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On her tenth birthday, something happened to Ruby. Something terrifying enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Ruby is taken to Thurmond, a camp devoted to "curing" the children who have been changed by this new epidemic. Six years later, at age sixteen, Ruby escapes the camp and joins up with a band of kids who have escaped from a different camp. Liam, their leader, is falling hard for Ruby, but she can't let him get close. Not after what happened to her parents. Their little group travels across the United States, searching for the Slip Kid, a legendary figure who offers shelter to camp runaways. An amazing read by Alexandra Bracken.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. Words can't even begin to describe how much I loved this book. There was a perfect balance between the romance and the action. I was never bored, and I was always on the edge of my seat waiting to hear what had happened to the gang. The mysteries in this book were very well done, and I was always surprised by the plot twists. The one thing I would have wanted was a little more story about the origin of the illness, and the current state of affairs in the US, but the story still worked without it. Five out of five stars.
What did you think of this book? Do you think there should have been more backstory?

Thank you for this review! I have seen this book before and I thought that it sounded extremely interesting. However I had forgotten about it until I came across your review. Your enthusiasm for the book and the nature of the plot have encouraged me to seek it out again and to read it. I am so glad that it is as good as the description lead on that it would be. I appreciate you verifying that. I know feel much more confident in adding it to my reading list. Thanks!!!

I've never heard of this book, but it sounds really interesting! Is it part of a series?

Yes, I believe it's part of a trilogy. I haven't read any of the others yet, though. Also, I think there might be a prequel? Not sure.

There was never a dull moment. Such a great story with awesome characters. Just when you think everything will be fine another obstacle comes in the way. I am very excited to read this series

My review on this book:

*The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken,
Young-adult science fiction story.
I gave this book ab rating of 4 stars. I gave this book a rating of 4 stars out of 4 stars because I love the way Alexandra Bracken has twisted this dark, dystopian world into something tragically beautiful.
I didn't give this book a rating of 3 stars because everything about this book had me tingling with joy even through the haunting and unforgettable moments of Ruby's worst times. With every emotion in me I couldn't give this book anything less as I am obsessed over it and everything about it.

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmord, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escaped Thurmord with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her - East River. She joins a group of kids who have 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 having a life worth living.

After reading this book it was all I could think about for the next month or two. The brutality of the camps then the journey to paradise that kept you on your toes only to find out that 'paradise' is not quite what you would expect.
By the ene of this book I was crying snot driven tears in a puddle of contradicted despair and excitement.
I was raving to every single one of my friends about Alexandra Brackens new book and driving a few people to go out and buy it. Every single one of them loved it with me and nothing is more exciting than having someone to rant on about your latest book craze with. After this haunting book caught control of my mind I ended up seeing the world in different perspectives. Recognising people for who they truly are and not what there labeled as and I feel like I've truly changed for the better. Such as not seeing a Red for their temper but for there confidence and power. I also find myself seeing good in everyone, even in people who most may say don't deserve it and I feel the need to thank not only the author but the book for that privilege.

What I liked about this book was that there was constant tension throughout the whole of the book and my heart was forever beating outside of my chest. I liked that the story was dark and riveting, that there was brutality in it that wasn't over the top horrific but still kept you speechless and was wrapped up in a twistedly tragic love story. My heart went out to every single character in this book, well besides the bad guys but then again who knows who really is a bad guy in this book. It,s the right amount of confusing and the right amount of detailed to contradict itself into a gripping, emotional read.
What I liked most about The Darkest Minds was when Ruby and the gang finally arrive in East River with a welcoming fit for kings. Everything that happens at that moment and in the moments after draw you into Ruby's character and the strength she has and the problems she puts up with every day of her life.
You get to see what it really means to have the abilities the children possess. How each and everyone of them corresponds with each other and how they work together to achieve something greater and more powerful for the good of their community.

...Liam set both of our bowls in one of the many plastic tubs floating by. The blue controlling the one closest to us was a skinny kid, who looks like he weighed about half of what his tub did. I blinked once, twice, wondering if I was imagining it. It was the first time I had ever seen kids use their abilities so... Frivolously. It was a strange contrast to what was otherwise a picture of normalcy. At least, what I assumed normalcy looked like. A few kids strummed on guitars or used their log as a drum set. Most were talking quietly, or playing card games.

You also get a insight on each of the characters behaviours and personalities away from the road and settled down around others much like themselves.
The reason I liked the moment when the gang had just entered the camp was because the tension was so thick you could have probably cut it and for me I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for something bad to happen or something to shock me out of my seat as everything else up to that point had. It seemed so surreal that Ruby and the gang had finally got to the place many had dreamed of seeing, that they were finally at the place the book basically was written towards, that the stars had to align and the book had to be fulfilled in the following chapters. But Alexandra Bracken like the rebel author she is waited until I finally settled into my seat properly and snuggled down to flip my whole chair upside down.
This women knows how to make me jump, let me tell you.

What I didn't like about this book was on the journey to East River it felt like the story was being stretched and it took a while to get to the next exciting moment or when they arrived at East River. I found it rather hard to pick out bits that I didn't quite like out of this story after yapping about how amazing it was but I will try.
Another thing is that when Ruby was in the camp she was really shy and so much of a doormat that after a chapter or two it started getting annoying. I liked Samantha's 'I don't give a damn' side so I think she really helped with Ruby's annoying case of muteness. I understand that she was too nervous to do/say anything in case she was caught out for who she really is or had a terrible punishment but if my best friend was taking the blame for sticking up for me and it was a harsh punishment aswell I would probably start a revolution solely for her benefit. Well maybe not quite that extreme but I definitely would have stuck up for her aswell and took part of the punishment with her and beat up the man while I had the chance.
The thing I hated most about this book was probably Ruby's silent period throughout camp because she really got on my nerves throughout that but then again it helped her build into a stronger character instead of already being the perfect heroine she had to work and feel pain for it. Which made me just realise that I kind of like quiet Ruby. Honestly I can't think of my worst moment because I loved it all and if you don't like that then I am sorry but it is the truth.
To make this more interesting I think Alexandra Bracken could have added a few more action scenes. Not shocking moments that make you want to scream with emotion but the fighting scenes or being chased scenes or even shooting scenes.

