The Darknest Minds by Alexandra Bracken : Review

Hardcover, 488 pages

Published December 18th 2012 by Disney Hyperion

original title: The Darkest Minds

ISBN: 1423157370

The Darkest Minds #1

Summary

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.

I'm a little iffy on how to review this so I'll just dive right in. This book was slow, and even when it was faster, it was still snail pace. It did keep me wanting to continue to read even though it was super slow and I suppose that's a definite check mark. 

I loved all the characters and the world that was created was wonderful. It wasn't shiny and bright and flower filled. It was a mess. People have blocked off the children and sent them to a camp to be 'cured' but instead they're being experimented on.

“Never, never, never. I am never going to forget you.” 

This was a book about bravery and love and sacrifice. That ending was sacrifice. I hate the ending. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

One of my favorite things was the romance between Ruby and Liam. It was sweet. It wasn't the heart stopping filled with passion let's just let the world burn around us while we make out kind of romance. Nope. It was slow and actually had some background to it. It made you want that kind of love. I love love.

 “Did you know...you make me so happy that sometimes I actually forget to breath? I'll be looking at you, and my chest will get so tight...and it's like, the only thought in my head is how much I want to reach over and kiss you.”

Other than that I don't really have much to say about this. I do hope you read it but it wasn't a heart stopping book. The book will grow on you. It was addicting. I mean, I read that 500 page thing in one sitting. WITH my sister watching TV. Which was very distracting, by the way.

.5

 Jackie