Has anyone ever told you how special you are? How great you could be at anything if you just put your mind to it?They were lying.There are people, Shadows, who really can do anything. They walk like gods among us, speaking with the dead and tearing their enemies apart with a simple thought. Some live unchained by death, and others live without the shroud covering what tomorrow brings. They’ve had … Some live unchained by death, and others live without the shroud covering what tomorrow brings.
They’ve had the Mind Wreck.
It’s when the chemical stew inside your brain begins to boil. All those soft spots start to turn red and bleed as a host of human potential claws its way into you, dragging you into the deep end of the world.
Matthew Reed is drowning in the deep end.
He’s been thrust into the games, The Shadow Games, where god-like beings vie for control and power, everyone out there is playing their own hand, and everyone has a seat at the table. He’ll have to learn to play quickly because being the son of a powerful Shadow has drawn a lot of attention.
Let the games begin.
Reviews:
“…reminds me of other urban fantasy writers such as Shayne Silvers or Michael Anderle. The world he creates almost feels like a dark Harry Potter book for adults.”
”…one of the best paranormal / psychological thrillers you will ever read.”
“…one of the best books I’ve reviewed in a while, this easily makes my top ten.”
“…an excellent horror/comedy writer. Mind Wreck is an action-packed thriller with sci-fi elements and laugh-out-loud funny moments.”
“…like a mix of Cronenberg’s classic Scanners and Gaimen’s American Gods, the story builds and builds into it’s own incredible mythos.”
“J.Z. Foster has set himself up to be a literary force to be reckoned with in the coming years.”
”…CRAZY GOOD! I highly recommend this, and any other works written by J.Z. Foster. He has officially been added to my short list of FAVORITE authors!”
“…world is full of people and creatures with supernatural powers, demons, ghosts and various things of that ilk…”
“…takes you, the reader, and the people in this book and plays with the strings like only a master puppeteer can.”
“…a great blending of what I would consider horror and science fiction. Skillfully written and fantastically entertaining, I believe this would make a great movie! The mix of action, gritty horror and amazing story…”
”…humor mixed in with the action and I love that!”
”…paranormal suspense novel where anything goes. When I say anything I mean anything, this is an unapologetic horror novel with moments of dark humor thrown in.”
“J.Z. Foster has restored my love for Urban Fiction!”
Make no mistake, this is not Urban Fantasy Fiction. This is Urban Horror Fiction, paranormal suspense horror.”
“Oh my gods… What can I say, Foster has managed to effortlessly pull me into his world of the paranormal, and left me struggling to climb back out – I didn’t want to leave!”
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This is my third JZ Foster book, and I do believe I’ll forever be a fan! As the book went on it got better and better.
Mind Wreck is full of action and suspense, but with some lighter moments thrown in for good measure.
Matthew and his father are reunited and try to avoid The Russian, however they end up getting thrown right into the Shadow Games whether Matt is ready or not!
I really loved Mind Wreck. There is a lot happening in the world that we aren’t aware of. There are entities playing games in the shadows with players walking among us. Matthew is about to learn that there is a lot he didn’t know and he’s in for a wake up call. An early morning visit by a very mangled cat begins his race to find answers and learn the truth about himself. This book will reach into your brain and grab you. It will hold your attention until you finish it. There are twists and turns that you don’t see coming. I’ve read it a few times now. It’s really that good! I’m very much looking forward to reading more from J.Z. He’s made it to my “must read” list.
I found this book to be quite an enjoyable ride. It will take you on a journey unlike any other. Not everyone is as they seem. Some are referred to as Shadows and can use their mind in various ways. Only they see the demons lurking in corners waiting to feast on their souls. I found the characters engaging and the plot stimulating and quite thought-provoking. I eagerly await book number two!
I enjoyed this book. It is darker than the other books Mr. Foster has written, and it required a bit of concentration to follow all the characters. However, as is typical of his writing style the various people remained in character throughout.
The story begins with the death of Evan, who dies trying to protect his son Matthew. Or does he?
There is a whole organization of people with strange powers, as well as rebels with the same type of powers. The book covers a set of skirmishes between the organization and Evan. Evan has hidden his son from them, but now they have found out about him. Evan wants to remain alive long enough to train his son. The organization wants to take over his son’s mind and abilities.
I have read each book Mr. Foster has writen, and I have enjoyed them, but I cannot predict what one story will be about from reading the others. His world is full of people and creatures with supernatural powers, demons, ghosts and various things of that ilk, but each is a different set of people and situations. Each story truly stands alone, but all are interesting.
Got this as an ARC for honest review.
Matthew Reed has no idea what’s coming, until a Dead cat stops by to have a conversation with him one night. Before this, Matthew simply lived a normal everyday life of working, going home, trying to sleep and repeat, but not only does he find a Dead cat talking to him but the Dead thing states he is Matthew’s father and needs to prepare him for the so-called Shadow Games. Matthew finds out that he is a psionist and needs to be able to defend himself from what other psionists call the Russian. Will Matthew learn to adapt to his powers or will the Russian destroy everything Matthew has ever known?
