renbird82's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
madamewombat's review against another edition
5.0
Alexandra Bracken has a gift that I feel most young adult authors nowadays have been lacking in. This series has been thrilling and heart wrenching and throughout it all, I've felt a whiplash of uncontrollable emotions. You never know exactly where she's directing the plot but you're never disappointed with where it's gone. This isn't a typical teen novel with a sappy/cliche theme, underdeveloped characters, and a watered down plot intended to spark a blockbuster hit. The Darkest Minds series is a thought provoking experience that encourages its readers to challenge the society around them when culture accepts and turns a blind eye to social injustice out of fear. I have not been so attached to a series like this since Harry Potter, and even then there are aspects of Bracken's work that I adore over the queen's (Rowling's) work. Absolutely superb job.
-carpe the hell out of that diem
-carpe the hell out of that diem
salemravenart's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_alwaysrealokay's review against another edition
5.0
First, I would like to give a round of applause to Alex Bracken for writing such a fine piece of literature. That being said let me start by voicing that this trilogy was the best I have this year. When I finally outgrow my YA days, the Darkest Minds trilogy will stay on my bookshelves.
After concluding with In The Afterlight, I felt this sense of satisfaction wash over me. In my opinion, I think the ending was flawless. Despite all the bad omens the characters suffered through finally they have found their happily ever after. The kind they've been hoping/dreaming for since the beginning of their nightmares. The world they envision is still shaky but in the outlook for a better work give them this sense of elation. Some of the people they cared for might have died but the remaining survivors will carry the torch for them. The torch that represents freedom, acceptance and all the other great stuffs that came with the liberation of the camps.
The characters were well developed. I like how they gradually changed from scared little puppies to young adults who learned they only have each other and in other to set things right is by fighting their own battles. I also like how they stick together, knowing nobody out there will understand them. They became a family; together they grew stronger. Together, they had this sense of security, and belongness. Together, they were able to forget their monsters. They mended each other.
Alex Bracken stayed true to story. She did not fray from the original plot. All the questions marks were answered. This story was really raw, dark, gritty and somehow realistic. Realistic because it seems like something that could happen generations to come. Ruby and the supporting characters especially Cole and Jude will forever live in my heart. From them I learned to accept myself and also that things might look like shit right now but it can't rain forever.
[…] Life is good. It doesn't throw anything at us that it knows we can’t handle – and even it takes times, it turns everything right side up.” (Liam Stewart, 410)
Thanks Alex Bracken for such an unforgettable tale. It was just brilliant. She literally carpe the hell out of this diem.
After concluding with In The Afterlight, I felt this sense of satisfaction wash over me. In my opinion, I think the ending was flawless. Despite all the bad omens the characters suffered through finally they have found their happily ever after. The kind they've been hoping/dreaming for since the beginning of their nightmares. The world they envision is still shaky but in the outlook for a better work give them this sense of elation. Some of the people they cared for might have died but the remaining survivors will carry the torch for them. The torch that represents freedom, acceptance and all the other great stuffs that came with the liberation of the camps.
The characters were well developed. I like how they gradually changed from scared little puppies to young adults who learned they only have each other and in other to set things right is by fighting their own battles. I also like how they stick together, knowing nobody out there will understand them. They became a family; together they grew stronger. Together, they had this sense of security, and belongness. Together, they were able to forget their monsters. They mended each other.
Alex Bracken stayed true to story. She did not fray from the original plot. All the questions marks were answered. This story was really raw, dark, gritty and somehow realistic. Realistic because it seems like something that could happen generations to come. Ruby and the supporting characters especially Cole and Jude will forever live in my heart. From them I learned to accept myself and also that things might look like shit right now but it can't rain forever.
[…] Life is good. It doesn't throw anything at us that it knows we can’t handle – and even it takes times, it turns everything right side up.” (Liam Stewart, 410)
Thanks Alex Bracken for such an unforgettable tale. It was just brilliant. She literally carpe the hell out of this diem.
leighash_87's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it but the ending took me by surprised. I was expecting it to end very differently.
toastedbagel's review against another edition
3.0
It was more talk than action for the entire first half of the book before the story picks up again. Might have gotten so used to being kept on my toes in the preceding books that the end of the trilogy felt somewhat anti climactic, but I'm still looking forward to reading the novellas!
malenejhansen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lui037's review
5.0
I saw this review where someone said the last 200 pages were GOLD and they were. I haven’t cried for any other book in this series (well maybe a little for the 2nd one but I was moved to tears I cried and cried and cried. Every time I thought I was done I wasn’t. Also kinda suspected the twist but also didn’t so was equally shocked and like disappointed that I was right.
jackiestone's review against another edition
4.0
It was pretty good, but not as good as the first one.
I want to know what happened to the reds, but other than that all the loose ends were tied.
The End. Yay.
I recommend this series to EVERYONE.
I want to know what happened to the reds, but other than that all the loose ends were tied.
The End. Yay.
I recommend this series to EVERYONE.