The Darkest Minds | Alexandra Bracken

Book: The Darkest Minds

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Genre: science fiction (dystopia)

Age Rating: young adult (12+)
Page Count: 576 pages

Star Review: 4/5

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 got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp."  She might have survived the mysterious disease that killed most of America's children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse; frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

But when the truth about Ruby's abilities--the truth she's hidden from everyone, even the camp authorities-- comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. On the run, she joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp: Zu, a young girl haunted by her past; Chubs, a standoff brainiac; and Liam, their fearless leader, who 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.

While they journey to find the one safe haven left for kids like them--East River-- they must evade their determined pursuers, including an organization that will stop at nothing to use Ruby in grasping the things they've dreamed of, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Memorable Quote: "'Maybe nothing will ever change for us,' he said. 'But don't you wanna be around, just in case it does?'"

This book was amazing and incredible and just plain wonderful in every way!! The characters were incredible, fleshed out, and relatable, the plot was well-planned and intriguing, and honestly just everything about it was amazing. And to think this was Alexandra Bracken's debut novel... that's one heck of an entrance to the bookish community!!

Honestly, I got serious Maze Runner vibes from this book. Not saying it felt like Bracken was copying it or anything, but for some reason IAAN reminded me of the Flare? The diseases aren't very similar but it made me think of it. And though I adore both books, I have to say I may have liked this one better. It just seemed like it was better planned out and had a better sense of where it was going and when it would end, while TMR was more random and could have ended at any time.

Though I loved it, my biggest issue with this book was how suddenly things happened. Sometimes I wasn't able to tell if Ruby was having a memory or living in the moment (especially at Thurmond) because they wouldn't really say. The transitions were a bit sloppy, especially the one between 10-16 year old Ruby. Another issue was how detailed Bracken's writing is. I love me some details, but she does such an exquisite describing every detail on a doorknob which gets kind of boring at times. Nonetheless, I still loved the book.

Would I recommend? Yes!! For sure!!!