The Darkest Minds: Darkest Minds, Book 1

Love this book. I gotta say though.. Just like Hunger Games, divergent, Maze runner etc... I had to get passed the whole, kids killing kids.. adults killing kids thing. I'm not sure that's a good thing to "get over" because of how the kids are killed sometimes and treated-it's a bit brutal. This is going to be a movie in late 2018, so I started reading it. Now that I've read it, I might not be able to watch the movie depending on how true to the book it is. But that is just personal preference. If you are a parent, wondering if its okay for your kid to read, I would say definitely late teen. Its more violent than other YA books. I'm a parent and a teacher and I would save this book until they are a bit older. There's a lot of death, and a suggested/possible rape scene. No other sexual content so far, but lots of language from one character in book two.If you want an excellent read, by a wonderful writer, this is the book. It definitely keeps your attention, has great character depth, and is a unique story. I'm on book two now.

I saw Amandla Stenberg in the movie's trailers and it's actually the only reason I decided to finally read this. I had a lot of expectations but the book kinda read all over the place. The reading flow reminded me of being in a car where the driver likes to randomly stomp on the brakes when you least expect it. The writing style wasn't something I'd ever want to go through again, which is a shame, because I actually REALLY LIKED the way she could turn such mundane moments into art. Simple things like describing that moment when you're watching rain run down the glass window is amazingly good. I love how she can bring out those small moments you don't really think about but can get lost in when it happens. It's because of those scenes that this is a three-star rating and not lower. I feel like a really good editor would have easily made this book amazing.I'd recommend this because of Chubs, who was the only character I felt got the attention deserved to turn him into a really well-rounded, real, relatable and likable character. Even when he was rude or mean it was all for a reason and a really deep one that you could feel on so many levels. Oh, and the plot. Do it for the plot. Would I read the rest of the series? No, but I'm glad I did read this, because I met Chubs.

The story jumps around so much I cannot decipher what's happening in a scene. I have to keep rereading to comprehend what's happening in the scene. Even then, I still don't always get it. I just move on like, "welp, guess I don't know what just happened outside this gas station".There's a few fatphobic, and stigmatizing language around mental health. "Typical bipolar Virginia weather." Yikes, who wrote this, and how old are they? It reads simultaneously like a high schooler, and a boomer penned this.The love story is weeeeeaaaaak. I'll be transparent, I don't love love stories in my post apocalyptic books all the time, but if you're going to write it, draw me tf in, please.Ruby had so much potential to be less exhausting as a reader to take in. She just could have had more back bone. The whole, "I'm a monster" thing is just, well, tiresome.There isn't a whole lot of explanation around the illness. I'd love some awesome scientific explanation. I was really holding my breath for that. Like, there was your story.Y'all, this had so much potential. The idea was there. It's just executed so poorly.

The Darkest Minds was dark and intense. Though mildly predictable, it captivated me from the start and kept me turning pages until the very end. Then, it ripped my heart out and left me dying for book 2!I could not have guessed how much I would love this book! It was so good! The writing was amazing. The story setting was very detailed, and the characters really brought the book to life!At first glance, it seemed like the idea and plotline had been done before. But, the story still felt like it had its own originality to it. It was unique in the way the characters handled themselves, and the abilities of the children were unique and intriguing. The feeling I got from the story, and the ending, was what really made it different from other sc-fi/dystopian stories.Throughout the entire book I had this sense of hope, dread, and awe, all rolled in to one ball of emotion. It was terrifying waiting to find out if Ruby and the gang were going to get caught. I was in love with the friendship that blossomed between the group, and I never lost hope that they would find a safe place to just be.But, we were thrown for so many loops on this thrill ride. A lot of them were predictable, but a lot of them were so surprising, and exciting, and terrifying. And, it was these twists that defined who our beloved characters were and shaped them in to who they turned out to be at the end of the book.I loved watching Ruby grow and change from the scared little girl she was when she was thrown in to Thurmond. I loved getting the interaction and feeling the love blossom between Zu and the group as she showed them what unconditional friendship meant. I admired Chubs and how he found his courage through his loyalty to his friends, and my heart was absolutely taken with Liam and how protective and brave he was.This story was so powerful and deep. Underneath the sci-fi awesomeness and dystopian chaos was a message about the power of friendship and the importance of not letting racism and prejudice feed hate. It was vivid and dynamic and full of danger, excitement, a little bit of comedy, and love. 4.5 stars!Content warning for violence and attempted/assumed rape.

