is amazing. These Ganzfield books just get better and better. Kate Kaynak is an amazing writer (and I am not just saying that because I work for her.LOL). The detail she goes into, and the time and research she puts into writing the best story possible comes through with ever sentence read. She is a no holds barred type of writer and anything goes. I was so excited to read this that I put everything else I was reading on hold so I could dive right in. The only problem with that, is now I have to wait so long for the 6th and final Ganzfield installment: Soulmate, very impatiently.

[Sheri (Tangled Up In Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog!! :) :)

I was lulled into a false sense of security with the ending of Accused (#4). No wait, let me rephrase that. I was prepared for another massacre. Hey I wasn't the only one! Everyone in the book spent a good deal of time prepping and planning for a military attack. It was building up and I was dreading the incoming attack. How many were going to die this time? Would it be any of the people I care about....AGAIN? So many questions. So much anxiety. Thankfully to have the only death being one of a disgusting, horrible person. Which was a good thing. But Kate Kaynak can't just leave you with that warm fuzzy feeling. Nope. The person who killed the baddie was of course left emotionally scarred at taking a life, even if it was a useless one. A life's a life right? And the way that person cracked from the experience had Accused ending in a heartbreaking cliffhanger. Enter Operative...

The opening line of chapter one is two words long. Two. So if you're, for some strange reason, wondering how many words it would take to have me thoroughly book depressed...it's two. *Sigh* I still have 11 more pages to read as I'm writing this. That's it. What am I waiting for? You know that being lulled into a false sense of security I mentioned at the beginning? I just got hit with a cold hard blast of reality. Well, in a literary sense of course.

Ending this is so bittersweet because Soulmate, the last book according to Kate (Goodreads says there's Solitary a #7 but..who knows), it's not due out until July....and then that's it. I am going to be unbelievably sad to see it go. I know in many cases when a series keeps going on and on people grow irritated with it and wish it would end already. But Ganzfield is so different and so unbelievably well written, the characters are so vast and loveable and funny, there isn't a doubt in my mind that it wouldn't feel that way for me. Six books just doesn't seem enough for this amazing world I've fallen in love with.

So I'll leave you with this, once again, my plea for you to please read this series. If you're a lover of the paranormal, with a splash of romance/love and...a little bit of blood and death...okay sometimes A LOT of it! This series is exactly what you need.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to bring you my review of Operative by the amazing YA paranormal puppeteer - Kate Kaynak! Kate will guide you step by step on a paranormal adventure with the precision of a marionette master in this fifth book of the Ganzfield series. She brings an entirely unique element to Young Adult Paranormal - so new that no other YA authors can touch it. This novel is riveting! Magnetic! Sir, Yes Sir!

It's so great to be back with my Maddie and Trevor (and all of the private thoughts of every character in the book - thanks Maddie ;) Who knew it was so much fun to mess with the minds of military personnel? And for certain, nobody knew what Russian G Positives were capable of until now.....

Operative is one of those novels where telling about it is telling too much. Trevor, Maddie and the Ganzfield bunch embark on another adventure - this time it's international with US government support. Unfortunately, the government support part can only go as far as not prosecuting G positives and aids little to the cause of protecting the world from people with abilities that make bad choices. That's where the good G+ young people with abilities come in.

Kate's storytelling ability must have received a double injection of dodecamine this time because she blasted my mind. She made me fall in love all over again with Maddie and Trevor, made me sympathize with villains, terrified me, and broke my heart when....well, you'll just have to read and find out.

If you have no idea what the Ganzfield story is about, you must peek inside and pick up a copy of Minder at Amazon. com and don't worry, these novels are so gripping you won't be able to stop until you finish number five and are waiting on #6 Soulmate with the rest of us.

Check out Ganzfield (dot)com and look for copies of the series at Amazon(dot)com

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I missed reading about this series so much that after I received the ARC of the fifth book I almost screamed with joy! But my joyful mood wasn’t always there with me during the reading . . . My bad, I should have know better since there is not a single instalment in which I didn’t have to cry. It doesn’t matter the reason or if it happens at the beginning, in the middle or in the end, you can be sure at some point some tears will come. And do you wanna know what is the worst part in all of this? You can hate it, but you’re still gonna love every moment like that because Kate Kaynak knows how to use the element of surprise and create a big emotional impact with it.

Kanyak always writes a “previously on” in every book, so you really never get lost. You can follow the events in each book without difficulties, although you should consider starting from the beginning especially because of the amazing relationship you build with the characters. At some point, you start considering them like a sort of family. So, do yourself a favour and go grab the first instalment if you haven't already, you won’t regret it for a second!

I received a free copy of this book from the Publisher for an honest review. This does not affect in any way my opinion of the book nor the content of my review—originally posted on Darkest Sins.

[Stephanie Bibb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit, the past couple books in the Minders series fell short of my expectations, and I had considered not reading the rest of the series. However, I'm glad I read Operative (a happy thanks for inter-library loans!).

Though the beginning of the book is a little slow, nothing really stuck out as jarring any pet peeves I didn't like from the previous books. I didn't mind the now official marriage between Maddie and Trevor. I think the romance between them (and some of the other characters), was a lot stronger in this book. I also found that the end of Accused was satisfactorily explained in Operative, so that was another plus.

