Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
I felt it was slow the first 70% but the last 30% made it a five star read. I felt the ending was perfect.
This book was another one that almost got five stars. IT WAS JUST THAT GOOD, OKAY! Firstly, the characters, secondly, the characters, thirdly the themes, fourthly the plot and DID I MENTION THE CHARACTERS? *fangirls for a little while like a pro*
Ruby
Ruby is, as ever, our main character. A lot of authors add additional viewpoints (Veronica Roth, Ally Condie, Amy Tinterra) but I was totally happy with her one. One thing I loved was that Ruby was shown as a flawed human being She made mistakes. And she was aware of it, and she tried to do better, she didn’t just accept herself as she was. She is an excellent leader, but I was delighted that she wasn’t the only leader. For example, I loved the dynamic between her and Cole. They had to make choices, but they made good ones. Ruby also doesn’t come across as utterly independent She relies on other people, even when it’s hard for her. She has this incredible protective instinct that she just can’t help even when it’s hurtful to people. She came across as willing to take action, willing to make judgements, willing to change the way that she was perceived, but also aware of her limitations. Her debates about when and how to use her powers gave me such insights to who she was. She tried to do the right thing, but it wasn’t always possible. (also, her and Lee? AAAAAAGGGH *squee*)
Zu
First off, let me just say that I loved that Zu started talking. And it was a choice entirely of her own and she had such great stuff to say and I pretty much loved it. She’s amazing. Ruby is also very protective of Zu. It’s fairly obvious that she appears in this book and she does. She doesn’t use her powers much, but she’s still a really interesting character and adds another perspective to all the violence that they were doing.
Liam
Liam is, as ever, excellent. I did find all the ‘darlin’s’ a bit excessive, but through Brackens amazing writing I can totally understand his point of view. I loved that he adovocated for non-violence that is a hugely important perspective in often bloody dystopia’s. I liked how he got involved with the garage. And him and Cole were totally amazing, of course. He was trying to make a place for himself in the world and I think that he succeeded. He is a really interesting character. Like Zu, his powers aren’t that important. But In the Afterlight isn’t really about powers, its’ about choices, and I completely enjoyed his choices.
Vida
(This is a character based book. It’s gonna go on for a while.) Vida is so spiky, but so loving. The few times that she had really meaningful conversations with Ruby, she came across as amazing. She is sort of afraid of people, but also absolutely confident in herself. She acts terribly sometimes, but once again, I understand why. She is someone who is desperately afraid of getting her heart hurt again, yet speaks for forgiveness and kindness, over and over and over. Also her ‘arrangement’ with Chubs *dies of feels and happiness*
Nico
I read Never Fade eight months ago, and I couldn’t really remember the details of Nico’s betrayal. But he is amazing(again) in this book. I liked how he was always on the computers, someone actually using their power. His conversation with Clancy meant so much and was so excellent and made a lot of sense and also he named the program ‘Jude’? He’s really interesting, and his development and forgiveness was an amazing journey to watch (sorry about the superlatives, guys) He deserves his own book, really. What is gonna happen to him after the end?
Clancy (finally)
I still don’t get Clancy. But I do understand him a LITTLE bit more. What he said made sense, and while I don’t feel sorry for him, I do get that he was someone who was hurt over and over and over but those he reached out to. His conversations with Ruby are revealing to say the least. I found that the whole Clancy-was-controlling-me-ick-ick-ick thing wasn’t really explored in depth, eclipsed by other things, which was annoying. But I do get why he did that We do see in this novel that he isn’t always perfect at reading minds. But he also developed. And maybe there was a little glimmer of compassion once or twice. after that ending where he is stripped of who he is I certainly didn’t hate him any more
Honourable Mention
Chubs, Cate, Cole, (haha, all the C’s), Lillian Gray, Zach, Pretty much everyone, yeah
Themes
This review is horribly long, so I’ll make it quick. There were a lot of discussions around ethical leadership and violence and pretty much choices (what it always comes back to) These themes were discussed really well. I loved how all the characters had opinions and they talked about them. And these things have actual relevance to peoples lives (in the book, and IRL actually) It showed their deeper sides. All the ‘team meetings’ were pretty much fabulous.
