The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1) in The Random World of Reading

Apr 02, 2013 Beccabooks rated it liked it

Rating-3.5
I really liked this book. but i kept having to put this down and pick something else up. i thought it dragged in some parts. i really wanted to love this like everyone else did but sad to say i didnt. i did like it tho and maybe one day i will reread this and see if i am in a better mood for it. i will be picking up Never Fade which is the sequel.

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Jan 10, 2013 Scarlett Loves Books rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, read-in-2013, series-ending-2014, 3-book-series, 2013-07

As far as YA dystopian novel goes, this is one of the best ones I've ever read so far. First, the setting of the story has a palpable aura of dread and hopelessness. It helped to immediately feel for the kids; if they somehow survive this strange plague that kills children by age 10, they develop these special abilities but are torn away from their family against their wills and herded into these concentration camps.

I was immediately drawn to the female protagonist, Ruby. It was dreadful what h As far as YA dystopian novel goes, this is one of the best ones I've ever read so far. First, the setting of the story has a palpable aura of dread and hopelessness. It helped to immediately feel for the kids; if they somehow survive this strange plague that kills children by age 10, they develop these special abilities but are torn away from their family against their wills and herded into these concentration camps.

I was immediately drawn to the female protagonist, Ruby. It was dreadful what happened to her. But it was fascinating following this story through her point-of-view. She had a strong sense of survival, sometimes unbeknownst to her. What was more interesting was Ruby discovering her powers while maintaining her humanity, something people of similar activities seem to be lacking. She's not perfect. There were times I just wanted to ask her what the heck she was doing. But I kind of like that side of her as it brings some realism to the story.

I absolutely love the merry band of misfits that Ruby met along the way - Liam, Zu, and Chubs. They were just so likable in their own unique ways. Each of their back stories were also fascinating and I couldn't help but love them even more.

Liam, the leader of the group, was a very convincing love interest. His relationship with Ruby, as well as the other two were just so heartwarming. I think I first fell in love with him in this one scene where he was comforting Zu during one of her nightmares. His interaction with Ruby were so sweet and precious. I also love the fact that it wasn't insta-love. The development of their relationship was gradual and believable - something that seems to be rare in YA novels.

I'm not going to mention the main antagonist since it's not mentioned in the synopsis. However, I just wanted to say how creepy he is. Literally, I feel the creepy crawlies every time he makes an appearance. He needs to die, plain and simple. I just hope Alexandra Bracken doesn't transform him into this dashing anti-hero in the second book a la Warren in the Shatter Me series.

The ending...OMG, THE ENDING! So many feels crammed into those few pages. I literally cried; it was so heartbreaking. It opened so many questions and unknowns. I know this series is supposed to be a trilogy, but I do hope we get some resolution in the second book, or I don't know if my heart can take it.

You know a book is special when you keep thinking about it after finishing it, and this definitely fits the bill. ...more

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Jan 10, 2014 BookWorm 221 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015

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After finishing this book I’m left thinking, what took me so long to read it??? Seriously I had it on my tbr shelf for the longest time and when it came the time to pick a new book I always overlooked it, I regret it so much!

This is one of the best dystopian/yabooks that I’ve read in a long time, the moment I started reading I couldn’t stop, there’s always something going on, and new thing to learn about this characters.

In The Darkest Minds we are introduced to a world ...more

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Feb 07, 2018 Jenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: powers-and-gifts, own-ebook

*It took me a little bit to get into. But once I did, I really liked it. There were times I had to force myself to stop reading to go to bed.
*I really liked the idea of the story, but it was weird throughout the book the civilization wasn’t there? Like I know either kids died or got powers because of IAAN but like where were the adults? I get times were tough but I find it hard to believe no adults were anywhere where they were.
*The development of Ruby’s powers were cool. Her powers started off ...more

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May 08, 2021 Jenn rated it it was ok

I am really glad I borrowed this book from the library rather than buying it. It started out really good, but then it began to drag on, I found myself skipping over a lot of parts and was a bit disappointed the characters didn't use more of their "powers". How can there be a book about kids waking up with powers and being sorted and placed in sort of concentration camps, but not actually show us the powers even after escaping. I think I had too high hopes for the novel. I didn't care too much fo ...more

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