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ollieoxnfree's review against another edition
4.0
I cried so damn hard at the end of this book. She better make it up in the next one!!!!!! I can't say a single thing or I will give it away!
Okay, I will say this. There were a million times I thought I had the story figured out only for her to all of a sudden switch it up the moment you got comfortable! Each time I thought I knew where she was going with this she would subtly turn you another direction, then down a cliff.
It started out as a kiddy ride then turned into a full blown roller coaster! Can't wait to get to the next one!
Okay, I will say this. There were a million times I thought I had the story figured out only for her to all of a sudden switch it up the moment you got comfortable! Each time I thought I knew where she was going with this she would subtly turn you another direction, then down a cliff.
It started out as a kiddy ride then turned into a full blown roller coaster! Can't wait to get to the next one!
ellabean_28's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
hurrikanekathrina's review against another edition
3.0
3 - 3.5 Stars
The concept was interesting, and so were a few (very few) characters, but the main character Ruby was just so dumb and weak that it was hard to enjoy the story. Also, this didn't really "ignite me", which sometimes can happen even though a book is really good.. It then takes me a bit longer to get into a story.
It started out very interesting but somehow got kind of boring during the middle... the premice of the IAAN and the camps was a very interesting concept, but I felt like we threw away some great potential here... maybe we'll see more of that in Never Fade.
I do like Chubs, he is funny and intelligent and Zu was kinda cool, too. Apart from these two, all the other characters were rather boring and cliché. What is it that you all see in Liam?
The ending with Ruby and Liam surprised me as well.
I'm definetely reading the second one (Never Fade) because this still has potential, but I don't see how this is the "best book ever". Reminded me of a lot of other franchises like x-men (kids with superpowers) or even TMI (mild spoiler: I'm talking about the character constellation of Liam - Ruby - Clancy... that was soo Jace - Clary - Sebastian, just that Jace and Sebastian are strong, well-developed, solid characters and Liam and Clancy aren't)
The cover and the cover of Never Fade are beautiful though! Also, props for the title: "the darkest minds". That's a pretty cool title. The writing was also solid IMO.
That's pretty much all there is to say about it for me...
The concept was interesting, and so were a few (very few) characters, but the main character Ruby was just so dumb and weak that it was hard to enjoy the story. Also, this didn't really "ignite me", which sometimes can happen even though a book is really good.. It then takes me a bit longer to get into a story.
It started out very interesting but somehow got kind of boring during the middle... the premice of the IAAN and the camps was a very interesting concept, but I felt like we threw away some great potential here... maybe we'll see more of that in Never Fade.
I do like Chubs, he is funny and intelligent and Zu was kinda cool, too. Apart from these two, all the other characters were rather boring and cliché. What is it that you all see in Liam?
The ending with Ruby and Liam surprised me as well.
I'm definetely reading the second one (Never Fade) because this still has potential, but I don't see how this is the "best book ever". Reminded me of a lot of other franchises like x-men (kids with superpowers) or even TMI (mild spoiler: I'm talking about the character constellation of Liam - Ruby - Clancy... that was soo Jace - Clary - Sebastian, just that Jace and Sebastian are strong, well-developed, solid characters and Liam and Clancy aren't)
The cover and the cover of Never Fade are beautiful though! Also, props for the title: "the darkest minds". That's a pretty cool title. The writing was also solid IMO.
That's pretty much all there is to say about it for me...
hollydoo97's review against another edition
4.0
I grew up in the era of dystopian young adult series. However, I had never even heard of this series until I received it as a "YA Dystopian - blind date with a book". It is so incredibly easy to love and cheer for these characters. The story is unique and begs the question of how far the world will go if our children, the future of our species, develop faster than our ability to understand them?
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
August 31, 2017:
[re-read for my Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017]
This is the first book I've re-read for a very, very long time. I think the last time I sat down and straight up re-read something was in 2012 or so and it was something short, probably The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I've spent too long just trying to bust through as many books as I could this last while and, after reading a few duds recently, I was really fed up with trying to find a good, new book. Yeah, I'm certain there are dozens upon hundreds upon thousands of books that are bound to become my new favorites, but you know what's easier than sifting through Goodreads for two hours trying to find a book that, A. sounds good to me and, B. is also on Audible? Just re-reading a book I already know I love and already have on Audible.
That, paired with the fact that the movie adaptation is coming out next year and the other fact that this book is fucking rad, is why I'm dedicating my reading/listening time for the foreseeable future to re-rereading books I love and books I haven't read for a long time. I'm calling it the Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017 because I'm a nerd.
It's been two and a half years since I binged The Darkest Minds in its entirety (save for Through the Dark, which I hope I'll be able to make myself read this time around) and, even though it hasn't been THAT long, I can't believe how easily I forgot how absolutely fun, well-paced, and just plain great this book is. Never Fade and In the Afterlight are much, MUCH darker books and their pacing isn't as nicely executed (from what I remember, at least) as this book is. It's slick, it's a joy ride of a story, and it's one of those stories where the core four characters just stay with you hours after you've closed the cover or taken your headphones off. Amy McFadden's narration is excellent and she assists Alexandra Bracken in painting perfect mental pictures of each character, major or minor.
