Title: The Darkest MindsAuthor: Alexandra Bracken
Rating: 5 Stars
The Blurb:
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.
The Review:
This book starts out when the main character, Ruby, is ten. there is a mysterious disease that is killing the world's children, but the government isn't worried about that, they're worried about the kids who survived. The kids who survived now have powers, some of them deadly. The children who survived the disease are sent to camps so the government can try to rehabilitate them. The camp separates the children into five different groups; the blue and green groups have the least amount of power and aren't considered to be much of a threat. The yellow, orange, and red groups are the most dangerous and after a while they are disposed of. When Ruby gets to Thurmond, her rehabilitation camp, we discover that she has the power to take away the memories of those she touches. This power is considered dangerous and Ruby should be placed in the orange group, fortunately for her she is able to take away the sorters memories and she lands herself in the green group.
One day Ruby is told by a doctor that Thurmond has discovered that She's actually an orange. Ruby is terrified because this means that she will be killed. The doctor, Cate Begbie, offers to help her escape. After Ruby has finally escaped Thurmond Ruby discovers that Cate has an alternate agenda. Cate wants to use Ruby in her fight in a war. ruby sees that she won't be free with Cate so she runs away and runs right into three kids. Liam, Chubs, and Zu have been on the run for a while now. When they meet Ruby Chubs is hesitant to let her into the group, but majority rules as Liam and Zu vote her in. Soon the four of them are off on an amazing adventure full of mystery and daring. It is with this group that Ruby begins to realize that she doesn't have to feel so alone.
I really liked this book. The premise was really interesting to me (I love books where people get mysterious powers). I also liked the emotional aspect, so much has happened to these kids that you can't help but be drawn into the story. The romance in this story is really sweet. It isn't an instant love, it builds naturally over time and I really liked that. there are also multiple villains which is exciting. You have Cate's group and the PSFs (the government).
Ruby is a pretty interesting character, she develops from being this scared girl who is afraid to use her power to someone who is brave and who will fight for herself and for the ones she loves. She has a truly terrifying power. When we meet the sixteen year old Ruby she is closed off, she doesn't talk to anyone and she doesn't touch anyone. She has made mistakes in the past and she doesn't want to repeat them.
Liam is Ruby's love interest and he is a really sweet guy. he is always trying to do what's best for the group and he would do anything to make sure they all survive. He has some secrets about a past that he isn't proud of, but the group loves him no matter what.
Zu is a young girl who is a yellow. She has an intense and dangerous power that she uses to save the group time and time again. She is also mute meaning she doesn't talk. She has other ways of communicating and the rest of the group understands her just fine.
Chubs is the skeptical one in the group. He is cautious and he isn't quick to trust. I love Chubs, he is easily my favorite characters. He sees things for what they really are and he stands his ground. While he initially didn't trust Ruby they were eventually able to form a close bond.
This book was a really great read. It was compelling, scary, and full of energy. The characters were great and fun. The story line was well though out and overall it was a really well written book. I can't wait for the next in the series to come out.
Don't forget to comment on what you thought of the book, I love feedback :)
The Review:
This book starts out when the main character, Ruby, is ten. there is a mysterious disease that is killing the world's children, but the government isn't worried about that, they're worried about the kids who survived. The kids who survived now have powers, some of them deadly. The children who survived the disease are sent to camps so the government can try to rehabilitate them. The camp separates the children into five different groups; the blue and green groups have the least amount of power and aren't considered to be much of a threat. The yellow, orange, and red groups are the most dangerous and after a while they are disposed of. When Ruby gets to Thurmond, her rehabilitation camp, we discover that she has the power to take away the memories of those she touches. This power is considered dangerous and Ruby should be placed in the orange group, fortunately for her she is able to take away the sorters memories and she lands herself in the green group.
One day Ruby is told by a doctor that Thurmond has discovered that She's actually an orange. Ruby is terrified because this means that she will be killed. The doctor, Cate Begbie, offers to help her escape. After Ruby has finally escaped Thurmond Ruby discovers that Cate has an alternate agenda. Cate wants to use Ruby in her fight in a war. ruby sees that she won't be free with Cate so she runs away and runs right into three kids. Liam, Chubs, and Zu have been on the run for a while now. When they meet Ruby Chubs is hesitant to let her into the group, but majority rules as Liam and Zu vote her in. Soon the four of them are off on an amazing adventure full of mystery and daring. It is with this group that Ruby begins to realize that she doesn't have to feel so alone.
I really liked this book. The premise was really interesting to me (I love books where people get mysterious powers). I also liked the emotional aspect, so much has happened to these kids that you can't help but be drawn into the story. The romance in this story is really sweet. It isn't an instant love, it builds naturally over time and I really liked that. there are also multiple villains which is exciting. You have Cate's group and the PSFs (the government).
Ruby is a pretty interesting character, she develops from being this scared girl who is afraid to use her power to someone who is brave and who will fight for herself and for the ones she loves. She has a truly terrifying power. When we meet the sixteen year old Ruby she is closed off, she doesn't talk to anyone and she doesn't touch anyone. She has made mistakes in the past and she doesn't want to repeat them.
Liam is Ruby's love interest and he is a really sweet guy. he is always trying to do what's best for the group and he would do anything to make sure they all survive. He has some secrets about a past that he isn't proud of, but the group loves him no matter what.
Zu is a young girl who is a yellow. She has an intense and dangerous power that she uses to save the group time and time again. She is also mute meaning she doesn't talk. She has other ways of communicating and the rest of the group understands her just fine.
Chubs is the skeptical one in the group. He is cautious and he isn't quick to trust. I love Chubs, he is easily my favorite characters. He sees things for what they really are and he stands his ground. While he initially didn't trust Ruby they were eventually able to form a close bond.
This book was a really great read. It was compelling, scary, and full of energy. The characters were great and fun. The story line was well though out and overall it was a really well written book. I can't wait for the next in the series to come out.
Don't forget to comment on what you thought of the book, I love feedback :)
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