Acceptance is obviously a huge deal (especially with today’s breaking news). I loved how diverse-not-for-the-sake-of-being-diverse In the Afterlight was. But it talks about acceptance in a not-contemporary-US setting, which is so great. I liked how it was a big deal and something they’d always have to live with Also, that conference at the end XD People who are different will always take a while to be accepted and the team Amazing kids are fully prepared to deal with that.
Plot
I’m not going to say much (because spoilers, sorry) but. Action-Packed. Ever-Twisting. Invovles everyone. Excellent ending. Lots of sadness. Some happiness. Entirely new contexts. Coming full circle. I’m going to just sing my happy song now.
So that was it, guys. In the Afterlight, a book I loved. The only reason it doesn’t (quite) get five stars is because the characters did some really dumb things (even though this was explained) and I also struggled with some of the depictions of violence, where Liam’s principles, though considered, weren’t really acted on.
Ruby
Ruby is, as ever, our main character. A lot of authors add additional viewpoints (Veronica Roth, Ally Condie, Amy Tinterra) but I was totally happy with her one. One thing I loved was that Ruby was shown as a flawed human being She made mistakes. And she was aware of it, and she tried to do better, she didn’t just accept herself as she was. She is an excellent leader, but I was delighted that she wasn’t the only leader. For example, I loved the dynamic between her and Cole. They had to make choices, but they made good ones. Ruby also doesn’t come across as utterly independent She relies on other people, even when it’s hard for her. She has this incredible protective instinct that she just can’t help even when it’s hurtful to people. She came across as willing to take action, willing to make judgements, willing to change the way that she was perceived, but also aware of her limitations. Her debates about when and how to use her powers gave me such insights to who she was. She tried to do the right thing, but it wasn’t always possible. (also, her and Lee? AAAAAAGGGH *squee*)
Zu
Liam
Liam is, as ever, excellent. I did find all the ‘darlin’s’ a bit excessive, but through Brackens amazing writing I can totally understand his point of view. I loved that he adovocated for non-violence that is a hugely important perspective in often bloody dystopia’s. I liked how he got involved with the garage. And him and Cole were totally amazing, of course. He was trying to make a place for himself in the world and I think that he succeeded. He is a really interesting character. Like Zu, his powers aren’t that important. But In the Afterlight isn’t really about powers, its’ about choices, and I completely enjoyed his choices.
Vida
(This is a character based book. It’s gonna go on for a while.) Vida is so spiky, but so loving. The few times that she had really meaningful conversations with Ruby, she came across as amazing. She is sort of afraid of people, but also absolutely confident in herself. She acts terribly sometimes, but once again, I understand why. She is someone who is desperately afraid of getting her heart hurt again, yet speaks for forgiveness and kindness, over and over and over.
Nico
I read Never Fade eight months ago, and I couldn’t really remember the details of Nico’s betrayal. But he is amazing(again) in this book. I liked how he was always on the computers, someone actually using their power.
Clancy (finally)
I still don’t get Clancy. But I do understand him a LITTLE bit more. What he said made sense, and while I don’t feel sorry for him, I do get that he was someone who was hurt over and over and over but those he reached out to. His conversations with Ruby are revealing to say the least.
Honourable Mention
Chubs, Cate, Cole, (haha, all the C’s), Lillian Gray, Zach, Pretty much everyone, yeah
Themes
This review is horribly long, so I’ll make it quick. There were a lot of discussions around ethical leadership and violence and pretty much choices (what it always comes back to) These themes were discussed really well. I loved how all the characters had opinions and they talked about them. And these things have actual relevance to peoples lives (in the book, and IRL actually) It showed their deeper sides. All the ‘team meetings’ were pretty much fabulous.
