Today, I’m going to be doing a review of the Mentalist trilogy by Kenechi Udogu. Because I read all of the books over the past week, I found that it would be hard to write a review of each individual book without including spoilers. So I will be reviewing the whole trilogy at once to prevent spoilers as much as possible.

Aversion

Author: Kenechi Udogu

Series: The Mentalist Series #1

Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance

Publication Date: December 1, 2012

My Rating: 4 pens!

Goodreads Synopsis: For Gemma Green’s first time, things should have been straightforward. Find your subject, hold their gaze and push a thought into their head to save them from future disaster – Aversion complete. A pretty simple process given that the subject was to have no recollection of the experience. But Russ Tanner doesn’t seem to want to forget. In fact the more she tries to avoid him, the more he pushes to get to know her. Gemma knows she has a problem but is she facing the side effects of a failed Aversion or has the school’s tennis champ really fallen for her?

Topics and Triggers: Mind Manipulation, Relationships, Family

Purchase Amazon US (free on Kindle as of 7/10/2020) | Amazon UK | B&N | Book Depository

Sentient

Author: Kenechi Udogu

Series: The Mentalist Series #2

Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance

Publication Date: October 28, 2013

My Rating: 4.5 pens!

Topics and Triggers: Mind Manipulation, Relationships, Family

Purchase  Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Book Depository

Keepers

Author: Kenechi Udogu

Series: The Mentalist Series #3

Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance

Publication Date: December 19, 2016

My Rating: 4 pens!

Topics and Triggers: Mind Manipulation, Relationships, Family

Purchase  Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Book Depository

I received a copy of The Mentalist Series from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

To start, I really liked the concept of this series. It follows Gemma and her father who are Averters, they alter people’s minds from doing something that will affect their lives in the future. I mean, come on, isn’t that such a cool concept?! However, things go wrong after Gemma’s first Aversion and she’s not sure how to fix it.

Let’s get to the review!

• I Want More!

This series strung me along for the long haul. I was immediately thrown into the world of Averters and how everything works. I wanted to see more of Gemma as she grows in each book and her relationship with Russ.

via GIPHY

• Russ 💗

Speaking of Russ. He is the absolute sweetest character in this series. After his failed Aversion, he clings to Gemma whether she likes it or not. From this forced relationship, we get to see more of Russ. He tries his best to understand everything that’s going on, and he is level-headed throughout everything that he experiences. For everything he goes through, I’d have to say he is really brave as well.

• The Twists

There are so many twists throughout The Mentalist series that I didn’t even see coming. Now, you know I can’t tell you, but they really are pretty awesome. Just when you think that everything is going to happen one way, BAM! Now the script has been flipped. All of these twists makes this series that much more intriguing.

• New Characters

After Aversion, a few new characters are added. Each character plays an important role in the progression of the final two books. I love how each character is added in and it doesn’t feel awkward. It felt natural that these new characters were added in. I especially like Laura. She was definitely my second favorite, next to Russ of course!

• Dual POV

In the Keepers, the final book of the trilogy, we get the dual POV of Gemma and Russ. It was nice to be able to get both sides of what was going on for the first time. I think I honestly would have liked this layout from the beginning, but I won’t dwell on that. I liked getting to feel and see Russ’ side of things for the first time since the failed Aversion. It created an even bigger connection to Russ that wasn’t present in the previous two books.

• Realistic Relationships

Let me start with Gemma and her dad. These two have such a strong and loving relationship that isn’t seen too much in YA books. He is a single father that has raised Gemma and their relationship shows this deep connection between the two of them. I also feel like the relationship between Gemma and Russ is very realistic. Based on Gemma’s upbringing, she does everything to steer clear of Russ, but he’s persistent and she needs to fix the failed Aversion. I want to say so much more but realized how much it could spoil things and I really don’t want to leave any spoilers. Sorry, but you’re just going to have to read it to find out what I’m talking about.

• Beginning Information Dump

Wow, there was a lot of information to take in within the first pages of Aversion. We get the whole backstory of Averters and it’s a lot. It’s a very interesting backstory and it tells you a lot about the book, but I just wish it was spaced out a bit to give me time to process everything.

• Withholding Information for “Plot” Trope

I HATE this trope. There is never a time where information needs to be withheld. Sorry, but you should just say what’s on your mind. And if it’s going to be something as detrimental to the plot, then SAY it! It’s not that hard to talk about something that is clearly putting you both at risk if you don’t. It doesn’t protect anyone to not say something.

• Ignoring Feelings for “The Greater Good”

Another problem I have is ignoring feelings because of some “greater good” mumbo jumbo. If you have a bad feeling about something, you’re probably right. Don’t let yourself push it to the back of your mind because of what others say. Especially in the situations presented in this book. Ignoring your feelings is never a good idea, even in books.

• Length of Keepers

This wouldn’t bother me so much if the Aversion and Sentient followed the same layout as Keepers. However, Keepers is much longer than the first two books of the series. Because of the increased length, the story isn’t as direct to the point and there are much more turns the characters face. Although I’m glad that I get to stay in the book longer, I am used to the direct approach to the book and not so many roundabouts.

The Mentalist Series is a unique concept that keeps you wanting more. The progression of Gemma and the plot hook you from the beginning. I had such a hard time putting the book down and was so glad that I already had the other books in the series to continue. I love that the twists were unexpected and that the relationships between characters felt genuine. Although there were a few times that I wanted to through my Kindle, I still really enjoyed reading this trilogy. I can’t wait to read more by Kenechi! And I also can’t wait to read and review the novella Broken Ties which follows Gemma’s dad as a young Averter which I’ll be reading next.

Purchase Aversion today on:  Amazon US (free on Kindle as of 7/10/2020) | Amazon UK | B&N | Book Depository

Sentient today on: Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Book Depository

Keepers today on: Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Book Depository

Have you ever felt like your thoughts have been averted? Would averts be something you’d want to exist? Have you read The Mentalist series? Let’s talk in the comments below!

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