Monday, October 14, 2013

Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken


The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Book One of the Darkest Minds series
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Finished copy won from a giveaway

Summary (from Goodreads):

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.

What I Liked:

I literally JUST read this book yesterday, and woah, you all, WOAH. First, I cannot believe I owned this book for so long, and put off reading it. The thing is, there were so many great reviews for this book, and I didn't want to be disappointed. When I requested an ARC of Never Fade (book two) back in May, I did it with the intention of basically forcing myself to read The Darkest Minds. If I requested a physical or electronic ARC from a publisher, then I would make sure that I read it (at some point). Physical ARCs have priority, so I knew that I would have to read The Darkest Minds and Never Fade in good time (around the release date of Never Fade).

Blogging/reviewing tangent aside, the other reason why I was like WOAH after reading this book, is because WOAH, that book is intense! I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't what I got (in an excellent way)! I can totally understand why the reviews for this book were so positive - this book is amazing!

In Ruby's world, many children are born with  Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration (IAAN), in which they have supernatural powers. Ruby was ten when she was taken to a camp with other children around her age. She stayed there for six years - though she had no idea it had been that long. Six years of grueling labor, torture in the form of noise that only the children with IAAN can hear, and fear. Living in fear of what will happen to her, what became of her parents... of what she is.

Ruby is very weak, physically and mentally, when she escapes from the camp with the help of a rogue doctor. She is separated from this doctor and the other person that escaped (Martin), and joins a group of teenagers her age, with IAAN. Zu, a yellow, is about twelve years old, and a mute. Chubs (Charles) and Liam are Blues (I believe Chubs is a Blue). Chubs doesn't want Ruby to join them, but Liam, the super sweet, loyal, and trusting leader of the trio, lets her stay. And thus begins Ruby's journey - to becoming stronger, growing, and fighting back.

I totally simplified the plot of this book. This book was about five hundred pages, and A LOT happened in one book. But trust me, I was never bored or frustrated with this book. The five hundred pages go by quickly. I think I read this one in under three hours (but I'm a fast reader too). I was thoroughly hooked in this book - the story was very engrossing! I wanted to know what Ruby would do, what would happen to Cate,  who the Slip Kid was.

Ruby is a likable character. In the beginning of the book, she is extremely weak. She watches her friend get tortured for standing up for her, and then accidentally uses her powers on that friend. Ruby does nothing to help herself, and cares too much about others. I like this quality about her, because it fits her well, and contributes to the story nicely. By the end of the story, her character develops into a more headstrong, tough heroine. She is afraid of what she is, what she will become, but she isn't afraid to try and help herself, and fight for what she wants.

Liam is another beautifully structured character. He's sort of a static character, meaning that he doesn't change, but that works for this story. He is loyal and kind and thoughtful and sweet and so, so nice. I can't get over how nice he is. But he is also protective and fierce. He has his moments when he gets defensive and almost predatory, and usually, Ruby is involved. I love seeing him get worked up over her!

So... romance? Yes. It's subtle and simple and sweet. Ruby and you know who don't just fall into lust and love the moment they see each other. It takes almost all five hundred pages for them to have much physical contact at all (for good reason though), and then physical contact in a romantic sense.

Remember, Ruby, Liam, Chubs, and Zu were all in camps. The last three were in one in Caledonia (I believe), and Ruby was in Thurmond, so she was in a different camp. BUT, all of them have psychological damage because of their time spent at the camp - especially Ruby. You can tell with Ruby - that is definitely something that Bracken showed very well.

The climax of the book is about when Ruby and the gang are going to meet the Slip Kid. I knew EXACTLY who the Slip Kid was, from basically the mention of the nickname, the "Slip Kid". It's pretty obvious, if you read carefully. I don't like the Slip Kid very much, and you probably won't either (if you haven't read this book yet).

The ending... well, let's just say I'm glad I've had Never Fade since May!

What I Did Not Like:

Without giving anything away, the ending is the thing that bothered me a teensy bit. There was this specific part of it that made me slightly sad. I mean, I'm sure things will be explored in Never Fade, but OH MY GOSH!

I'm glad I have Never Fade. It release soon anyway, but I'm glad.

Would I Recommend It:

TOTALLY! Science fiction for the win! This book is definitely something that science fiction lovers will enjoy, or dystopia lovers. It didn't have the same feel as the usual dystopia, but it could be classified as one. But the science fiction! Squee!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. I really enjoyed this book! Never Fade, here I come!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

38 comments:

  1. Yay! I just bought this for my kindle because it was only 99 cents. Looking forward to reading it.

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    1. Excellent! What a great choice! I hope you love this one, Tammy :)

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  2. It was a good read for me too. I can't wait to get a copy of Never Fade. :)

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    1. YAY! I'm glad that you think so! I just finished Never Fade this morning - it's a fantastic sequel!

