The story follows Ruby, a 16 year old girl who has spent the past 6 years of her life locked up in a concentration camp for kids. She was sent there shortly after the outbreak of Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration (IAAN), a disease that killed off 98% of the population under 18 years of age. The ones who were left, however, were not the same. Freaks, they were called, threats. Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. And after living for so long behind these walls, harboring a secret that could get her killed, she has broken out.

The book follows Ruby and the friends that she meets along the way as they struggle to find hope in a world that rejects them. Ruby is such a compelling protagonist, one that I found myself relating to throughout the book. The character development that she goes through is outstanding, and stands to prove what an amazing author Alexandra Bracken is. Even in a world where bounty hunters track down children, Bracken manages to put the humor we all search for into the lines, creating both an emotional and hilarious book.

Alexandra Bracken, courtesy of bookfans.net

Reading this one was a roller coaster. I went from being on the edge of my seat, to laughing, and even crying. The way that you connect to the characters and care about them is one of the things that makes this book so special. You can really feel the emotions of each person as you read, due to the amazing descriptions and dialogue. The way that Bracken has crafted each character into such an individual, one that you could even imagine standing right next to you, is stunning.

My one critique for this book would be regarding the first 100 pages or so. They were a little confusing to follow, and I found myself having to re-read a few sections in order to fully understand what was going on. This is understandable, as Bracken had to introduce us to such a complex world before the major plot could really take off. After developing an understanding of the world, the reading is smooth and allows for the reader to really see the book play out in their mind.

Alexandra Bracken has done an outstanding job creating a world that is so far fetched, yet still relatable. The compelling plot and lovable characters make this book one that you will not forget any time soon.

If you can’t tell already, I highly recommend The Darkest Minds. Go. Buy it now. It’s awesome.