The Darkest Minds

Author: Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds #1
Publication: December 18, 2012
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads: 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.

Rating: êêêê

Review

Going into this book, I wasn't really sure what to expect. However, hearing Alexandra talk about her book and her character, Ruby, convinced me to to give it a shot.

I enjoyed this book, I was quickly drawn in and the momentum was great. I struggled with the world building a bit because I didn't quite understand what prompted the special abilities and what the different abilities were. There are snippets of Ruby's story in the summary, however while reading the book her background is revealed slowly. The revelation of her tenth birthday, was heartbreaking, but well written. The characters are well developed. I loved Ruby's crew of friends. The romance is so-so. There seems to be a few bad guys in this story, it was hard to pinpoint what/who the big bad was in the book. Honestly, I think if the world building were a bit better I would have given this book 5 stars. The ending will leave you breathless!