The Thought Readers

By: Dima Zales, Anna Zaires

Narrated by: Roberto Scarlato

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Everyone thinks I'm a genius. Everyone is wrong. Sure, I finished Harvard at 18 and now make crazy money at a hedge fund. But that's not because I'm unusually smart or hard-working. It's because I cheat.

You see, I have a unique ability. I can go outside time into my own personal version of reality - the place I call - "the Quiet" - where I can explore my surroundings while the rest of the world stands still.

I thought I was the only one who could do this - until I met her. My name is Darren, and this is how I learned that I'm a Mind Reader.

©2014 Dima Zales and Anna Zaires (P)2014 Dima Zales and Anna Zaires

The Thought Readers: Mind Dimensions, book 1

"I find this audio book very engaging and it is easy to just listen in on the story and let the time fly past. The story is about a young man who have learned to stop time and use this ability to gain a great place in stock trade. As he learns of others with this gift, he takes it upon himself to find them and learn more about what it means to be able to do what he can do. Before he knows it he is in the middle of a conflict of "Readers" and Pushers" and with a light crush on the lovely mysterious Mira.

The book is very well written and then narrated by Roberto Scarlato and it is very easy to see the different characters he depict with his voice before your inner eye so to speak. I gladly recommend listening to this artwork."

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Very Imaginative

I enjoyed the story and felt the concept of “the quiet” was quite inventive. I found myself imagining how I myself might use such an ability. I especially liked the intrigue of “Mira,” and look forward to the second book.

I do feel that while I believe the narrator did a fairly good job, sometimes his speech fell somewhat flat. He did a good job when changing characters with different voices, however, I think he struggled to bring the life to the story in a way that it deserves.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book with a wonderful premise that ended too soon.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Great concept, well executed, decent narration.

Bought this audiobook because I loved the concept described in the blurb. So glad I did! I really enjoyed how the main character experimented and tried things out with his abilities. This is not a urban romance novel either just in case the blurb might make you think that.

My only complaint with the book is that it was WAY too short! I was just settling in and it was done! I do prefer 12 - 40 hour listens though, so for me this one was a bit outside my norm.

The narration was quite decent with easily distinguishable character voices, howver like most male actors, females are hard to portray well.

Very keen to see Book #2!

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Thrilling story, Great sound.

What about Roberto Scarlato’s performance did you like?

Even tone and witty inflection

Any additional comments?

A thrilling plot, strong characters, and immersive writing; definitely a must-read. I was gripped from the very first sentence, and wasn't let go until the very end. The cliffhanger has me itching to get the next installment. Definitely five stars!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great story Great storyteller

This book follows a man, Darren, who throughout his whole life thought he was the only one who was able to stop time and see what was going on around him and able to walk around while everyone else was stopped, stuck in time. Until one day he sees someone else moving around with him while he has stopped time.
If you have read "The Mind Readers: Stopping Time" then you know something about the story. The person he was moving around time with was Mira. Darren tracks down Mira and her brother Eugene in an attempt to find out more about what was happening to him. He learns that he is what they call "a reader". The other connection between them is that both of them had both parents murdered.
This story is full of mystery and intrigue. Stopping time, reading minds, splitting into other dimensions. There is a good storyline and the narrator is very good. He told the story very naturally and I liked his voice, perfect for telling the story. I am getting more and more interested in listening to the books of Dima Zales. He writes so you need to find out what happens next

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Story & StoryTeller!!

Any additional comments?

Let me say this up front - No Spoilers

I got this as an audiobook and intended to use it for my commute to work time. However, I started listening to it and didn't want to stop. It was a good thing I didn't have to go to work. I finished this book in one day.

The Thought Readers is a fast paced, action-filled, Sci-Fi-Fantasy story by Dima Zales and Anna Zaires told in the first person by the protagonist. I can tell you they hit this one out of the park. The story has interesting storylines and is full of unexpected events that keep you riveted to your seat waiting for more.

