My thoughts on Review spoilers, and ratings may be relevant before you venture below --- the spoiler line ---. Click the [Back] button there to return here if you take a look. Review 750± words.
Rating: 
I recommend this fantastic fiction adventure where our protagonist, Darren Wang Goldberg alone knows that he can stop time, then astral project, do about anything the invisible man could do, then hop back into his body at his leisure and resume his life exactly where he stopped time with nothing he did having changed a thing.
The spoiler blurb claims: "Everyone thinks I'm a genius. Everyone is wrong." Despite being a graduate from Harvard with an MBA and a law degree at eighteen. Near-perfect SAT, LSAT, GMAT, and GRE scores. CFA, CPA. He still doesn't know he is a "Mind Reader".
In our opening scene, he is gambling in Atlantic City. Stupid way to make money, stopping time checking everyone's hands to cheat at cards. He doesn't need the money, he's used this trick to make real money. He does want to actually learn how to read people though. The micro expressions and all that they mean. When a new girl joins the gambling table he decides to be honorable this round and not cheat.
But then he finds himself in his own "the quiet", but he didn't do it. Standing next to him is the girl. She immediately walks over to her body sitting across from him, touches herself, he's back in his body now, she picks up her things and leaves. After a few steps, she's sprinting. Darren jumps up to run after her. He never imagined there was another person like him who cold stop time.
My job is done. That's all it took for me to click on "buy."
Generally: ----- Spoiler Line ----- We learn about MIra in the prequel novella, "The Time Stopper". She is quite the character by herself. She's nearly out of sight when two bouncer types step into his path and stop Darren's pursuit of her.
Darren is dragged into interrogation because of his statistically impossible winnings. They were on their way to grab him when the girl who had also been winning consistently had approached the gambling table.
While Darren is forced to surrender his winnings, he did take the time while being interrogated to find the files they had on this "Mira" as well, including her name and address. Darren is going to find her. If the goons hadn't stopped him, he may have never found her.
Of Note: I like this story idea. I've only seen this "mind reading/mind controlling" idea written in this sort of way once before, which seems unusual to me. So if you like this book, look up Susan Kaye Quinn's "Mindjack" series (circa 2011).
Likes / Dislikes: There were two plot twists in this book that I didn't foresee. That's always a pleasant surprise. Having been an avid reader for over 60 years, and having studied writing well enough to teach it, I think that's remarkable. I am certain there are no new plots, period, but occasionally a plot twist or two that are an unexcepted surprised is appreciated.
The Technical: Critique Info I don't like to be vague when critiquing, yet I can't put my finger on exactly why I'm not more excited about this book. I did primarily listen to it the audiobook but don't think it was Roberto Scarlato or Laura Jennings performance.
It just seems flat. The danger didn't feel dangerous, the love interest seemed mostly 'take it or leave it', while clearly there are supposed to be more sparks flying. Things that should have stirred me, just didn't.
Conclusion: I still love this story idea & enjoy how our author shared it. I finished it in one day, so I gave it over 6 hours of my attention in one 24 hour period. That fact suggests I'm confused about how I feel about the novel. I'm also excited for the next book.
I did have issues with the prequel also, but zoomed through it. I am recommending it. I would love any feedback if you've read the first two books because it does fee lifeless.
Read on: Feb 29, 2024
More about me here.
View all my Goodreads reviews.
✒ Written by: Dima Zales
✒ Written by: Anna Zaires
🗣 Read by: Roberto Scarlato
🗣 Read by: Laura Jennings
🔊 Format: Digital Audiobook & Ebook
🕑 Run Time: 6:04:15
📚 Length: 168 pages (Varies by edition)