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The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers):
All US children from 10 to 18 are affected. Either they die instantly, or they gain powers. Some can move things, some can create fire, some can read minds, some become geniuses, etc. The majority die. The rest of the world is horrified and afraid it will spread to them. The US descends into chaos, and the President tries his best to maintain order by becoming virtually a dictator. Other factions form, fighting against the government and either for or against the kids themselves. The kids are rounded up into concentration camps, and many are killed. It's a bleak story, for sure.

Category:
Fiction, almost post-apocalyptic

Why I chose this book:
Recommended by the library

My personal opinion:
It started out gripping. I really had a hard time putting it down. And then it started to drag. And then it got a little dirty (language, adult situations). So I really had to force myself through the last 10% or so. I don't recommend it. Maybe check out the movie instead? I don't plan to watch that either, but it's PG-13, so I'm betting they toned it down. Anyway, I didn't enjoy this one and and don't plan to continue the series. Read something else.

Warnings
Language: Not until the very end. 2 f-bombs dropped. Boo!
Violence: Fairly frequent, but not usually with much detail
"Adult" situations: Kissing, and one scene that feels like a violation- but I don't think it was physical, just emotional (which is bad enough)
Death: Yes, including major character(s)

Movie rating equivalent:
PG-16 (not R, but I wouldn't let a 13-year old read it)

Protagonist description:
Ruby starts out super timid, but becomes hard core

Point of view of story:
First, from Ruby's perspective

Book length:
Medium-long

Story flow:
Excellent

Grammar and spelling issues:
None

Character connection (no spoilers):
None

For series:
Independent or integral:
Assuming integral

Series review as a whole:
I do not plan on continuing, so I will not review the series.

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