The Darkest Minds

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 mater 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. - excerpt from book

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is a book set in a dystopian future where most children contracted a disease that cannot be cured, some die and some live. Those who live are put into rehab but that's not the truth. This is the first book of the trilogy. I have always love dystopian stories because who can tell how the future will turn out to be and so these books provides imagination to a future that has weird shit happening. The sort of apocalyptic world gives a great setting to the book. The world is a scary place and many are affected because of the diseases. 

I like how the author describes the world, the flow of words are often detailed, giving you a sense of feeling of the character's thoughts. She makes you feel her words in the book, it comes easily because of how beautifully she writes about Ruby's feelings. Ruby is the main heroine of the book which has a painful past and a secret that she's keeping. I love how Ruby does not give up everything to the readers and slowly along the book she grows. She grows because of situations and she grows because of other characters. Liam, who is the main male love interest of the book is also a wonderful character, he is a person who makes the middle part of the story move forward. As for his past and personalities, it is also revealed through his actions and his conversations with other characters. Two important side characters are in this book where they often influence the main characters. Their personalities are unique and special and they too developed with the plot.

Aside from fantastic characters, the events of the book was so exciting and action packed. I have to say when I was reading the book, I worry so much for the characters. All the twist and turns that came in the book was amazing and it caught me by surprise. There isn't a moment in the book that I did not love. Seriously, the plot is so smooth giving you ups and downs at appropriate places, you will not be bored at all. At first the book seemed slow paced but it serves it purpose in the story because when it picks up, you cannot put down the book. When you're almost at the finish, the ending hits you and I was left with a book hangover. The ending was just "Ugh!!" in a good way because now I want the next book and it will be quite some time before I get to purchase it along with the last book.

To summarize, I had a great time reading the book. The plot and characters captivate you, their past so interesting, you continue reading to find out more. The general idea of the book was unique and if I try to relate it to a character that came to mind I would be giving out spoilers. Honestly this book puts other books in the this genre down one step and purely because of the author's writing style. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of dystopian novels such as The Hunger Games, The Divergent series and Delirium series. If you love beautiful descriptive writing then I also recommend this book to you. Lastly, I wanted to share a quote in the book that spoke to me:

"It's the feeling you get when you realize something you once lost is lost forever, and you can never get it back again." - page 72, line 6