The Darkest Minds Review

496 pages

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control. Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

Review:
People always seem to get scared when others have something that they themselves cannot control. Kids are developing crazy abilities and of course the government decides the best option is to lock them up. Most of the kids don't understand their abilities fully and Ruby is one of them. All Ruby knows is that she survived a disease that killed most of her classmates and was locked up for it. Ruby is not the strongest character, she has a problem with standing up for herself and others. When Ruby escapes the camp she finally has a chance to grow and learn more about the reason behind her imprisonment. Along the way Ruby meets a variety of new people and learns that not everyone is what they appear to be on the surface. Liam is a pretty amazing character, he is strong and kind and willing to do whatever he can for those he cares about. Ruby's power makes it hard for her to be with Liam and they struggle throughout the whole story to be together. This story is full of action and adventure and seemingly everyone wanting something from Ruby and the power she carries within her. I can't wait to see what happens and where the story goes for Ruby in the next novel. I loved reading this and I would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian novels and mutant like abilities.