Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

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.

My Review:

So I'd heard about this book from other bloggers and reviewers. It was gushed over A LOT. However, I don't think it lived up to the hype. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book, but that was just it, it was a good  book, nothing more.  

The premise of the book is awesome! Teenagers who have powers and a dystopian universe, sounds like reading heaven. And for the most part it was pretty nice. As I got further into the story, I found some things that kind of angered me though. For one, Ruby is supposed to be 10 years old when her entire life changes. Her education was supposed to have stopped there. BUT she still talked and acted like a normal teenager. She used larger words than even I know at some points. It was kind of irritating.

The characters in the story were definitely lovable. Ruby was totally mistreated, like most of the characters were, and you just want her to find her happily ever after, but that would make a super boring series. Liam was... Liam. He's sweet and kind, but he totally fights against "the man" with every thought. Chubs was probably my favorite character, sure he's a tad abrasive at times, but he reminds me of what I would act like in that situation, like a realistic, rational human being. And Zu and her obsession with pink was totally adorable!

For me the plot didn't have enough movement in it. They traveled from place to place, but it kind of just seemed like they jumped from these places, there was no real description (I totally hope that makes sense.). Also, the most frustrating thing about this story was that there were parts of the action that I couldn't follow because it seemed like pieces were left out. If you read it, or have read it, take a look at the part where Ruby slips with Liam there or even just any action scene.

All in all, this book probably would have been better if I hadn't thought that it was going to be such a fantastic read. But since it was only $0.99 on Amazon (it's gone up now), I think it was worth the buy.

*Note: I purchased a copy of this book and all opinions are my own.