Acceptance is obviously a huge deal (especially with today’s breaking news). I loved how diverse-not-for-the-sake-of-being-diverse In the Afterlight was. But it talks about acceptance in a not-contemporary-US setting, which is so great. I liked how it was a big deal and something they’d always have to live with
Plot
I’m not going to say much (because spoilers, sorry) but. Action-Packed. Ever-Twisting. Invovles everyone. Excellent ending. Lots of sadness. Some happiness. Entirely new contexts. Coming full circle. I’m going to just sing my happy song now.
So that was it, guys. In the Afterlight, a book I loved. The only reason it doesn’t (quite) get five stars is because the characters did some really dumb things (even though this was explained) and I also struggled with some of the depictions of violence, where Liam’s principles, though considered, weren’t really acted on.
After having to wait quite a while to read this book, i realized that i dont care so much about this series. For me, its just average, at least compared to other books I had read. I didn't care much for Ruby, or her relationship with Liam. I didn't even care much for the plot.
Oh my gosh! This book series took me on such a journey. There was such complexity to it I wouldn't have imagined when I first picked up the series.
My biggest continuing thought was "How is this all going to end?" ever since book 1 I wasn't sure how the politics, dystopianness, economics, camps etc were all going to peace themselves into a "happy ending" but I really loved the way Bracken wove it all together.
I like how Passenger and The Darkest Minds series both have such a different feel to them. It is cool to see that an author can write more than one type of story.
My biggest continuing thought was "How is this all going to end?" ever since book 1 I wasn't sure how the politics, dystopianness, economics, camps etc were all going to peace themselves into a "happy ending" but I really loved the way Bracken wove it all together.
I like how Passenger and The Darkest Minds series both have such a different feel to them. It is cool to see that an author can write more than one type of story.
[4.5]
This book. Let's talk about this book.
Overall, I think it was a pretty great conclusion to an amazing series. I loved how Alexandra Bracken didn't sugar-coated things, and how she let her characters feel grieve and pain and guilt. Her characters are FANTASTIC. Probably the strongest aspect of the series. So, if you're even just a little bit curious about The Darkest Minds, go read it! It's full of adventure and roadtrips and funny moments and greatness.
[SPOILERS]
Now, let me explain why I took away half a star: first, the relationship between Ruby and Liam. I hated how stupid they were being in the first half of the book. It was just ridiculous. I-want-to-punch-them ridiculous.
Second, the whole Clancy thing. It just got kind of old. I figured out what was happening in her first "sleepwalk". I just got annoyed with the fact that she was fooled three times by the same person.
AND COLE. I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T TRUST YOU COMPLETELY. I'M SO HURT AND SO SAD.
AND VIDA AND CHUBS!!!!!!!!!! CAN WE GET A NOVELLA ABOUT THEM??????????????? I KIND OF LOVE THEM
Another thing: NICO AND CLANCY. OH MY GOD. I'm not exactally surprise, just OMG. Everything is so much more clear now.
Basically, I'm fangirling. Alexandra, you got yourself a fan!
This book. Let's talk about this book.
Overall, I think it was a pretty great conclusion to an amazing series. I loved how Alexandra Bracken didn't sugar-coated things, and how she let her characters feel grieve and pain and guilt. Her characters are FANTASTIC. Probably the strongest aspect of the series. So, if you're even just a little bit curious about The Darkest Minds, go read it! It's full of adventure and roadtrips and funny moments and greatness.
[SPOILERS]
Now, let me explain why I took away half a star: first, the relationship between Ruby and Liam. I hated how stupid they were being in the first half of the book. It was just ridiculous. I-want-to-punch-them ridiculous.
Second, the whole Clancy thing. It just got kind of old. I figured out what was happening in her first "sleepwalk". I just got annoyed with the fact that she was fooled three times by the same person.
AND COLE. I'M SO SORRY I DIDN'T TRUST YOU COMPLETELY. I'M SO HURT AND SO SAD.
AND VIDA AND CHUBS!!!!!!!!!! CAN WE GET A NOVELLA ABOUT THEM??????????????? I KIND OF LOVE THEM
Another thing: NICO AND CLANCY. OH MY GOD. I'm not exactally surprise, just OMG. Everything is so much more clear now.