The protagonist of the story, Darren, has the ability to freeze time. He doesn't know how he does it or why. He calls this time stopping...the quiet. During this "quiet" he is totally unaffected. Everyone around him will be "frozen". By accident he meets someone, a girl, who can do the same thing he can...stop time. He now knows he is not alone.

As a protagonist, Darren is a likeable person. The author did a wonderful job of fleshing out this character and making her readers care what happens to him.

The narrator of the audiobook had a very nice voice and the inflections and accents he used only added to the appeal of this story.

If you like modern Science Fiction, then this will be a book for you. This book is full of intriguing twists.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Possible Movie in The Making

A wily slacker turned into a revered character in a very gripping tale. The protagonist trying to understand the path he's born to.
Meeting friends and enemies along the way. Fueled with curiosity even idiosyncrasies the protagonist Darren has he's hands full especially with the girl named Mira.

Very well thought of story by writers Dima Zales and Anna Zaires. With the help of Roberto Scarlato's modulated voice it transports you to a world of intrigue, action, comedy and even romance.

The entirety of the story line was very balanced. This is a sci-fi/fantasy book but it still touches basic elements to make it more profound. It really caught my attention. I can't wait to read the next book and I hope can watch this as a movie someday.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Authentic, Well Done Paranormal Fantasy!

Where does The Thought Readers rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 20.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Thought Readers?

When central character Darren found out the the truth about his mom(s).

What does Roberto Scarlato bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The well done character accents.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Darren confronting the truth about his parents.

Any additional comments?

As a fan of audio books, I know what works, a great story coupled with talented narration of which The Thought Readers had both. I enjoyed the authentic paranormal fantasy story line detailing the psychic adventures of mind reading, central character Darren, this turned out to be engaging as well as an entertaining listen. The book moved at a steady pace with distinct moments of excitement, humor, emotion and romance which were well - presented with the adeptly consistent narration of reader Roberto Scarlato, who did well with the characterizations, especially when it came to character’s accents. I would definitely recommend The Thought Readers and look forward to the next audio book in the series.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Very Well Executed!

If you could sum up The Thought Readers in three words, what would they be?

Funny, nice story, and clever

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Do Not Think!

Any additional comments?

When I started to listen, I realized that it was a simple story, but technically very well executed. I love it so much. Funny, nice story, sweet and it is overall a clever audiobook!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amazing plot! Highly recommended!

Any additional comments?

This is my second book by Dima Zales and Anna Zaires and i must say that I am really impressed! The duo did a great job in writing this book and never failed to disappoint. The Thought Readers is a well written book about a guy named Darren with an unusual gift of stopping time around him by phasing into what he calls "the Quiet". One fateful night in the casino, he discovered that he was not the only one who possessed this gift but another mysterious girl who went by the name Mira. With the help of his hacker friend, Albert, Darren tracked her and found himself facing her brother Eugene, instead. Darren found out that he had another special ability and later discovered that there were two types of people like them who had this gift, the Reader, like him who could get inside someone's thoughts; and the Pusher, who could make someone do what they want. As the story progressed, i was hooked! If you are a fan of sci-fi novels then this is definitely a must-read!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Dreadful narration

It's not a great book but perhaps reading it yourself it might be better because the narration is just awful, I don't know how people get these jobs!

Fantastic!!!

What a wonderful way to spend an evening in. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had to buy the next book straight away.

An Intriguing Concept

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes as it has an unusual plot device.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Thought Readers?

Too many to choose from.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration matched the pace of the story though at times the tone would jump where the audio was spliced together.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes however the length of the story was longer than my work day.

Any additional comments?

The narration takes a bit of getting used to but once you have become accustomed to the narrators voice the story is fast paced with twist and turns and decent plot devices. I thoroughly recommend it.

terrible narration

I tried to get past the narrator because the story was interesting and unusual but I couldn't stand it in the end, only got as far as chapter 4,.