Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Mindbenders

by Ted Krever (Goodreads Author)

3.71 of 5 stars 3.71 · rating details · 87 ratings · 32 reviews

If you could hear the thoughts of every person for three blocks around–the regrets, rationalizations, commercial jingles, the lies that hide what they can’t bear to think—how could you ever trust anyone? And if you could make them believe anything you wanted, how could you ever trust yourself?

Max Renn is a legend of the Soviet mind control program, a genetic experiment, th...more

Kindle Edition, 275 pages

Published May 8th 2011

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 255)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jan 04, 2013 Julie Ann Dawson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ted Krever's Mindbenders is a brilliantly paced paranormal conspiracy thriller with an entertaining cast of characters and a plot that will keep you jumping from clue to clue to determine what is really happening. Former Soviet agent Max Renn was part of a secret mind control program that was dismantled during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Two decades later, his semi-tranquil life in the Florida everglades is thrown into turmoil when unknown entities kill his friend and force him to reassemb...more

like · see review

Nov 02, 2012 Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I have never read a book before that got my mind as muddled up trying to keep track of the plot, as this book. One thing perfectly clear right from the start – and which impressed me immensely – is that this author can write! He knows his way around words like few others. But trying to follow the plot proved to be no easy task.

“Mindbenders” is not your average mind-powers book. It’s complicated, and it’s filled with lots of important information necessary for character- and plot development. If...more

like · see review

Jun 22, 2011 Bonnie Lamer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Review:

Greg is a vet suffering from debilitating memory loss. The man who took it upon himself to help him through, possibly draw out the memories and his voice, is suddenly killed. Now, the only person left to trust is the man who tells Greg that he is a map of sorts. A map of the locations of the people who once served the government as mindbenders. A defunct program with a lot of loose ends.

Greg and Max follow a path that leads them to a disturbing reality. Someone wants to kill hope, the mos...more Review:

Greg is a vet suffering from debilitating memory loss. The man who took it upon himself to help him through, possibly draw out the memories and his voice, is suddenly killed. Now, the only person left to trust is the man who tells Greg that he is a map of sorts. A map of the locations of the people who once served the government as mindbenders. A defunct program with a lot of loose ends.

Greg and Max follow a path that leads them to a disturbing reality. Someone wants to kill hope, the most important of all human emotions; the one that keeps people going in their day to day lives. Rounding up a small team of people who share their desire to set things right, they piece together the clues and ready themselves for the final showdown.

In Mindbenders, Ted Krever takes the reader on a fantastic journey of the mind. His characters unfold and expand, keeping the reader riveted, turning the page to see how they grow. His suggestions of what governments are willing to do to breed the best possible weapon are disturbing but yet - believable. The search for power, greed, and control is too much temptation, and when others who are like Max decide big business is more lucrative than helping governments succeed, the world is trouble.

Ted Krever had me hooked from page one. Throughout the book, the reactions, the feelings of the characters, all seemed real. I felt their discomfort, their reluctance, and I felt their minds growing and blossoming into the people they needed to become. Mr. Krever’s writing style is clean and concise, and his ability to describe what is happening keeps you in the moment, able to understand how the characters felt or reacted - “Well, I’m not comfortable running away without a good reason,” Fine answered, speaking slowly, biting each word off as if they came a la carte.

Mindbenders is an incredible read and I was recommending it to others before I even finished reading it. I loved the characters with their flaws and their quirks. I loved the action and the way the characters used their powers. The idea of people like this actually existing in our reality is disquieting, to say the least. Ted Krever’s world is a scary one, but one you shouldn’t miss reading about.

This book deserves every bit of the five stars I give it.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Sep 08, 2012 Autumn rated it 4 of 5 stars

I received this book from the author to give an honest review.

I had to give this book 4 stars only because it wouldn't let me give it 4 1/2 stars. The plot of the book was great, but I am basing my rating on how much I had to keep going back to re-read parts because I kept getting a bit confused on what exactly was going on. What exactly they were doing with their powers that they have.