Basically, I'm fangirling. Alexandra, you got yourself a fan!
This is probably the best conclusion to a trilogy that I have ever read. It is true, at first Ruby is a bit annoying, because she is suffering from Jude's death at the end of the last book. Soon, though, she recovers, and is back to normal. She is such a strong protagonist, and carries this story really well. Liam is, in one word- AMAZING. He is the sweetest, most honest boyfriend any girl can ever have, and sometimes Ruby overlooks him, which causes some problems (no spoilers). Liam is so heartfelt and good in everything that he does, and it is refreshing to see someone like that. Chubs and Vida and Cole and Cate and Clancy and everyone else are so well developed, each becoming real on the pages, flesh wrought from fiction. They are all broken, in one way or another, and it is the healing proccess- the piecing together of the jagged shards- that makes them human. It is beautiful.
Definitely a must read.
Definitely a must read.
This book made me cry so much... only good books can make me do that. The book took me a little while to finish because it got a bit dry at the middle, but the ending is a whirlwind of emotions. This book really left me speechless. It was an excellent conclusion to the series. I think the politics and issues in this book are scarily realistic. But that's one of the things that made me love this book. The ending was exactly what I had hoped for (except I was hoping a few characters would've been in that car as well).
Overall, I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for an intelligent YA trilogy!
Overall, I would highly recommend this series to anyone looking for an intelligent YA trilogy!
WARNING: Spoilers for the last two books are included in this review.
"Are you sure this isn't a nightmare?" He asked quietly. "And that we won't just wake up?"
"Yes," I said after some time.
Because dreamers always wake up and leave their monsters behind. (Page 64)
This book was awesome. It lived up to all of my expectations and more, and was very satisfying as a last book in the trilogy. Reading this series a second time really made me see why I love it so much. It's not just the plot, the writing or the world building. That stuff is all excellent, but it's the characters that have stolen my heart from page one. I've said this in all my other reviews, but Alexandra Bracken knows how to write characters. They are multi-layered, constantly growing and changing as they should. They feel so authentic, which makes an amazing reading experience.
So in this book, the stakes are higher. After the horrible events of Never Fade, the characters are all struggling with grief and sorrow. Ruby especially is hit hard by the death of her friend, and you see her struggle with it throughout the entire book. Ruby made some choices in this one that I didn't always like or agree with. She pushed people away and isolated herself, however she still has an interesting narrative. Her dynamics with other characters, especially with Liam, Chubs, Cole, Zu and Vida were so well written.
Liam and Ruby are adorable together, and it was really great to see them work through their issues together. And of course, Liam said such sweet things to her like:
"The you that you were then, who you are now, who you'll be, I love you. With my whole heart. My whole life, however long I'm lucky enough to get, nothing will change for me." (Page 416)
Well, it's quite adorable and swoon worthy to be honest.
Chubs and Zu were amazing, (as usual) but I also really grew a love for Vida. I loved her character in Never Fade, but we get to see another side of her in this book, which I loved. She is so wise, especially after the things she went through. And she also has amazing quotable dialogue!
"I get scared too. Thing is, though, fear is worthless. It stops you when you need to keep moving most. And it only exists inside your head. You can hate yourself for being scared, but that's still letting it control your life. Aren't you tired of that same old shit? It's just going to keep dragging you down." (Page 255)
And now let's talk about Clancy. I don't like him. He's horrible, manipulative, and is all around a bad person. Yet there is something so charismatic and charming about him that makes him such a great character. He's one of the most complex characters in this series, and I felt really sympathetic towards him. By the end, (even though he's horrible) I ended up really liking him and enjoying his character.
Moving on from characters, a lot of my questions were answered about IAAN, and about its origins. (Finally!) It really solidified the story to finally know the truth. The plot was action packed, full of mystery and intrigue. It was sad and bleak at some points, but was still balanced with some fun one liners and snark.
