2022 SQHS Your Literate Life - BOOK REVIEWS ONLY discussion

The Darkest Minds, By Alexandra Brackens
Reviewed by, Krystal Cross
American author Alexandra Brackens novel The Darkest Minds revolves around the story’s protagonist, Ruby Daly. Ruby is just ten when a strange plague like sickness hit her peers, and the rest of the US’s young teens. When her parents decide to lock her in the garage, she knows something is not right. She was then brought to a brutal government “rehabilitation camp”, Ruby discovered that she had survived a cryptic disease, and that over half the kids/teens in America didn’t. At the camp they quickly get rid of the most dangerous ones, and only the “safe” colors are left. But Ruby has a big secret that she thought nobody knew about. She is now 16, and tired of living in this horrible condition, with powers she can’t control. And with PFS on everyone’s tail, Ruby barley escapes from the camp and pursues a safe society with teens just like her. She quickly joins a group of kids, Liam a 17-year-old boy who is very captivating, Bubs a smart aleck who doesn’t trust strangers, and a young girl Zu that trusts and looks up to Ruby as a sister. Eventually Ruby must make a life changing decision, for herself and her soon to be family.

For being the first FULL book that I have read cover to cover in years, I was surprised how good it was. I was very proud of myself for being invested in the book. Brackens puts so much detail into every chapter. Details about the setting, the characters, and what their feeling. You get goosebumps when something didn’t go the way you would want it to be for the character in the story, because you feel like they are a real person. For instance, when Ruby and Liam finally get to know each other. You feel a relief, especially for Ruby. Although there are a few things that could be clearer. In the start of the story Ruby’s parents lock her in the garage so that the police could come get her, what I didn’t understand is why would they do that. Ruby explained that her parents told her they would never do that to her. But when I watched the movie I understood why, it gave me facial expressions in Ruby’s face, And her parents. Another part of the book is that all the kids have powers but, Bubs powers were never clear. We know he is very intelligent, but that’s it. It never gives a description of his powers like the others. Even though for me somethings are unclear in this Dystopian book, I still really enjoyed reading it. I am still blown away that I can still get lost in books because I was so into it!

That's awesome that you were able to get "lost" in this book! I love that feeling.

I have a few questions: What is the PFS? Can you explain the colors you mentioned? Does everyone who survives the sickness get powers, and it is ever explained why they get them? Are there different kinds of powers? Why do people automatically assume the kids with powers are dangerous?

PFS, these are the watchmen or guards at the camps. The colors are in order of least to most dangerous, green, blue, yellow, orange, and red. Ruby is orange. Yes everyone gets powers if they survive, no it isn’t explained why, but I wish it was that would be interesting to hear. Yes! Most of the kids get powers form their minds, higher colors can use their mid to control people, like ruby. lower powers and move things like Luke. Some get powers with their hands like Zu. They assumed that they were more dangerous because the kids couldn’t control their powers at first, so if they don’t know how to use them it can be an outsider.

I like the idea of the powers in it. Because I like magic a lot and it seems really magical.