From the Bookshelf of BL33 Book of the Month Clup…

The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1)

Alexandra Bracken

Start date: January 1, 2014

Finish date: January 31, 2014

Discussion: January Book

Why we're reading this: This is the book for the month of January. Start now or start later!
[close] This is the book for the month of January. Start now or start later!

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 5 topics — 11 comments total

January Book

Week Four
By Sam · 2 posts · 3 views

last updated Jan 31, 2014 07:09PM

Week Three
By Sam · 1 post · 2 views

last updated Jan 15, 2014 01:19PM

What Members Thought

Nov 08, 2013 Sam rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014-bom-1, 2014

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. I’ve heard so many things, so maybe I was just setting the book up to fail, but I think it was more than that. The book was certainly exciting (and I got the novella seconds after completing it!) but I don’t think it was exactly my cup of tea. Which is okay. In fact, if anything, that gives this book more credit because I still rather enjoyed it.

The premise sounded good and original, and for the most part it was. The mythology and history I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. I’ve heard so many things, so maybe I was just setting the book up to fail, but I think it was more than that. The book was certainly exciting (and I got the novella seconds after completing it!) but I don’t think it was exactly my cup of tea. Which is okay. In fact, if anything, that gives this book more credit because I still rather enjoyed it.

The premise sounded good and original, and for the most part it was. The mythology and history behind the plotline made complete sense, and, scarily, I feel like that’s what’s in in store for our nation someday. This believability factor played throughout the whole book- characters faced problems that were real under the circumstances and reacted how one might expect. I did feel like the book was one of those adventure-journey’s that go on forever, though. They were always running, always on the move, and it took a while to settle into these parts, especially when the scenery was constantly changing. Once I did, though, it was easy to feel right at home, whether in Betty or with the Slip Kid.

The characters, too, took a little time to like, but now I don’t think they’ll ever leave me. Ruby was an interesting main character. From the very beginning I saw she wasn’t what most heroines tend to be these days. She’s not conventionally “strong”. In fact, I would go so far as to say she was rather meek. When she had to, though, there was certainly a fire that burned within her that other characters didn’t have. She was willing to step up and do terrible things that others couldn’t or wouldn’t. This dual nature, though, made it hard to connect with her, even up until the end. I would think I had a grasp on her, but wouldn’t, and that frustrated me. I felt that way about pretty much all the characters, too.

Liam is totally crush worthy- let’s start there. He’s a good guy, too. Not too tough, but somewhat romantic, and also a leader. He hates to see other’s hurt but sometimes has to deal with it. He’s got a past shrouded in some mystery, but he’s honest. I liked him right away and thought his voice was the strongest of the characters, even over Ruby’s. Again, though, the dual nature of him- a really soft hearted guy who led an escape and is on the run in a dangerous world- made it hard to connect. When he and Ruby were together, though, everything would fall into place. Chubs was by far my favorite character. I didn’t like him right away, but once he grew on me, I knew he would be the one I cheered for throughout the novel. I really, really liked him, even though he was rough on the outsides. Finally, Zu. I felt like there was little to work with for her. I liked her, sure, but I never got too connected to her. Maybe it was the age thing, because I find it harder to enjoy younger characters, or maybe it was because she didn’t talk so finding her voice in all the text was rather hard. Whatever it was, she wasn’t a bad character, just not as well developed as I would have liked to see.

I can see why so many people have liked this series (even though I haven’t yet read the sequel, Never Fade). With the dystopian love spreading throughout the book community, there is no reason this shouldn’t be on the top of the list of TBR books for everyone. I’m not especially fond of the genre, however, so that’s why it’s not exactly a favorite. I plan on continuing the series to its end. ...more

Like · see review