Reviews

Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond

readingbyem_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

natmartins's review against another edition

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tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

exorcismemily's review against another edition

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5.0

"What a beautiful little piece of evil."

Suspicious Minds is a prequel to the Stranger Things show, and the story focuses on Eleven's mom, Terry Ives. It's set in the late '60s / early '70s in Indiana, and whether this is a Stranger Things book or not, I found it to be an easy story to get invested in. Terry and her friends are likeable characters, and the story is occurring amidst the Vietnam War and everything else that was going on - yet with a Stranger Things spin that makes it even more fun.

I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to feel about this book, but Gwenda Bond did such a fantastic job, and I would definitely read more in this series from her. This book stands on its own well enough apart from Stranger Things, but it's also an excellent companion piece for the series. It doesn't add any serious details that we didn't already know; it just dives into the MK Ultra backstory and shows the path leading to Eleven. It ties in the series so well without it feeling contrived. Dr Brenner is a disturbing character, and the Hawkins lab is a horrifying place.

It's always an interesting experience to read a book when you already know how it ends. Terry has so much life and hope in the book, but we know what happens in the end from the show. It creates a very ominous environment, and I felt dread throughout so much of the book since I knew where it was heading.

I think this book can work for both fans of Stranger Things and people who are new to the series. It's so entertaining, and I feel like it has a great balance of new story and series tie-in. Thank you so much to Random House for sending me a copy of Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds to review. I was very impressed with this introduction to the novel series, and I can't wait to read more!

maisiedodds's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

matasatan's review against another edition

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2.0

Nja. Hade höga förväntningar. Men den kändes mest tillgjord och trist. Väldigt synd :(

kitkat175's review against another edition

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3.0

These books are far if you want background information on our favourite beloved show. I'm excited to read the 2nd book.

soline21's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

I enjoyed the book a lot as I had watched the stranger things tv show it was interesting to be able to see the back story of 11 mother and how she ended up at Hawkins lab.

_emmacairns_'s review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

ashleysnerdyworld's review against another edition

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1.0

Very boring .zzzzzzzz

emcrowley03's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5