Mindbenders takes you on a journey with Greg and Max and two other characters, who are uncovering a conspiracy...more

like · see review

Jun 25, 2011 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Katy by: Ted Krever

Shelves: ebook, galley-for-review

Greg has been out of the military for a year now and is living in with a man he calls Uncle Dave; his mind was fried by the stress of his experiences in the Middle East, causing severe memory loss and problems with speaking and even thinking. Hearing screaming, he leaves his room and finds Dave Monaghan dead in the bathroom, the screams coming from the small TV showing the assassination of the Indian premiere. Before he can really process all of this, a man known to him as Mr. Dulles shows up, t...more Greg has been out of the military for a year now and is living in with a man he calls Uncle Dave; his mind was fried by the stress of his experiences in the Middle East, causing severe memory loss and problems with speaking and even thinking. Hearing screaming, he leaves his room and finds Dave Monaghan dead in the bathroom, the screams coming from the small TV showing the assassination of the Indian premiere. Before he can really process all of this, a man known to him as Mr. Dulles shows up, tells him to pack his stuff and takes him away – they haven’t gone far before the house explodes.

This is only the very beginning of “Mindbenders,” a story in which science fiction and fact combine (and which is based upon real events and programs). Mindbenders are people who are able to affect things with their minds – mostly through mind reading and affecting other people’s thoughts. Dulles – Max – turns out to be a particularly powerful mindbender with a checkered past. Dave, it turns out, has used Greg as a vessel – storing information subconsciously in Greg’s mind that Max and Greg must use in order to answer their questions. Initially seeking only to understand Dave’s killing and why it happened, Max and Greg discover they must combat a group of other mindbenders that threaten the whole world in their lust for money and power. They seek out others to help them, achieving a final count of four people – Max, Greg, Kate and Mark – against a vast, multinational conspiracy.

I was enthralled by this story and absolutely devoured it. It is fast-paced, exciting and yet allows for good character development and back-story. The author – Ted Krever – cleverly uses run together words and phrases to create ideas, such as an instance in which Greg thinks he would need a degree in “Idontknowwhat” in order to understand a situation in which he has been placed. Mr. Krever also has a good grasp of character dynamics and the interactions between his characters is realistic and interesting.

Overall I must say I was mightily impressed. I can recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a good thriller, suspense science/science fiction story, which covers a lot of people. In fact, anyone who enjoys a good tale should give this one a try – I think you’ll be as impressed as I was!(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a fast-paced gallop by a bunch of psychic-phenomena-employing world-savers. Telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance, mind control and so forth are deployed.
The writing itself was commendable but I felt the plot lacked conviction. Not so much in the believe of the mental hi-jinks, which would always demand some suspension of disbelief at this level of accomplishment, but the main premise.
“Hope springs eternal...” is a truism and it was what was left to mankind after the clearing out of Pan...more

like · see review

Sep 12, 2011 S.L. Madden rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes conspiracies, mental abilities and great writing/characters

Recommended to S.L. by: I won it! :)

Mindbenders was a wonderful surprise. It took me all of two pages to get into it, and I was hooked through the end. The pacing is spot-on, alternating between exhilarating action and quiet, character-driven moments.

It’s a great bit of Psi-Fi, made better by the fact it’s both timely and relevant. Many (all?) of the government programs listed are real and the author has adapted their findings seamlessly into his writing. He manages to make the science behind it easily digestible, even going so fa...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 29, 2011 mountainmama rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Greg’s guardian is murdered, Max Renn shows up and whisks him into a world of mindbenders. Mind and memory fried by his experiences in the military, Greg has no clue of his own capabilities until Max forces him to use them to keep himself and his newfound friends alive while they try to stop an event that would change the world forever. Greg and Max gather more help as they unravel the mystery locked in Greg’s brain and rush to save hope.

This is a fast-paced paranormal conspiracy thriller....more

like · see review

Jul 22, 2011 Loves To Dive rated it 4 of 5 stars

Disabled vet, Greg, lives a quiet life with “Uncle Dave” in the swamps of the Florida Everglades, until the night Uncle Dave is shot in the head while in the bath and Greg’s peaceful, quiet world is turned not only upside down, but inside out and front to back. Almost as soon as Uncle Dave is shot, the mysterious Mr. Dulles appears on the back porch, ordering Greg to gather his things and leads him away just as the cabin blows up. Now Greg and Mr. Dulles are running for their lives, trying to fi...more Disabled vet, Greg, lives a quiet life with “Uncle Dave” in the swamps of the Florida Everglades, until the night Uncle Dave is shot in the head while in the bath and Greg’s peaceful, quiet world is turned not only upside down, but inside out and front to back. Almost as soon as Uncle Dave is shot, the mysterious Mr. Dulles appears on the back porch, ordering Greg to gather his things and leads him away just as the cabin blows up. Now Greg and Mr. Dulles are running for their lives, trying to figure out why someone killed Uncle Dave, and picking up clues (and more strange people) along the way.

