Title: The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1)
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Release date: December 18, 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 488
Source: BEA
Reading level: YA
Challenge(s): TBR Pile, Dystopian
Recommended by: Sophia from [YA] Between the Lines
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.
Why, oh why, must I always wait to read books that end up being completely fabulous? I put off reading The Darkest Minds (I don’t even know why) until now (because I had to read it for readers’ choice) and I really just want to kick myself. The Darkest Minds is a new favorite of mine and by far one of the best dystopian novels I’ve read.
Alexandra Bracken first won me over with her writing in Brightly Woven. I adored that book before I even became a fan of fantasy, which is saying something. That same style of writing is present throughout The Darkest Minds and it didn’t take me long at all to remember why I adored it. Alexandra Bracken’s writing really made Ruby, Liam, Chubs, Zu, and their story come alive. This isn’t a book that you can read in a matter of hours but to me, I loved that about it. It’s a slow building story that takes some time to get into but will have you completely hooked before too long.
I can’t gush enough about the characters in The Darkest Minds. Ruby may start off shy and afraid of herself but it’s easy to see that she’s a kick-ass girl who you couldn’t help but want as a friend. She’s brave and loyal and funny. She would be willing to die for her friends. She’s a strong heroine who also has a majorly vulnerable side. It will make readers really come to love her. Liam is immediately easy to like. He’s sweet, funny, smart, and a natural leader. He helps Ruby when he knows he shouldn’t. Their relationship builds quickly but it is far from being a case of insta-love. As for Chubs and Zu, I adored them. Chubs has a prickly attitude at first but he’s just looking out for himself and his friends. Zu is so cute and everything she went through just made me want to cry. I definitely want to know more of her story.
The plot itself is a little slow but by the end of the book you will be dying to know what’s going to happen next. There is enough action and suspense to keep everyone hooked and there’s even a little mystery thrown in for good measure. There truly is a little bit of everything in this book which will make it easy for readers of all kinds to find something enjoyable about it.
Overall, The Darkest Minds is a must-read for all readers. I cannot recommend it enough. I will be reading the sequel, Never Fade, as soon as I possibly can. Oh and you might want to have some tissues handy when you get to the end of this one. Just saying.
What others are saying about The Darkest Minds:
Miss Literati’s review: “If you’re into sci-fi and awesome super powers, then this is the perfect read for you.”
The Page Sage’s review: “But lately, I’ve read some fantastic dystopian novels that have reminded me why I love this genre, and The Darkest Minds stood apart from them all.”
Series:
The Darkest Minds (#1)
Other reviews for this author:
Hey Katie, I just recently read this book as well and at the end i was a bawling mess. Whoever said guys don’t cry after reading a book lied. This has to be one of my favorite books that I have read this year, and I have Never Fade on Netgalley so I am really excited to see where it goes.
-Chayse
I’m not exactly in the mood for slow-building stories right now, my attention span has gone WAY done lately, haha. BUT I have always been intrigued by this book. I’m pretty sure I’ll give it a read sooner or later. I do love action & suspense, done well, of course. Great review.
Vi
Confessions of a Vi3tBabe
Deity Island
I’m SO glad that you loved TDM!! Zu’s story (especially one bit in particular) made me want to cry, too.
Thanks for linking to my review! (It was a pleasant surprise to scroll down and see that, lol.)
Sara at The Page Sage
This one sounds awesome! I still love the good dystopians!
Ooooh, now this sounds like a really great book. I love dystopians and when they have a sci-fi/super power twist then it’s just getting better! Thanks for sharing your review!
Laureen @ Ms. Bibliophile.
I bought this book a little while ago and I have no idea why I have not read it yet. It sounds really good and everyone seems to have great things to say about it. Ugh I need to read this!
Sydney @ Pika Pages
It’s been some time since I read The Darkest Minds, and while I remember liking it, I also kind of forgot about it. Your review has inspired me to pick it up again. Just in time for the sequel!
Now I want to kick myself for not having read this book yet! I’m so happy to hear that Bracken’s writing is absolutely delightful. And the characters all seem so lovable! Also, thank goodness there’s no insta love. There seems to be plenty of everything I love in this book; I’ll have to read it soon! Wonderful review, Katie. 🙂
So glad you liked it! This is one of my favorite books; the sequel is great, too! All three book titles are going to make a sentence. “The Darkest Minds” “Never Fade”…I don’t know what the third title is yet.
Great review!
I loved this one too! The slower pace in the beginning really created a great build up for the end. I thought it was very well done and I can’t wait to read Never Fade.
My Friends Are Fiction
I loved this one so much and I can’t wait to read Never Fade! That ending…Great review:)
-Danna
This is one of those books that I’ve heard so many good things about, I really need to read it. I really enjoy dystopians, and this one sounds amazing from what your saying. Thanks for the great review of The Darkest Minds!
I’ve heard lots of good things about this one and it’s been on my list but I haven’t read it yet! It really sounds right up my alley and I need to check it out! Great review!
I’ve been putting this one off as well! I started to read it at one point but then got distracted and didn’t get past chapter 2. Definitely have to read this by the end of the year though!
I’ve heard loads of good things about this book and I do have it on my list just as soon as I have a bit of time!
Oh my God I love this book because of the characters. Yes, the plot is fast and twisty and the concept unique, but it’s the characters that really made this one shine. I loved the romance, I loved the main character’s decision at the end and how strong it means she was and how much she loved him.
Lovely review 🙂