“The Darkest Minds” by Alexandra Bracken is a young adult dystopian novel that was released in December 2012. Despite its targeted demographic, the novel demonstrates a type of maturity and grimness that is unheard of in other novels of the genre.
On the birthday of 10 year-old Ruby Daly, she found herself locked in a garage by her own parents. Something had changed that made them scared enough to call the police on their own daughter. Ruby gets sent to Thurmond, a rehabilitation camp that was created by a corrupt government. Little does she know that she is one of the few to survive a disease that’s killed most of America’s children. The most unusual part of it all was that people weren’t afraid of the disease that killed them but rather of the children who survived it. They changed.
The survivors now possess abilities that they can’t completely control. Six years later, Ruby is one of the dangerous prisoners. When the truth is revealed, she escapes and is on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven for kids like her – East River. On the way, she joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. While her and Liam, their brave leader, get closer along the way, her goal is to avoid getting feelings for anyone after what happened with her parents. Ruby is faced with the tough decision of being on the run for the rest of her life or to fight back against the government who wants her dead.
This book is no typical dystopian. For it being targeted for young adult readers, the book seemed to have some exceedingly dark content which brought some realism to the fictional plot. The fears they must battle with and the dreams they hope to still come true.
First off, the story’s characters. We have Ruby, our main character, Liam, the lead male character and love interest, Chubs, the arrogant, sassy and charming best friend to Liam and last but not least, Suzune, also known as Zu, who is the youngest of the four and a precious soul. A great thing about these characters was the relationship between them all. Liam is like the “parent figure” of the group. He keeps everyone in line and cares for all of their well-being.
Bracken does an incredible job showing their strengths with the abilities they now have. She also expertly portrays them when they are at their most vulnerable state. They are still teenagers after all.
Bracken gives readers an amazing representation of a corrupted government and a divided society in the novel. The concept of having these kids who survived rehabilitation camps was terrifying to behold. When Ruby would describe the one she was at, it was very clear how confined and clueless she was for the six years she was there. While this book also depicts a road-trip adventure, action-packed, intensifying and heartbreaking story, it doesn’t end here. Ruby continues her journey in this deserted world in the sequels, “Never Fade” and “In the Afterlight.” There is also a novella, “Through the Dark” which contains short stories from before, during and after “The Darkest Minds.” This series is a great one to read for fans of the young adult genre. It is highly recommended and will certainly not disappoint.
Caitlin Alicea | The Oswegonian
