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shaykay's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.5
While reading Secrets, I kept thinking about this series, so I had to circle back. This one wasn't on KU like the first book, so I got it through the library. It was good. Honestly, I never followed through on the series, and the movie ends before this book, so I was curious to see more of this world. Still, something needed to be fixed between this one and the first book. I wanted more for Ruby, and she lost herself in here. But she also got more training and was getting better with her powers, even though they still terrified her. Ultimately, it leaves us with a cliffhanger, and I don't know whether to continue with the series or call it quits here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, and Torture
jachnax's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, War, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Grief, and Child death
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Sexism, and Car accident
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Ruby's never been comfortable with her abilities; she feels like a monster. She also doesn't consider herself a leader, but that's what she's become in the Children's League. When she discovers that some of the agents want to eliminate the children and make it look like accidents Ruby doesn't have a choice: she must leave the League to find Liam Stewart. He unwittingly carries a flash drive that reveals the truth behind the "disease" that's put the world into chaos. He's also the boy Ruby loves, but she was hoping she would never see him again...
It's been years since I read the first book in the series, so I thought I might have trouble keeping up with the events, but I realised I remembered the big picture, and I also got reminders along the way.
It was great seeing Ruby again! She's tough, yet breaks apart in between, which makes her human and no superhero. In the first book she was together with Liam, Chubs and Zu, and the first two she meets again. We also get to know some new characters from the League, like Cate, Cole (Liam's brother), Vida and Jude. They're put through a lot of atrocities, so it's nice to see them support each other when it's necessary.
[SPOILER AHEAD]
Ruby and Liam have a rather complicated relationship, since Ruby erased all his memories of her at the end of the first book, thinking it was the best for him. When they meet again Liam has a strange feeling they've met before, and he's confused about the feelings that are surfacing. Feelings that shouldn't be there. Eventually he gets all of his memories back, but then he's furious with Ruby for what she's done to him... I'm looking forward to seeing how that develops, as well as the whole dystopian world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Death, Violence, Gun violence, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
mariska's review
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
sunnydreads's review
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such an enjoyable read!! I read “The Darkest Minds” about two years ago and picked this one up with no refresher course, and FIRSTLY — Bracken does an awesome, awesome job tying in previous knowledge. By the fourth chapter, I felt fully up-to-date.
The character development and just... the raw emotion in every scene was truly amazing as well. Especially some parts towards the end, I didn’t realize how much I had connected with these characters or how hard I was rooting for them. Bracken does her development work in a sneaky, well-crafted sort of way, and I really think that deserves some praise.
Overall: this book kept me on the edge of my seat. As soon as the semester ended and I had the time, I tore through this read. Its pace kept me engaged and curious, and I’ll definitely be checking out the trilogy’s final installment. I’m hooked!
The character development and just... the raw emotion in every scene was truly amazing as well. Especially some parts towards the end, I didn’t realize how much I had connected with these characters or how hard I was rooting for them. Bracken does her development work in a sneaky, well-crafted sort of way, and I really think that deserves some praise.
Overall: this book kept me on the edge of my seat. As soon as the semester ended and I had the time, I tore through this read. Its pace kept me engaged and curious, and I’ll definitely be checking out the trilogy’s final installment. I’m hooked!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Violence
Moderate: Child death
kiya136's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing
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