The Darkest Minds
Author : Alexandra Bracken
Series : The Darkest Minds
Genres : Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publication : December 18th 2012 by Disney Hyperion
Synopsis : When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening 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 had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have 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 having a life worth living.
I must admit, I started this book with somehow low expectations, even though I don’t know why. Well… Why have I waited that long to read this book ?!
The Darkest Minds tend to hide behind the most unlikely faces.
Plot
The beginning gives us the pace. We’re in a dystopia where children who survived a deadly disease called IAAN are gifted (or cursed ?) with strange abilities. Think X-men. We don’t get to know how this disease emerged and I wished we knew more. Maybe in the next books.
In Thurmond, a children camp, kids become colors. Blue, Yellow, Green, Red, Orange. The color system is a code to identify their powers. I found it vry clever, really ! I must say, the universe Alexandra Bracken created is really amazing and so interesting !
Another thing I enjoyed is how the characters felt real and relatable. At the beginning, Ruby is so fragile and afraid of herself, it’s very touching.
This book is fast paced and full of plot twists. I guessed one of them but that didn’t bother me.
And let’s not forget that ending !! It broke my heart.
I think maybe the most frustrating feeling in the world is to have something to say but not know how to put it into words. To have lived through something but not be able to get it out of you before it festers.
Characters
- Ruby is such an amazing main character. From fragile to strong minded and a kick ass lead, she is incredible. Her story is really touching !
- Liam is so brave and heart-warming ! He is such a sunshine ! He wants to protect his friends no matter what.
- Chubs is such a difficult character to understand. I mean, it’s very difficult to pierce his shield.
- Zu is such a cutie, impossible not to love her.
Together, they want to reach a sort of Eldorado for children. And it’s not exactly how they imagined it.
To put it in a nutshell, if you like dystopian books, X-men and fast paced books, you need to read it !
About the author
Alexandra Bracken was born in Phoenix, Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children’s book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that’s constantly overflowing with books.
Alex is a #1 New York Times bestselling and USA TODAY bestselling author. Her work is available across the world in over 15 languages.
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