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  3. LOVE LOVE LOVED this book! Can't wait to read the next one!

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    1. I hope you read it soon, Brooke! I just read it today - it was spectacular!

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  4. I loved this book, it was so interesting and the characters are amazing. Especially with all their different powers. Great Review! Hope you can check out our Giveaway

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    1. YAY! So glad to hear that. Thank you, Jessica! I will look at it ^_^

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  5. I didn't fully love this book, but I'm glad you enjoyed it a lot :D Great review. <3 but omg, that ending was evil. Sad face.

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    1. Aww, sorry to hear that! But thank you so much! And yes, that ending... it is why this book got 4 stars, and not 5 stars, from me D:

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  6. I've heard great things about this book, but haven't gotten around to checking it out. I'm turned off by the 500 pgs bc my attention span is ZERO nowadays, lol. Maybe sometime next year after my hiatus?! Lol. Great review!

    Vi
    AKA Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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    1. Aww, I totally know what you mean. But the pages just fly by! And OMG hiatus, Vi?! D:

      Thank you! <3

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  7. Awesome review I also heard great reviews about this book it looks and sounds great thanks so much for sharing!

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    1. Terrific! I'm glad you enjoyed the review, Katiria.

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  8. I have read this book and loved it!!! Glad you liked it!!! I am currently waiting to get the next book and cant wait to read it..Great review on the book!!!

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    1. Excellent! This book (and series) is so kickbutt. I hope you love the series!

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  9. Yay Awesome review Alyssa I am so so happy you really liked this one I am most definitely going to check this one out in the library next it looks and sounds so Awesome and plus I am really curious and I want to know what are the colors they give the kids signify to them can't wait to try to get this one! thanks for sharing Alyssa!

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    1. WOOHOO! It's a good one! The series in general is pretty rock solid. Definitely one of the more original science fiction novels I've read! And in a contemporary world (ish). I hope you read and enjoy this one, Katiria!

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  10. I've had this book for a while too and haven't yet read it. It sounds like I should and soon! :)

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    1. You must read it! Don't do what I did! I had it for like, FOREVER, and read it only when I had the ARC of the sequel. On the one hand, it cut down the waiting. On the other hand, why did I wait?! lol

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  11. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting to read this series! The hype behind it is phenomenal and I just bought the second novella last night :) I am waiting to marathon them but i don't know how much longer I wait... and your review isn't helping! Cursed TBR list ;)

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    1. I totally know what you mean!! Binge-reading is a great idea. Just about two months to go, so you're doing well! :D

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  12. I'm so glad to see you like this. This is one of those series that I have seen EVERYWHERE but haven't gotten a chance to enjoy for myself. I didn't realize how long of a book it was though.

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    1. YES!! I understand that! I binge-read books one and two last year when I got an ARC of Never Fade. But the book three's wait... waahh!

      All three books are gigantic! But awesomely long ^_^

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  13. Love this series! I can't wait for the final one!

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    1. So happy to hear that, Jordan! I hope you love In the Afterlight :)

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  14. I'm so glad that you loved this book because I have it sitting on my shelf! I'm dying to read it, but I have to finish my review books first.

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    1. YES! Great! You should binge-read the series, when book three comes out. Happy reading, Ashley!

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  15. I haven't read this book yet. But I am relieved to know that the romance doesn't happen suddenly.

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    1. I like the slow progression of the romance! I hope you enjoy the series (if you read the books)!

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  16. Oh yeah, I agree with you, the ending was not my favorite, loved your review though!

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    1. BUT. The next book ends pretty interestingly... you should keep reading, for sure!

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  17. As a character Ruby sounds right up my ally as a great heroine. I am very happy this isn't a love or lust at first sight book. I really enjoyed your review and now can't wait to read this book even more.

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    1. YES! She is so likable indeed! And the romance is not easy, in neither the first nor the second book. Thank you so much!

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  18. Thank you for your wonderful review! It definitely helped in making me want to read this book soon. Ruby sounds like such a strong protagonist and I'm already rooting for her! I'm excited for an intense read, and this book/series sounds like it fits the bill!

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    1. YAY! I'm glad to hear that! This series is seriously kick-butt, definitely binge-read, Wendy!

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  19. Great Review! Glad you loved it as much as I!

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