The Darkest Minds by Alexandra BrackenPublisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Age Group: YA
My Copy: ARC
Source: ALA
Format: Hardcover, 496 pages
Release Date: December 18, 2012—out now
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Review by: Alicia
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Summary:
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her
had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the
garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal
government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious
disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have
emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s
on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East
River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave
leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him,
Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its
mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at
nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced
with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life
worth living.
had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the
garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal
government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious
disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have
emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s
on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East
River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave
leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him,
Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its
mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at
nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced
with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life
worth living.
Review:
I’ve had The Darkest Minds sitting on my shelf for months
and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to read it (I actually read it in
January). At the same time though, I’m also glad I waited because the wait for
the sequel won’t be as long—and it already feels incredibly long.
and I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to read it (I actually read it in
January). At the same time though, I’m also glad I waited because the wait for
the sequel won’t be as long—and it already feels incredibly long.
I love The Darkest Minds! Just loooove it! I’m pretty much
above fangirl level for it. I was really unprepared for how
much I was going to adore it. It sounded interesting, and seemed like
it was going to be a good fit for me, but I was surprised by just how much I love
it. I’m actually kind of obsessed with it—The Darkest Minds is another book that I
just can’t stop thinking about.* Also, it’s on the bigger side, and I like big
books.
above fangirl level for it. I was really unprepared for how
much I was going to adore it. It sounded interesting, and seemed like
it was going to be a good fit for me, but I was surprised by just how much I love
it. I’m actually kind of obsessed with it—The Darkest Minds is another book that I
just can’t stop thinking about.* Also, it’s on the bigger side, and I like big
books.
All of the characters were great. Bracken did an amazing job
of fleshing all of the characters out and making them real. It was easy to love
them (except for the bad people). I just loved Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Zu—they were
all awesome. Ruby is one of my favorite heroines—she’s not perfect. She makes mistakes
throughout the book and sometimes listens to the wrong people, but she also
grows stronger and braver. Liam was amazing—a nice guy love interest? Yes
please! He was kind and caring and just perfect for Ruby. Plus, he genuinely cared
about their little group and other people and would do anything for them. He
was also really positive which offset Ruby and Chubs nicely. Chubs was
hilarious, sarcastic and loved books—he wrote book reviews! Zu made my heart melt, that poor little
girl. Some of my favorite parts are just when Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Zu are all
together—they all fit together well and were a real family.
of fleshing all of the characters out and making them real. It was easy to love
them (except for the bad people). I just loved Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Zu—they were
all awesome. Ruby is one of my favorite heroines—she’s not perfect. She makes mistakes
throughout the book and sometimes listens to the wrong people, but she also
grows stronger and braver. Liam was amazing—a nice guy love interest? Yes
please! He was kind and caring and just perfect for Ruby. Plus, he genuinely cared
about their little group and other people and would do anything for them. He
was also really positive which offset Ruby and Chubs nicely. Chubs was
hilarious, sarcastic and loved books—he wrote book reviews! Zu made my heart melt, that poor little
girl. Some of my favorite parts are just when Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Zu are all
together—they all fit together well and were a real family.
Another part I loved was the music in the book**. Like Ruby, I
grew up listening to classic rock because of my dad. I can still remember sitting in the car with my dad while the music blared out of the speakers. Actually, my dad still
only listens to it in the car, so I do too when I’m with him.
The ending was cruel and heartbreaking. I cried like a baby
when Ruby did that thing to that person***. If I was her, I don’t think I would
have been able to do it. I just can’t believe it ended there. I am now ridiculously
anxious about the sequel. I want it right now!! The wait feels unbearable
and I won’t be able to relax until I get my hands on the next book!
when Ruby did that thing to that person***. If I was her, I don’t think I would
have been able to do it. I just can’t believe it ended there. I am now ridiculously
anxious about the sequel. I want it right now!! The wait feels unbearable
and I won’t be able to relax until I get my hands on the next book!
Book two, Never Fade, will be out in the fall with book
three in Fall 2014.
three in Fall 2014.
Final Thoughts: Honestly, I could just gush about my love
for The Darkest Minds all day. It is fantastic and I highly recommend you read
it!
for The Darkest Minds all day. It is fantastic and I highly recommend you read
it!
Cover Comments: I really like it. It goes with the book.
Overall: 5/5—Can I make it a zillion out of 5? Seriously.
It’s a biiig favorite of mine.
It’s a biiig favorite of mine.
*I read it a month ago, and I STILL find myself thinking about it ALL THE TIME!
**Speaking of, there are TWO awesome playlists for the book
on the website, here’s a link to them.
***I tried to keep that as spoiler-free as possible—did it work?
A zillion out of 5? There really is no better recommendation than that.
Ruby was a fantastic main character, and I am right there on the edge of my seat waiting to read the next one right with you.
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I agree totally re: that thing.
I'm SOOO glad you liked this one! I've heard amazing things about this series and I definitely want to start it now because of your review! And that "thing" sounds super intense! 😉
Sounds amazing!! I didn't find myself interested in this book before reading your review, if you loved it so much I should give it a try!