Greg soon discovers that Mr. Dulles has talents far beyond what can be imagined, no one can be trusted, and the world governments have hidden secrets that even were they to get out, no one would believe them. Can one slightly off center vet, one extremely dangerous man, and their merry band of misfits discover the bigger picture that lies beyond Dave’s death, and do it in time to save not only themselves but the world in the process? Hold on to your seats and prepare yourselves for a ride into the dangerous world of government secrets, smoke and mirrors and conspiracy beyond belief.

Told in Greg’s point of view, Mindbenders is well written, full of slightly off/snarky bits of dialogue, more than a little disturbing sights into the power of the mind and a grand suspense thriller all rolled into one. During the course of the book, Greg grows from a damaged man who literally can’t string two words together into the strong, self-confident reporter he once was. Slowly, mysterious Mr. Dulles’ past is revealed and with each step he reveals what he can do with his mind, and frankly it’s a tad bit scary. Along the way, fellow mindbenders are revealed, some good, some bad. To understand the plot of this book think Conspiracy Theory meets Men Who Stare at Goats, sprinkle in a little James Bond spy tactics, add in some Matrix sci-fi and mix with a little Bruce Willis/Angelina Jolie kick butt scenes. This is political thriller at its best, there are twists and turns, traitors, and always something else hidden behind door number two. There is a great cast of characters, good guys and bad guys, and some who you just aren’t sure what they are.

I enjoyed the heck out of this book, from the moment I picked it up I could not put it down. It’s not your typical spy thriller; it will make you think good and hard. While I did enjoy it, I have to admit that I was a little over-whelmed with the science bits. I’ve never been good with physics and neutrons and protons and such, there are a bunch of those here. The science aside, this was a book that met all my criteria for a good read – good character building, some action so you don’t get bored, a plot to make you think, a few laughs, a good villain and even an ending that will make you say “hmmmm”. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a political thriller that while it takes itself seriously, doesn’t take itself too serious.

4 1/2 stars

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild
(less)

like · see review

Jun 01, 2011 Ted Krever added it · (Review from the author)

Five out of Five Stars
From Claudia (VA) on Amazon:
This is that rare piece of fiction based on fact in such a way as to make the lines between the two seem to blur. Mindbenders is built on the work done by both the US and Soviet governments as they attempted to harness the most powerful instrument on the face of the earth – the human mind – as yet another weapon in their massive arsenals. More experimentation has been done in this area than most people realize, and Ted Krever obviously did his re...more Five out of Five Stars
From Claudia (VA) on Amazon:
This is that rare piece of fiction based on fact in such a way as to make the lines between the two seem to blur. Mindbenders is built on the work done by both the US and Soviet governments as they attempted to harness the most powerful instrument on the face of the earth – the human mind – as yet another weapon in their massive arsenals. More experimentation has been done in this area than most people realize, and Ted Krever obviously did his research very thoroughly before writing this book. In this novel, he deals with remote viewing, telepathy, and other things that some consider ‘tricks’ of the mind, but which many believe are far closer to reality than myth.

The novel is well written and well edited, with a storyline that takes hold in the first few pages and doesn’t let go until the plot has unwound in ways one would not expect. The characters are well developed, ‘warts and all’, as the saying goes. The story takes the reader from the swamps of Florida to the catacombs of Rome while dealing with life and death, and war and peace.

These are not, for the most part, ‘nice’ people, as their actions demonstrate, and they each have their inner struggles, their secret demons. When reading this book, I couldn’t escape the feeling that the potential reality lies close to the surface. Perhaps because it’s a subject in which I’ve long been interested, but I couldn’t read it without knowing that while it is fiction, and a fascinating story, the underlying dynamics are all too possible.

This is a novel, a story that came forth from the mind of the author and found its way to the pages of a fascinating book; however, one of the most interesting aspects of the story is that it is not so far from reality that something very much like it could not happen. The story shows how powerful forces of the mind could be used for overwhelming evil or redemptive good, and we can but hope that the latter would triumph in any battle between the two.

