[Audiobook Review] Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Darkest Minds
Alexandra Bracken
December 18th, 2012
Hyperion Books for Children


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When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her-East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

This is one of those books I had sitting in my TBL list on my audible shelf.  A few weeks ago I felt compelled to give it a go.  Boy Howdy, I can honestly say I don't know why I waited so because this book was amazing.  It had everything I love in a good listen:  dystopian society, psychic kids, and of course romance (hey you know I got to have the love). 

Darkest Minds is set in a very near future where the kids have gotten sick with a virus and are dying.  Those that have survived are left with side effects of a physic nature.  They are called Psy Kids because they are now genetically altered.  There are different types of Psy Kids some have mind control, some can control electricity, and some have telekinesis.  The best way I can compare it is like the Xmen.  The country is scared because their kids are dying the ones left have powers that can't be explained.  The president in an attempt to appease the people rounds up the Psy Kids and places them in rehabilitation camps.  For their own good of course but these camps are really nothing more than glorified prisons.   One girl, Ruby, has been in locked in a camp for six years and dreams of a way out.  So, when offered a chance at escape even if it comes with a price she jumps at it.  Soon she learns that the people who helped her escape are no better than her captors.  She runs away and meets up with three other kids on the run.  All they want to do is go home.  But sometimes you can't ever go home again and this is a lesson Ruby has to learn because she has a secret that could destroy everything. 

The first thing I loved about Darkest Minds was the world building.  I loved the idea of a United States that can't pay the national debt that society crumbles and falls while the government struggles to maintain control.  Of course, there will always be scapegoats aka the Psy Kids to distract the people while the government tightens its hold.  I have seen this before in history with other countries and it usually gets worse before it gets better.  It is always terrifying to think it about happening to you.  That is why I loved the world so much because it was scary but at the same time so real.  It's that fear that keeps the Psy Kids in camps, people living on the streets and the President in office for sixteen years.

I liked how Ruby never knew who the monsters were.    My heart broke in two for Ruby when her past is revealed and you find out how she ended up in the camps.  I am hoping more will be revealed in the next book because there were a lot unanswered questions.  Also, my heart broke again for her when in the end she had to choose between the lesser of two evils to save the boy she loves.  This book was filled with emotion and I loved every minute.  Most of all, I loved how Ruby grows from a scared girl into a warrior despite all the gut wrenching sacrifices she has to make. 

I highly recommend Darkest Minds whether you read it or listen to like I did.  If you choose to listen to it Amy McFadden does a great job as the narrator.  I think she really captures Ruby's emotions and really brings them home for the listener.  She does a great job with the different voices.  In the end, Darkest Minds had it all: romance, heart break, murder and mayhem.  I, for one can't wait to find out how events unfold in the next book Never Fade.  I am glad my wait is not long because it comes out in a couple of weeks.  I am giving Darkest Minds five laser pistols because it really is a supernova.