The real joy of this story was the astrals. We get to see a new ability, a new threat-- and a significant threat at that. The astrals were mysterious, and once they came in as the main focus of the story, the pace really picked up. I read this book in one day (though I stayed up a bit to finish it). I enjoyed how the story played out, though I was wincing at the character deaths involved. They were characters that I actually cared about... and even the new characters had been tied into the story enough to make me care about them even more.

The first part of the book wasn't as exciting as the latter half, but I can deal with that. The ending was wrapped up quickly, but it didn't feel like it was rushed. Operative was fast read and enjoyable, with new and interesting insights into the world of Minders.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit that this wasn't my favorite book in the series. The Russian mafia wasn't doing it for me and I missed Ganzfield.

Thank the Gods Trevor and Maddie came together not too far into this book because the ending of the last book broke my heart. Every Team Trevor and Maddie fan will LOVE what happens later on... yay! Take that Cecelia! (Can't stand her and that offensive mouth.) Now I want to see how far they can go past soul mating, if that's even possible. It's so sweet of Trevor to want to go off of dodecamine but I'd feel bad about him giving up his ability. There has to be a way...

There is more heart break in this one but of a different sort. The really bad kind... death.

I think that it was cool that a new power was introduced astral projecting but I hope that less evil people will be using it when they arrive to Ganzfield. I'm also curious to see what will happen when those people go on dodecamine.

BTW, maybe they could do a more extensive search for some pleasant charms? It'd be nice to have a few friendly (and not in a steal-your-boyfriend kind of way) ones around Ganzfield.

I'm anxiously awaiting Soulmate. So glad I waited to start this series since it won't be here until January!

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 months without an instalment of a series are too many, especially if it's the Ganzfield series, and I basically glowed when I started reading the book. It picks up where it left us off, Trevor in shock of having killed someone, and Maddie about to start a Government mission.
I have to admit it wasn't epic like the previous four, but I read it with equal eagerness, like I usually do when I have a Ganzfield book in my hands.
We come to learn that G-positives have a new ability, and we are left to wonder: is it dangerous? Can our heroes fight the evil like they usually do? Of course they can, but we encounter some shocking moments along the way, and there's a lot of action involved too.
The great thing about Kate Kaynak is that she made me part of a big, awesome family, which I've come to love and care for. And as great families do, I appreciate the good things and mourn the losses with a deep sadness.
Even though it really makes me sad that it's over, I can't wait to read Soulmate, the final instalment of this amazing series.

[Deniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished the latest book in the Ganzfield series, and I have to say - it was over too soon! Kaynak drops us easily and effortlessly into the world of Maddie and the other Ganzfield residents; you don't have to have read all the previous books to understand what's going on (though they're just as exciting!), and the action picks up right away.
I love Maddie and Trevor's interaction - sweet without being cheesy and I'm constantly impressed by how Kaynak keeps track of all the characters' abilities and how they interact. One of my favourite lines from the book is "Telepathy made it harder to despise people for their sharp edges - I now saw how those edges had been cut into them."
Really looking forward to the next book, to find out more about Dmitri and Katya.

[Darby Karchut · Rating 5 out of 5]

OPERATIVE by Kate Kaynak (Spencer Hill Press, March 2012)

Be prepared for some rocking action. Maddie, Trevor, and the rest of the team’s adventures continue in the fifth book of the Ganzfield Novels. OPERATIVE has loads of plot twists, a tip of the hat to the Cold War, and the addition of an adorable new character: Velcro. Kate Kaynak just gets better and better.

The Ganzfield series include MINDER, ADVESARY, LEGACY, ACCUSED, OPERATIVE (March 2012) and SOULMATES (December 2012) all from Spencer Hill Press.

Add the entire collection to your TBR pile. Make sure you put them on the top!

[Tyler Jolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operative was a great read. It has fresh new content yet manages to keep with the original storyline. In this fifth edition of Ganzfield Maddie and the gang travel to Europe to find out who is stealing sensitive information from our government. Lots of twists, turn and new characters make this book a quick read. This book is a young adult, sci-fi, thriller and romance novel all rolled into one. Fantastic. Cant' wait for Soulmate!

[Mindy/fangedmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just found out I won this book on the Goodreads First read program!!!!

I won an ARC of Operative. I am going to GIVE IT AWAY! Yes you heard me right..GIVE IT AWAY! BUT you have to work for it :)

Stay tuned to www.bookscompleteme.com for contest details

*JUST A NOTE: I did notify the author and the publisher and they gave me permission to hold this giveaway.

[Lisa Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what I can say about this book without spoiling it for those who haven't read it yet. What I can say is... If you are a Ganzfield fan run--don't walk to go get this book. It is that good!!!

[Mindy/fangedmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG Kate has done it again! Stay tuned to my review of Operative, book 5 in the Ganzfield series on www.bookscompleteme.com !!!!!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Kate!!! It is always so easy to fall back into the world she has created!!!! This book was no exception!!

[mromero · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words to describe it other than you must read it, there is plenty of action and surprising twists. Review to come closer to release date.

[Keshia Swaim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has done it again. An excellent addition to the series. Full review at 1bookaddict.blogspot.com

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best YA Series out there!!! I can't wait for Soulmate!!!!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great series love the characters an their abilities

[Jamielee Prue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished with book number 5. Now I have to wait for number 6...sucks!!I hate waiting....