The Darkest Minds Book Review

Originally published on the 18^th of December 2012, the science fiction ‘The Darkest Minds’ written by Alexandra Bracken received 4.2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, and 5/5 on Waterstones. The book went on to be adapted into a film that was released on the 10^th of August 2018, and while the film was not as great as the book, according to most fans, the book version was critically acclaimed and praised by many.

‘The Darkest Minds’ is a dystopian young adult novel series published by Disney Hyperion, consisting of eight books which are ‘The Darkest Minds’ (2012), ‘In Time’ (2013), ‘Liam’s Story’ (2013), ‘Never Fade’ (2013), ‘Sparks Rise’ (2014), ‘In The Afterlight’ (2014), ‘Through the Dark’ (2015), ‘Beyond the Night’ (2017), and ‘The Rising Dark: A Darkest Minds Collection’ (2018).

The plot of ‘The Darkest Minds’ is as follows:

“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.

Described as a creepy but good book, this intense story is sure to pull you in with its mysterious aspect of the new dystopian world we are sucked into, particularly the way the government is operating and reacting to the children in the book. The powers some children hold is incredible and fascinating to read about, it is described very clearly and can feel insidious at times. Fans have compared the book to the ‘X-Men’ concept, as well as similar key themes from ‘The Hunger Games’; though they have similarities, many fans have also said that they are completely different with the exception of having a dystopian world like in ‘The Hunger Games’ and having abilities like in the ‘X-Men’ movies.

If you are interested in reading more about the author Alexandra Bracken and her books, then click HERE to be taken to the official website. Purchase ‘The Darkest Minds’ from Amazon for only £3.48 and start reading! If you are interested in seeing the film, then check out the trailer below.