Hi fellow readers!

I hope you are all enjoying the weather we’re having at the moment (if it’s sunny where you are).

This week’s post is about I book I finished only a few days ago but has been on my Tbr for what feels like forever.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken is young adult dystopian novel that follows Ruby: a sixteen year old girl who at the age of ten was abducted from her family and taken to a camp for other ‘special’ children just like her. Just months before Ruby was taken away millions of children started to mysteriously die across the whole of America, the cause: a deadly disease that left those who were immune with strange powers. The government, afraid of these children that they couldn’t control sent them to camps just like Ruby. She has spent her whole life trapped and afraid of who she is until now. Because Ruby is free and she wants to find out how to tame the monster she always thought she was.

Wow. I actually haven’t enjoyed anything as much as TDM for so long that I almost forgot what it felt like to be addicted to a book. The only annoying part about my experience with this story is that I didn’t read it sooner.

The uniqueness of this book is what I feel makes it so special, but also it has, to some degree, be down to Bracken’s simple talent with words. The plot is weaved in such a delicate and intriguing way that all throughout we are left with burning questions about the dystopian and seemingly reminiscent world that we learn of. The movement of this book is just fast enough that you’re never bored but also not so fast that it’s over before it has already begun and teens with superpowers? Seriously YES. The ending is also perfect and deadly to all readers so be aware!

I’ll talk quickly about the characters because I don’t want you to waste your time reading this review when you could be getting out there and getting your hands on this book! Ruby is cleverly crafted in a way that makes you constantly feel sorry for her but also feel kind of annoyed at her for not simply embracing who she is. It’s like this weird internal battle that Bracken forces you into whilst reading but I can’t say I ever complained. The relationship Bracken builds between Ruby and the friends she meets along the way is not only believable (because more often than not in YA, protagonists manage to make insta-friends with every character in the book) but also genuinely heart warming. I respect that the author placed obstacles in the way of Ruby’s friendship with Chubs because it gives the narrative a life like feel. The romance in TDM is very fluffy and cute and I didn’t even mind because it really felt like these two people would really have connected. I will not spoil, but one word- Clancy?!

The ultimate and obvious question is: would I recommend this book? The answer is a clear and beautiful YES.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars

Keep on reading!

And thanks again Beth