The ending certainly is an ‘ending’, but I see plenty of room for a sequel one of these days, if the spirit moves Mr. Krever, and we are fortunate enough to have him write it. I was sorry when it ended, which I think is the way I want to feel when I’ve been fortunate enough to stumble on a really good book.
Mindbenders (less)

like · see review

Jun 26, 2012 Wanda Panda Hartzenberg rated it 5 of 5 stars

I adore this book. The plot is complicated without being confusing, the story is fresh and engaging and the characters are fully formed and fledged out.
The title alone should tell you what the basic premise of the book is. The question is, what happens to a project upon which the government has given up. A project that was marginally successful. What if the people in the project carries on with their tasks, who is bankrolling it and to which end? If the CIA, FBI, NSA etc is no longer involved,...more

like · see review

Jul 07, 2011 Ally Shields rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mindbenders is one of the most pleasant surprises I've read in a long time. From the fast paced beginning to the last revelations, I couldn't put it down. Simply put, the plot is fascinating, the characters well-drawn, the narrator fresh and intriguing.

I won't give you spoilers, because I think others have adequately sketched the plot. This is one story you'll want to discover the details for yourself. Mindbenders has something for everyone - science fiction, paranormal fantasy, thriller. It doe...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 27, 2012 Claire Taylor rated it 3 of 5 stars

I received this book on a read to review basis.

This book has quite a range, from science fiction to paranormal fantasy to thriller. All the fictional aspects make you think what if.....what if the Government really could create a program where people could do things with their minds, including making suggestions to people which they then act upon.

The storyline was a little slow for my liking, but kept the intrigue. The book is well written, and the character building is excellent, letting the s...more

like · see review

Sep 12, 2012 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: independent-shelf

This was a freebie from the kindle store. After reading the synopsis more carefully, I wasn't sure if this would appeal to me. It certainly was different from the usual mystery thriller novels I read.
If you ever thought you might like to read minds or bend people's thoughts, after you read this book you may change your mind.
Greg is recovering from his war experiences and staying with "uncle "Dave. Greg has no memory and can only say a few words. But, then Dave is murdered and Max shows up. The...more

like · see review

Oct 09, 2012 Heather Alexander rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was given this book in return for an honest review. This book kind of reminds me of Dean Koontz in the way that the author blends science fiction with things that may actually be possible someday. The Us and Soviet governments have an experiment to harnass the power of the mind, and they succeed, but to what end? Greg, ex military, suffering from what seems to be severe PTSD and physical restrictions, is living with Uncle Dave.(not really his uncle) Greg is having serious problems adapting or...more

like · see review

Jan 16, 2013 Sandy Wolters rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, paranormal, thriller

Book: Mindbenders
Author: Ted Krever
Genre: Paranormal (psychic ability), Thriller, Suspense
Length: Approximately 275 Pages

I have to say that I've always been fascinated by the thought of the Soviet Mind Control program that we heard so much about years ago. I always read books cold, without reading the blurb or reviews first. I like to form my own opinions about them, so needless to say, I was thrilled when I realized MINDBENDERS by TED KREVER covered this intriguing concept.

This book is full of...more Book: Mindbenders
Author: Ted Krever
Genre: Paranormal (psychic ability), Thriller, Suspense
Length: Approximately 275 Pages

I have to say that I've always been fascinated by the thought of the Soviet Mind Control program that we heard so much about years ago. I always read books cold, without reading the blurb or reviews first. I like to form my own opinions about them, so needless to say, I was thrilled when I realized MINDBENDERS by TED KREVER covered this intriguing concept.

This book is full of amazing twists and turns that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, but what I liked most were the characters and the dialog between them that left me breathless at times. I became so invested in them. Gregor, who was an embedded reporter that is suffering from PTSD - Mr. Krever created a dream sequence that left me stunned and feeling as though I were right there with Greg when he was going through this horrifying moment in his life. This was so well written that I felt like I was intruding on a very personal and private moment in Greg's life, to the point I was uncomfortable as if he knew I was eavesdropping on him. AMAZING writing.

The dialog was so spot on in this novel that I actually felt as though I were listening to the conversations between the characters rather than reading them. I LOVE it when that happens. Often times when I pick up a new author to read, it takes awhile to get into the flow of the writer's words. That was not the case with MINDBENDERS. Mr. Krever's ability to write the way people actually think in their minds and convey it in such a way that the reader is not just reading, but absorbed into the moment of the book was amazing, and really one of the first times I've come across it done so well.

I am not going to attempt to summarize MINDBENDERS by TED KREVER because so much was happening on every page of the book that there is just no way to do it justice. To put it in the simplest of terms, MINDBENDERS is about good versus evil, people using the power of hope to gain power over people. This is a book that I could talk about for hours.