The climax was perfectly executed. It had a mixture of suspense, action, and emotion that left me on the edge of my seat without being able to put it down.
I would have liked to see more about President Gray, but unfortunately he wasn't really in the book, which was disappointing.
The ending was really great! It was satisfying, but I felt that the loose ends were tied up a bit too nicely for Ruby...however it was still nice.
Overall, this series is one of my favourites. Fun and action-packed, with some of the best characterization, this series will not disappoint! Read it if you haven't had a chance to! It's certainly worth checking out.
"Zu's crying face the other night floated to the forefront of my mind, only to be replaced by the memory of Chubs confession about the requirements of being a skip tracer, him being shot; Liam's battered face--all of them were linked in my mind now. They'd never fade, not even in the afterlight of all of this." (Page 199)
"Are you sure this isn't a nightmare?" He asked quietly. "And that we won't just wake up?"
"Yes," I said after some time.
Because dreamers always wake up and leave their monsters behind. (Page 64)
This book was awesome. It lived up to all of my expectations and more, and was very satisfying as a last book in the trilogy. Reading this series a second time really made me see why I love it so much. It's not just the plot, the writing or the world building. That stuff is all excellent, but it's the characters that have stolen my heart from page one. I've said this in all my other reviews, but Alexandra Bracken knows how to write characters. They are multi-layered, constantly growing and changing as they should. They feel so authentic, which makes an amazing reading experience.
So in this book, the stakes are higher. After the horrible events of Never Fade, the characters are all struggling with grief and sorrow. Ruby especially is hit hard by the death of her friend, and you see her struggle with it throughout the entire book. Ruby made some choices in this one that I didn't always like or agree with. She pushed people away and isolated herself, however she still has an interesting narrative. Her dynamics with other characters, especially with Liam, Chubs, Cole, Zu and Vida were so well written.
Liam and Ruby are adorable together, and it was really great to see them work through their issues together. And of course, Liam said such sweet things to her like:
"The you that you were then, who you are now, who you'll be, I love you. With my whole heart. My whole life, however long I'm lucky enough to get, nothing will change for me." (Page 416)
Well, it's quite adorable and swoon worthy to be honest.
Chubs and Zu were amazing, (as usual) but I also really grew a love for Vida. I loved her character in Never Fade, but we get to see another side of her in this book, which I loved. She is so wise, especially after the things she went through. And she also has amazing quotable dialogue!
"I get scared too. Thing is, though, fear is worthless. It stops you when you need to keep moving most. And it only exists inside your head. You can hate yourself for being scared, but that's still letting it control your life. Aren't you tired of that same old shit? It's just going to keep dragging you down." (Page 255)
And now let's talk about Clancy. I don't like him. He's horrible, manipulative, and is all around a bad person. Yet there is something so charismatic and charming about him that makes him such a great character. He's one of the most complex characters in this series, and I felt really sympathetic towards him. By the end, (even though he's horrible) I ended up really liking him and enjoying his character.
Moving on from characters, a lot of my questions were answered about IAAN, and about its origins. (Finally!) It really solidified the story to finally know the truth. The plot was action packed, full of mystery and intrigue. It was sad and bleak at some points, but was still balanced with some fun one liners and snark.
The climax was perfectly executed. It had a mixture of suspense, action, and emotion that left me on the edge of my seat without being able to put it down.
I would have liked to see more about President Gray, but unfortunately he wasn't really in the book, which was disappointing.
The ending was really great! It was satisfying, but I felt that the loose ends were tied up a bit too nicely for Ruby...however it was still nice.
Overall, this series is one of my favourites. Fun and action-packed, with some of the best characterization, this series will not disappoint! Read it if you haven't had a chance to! It's certainly worth checking out.
"Zu's crying face the other night floated to the forefront of my mind, only to be replaced by the memory of Chubs confession about the requirements of being a skip tracer, him being shot; Liam's battered face--all of them were linked in my mind now. They'd never fade, not even in the afterlight of all of this." (Page 199)
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No