Great, hopefully, 1st book in a series that I would love to visit many times over.
This wrecked my mind! J.Z. Foster has a great writing style that sucks you in. He does a fantastic job of making you feel like you’re part of the story, as if it’s all playing out right in front of you. There’s a little humor mixed in with the action and I love that! I couldn’t stop pacing as I read this book, and I need more!!
This is one of the best books I’ve reviewed in a while, this easily makes my top ten. It snares you from the first sentence and opens up into its own universe, then takes you on quite a thrill ride from start to finish! I could see this easily expanding into a sequel or a trilogy, there is so many directions this could go and still stay within the original story thread! The humor was great, kept it from being too heavy with the horror. This is a masterfully balanced, engaging, horrifying, hold onto the seat of your pants ride that keeps you in the story even after you’ve finished the book!! Exceptionally well done, and thank you for the privilege of reviewing this gem!
Matthew is an ordinary guy just living a life like you and I, in a world no different than ours. At least that’s what he thought. Will he be able to keep up with the battles he’s about to face or will he be dragged into the depths of hell??
J.Z. Fosters writing ability is out of this world. Just like this novel Mind Wrecked. You never really know what is out there or what happens when you die but this book just might open a whole new world for you.. Another fantastic job
Make no mistake, this is not just Urban Fantasy Fiction. This is Urban Horror Fiction, paranormal suspense horror. The storyline is dark, the sequences brutal. The old folklore that is drawn upon had not been modernized and glitterfied, but instead remains true to its terror-inspiring origins. That being said, the dark horror and suspense are masterfully balanced with dark humor, for a very thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. It takes place in the same universe as Witch Hunter and Wicked Ones, though it has its own style and tone.
The characters in Mind Wreck: Shadow Games are painfully realistic. They and the story draw you in as the tension builds page after page, chapter after chapter. I found the book maddeningly difficult to put down, so enthralled was I. And when circumstances forced me to put it aside for a time, my mind was still drawn back to the story, wondering what was happening as if anything could happen in my absence.
Mind Wreck is one big horrific thrill ride. It is both brilliant and brilliantly done and I truly hope to see more.
Matthew Reed is just an ordinary guy, working a dead-end job. He suffers from migraines and has extremely vivid dreams. His search for answers begins with the arrival of his father and carries on across country, right to the very last page. He discovers that there are people (Shadows) who can really do anything and Matthew is drowning in the deep end. “So, this is just me. If something totally weird is going to happen to someone, it’s going to happen to me. Of course, there’s a guy who sees me as a science experiment. Of course, I’m in love with a girl I met in a dream.” Matthew is the son of a powerful Shadow and has drawn a lot of attention. He is trying to stay one step ahead of a very strong telekinetic called The Russian. Picture a battle-scarred, human terminator who will not stop.
I’m trying hard not to give anything away. I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. The characters were flawed and interesting. Some of them had very flexible morals. The world building was outstanding. I’m hoping J.Z. will be writing a sequel because this has been my favorite of his books. I really want to know what happens next.
MIND WRECK – SHADOW GAMES is the 3rd novel released by J.Z. Foster since the beginning of the year. Yes you did read that right,,,since the beginning of this year. WITCH HUNTER was released in Jan, THE WICKED ONES (my review of which appears on this blog) was released in Feb and this novel was released in March. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two, but this 3rd outing is the best yet.
I have to admit that reading this book made my head hurt. Not in a negative way, but because the authors narrative is so descriptive that you feel part of the story. Coming across like a mix of Cronenberg’s classic Scanners and Gaimen’s American Gods (not bad material to be associated with), the story builds and builds into it’s own incredible mythos. There are no wasted moments here. Characters are built up and well formed. The pacing is done to a tee, the action never stops or lulls. The ride begins with the first sentence of the Prologue and carries you to the final page.
Matthew Reed is just a everyman, suffering from migraines he cant control and dreams he does not understand. Enter his father, whom Matthew thought was dead, and his world suddenly becomes a roller-coaster ride he can never come back from. Since I hate spoilers, that’s about as much story info I want to give. Just let me say you will not be disappointed by this story.
MIND WRECK – SHADOW GAMES is the opening salvo on what could be an epic series. And J.Z. Foster has set himself up to be a literary force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
J.Z Foster is an author who doesn’t let his foot off the gas pedal. I have previously read his other two books (Witch Hunter and The Wicked Ones) and loved both. This book has a number of strange elements (in a good way!) that all blend together! The story is intriguing, the characters are well constructed and the world it inhabits is thoroughly enjoyable!
My only negative – I want to know more about the back story! So hoping there is a future release related to this!
So good, i can see a second book already!…and im in line to get it!…job well done, J.Z. Foster!