The people that would probably like this book the most are people like me who like an action packed, supernatural read with a twist of a love triangle. Preferably teenagers as children would be too young because the book is rather dark and adults probably wouldn't be able to love a fictional book like this one quite as much as the younger generation.
The people that would like this book the least would most likely be people who are into more nonfictional books, that love to read biographies or people that absolutely hate action books or romances. Preferably adults or the elderly.
I would recommend this book to other people because it is one of those unforgettable books that you lose yourself in and are shocked to your core at every twisted moment until you pull yourself out of it and wish you could jump back in so you read it all over again for the twenty-ninth time, that month. *

I cannot express how excited I am to read this series! I vaguely knew what it was about but this thread has boosted my excitement! The story seems so interesting and I cannot wait until Christmas, as I believe this series is one of my gifts!

I have heard so many things about this novel, and most of my friends can't believe that I haven't read the series yet. I had the chance to review the newest one, but I had to pass because I hadn't read the other ones yet. Needless to say, I am going to read them! Hopefully they are as good as everyone says(:

Everything about the book makes you feel want to read it and get stuck with the story. Starting with the cover. Since the day I saw it, I knew I needed to read it. Once I started, I can not stop reading it because it has a great story and great characters. Ruby, in first place, is a mysterious girl and you can barely understand what she is been through, but, once you get on your feet, you start to feel what she is feeling and it is more powerful when she fall for Liam. In the second place, we have Liam, who is a comprehensive guy and it is cute with her and she care about her in the first place but for me it was like obvious they will end up together. I have to say even if I knew they will be together I cried like a baby when she did not let him make a decision to stay with her instead of erasing her of his life. Chubs and Zu are complementing character, they are like the good and the bad angel on your shoulders because they have different opinions but, looking at the four of them together you see a great team and I would not do it other way.

About the story, from the beginning it caught you, all the things she has -not on purpose- done, the things she has to do to get out of Thurmond (which by the way was an horrible place), finding other kids and being followed and chased by the Children League was totally exciting. It always make you feel you feel in tension and it is terrifyingly beautiful how it ends.

That's one of the major flaws in the story. After reading I felt empty, as if it need more information or "back story". But it was still good.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. From when it first came out to the last one. The first two books had me laughing out loud and emotionally entwined with the characters. When I read the first 10 pages I already started to cry, and I don't really cry. You can see this book in your head better then an HD t.v. It wasn't to descriptive or not descriptive enough. It was just right. I even did a book talk on it and it's a contest where you talk about the book and who ever is the best win's a prize and all this stuff. Out of 60 something kids I made 10th and honestly I don't think I would have done that good if it wasn't for my liking towards the book. Would I want people to the read this? No doubt I would. And I have actually recommended this book to people even got my school library last year to buy it and promote it.

I became immediately addcited to dystopian fiction when I read 1984 in ninth grade. Ever since then, I've devoured the classics. I was so thrilled when there was a resurgence of dystopian fiction! I picked up The Darkest Minds because it fell squarely in that category, and come on, who doesn't like a story about strange, somewhat magical powers? I'm so glad I picked it up, because it was amazing. The story was well thought out, and Bracken's writing style is fluid and engaging. The love story was realistic and sweet, and didn't feel forced or overplayed. When I finished reading I immediately downloaded the second book and called my best friend to tell her to read it!

This was such a great series. I haven't looked to see if another has come out yet, but it was very original for this genre. I liked the complexity of the society, and how Ruby has stayed so strong through everything that's happened in her life.

Here's my review

I rate this book 4 STARS because it was amazing! I didn't love it so much that I went crazy over it. It pulled me in and told me the story in its own amazing way. That's what I love about it.

The characters were amazingly written especially Ruby. I witnessed each character's growth. Liam was becoming this person who could make people follow him (In a very positive way). He has this aura of a natural leader wrapped around him. At first, I saw him as a cool, easy-go-lucky guy. He was kind of mysterious at first, but you could see his personality in his eyes. What I loved about Liam is his light personality. Like, he could be sociable and easy to be with. I don't know, it's always easy around him.

Chubs, here, I don't know why but I really picture him as a chubby person, but whenever I remember his real name, he transforms to this cute, nerdy guy. I like Chubs because he's the friend that you need to tell you about things. He could be a bit of a nagger but that's the thing that you'd like about him, too. He'd yell at you, tell you to do things and don't do things, and he could be like a parent sometimes. But that's what makes him Chubs. Chubs is Chubs. I loved that we got to see more of him in action somewhere in the latter part of the book. I like seeing him, I like it when he's there.

I was so happy with everything but I couldn't relax. I knew something bad was about to happen. I just didn't know where and which part of the story. I was searching for it and then it was there. I was so mad! I was so freaking furious! (view spoiler)

For me, Ruby changed the most. From the scared little girl that she was, she learned how to carry herself and managed to survive. Her growth wasn't instant. It wasn't even mentioned directly. I mean, you could see her character development through the things she'd done and the situations she'd been into and how she reacted to them. When she got out of the camp and while she was traveling with Liam and the others, I felt like I was reading somebody else's mind.

The story was so great but yeah, the ending made me so mad at Ruby. But it was very good and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I give the books five stars. I feel as if the backstory was explained better in the other additions. I loved the books. Reminds me of the Shatter Me series.