Id first like to begin by saying the world-building of this book is exceptional. There isn't a moment in this book where you can't clearly picture the scenery, surroundings or the atmosphere. & for an author to be able to immerse you into a real setting (of Virginia and surrounding areas), especially when you're from across the 'pond' is commendable.The dystopian depiction of the US is also very interesting to read about, and it fits it so well with the plot. Which is synonymous of the entire book; everything works, it flows really well, it's written beautifully.Moving forward; there are some really strong characters in this book and they all serve a purpose. They all have their own quirks and drive the plot forward and it's refreshing because too many books are full of 'fillers' only to provide a 'Deus ex machina'. You'll find yourself falling for them, and sometimes i found myself rushing to read through certain parts so i could get back to seeing them communicate with eachother.Even so, for all that, something about this book just didn’t sit right with me. I read the book in a few hours so you would assume id thoroughly enjoyed it, but after reading the final page I just wasn’t sure. I wasn't rushing to purchase the next.After a little thought, I think it has to do with the book being quite slow at times and also Ruby, the lead protagonist. I don't think I like her? ..let me explain; I think it's because she started off so timid, meek and feeble and when the book ended I don’t think there was much improvement.She has this amazing gift and rightly so, after all she’s been through she’s scared of it, but I was just waiting for her to become this badass and it just never happened. I think because the book is so beautifully written and immersive I began to see myself as Ruby and got frustrated when she made decisions I personally wouldn’t have made or felt sorry in a situation I would have owned. I think our personalities clashed a little, as she's perhaps too docile a character that I'm used to. AND she's 16 I have to keep reminding myself she's a child lolNevertheless I will be purchasing the next instalment because this book read beautifully and I'm pretty sure it's my own doing why I didn't enjoy it as much. I'm willing to give Ruby another chance this is only the first book, she has plenty of time to develop as a character and become the badass those little glimpses showed us she can be.Would recommend to any dystopian/fantasy reader

I'm a bit on the the fence with regards to this book. There were parts of it that I did really enjoy but the novel still did have a lot of problems. To begin with the positive, I really did like the world building. With the state of things in the world at present, the concept of children being whisked away to concentration camps touched very close to home, as did the way that the media tried to spin these work camps as fluffy "rehabilitation" centres.I also liked the gradual way that the world unfurled to the reader. Although the opening chapters were a bit confusing in places, the novel avoids exposition by slowly revealing the state of things. Due to this, it felt like a very immersive world. Ruby's narrative assumes that the reader is part of the story, and therefore does not need the distinction between the different "colours" explaining to them. The distinctions between reds, oranges, yellows, greens and blues slowly becomes apparent to the reader as the story progresses, as does the slow reveal of the state of things.Ruby's narrative also has a lot of heart in it - a naive optimism that her life can go back to the way it was that is slowly squashed as she discovers what the world has become. The Darkest Minds is not a happy novel. While always age appropriate, there is not a lot of hope to be found for the characters. The world for kids is dark and unwelcoming, filled with danger and potential death. Throughout the novel, Ruby and her friends are constantly hunted by adults and in constant danger from attacks by other suspicious tribes of kids. Any hope that is to be found within the tale is usually quickly squashed.Yet my first issues came in the story in terms of its pacing. For its length, not a lot actually happens within the story. While there are exciting moments, such as Ruby's early escape from the camp, there are long stretches of the protagonists just travelling or sitting around in conversation. When action does happen, its often hard to follow due to the way that the perspective is firmly fixed with Ruby (who generally has no idea of what is going on). Often, I found myself confused by what had happened until Ruby surveyed the aftermath.The novel ultimately did not really go anywhere. While Ruby flees from her "rescuers" early in the novel, she takes with her a panic button that can summon these people if she gets in trouble. From the way that the novel reminded the reader of this button's existence at key points, it was very clear that the story from that point was a bit of a cul-de-sac that would lead back to an obvious reunion. The ending of the novel was sad, but very open. There is no closure to be had in the story as it is clearly just intended to be the introduction to a longer series.In terms of characterisation, I also had several problems. Ruby is a likeable and sympathetic protagonist, but seemed far too mature and savvy for someone who had spent six years in a camp and received no education (or interacted with any boys) since she was ten. While I did like her a lot, her insta-love relationship with Liam really came out of nowhere and was reciprocated almost instantly. I was also disappointed that we did not see more of her learning to use her powers. Her time spent with Clancy was largely off page and occurred over a non-specified time period.The other protagonists also had varying degrees of development. While we do learn more about Liam, Chubs and Zu as the story progresses, the story seemed to have some gaping holes that were not explored. When did Zu lose her voice? Why was Chubs so reluctant to lose his power? Why were the characters so painfully unaware of Jack's situation? What did the flashes that Ruby saw in Cate's mind mean? Hopefully, these are things that will be addressed in a future novel.I also felt that Clancy was introduced far too late in the novel to build any true sense of threat. The danger that he poses in the story feels very small potatoes, and is only really felt in the novel's final quarter. Again, this is something that I am sure will be focused on in future novels but was not felt much here.So, all in all, I was left feeling unimpressed. I did not dislike this story, but I was not blow away either. However, it does show potential and I will certainly be reading on to see if things pick up in the next volume.