I just found out that Mr. Krever is close to releasing MINDBENDERS 2: UNDER THE RADAR, and I can tell you, I will be all over that book. While MINDBENDERS tied everything up nicely at the end of the book, the ending left it wide open for the second book. I can't wait to read it.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 13, 2011 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Linda by: Ted Krever

What would it be like to read minds? What if you could CONTROL people, through minds? How about harnessing the very molecules around you? Apparently, way back, various countries tried to develop this kind of control. Ted Krever has taken the idea and built Mindbenders around it. I have to say, this is one book that was hard to put down. What's really scary is that this COULD have happened.

1 like · like · see review

Jul 11, 2011 Cristina rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: owned, favorites

I got this from the author in a giveaway. I thought it sounded interesting but really it was not my first choice type of read. I was blown away by it! It is an awesome book. At times it was difficult for me to read. One of the characters was a vet suffering from PTSD. My son was in Iraq 10 years ago. Some of the scenes with the character of Greg brought back all the worry and fear. This is a fascinating book that is fiction based on fact. Ted Krever did an outstanding job! Read it even if it isn...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 21, 2012 Linda Anders rated it 5 of 5 stars

Gripping book based on fact and too real for comfort tells a story of people who were used by the superpowers and then discarded, but how they came back to avenge their friend and fight against other, power-hungry mindbenders. Not your average book, well written, well developed, and a very interesting read.

like · see review

Jun 21, 2012 Jason Maurer rated it 5 of 5 stars

A fast-paced novel set against fictional elements that might possibly be a reality. It isn't too farfetched to imagine that the governments of the world have, and are, doing the things described in the novel. Excellent read, and I can't wait to read more by Mr. Krever.

like · see review

Sep 06, 2012 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't sure if this was a book for me but it was great and I was gripped from the off, paranormal thriller with characters that were very real. Don't want to spoil the plot but I will be looking for more from this author. Great read. Thank you and please write some more as I want to know what happens next......

like · see review

Mar 02, 2012 Starla B rated it 2 of 5 stars

It was ok. I didn't really get into the book. The characters and plot didn't really grab me. It had an interesting idea, but the story didn't deliver for me.

like · see review

Jun 19, 2012 Faby rated it 3 of 5 stars

i like the way they make you feel part or the story, just that sometimes that makes you a little confuse, bud it was at interest and different book and story

like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author. Greg is stuck with this amazing but terrifying ability to read and alter peoples minds. This is a great, original read! WaAR

like · see review

Jun 19, 2012 Rob Buckel added it

So, for me, this book started off slow. Slow enough, in fact, that I almost put it down. But I stuck with it and ultimately am glad a did. A good read in the end.

like · see review

Nov 08, 2012 Alice Sabo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sucked-me-in

A fast paced read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

like · see review

May 18, 2011 Ian Fraser rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great stuff!

like · see review

Oct 10, 2012 Jenna Watt rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: digital-books

I started this book expecting to like it. I love these types of books but I couldn't even get to chapter 5 it was way to slow for me to get into it... normally even if a book is slow I want to find out what happens so I finish it.. or at least skim it so I know how it ends. but I found myself not caring how this one ended. I decided to quit. I'm not saying its a terrible book though. it is a neat idea and if you like slower paced books this one is written pretty well. its just not my type.

like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 Rina Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Literally mind bending. Full review to be posted later.

like · see review

Oct 09, 2012 Tara rated it 2 of 5 stars

Meh. It was ok.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Indie Exchang...: 'Mindbenders' is FREE on Amazon next 2 days!	5	26	Apr 21, 2012 04:11pm

combine
Other Editions (4)

Videos About This Book

Add a comment

Add a comment

Genres

Thriller

10 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

6 users

Fantasy

5 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

2 users

See top shelves...

About Ted Krever

Ted Krever watched the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, went to Woodstock (the good one), and graduated Sarah Lawrence College with a useless degree in creative writing.
He spent the next few decades in media journalism, at ABC News on the magazine show Day One with Forrest Sawyer and the Barbara Walters Interviews of a Lifetime series, as General Manager of BNNtv, a documentary production company, creating...more

More about Ted Krever...

Books by Ted Krever

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Mindbenders

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Mindbenders
avg rating	preview: Mindbenders Goodreads rating: 3.71 (87 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11326412-mindbenders?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1305239013l/11326412.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11326412-mindbenders?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Mindbenders by Ted Krever[/url]

Mindbenders

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website