To say this is a masterful first novel in a trilogy is a MASSIVE understatement, especially since this book is miles above its successors. This book is why I love this series. I love the road trip, the banter, the tension, the hate you feel for the PSF's, Clancy, and all other forces that oppose my beloved Ruby, Liam, Chubs, and Zu, I love how excited this novel makes me, how engrossed I get in Ruby's struggle with herself and her new family of friends, and I love how heartbreaking the ending (which you will NEVER EVER EVER catch me spoiling because it's JUST. TOO. GOOD.) is and how much my heart hurts during that last chapter.
I love this book. If you haven't read it, change that. It's excellent in so, so many ways.
March 31, 2015:
Firstly: best audiobook I've ever heard
Secondly: this book is great
Thirdly: everything hurts
Fourthly: good thing I already have Never Fade on my Audible already
[re-read for my Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017]
This is the first book I've re-read for a very, very long time. I think the last time I sat down and straight up re-read something was in 2012 or so and it was something short, probably The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I've spent too long just trying to bust through as many books as I could this last while and, after reading a few duds recently, I was really fed up with trying to find a good, new book. Yeah, I'm certain there are dozens upon hundreds upon thousands of books that are bound to become my new favorites, but you know what's easier than sifting through Goodreads for two hours trying to find a book that, A. sounds good to me and, B. is also on Audible? Just re-reading a book I already know I love and already have on Audible.
That, paired with the fact that the movie adaptation is coming out next year and the other fact that this book is fucking rad, is why I'm dedicating my reading/listening time for the foreseeable future to re-rereading books I love and books I haven't read for a long time. I'm calling it the Greatest Hits Bookshelf Tour 2017 because I'm a nerd.
It's been two and a half years since I binged The Darkest Minds in its entirety (save for Through the Dark, which I hope I'll be able to make myself read this time around) and, even though it hasn't been THAT long, I can't believe how easily I forgot how absolutely fun, well-paced, and just plain great this book is. Never Fade and In the Afterlight are much, MUCH darker books and their pacing isn't as nicely executed (from what I remember, at least) as this book is. It's slick, it's a joy ride of a story, and it's one of those stories where the core four characters just stay with you hours after you've closed the cover or taken your headphones off. Amy McFadden's narration is excellent and she assists Alexandra Bracken in painting perfect mental pictures of each character, major or minor.
To say this is a masterful first novel in a trilogy is a MASSIVE understatement, especially since this book is miles above its successors. This book is why I love this series. I love the road trip, the banter, the tension, the hate you feel for the PSF's, Clancy, and all other forces that oppose my beloved Ruby, Liam, Chubs, and Zu, I love how excited this novel makes me, how engrossed I get in Ruby's struggle with herself and her new family of friends, and I love how heartbreaking the ending (which you will NEVER EVER EVER catch me spoiling because it's JUST. TOO. GOOD.) is and how much my heart hurts during that last chapter.
I love this book. If you haven't read it, change that. It's excellent in so, so many ways.
March 31, 2015:
Firstly: best audiobook I've ever heard
Secondly: this book is great
Thirdly: everything hurts
Fourthly: good thing I already have Never Fade on my Audible already
milla28ciroth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-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
4.5
n3ron3ro's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
ebrae04's review against another edition
4.0
Although the world concept wasn't that arresting (teens gain special abilities after an apocalyptic event...sound familiar?) it was the depth and complexities of these characters that kept me reading. Liam and Ruby and Chubs and Suzume and Clancy and even that freaking weirdo Martin twisted my heart in so many big and little ways. Good or bad, each character makes you FEEL something, which I cannot say for some other YA dystopias. So even though the concept isn't interesting at face value, the characters make it interesting. The world feels real even if it includes magic kids separated by primary and secondary colors. The plot was a bit dragging in some parts and I did not like the love triangle subplot at ALL not even a little Liam will always be BAE. Definitely good for anyone looking for references to Watership Down they will have to unpack later, and a book dripping with feels.
kaitiecakes's review against another edition
1.0
It’s been a really long time since I have a book 1 star. This book dragged on so much and really didn’t have a plot to keep it going. It’s like the author stuck with the story line and that’s it put in little bits of problems and that’s it. Nothing kept me interested in this book. I can usually start a book and finish it in a day or two around working. This one took me 3 and I had to force myself to read it because there was just nothing.
I thought the writing in fifty shades of grey ash twilight were bad, this one takes the cake for horrible writing..
I’m interested to know what happens to Ruby with the league but not enough to read the remaining books in the series. Tomorrow I am going to the book story to try and trade in my series for something else.
I thought the writing in fifty shades of grey ash twilight were bad, this one takes the cake for horrible writing..
I’m interested to know what happens to Ruby with the league but not enough to read the remaining books in the series. Tomorrow I am going to the book story to try and trade in my series for something else.