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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
4.5 STARS!!!
When finishing a book, deciding what to rate it is tricky. Whenever I fall on a half star, I have to decide whether to round down or up when placing the initial "star review". I chose to round up, because WOW! This series ended in a way that I was happy about. The book is about the kids who survived the Los Angeles attack and where/how they decide to rebuild. This group has so much information about IAAN and they know how to get more, and a good chunk of the book is figuring out how to get proof of what they need. Plus, they're also trying to find ways to free all of the different camps across the US. PLUS, there is tension between Ruby and the other characters.
PROS:
There was so much about this conclusion that I absolutely adored.
~The characters developed SO MUCH throughout this novel! Almost every single character had a pivotal moment that led them to be stronger, more versatile, and more interesting to read about.
~The beginning of the book, where they are all still trying to figure things out, was captivating and engaged me right away!
~
~The plot was so much more engaging in this book than in the second book
~VIDA !!!! Like, I'm obsessed with her and who she becomes throughout this novel... and her little
~Another note on Vida, every single relationship she builds is so incredible in this book, especially compared to the last one. I love her so much <3 <3 <3
~ THE ENDING WAS AMAZING AND I LEGIT CRIED
CONS:
~RUBY!!!! Oh my god, she may be the most annoying main character I've had to deal with in a long time. She struggled in balancing the relationships in her life and she always needed to be the hero, which got old FAST! She also struggled in coping with what happened in Los Angeles, but for 50% of the book, it controlled almost everything she did, which got frustrating!
~The Ruby/Liam dynamic, although I routed for it, got old. Constantly having this back and forth was not necessary, and the book probably could have been cut down AT LEAST 100 pages without it.
~Liam himself made some STUPID decisions, mainly because of his ego!
Overall, although it took me longer to read this series than it typically would, I absolutely loved it, and although the third book had me annoyed with a few of the main characters, the other characters made up for it in a heart beat!!! I do recommend reading this book even if you didn't particularly like the second one, because same!! And here I am!!
When finishing a book, deciding what to rate it is tricky. Whenever I fall on a half star, I have to decide whether to round down or up when placing the initial "star review". I chose to round up, because WOW! This series ended in a way that I was happy about. The book is about the kids who survived the Los Angeles attack and where/how they decide to rebuild. This group has so much information about IAAN and they know how to get more, and a good chunk of the book is figuring out how to get proof of what they need. Plus, they're also trying to find ways to free all of the different camps across the US. PLUS, there is tension between Ruby and the other characters.
PROS:
There was so much about this conclusion that I absolutely adored.
~The characters developed SO MUCH throughout this novel! Almost every single character had a pivotal moment that led them to be stronger, more versatile, and more interesting to read about.
~The beginning of the book, where they are all still trying to figure things out, was captivating and engaged me right away!
~
Spoiler
CHARACTERS FROM THE FIRST BOOK ARE BACK IN THIS ONE!!!!! OH MY GOD, I may have cried a little when they found... you know who!!! Also, her development was the best of them all~The plot was so much more engaging in this book than in the second book
~VIDA !!!! Like, I'm obsessed with her and who she becomes throughout this novel... and her little
Spoiler
fling with a certain boy makes me wishy-washy all over ;)~Another note on Vida, every single relationship she builds is so incredible in this book, especially compared to the last one. I love her so much <3 <3 <3
~ THE ENDING WAS AMAZING AND I LEGIT CRIED
CONS:
~RUBY!!!! Oh my god, she may be the most annoying main character I've had to deal with in a long time. She struggled in balancing the relationships in her life and she always needed to be the hero, which got old FAST! She also struggled in coping with what happened in Los Angeles, but for 50% of the book, it controlled almost everything she did, which got frustrating!
~The Ruby/Liam dynamic, although I routed for it, got old. Constantly having this back and forth was not necessary, and the book probably could have been cut down AT LEAST 100 pages without it.
~Liam himself made some STUPID decisions, mainly because of his ego!
Overall, although it took me longer to read this series than it typically would, I absolutely loved it, and although the third book had me annoyed with a few of the main characters, the other characters made up for it in a heart beat!!! I do recommend reading this book even if you didn't particularly like the second one, because same!! And here I am!!
A little slow to start but definitely a satisfying conclusion. I like Bracken's pacing. I just wish "darlin'" weren't so unbelievably jarring. It breaks be out of the story every single time. :)
I have to say, while this book could move slowly at some points, I certainly enjoyed it more than the second book in the series, Never Fade. I'm also a fan of the happy ending, even if it works out a little too easily. There are some problems I had with the series as a whole, but I feel that is more on me than it is anything to do with the books. I can see why the books are popular and well-loved, they just didn't fit me as well. Even with problems, though, I can say that I very much love the cast of characters in this series. They're easily the best part!
In the Afterlight is the final installment of The Darkest Minds trilogy and offers a really satisfying conclusion to a really great series. YA lit seems to be oversaturated with books centered around dystopian societies and I feel like a lot of readers are tired of what seems to be the same stories told over and over again. Alexandra Bracken doesn’t reinvent the wheel with this book or her overall trilogy, but she crafts a story that actually makes me care what happens to the characters and their world. Ruby is great heroine, but the supporting characters such as Chubs, Liam, Vida, and Zu are amazing as well. The characters, their struggles, and their relationships with one another give the story its heart and its backbone. As much as people might complain about the prevalence of dystopian ya, readers are drawn to those stories for a reason--we want to read about despair, revolution, and triumph because they make amazing elements when done right. In the Afterlight and the Darkest Minds trilogy certainly delivers and I can’t recommend these books enough.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I haven't reviewed in a while oops. Any who, it took me a long time to finish this trilogy (thanks life and also really slow plot progression) but I think I ultimately really like it?? Never Fade made me truly question my decision to try to read it again, but this was a really good wrap-up. There were certainly a few things left open-ended that would make me angry if I didn't know there was already a new series happening so. Go Darkest Minds. Go Alex Bracken. Go stream-of-consciousness reviews.
4/5
4/5
This book messed with my head completely. At one point I could actually hear my heart beating because I was so terrified about what happened, then actually laughed out loud with relief at the result, then felt like a total dick.
*2.5*
This book was so s l o w
For a last book not a lot happened and all the action took place at the last 15% of the book! I wasn't in love with the characters and I hated the communication problems throughout the book. It was so frustrating.
The ending was okay. I actually felt sad for Clancy a little bit. I just couldn't hate him.
Overall, this trilogy wasn't for me but I think the second book was the best one. It had the most action and it was fast paced compared to other two.
This book was so s l o w
For a last book not a lot happened and all the action took place at the last 15% of the book! I wasn't in love with the characters and I hated the communication problems throughout the book. It was so frustrating.
The ending was okay. I actually felt sad for Clancy a little bit. I just couldn't hate him.
Spoiler
I actually was expecting him to turn good and help them but oh well.Overall, this trilogy wasn't for me but I think the second book was the best one. It had the most action and it was fast paced compared to other two.
this was definitely my favorite book of the trilogy. it started off a little slow but once things got going i couldn't put it down. i really enjoyed the way the plot and conflict came to a head and ultimately was resolved. it felt realistic and did a great job of questioning all the questions i had. my favorite aspect ended up being the characters. i realized while reading this book just how much i had came to love and care about the little crew we had been following around. all the of main characters and, especially, the side characters were so funny and complex and lovable. there was one side character storyline i really wanted more of but i think it's going to be explored in the last novella so i wasn't totally disappointed about it. overall, not one of my favorite series but still one that i enjoyed reading for the most part.