TITLE: The Darkest Minds
SERIES: The Darkest Minds #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
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RATING:
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.
Review:
I really really enjoyed reading The Darkest Minds. It felt like a breath of fresh air. It was a bit different from everything else I’ve ever read. This book surprised me in so many different good ways.
One of the best things about The Darkest Minds is the characters. I loved the characters Ruby meets in this story and how they all are different and bring different perspectives to the story. I also loved the friendships and relationships that developed. Zu, the little kid of the bunch, was probably my favorite. I loved her optimism and innocence in this dark gloomy world. Ruby, Ruby, Ruby. I loved Ruby. I loved her determination and her strength. But I hated her loss of self worth. She has to understand that just because she has the ability do things others consider evil, it doesn’t make her evil. Her idea that she doesn’t deserve kindness was really frustrating. Her romance with Liam, however, while predictable, was really cute.
There was a lot of action in this book. Way more running and car chases and people with guns compared to your typical YA novel. I loved how the story was woven together, too. A few weeks ago I talked about plot holes in books. There were barely any in this one. Although it was kind of scary how willingly the parents obeyed the government…I don’t get it. I loved how all the major puzzle pieces fell into place at the end of the book though I wished there was more background stories about the other characters.
Speaking of the end, I, urgh, it was so annoying. It was a stupid frustrating bittersweet ending. I hated how it ended. Why? Why, Alexandra Bracken, why? I need to read the next book ASAP. I need it NOW!
In Conclusion…
The Darkest Minds was truly an awesome, unpredictable read. I loved the characters, though they had some flaws, and the relationships that developed between them. I loved the world building and how everything made sense at the end even though the ending was bittersweet.
| Final Rating | |
|---|---|
| Characters | |
| Pacing | |
| Plot | |
| Romance |  |
| Writing | |
| World Building | |
| Overall: | 4.9 |
Love this series so much. I still haven’t moved on to book #s 2 and 3. I really need to get to those.
You HAVE to read them ASAP. They are incredible!
Thanks for stopping by Brooke! 🙂
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