Wednesday, November 5, 2014

The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1)-- Alexandra Bracken



            The Darkest Minds, how to describe this book— well to say this without ruining the plot is always the hardest thing for me. Darkest Minds is the story of “Psi-Kids” or kids with psychokinetic abilities. An illness swept through the United States called ‘IAAN’, it killed off many kids without any warning. Unfortunately, it was those who survived that ended up being fear. Each of the survivors was blessed (or cursed) with some level of psychokinetic ability.

            Green - The mildest of abilities. The children who are green are exceptionally smart, either with photographic memory, skills with electronics or code breaking.

            Blue – Telekinetic, the ability to move objects without touching them. Blue labeled kids are considered dangerous but controllable.

            Yellow – Control electricity, takes years to practice and actually gain control. These children are considered quite dangerous since so many things the PSI Special Forces to control the Psi Kids are electronic.

            Orange – Telepathy, these kids can control the thoughts of others making them extremely dangerous.

            Red – A dangerous enigma that exists, rumors surrounding what Reds actually do vary. They are rumored to be the most unstable and least controllable. Most dangerous.

            That’s the back story, our story actually begins with Ruby recounting what happened when IAAN first hit, how people just dropped dead in the middle of school. The government sent out ‘symptom’ list to the surviving children’s family and the “Rehabilitation programs” starting popping up.

            When we really meet Ruby, she is a timid girl who hides inside of herself. Everything she has been for so many years has been a lie—a lie that has made her scared of herself. Whether by fate or intervention, Ruby’s life changes when the white noise is turned on one day.

            An infiltrator from the Children’s League helps break Ruby out of Thurmond. The plan is to start her in her new life assisting the Children’s League to take down those who would harm the children. But Ruby finds a different path, one of a stowaway.  Here she meets Liam, Chubs and Zu. They are on a mission to find East River the fabled place that is a safe haven for Psi kids. The journey is anything but easy and leaves everyone to make some of the toughest decisions of their lives.

            The writing in this book is perfection. It makes you feel like you are right there besides them. I could hear the music, feel the AC and taste the fear these kids lived with daily. Alexandra Bracken writes compellingly and allows Liam to transcend the stereotypes of YA love interests. Not to say that he isn’t good looking but he has more redeeming qualities than just his good looks. He treats everyone around him with care and respect. Well, that is true except for Chubs, who he treats like an annoying brother. 
           Overall, I give this book five stars. I have read it at least 7 times and I still can’t get over it. I love it, hopefully you will/do too. Interesting side note, my son has seen me read this enough he knows the cover and dubs it "my book".

No comments:

Post a Comment