Book Review

REVIEW: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

What can I say about The Darkest Minds that will sum up its total awesomeness? I was a little worried about starting it because of how much hype surrounds it, but I wasn’t let down at all and I ended up loving it.

When kids starting coming down with IAAN, and then dying, the remaining children are left with supernatural powers. When Ruby wakes up on her tenth birthday, she has changed, and a freaky accident leads to her being sent to one of the brutal rehabilitation camps. There the kids are sorted into groups and barely survive. Every day brings another struggle. At sixteen, Ruby manages to escape, but is life outside of the camps any easier?

It’s so easy to get lost in the world created in The Darkest Minds. I was so invested in the lives of the characters that I felt what they were feeling. My facial expressions must have been a sight to witness when I read this because the imagery used makes everything feel very realistic. Not to mention that I’m the same age as many of the characters so, if this was real, I would be in the same situation. Let me tell you that I would not survive a day.

The camps reminded me a lot of Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War and there were many similarities – the human testing and the harsh work, for example. I can’t imagine being put into one of the camps, helpless and frightened. The camp that Ruby was in, especially, was extreme and I would have been petrified.

Speaking of Ruby, I loved her. She had so much on her shoulders and I think she’s a truly admirable character. I really want to be best friends with her! Bracken has made her character development very interesting. She comes across as a clueless and naïve young girl but there’s a lot going on beneath the surface that we don’t realise. This is the strongest character development I think I may have ever read and Ruby’s arc was so complex. She goes on one heck of a journey throughout this book and I liked that we got to read about her when she was much younger too.

On to the secondary characters… Zu was such a cutie. I’d really like her to be my sister because she’s one of those people who are just so huggable. I’m really curious as to what will happen to her in the next novel and I’m really looking forward to reading more about her.

Chubs is another character who had such a solid character development. There were so many different layers to his character and all were explored in such depth.

I loved Liam so much. Another character who you got to know so well and I became so invested in him. His and Ruby’s chemistry was so believable and it makes me squeal just thinking about it. I LOVED every scene he was in.

I cannot stop gushing about this book. I really hope it’s published in the UK soon because we’re seriously missing out. Bracken has a rare talent that you don’t see very often and I can’t wait to read more by her.

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10 Comments

  • Reply
    Charli @ To Another World
    2 December, 2013 at 7:13 am

    Wow… This sounds amazing! I love dystopics that seem kind of based off history like WW2. Great review, Lucy!! 🙂

    Charli
    Charli @ To Another World recently posted…Review: ForgottenMy Profile

  • Reply
    Maya @ The Book Nook
    2 December, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    Ooh, I’m intrigued! Will definitely be checking this one out, thanks for the review! 😉
    Maya @ The Book Nook recently posted…New BooksMy Profile

  • Reply
    Ruby
    2 December, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    OOOOHHHH MY GOSSSSSSH! A character named Ruby at long last! And she seems to be a likable one, going from your judgement. I SO need this book… I’ve heard a lot about it and I’m so glad you also loved it!
    Ruby recently posted…Top Ten Winter ReadsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sophie (So Many Books, So Little Time)
    2 December, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    This sounds AMAZING. I’ve heard so many good things about it from the US bloggers that I was intrigued, but now I'[m totally sold!
    Sophie (So Many Books, So Little Time) recently posted…The Art of Falling – Jenny KaczorowskiMy Profile

  • Reply
    Em
    3 December, 2013 at 1:12 am

    I have now heard from several people that this one is a must-read! Have to get my hands on it! Great review.
    Em recently posted…Giveaway! Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman and 100th Blog Post Published.My Profile

  • Reply
    Kate Ormand
    3 December, 2013 at 11:58 am

    Great review! I’ve heard really good things about this book *adds to wish list*
    Kate Ormand recently posted…Books Read in November 2013My Profile

  • Reply
    Danielle
    3 December, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    So glad you loved this one! I picked it up a few weeks ago on sale and can’t wait to read it now 🙂 btw again love the new design!!
    Danielle recently posted…The World Without A Future by Nazarea Andrews (Release Day Blast)My Profile

  • Reply
    Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain
    3 December, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    Oh wow I really want to read The Darkest Minds now because I’ve heard nothing but stellar reviews for this one. The characterization sounds absolutely phenomenal and that connection you made the the concentration camps during the Holocaust only makes me want to read it more. I’ve read how brutal those camps were, and I’ve always been a sucker for stories where a large part of the population has come down with an epidemic and the government does something drastic to try and control it.

    Fantastic review, Lucy! <3
    Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain recently posted…Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally Tour StopMy Profile

  • Reply
    Francoise
    5 December, 2013 at 6:06 am

    I really want to read this novel. I have heard so many great things about it and I’m a little worried that the hype will ruin it for me but judging by your review it won’t. I actually have no idea what it’s about but I think I’m going to keep it a surprise! I love doing that, I just trust reviews like yours.
    Francoise recently posted…{Review} Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. MaasMy Profile

  • Reply
    Lucy Recommends... [2] - The Shatter Me Trilogy by Tahereh Mafi | Queen of ContemporaryQueen of Contemporary
    21 February, 2014 at 2:01 am

    […] Me is similar to The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken and the main character, Juliette, isn’t able to touch anyone. It is set in a futuristic […]

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