The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Darkest Minds

Series: The Darkest Minds Series #1

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Publisher: Disney--Hyperion

Date Published: October 22, 2013

Genre: YA fiction, action, thriller, sci-fi, romance, fantasy

Pages: 528 (paperback)

Age Range: 12+



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.

Review

I can't tell you how many times I passed this book in the store. I hardly ever glanced at it. I probably only picked up the book once to read the summary. But I didn't buy it--which I really, really regret because this book is....fantastic!

The writing was great! The characters were relatable and different. I thought the plot was unique too--very enjoyable read. It was rather slow in the beginning, but it wasn't long before this book picked up and sucked me in.

I loved Liam--our leading male character--he was just so....imperfect. He wasn't one of those characters that was always right and always did the right thing, and not everything worked out for him either. I just liked how he wasn't one of those book characters that walked on water. Nothing came easy to him.

I thought Ruby was a great character! I loved how she evolved throughout the book. I really enjoyed reading from her perspective throughout the book. She was a very weak character in the beginning, but became stronger as I read on. She still isn't the strongest, or bravest character, but she is evolving--becoming stronger and braver for the people she cares about. Her name is unique too. I haven't read a book with a Ruby in it until now.

Okay....Now let's talk about the ending.

The last 50 pages were....very intense. I was on the edge of my seat. I was flipping through the pages like my life depended on it. I was like; Chubs and then Liam....and then the book ended and....I...I....The ending...ohmygod the ending. I am totally beside myself. I finished the book....and just sat there. I just--I can't--the last 3 pages stabbed me repeatedly. I was bleeding like Chubs.

If I don't read the sequel soon, I'm gonna bleed out lol.

Tell me what power you wish you had in the comments below. I would totally be a Blue, and Nadia says I'm crazy because Oranges are awesome lol.