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A review by isabelthearcher
In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
4.0
*4.5 stars
What an outstanding, concise and satisfying ending to such a great series. Honestly, kicking myself for not picking up this trilogy sooner! Bracken makes you care so deeply for these characters, so much that even when there wasn’t too much drama - I kept reading for the underlying plot, themes, relationships and characters.
It picked up right where we left off in Never Fade, which I think helped keep the suspense that had built up throughout the second book. There were strong themes in this book of what it means to be cured, the ethics of letting children choose their own fate/destiny with IAAN and also grief. Even in this fantasy world, the characters are going through common issues that lots of young people deal with.
I was especially surprised with how much I grew to love Vida in this book; she is a strong kickass female but also with such love and compassion. After being pretty much a two-dimensional character in the Never Fade, she went through such a transformation which I think Bracken has mastered with these characters. Vida also said such powerful words which made me tear up at some points tbh “Don’t give them that power. Don’t let them trap you into never saying anything. There are people worth remembering, speaking for. You’re important. You deserve to speak and have people shut the hell up and listen to you. You’re smarter than ninety percent of our population.”
There were a few parts I didn’t like as much.But I still gave the book 4.5 stars because it’s the character content that I would die for.
At the end though, the circular structure of the trilogy made me really happy. And the fact that
Overall I fully enjoyed the Darkest Minds trilogy so much! The cast of characters will forever stay with me and so will the whole message. Of independence, love and strength, it’s such an empowering book and I will treasure it for time to come.
What an outstanding, concise and satisfying ending to such a great series. Honestly, kicking myself for not picking up this trilogy sooner! Bracken makes you care so deeply for these characters, so much that even when there wasn’t too much drama - I kept reading for the underlying plot, themes, relationships and characters.
It picked up right where we left off in Never Fade, which I think helped keep the suspense that had built up throughout the second book. There were strong themes in this book of what it means to be cured, the ethics of letting children choose their own fate/destiny with IAAN and also grief. Even in this fantasy world, the characters are going through common issues that lots of young people deal with.
I was especially surprised with how much I grew to love Vida in this book; she is a strong kickass female but also with such love and compassion. After being pretty much a two-dimensional character in the Never Fade, she went through such a transformation which I think Bracken has mastered with these characters. Vida also said such powerful words which made me tear up at some points tbh “Don’t give them that power. Don’t let them trap you into never saying anything. There are people worth remembering, speaking for. You’re important. You deserve to speak and have people shut the hell up and listen to you. You’re smarter than ninety percent of our population.”
There were a few parts I didn’t like as much.
Spoiler
Personally I found Ruby and Liam’s relationship kinda ehhhh. Liam just forgave her for literally wiping his memory of him loving her and then when Ruby finds a note about Liam wanting to stay even if Ruby again purposely used her powers, Ruby had the audacity to be pissed off??? I still enjoyed the romance, but it was a low point rather than the first two books. I cared much more about the dynamics with Zu, Chubs and Vida - omg and the understanding between Cole and Ruby. I also found Clancy and Dr Gray to be like ???? How did they do anything of significance? The scenes where Ruby was fixing Lillian’s mind were ok, but I just skimmed through them. The whole plot point of Clancy putting the camp into Cole’s head so he’d die and so Ruby and Clancy could destroy the government together and then Clancy ended up being healed?? It’s literally all so pointless, I didn’t expect the plot twist because it’s just kinda dumb I suppose.At the end though, the circular structure of the trilogy made me really happy. And the fact that
Spoiler
Ruby managed to walk even with a broken leg out of Thurmond, the place that had almost destroyed her. The scenes of soldiers putting down their guards too and wrapping up a girl in gear and handing her to her mother also made me cry. It showed that little piece of humanity that hopefully all humans will always have.Overall I fully enjoyed the Darkest Minds trilogy so much! The cast of characters will forever stay with me and so will the whole message. Of independence, love and strength, it’s such an empowering book and I will treasure it for time to come.