WHAT !!!! No Wait?!?! That's it ????? I'm sorry but it can't just finish like that...... come on !!!!!!!!Holy crap bags Batman this book is sooo good.I mean this is actually a bump into someone on purpose, just to be able to talk to someone about it good.So this is a normal little girls story. We shall call her Ruby.Now Ruby is just about to have her 10th birthday and dang it, she manages to wipe her parents memories just by giving them a kiss on their cheeks as they are sleeping.Ruby is an Orange! !!Kids are basically dropping dead around about 10yrs old and up, not all of them do though and they develop these powers that range from electricity to mind control.So, after they report a stranger ( but not really ) in their kitchen, Rubys parents ship her off to a camp to "help" her to get better.The camps are supposed to be a good thing and parents willingly send their children however the kids are treated like cattle.Depending on the power they are put into groups green, yellow, orange blue and red.After escaping from the camp Ruby meets up with Chubs, Zu and Liam (swoon).These guys are amazing and their friendship blooms before our eyes.This book is filled with everything, friendship, love, loss and betrayal.DROP WHAT EVER YOU ARE DOING AND READ THIS BOOK NOW

"Did you know.....you make me so happy that sometimes I actually forget to breathe? I'll be looking at you, and my chest will get so tight...and it's like, the only thought in my head is how much I want to reach over and kiss you"The moment you fall in love with a fictional character. Yep it happened. Liam is completely mine. Every time he called Ruby darlin I got little butterflies in my tummy. Why did I wait so long to read The Darkest Mind?? It gripped me from the beginning, and that ending WTF Ruby why would you do that!!!!! I need book two now.

4.5 starsWow wow wow!! I can't even process what has just happened. This book has had me all over the place but it certainly did not disappoint! I felt so many emotions and literally cried real tears at the end.. I loved it! So I guess you are wondering why not 5 stars? I feel at the start it took forever to get into but I am so glad I stuck with it.Ruby is nearing 10 years old, she's living the best life out a bad situation. She has loving parents, a good home, loads of friends, well the ones she hasn't lost yet. What happens when a sickness unravels the country? A sickness that scares the nation, a sickness they cannot find a cure for? What if suddenly no one remembers you.. you are alone.. forced to a camp with kids who all have a "sickness".I absolutely adored the concept of this book, the characters were all so likeable, loveable and extremely unique. I had read over half way through the book and the film came out at the cinema, in true Amanda ways I rushed to go see it and while I thought the film was ok I was disappointed they missed out so much of the book and thought damn now I've ruined the rest of the book for myself, boy was I wrong! It is completely different, the book is way better and I did not expect any of it.Our characters were so strong, first, we have Ruby, just when you think she is going to be a complete pushover she pulls it out the bag. She is so likeable, and I usually hate leading ladies!! There was no insta love she was just trying to find her way like any normal teenager. I loved her. We had Zu, Oh my god my heart melted with her!! I absolutely adored her from the start. Chubs had me giggling all the way through the book because he was just hilarious, once again like a normal teen. Then we had Liam, our swoon-worthy knight in shining armour who you instantly like (and can I just say Harris Dickinson who plays him in the movie does not disappoint either!). Lastly, we have Charles.. oh I have a love-hate relationship with him!! I like a good but bad guy.. who doesn't?!I loved how everyone had their own unique abilities even though they were all bundled into colours - it was really cool. It set the bar as you thought they were all going to be the same with the same powers yadda yadda yadda but it wasn't. It was fresh and I liked it a lot! I feel there was plenty of growth in the story and it all tied up nicely- what wasn't to like?! (well except the non-consensual kissing part.. creepy jumps at you).I feel the book is like x-men but kids.. kinda like what New Mutants is going to be like next year. I think if the film stuck to more like the book it would have been a major hit like The Hunger Games and Maze Runner, such a shame they changed it so much like they did with Divergent! Give it a read you won't be disappointed."Did you know... you make me so happy that sometimes I actually forget to breathe? I'll be looking at you, and my chest will get so tight... and it's like, the only thought in my head is how much I want to reach over and kiss you."