March TBR Pile Book Club: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Hi guys! Welcome to the March TBR Pile Book Club where we'll discuss The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken! Huge thank you to everyone who will join us to discuss this AMAZING book!

Don't forget that everyone who takes part in our January TBR Pile Book Club is going to get 5 extra entries into the next TBR Pile Reading Challenge giveaway!

About the Book

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds #1
Published: December 18, 2012 by Disney Hyperion
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

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

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have 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. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.

Discussion Questions

1) If you contracted IAAN, which category would you want to be in? (Red, Fire;  Orange, Mind Control; Yellow, Electricity;  Blue, Telekinesis; Green, Intelligence)

2) What were you initial impressions? Do you like the writing style? Did the prologue pique your interest?

3) Thoughts on Ruby wiping Liam's mind? Is it for the best?

4) What do you think about the government's way of "dealing" with the kids with special powers? Why did they send them to work camps where they were mistreated and abused, instead of trying to understand/study their abilities, or even training the kids and use their powers?

5) Ruby is very scared, naive and distrustful (which is completely understandable after what she's been through). Do you find her to be a believable character? What did you think about her character development?

6) How did you feel about the relationship between Ruby and Liam? Did you think it was rushed?

7) Do you think the story line is bullet-proof or did you have any issues with the plot-line and the logic behind the world-building?

8) Do you think Chubs is okay? Do you have any predictions for how things will turn out for him?

9) How do you think things will turn out for Zu? Why do you think Clancy approved her group to leave in the first place?

10) What are your opinions of Clancy? Is he redeemable? Do you think he really would have run?

11) How do you imagine things panning out for Ruby and Liam? Will he ever get his memories back? Do you think he'll hold it against Ruby when (or if?) he finds out?

12) How did you react to the end? Did you cry? (Jess BAWLED. For a considerable amount of time. Like, at least half an hour.) Do you plan to read the next book--and if you do, will you jump in soon, or are you going to give some time in between because the end to this one was so traumatizing?

Please leave your answers in the comment section below and don't forget to respond to other comments so we can have an amazing discussion! We'll be checking in and responding as well  :)

Keep in my that if you haven't read The Darkest Minds, we WILL be discussing spoilers! Avoid the comments if you don't want to be spoiled! You've been warned!

Additionally, do NOT post any spoilers regarding Never Fade, In the Afterlife, or any of the novellas. We read all the comments and not only will your comment be deleted in its entirely, but you'll spoil the books for us and that's a dick move.

Our Favorite Quotes

"Let's carpe the hell out of this diem."

"Ruby, give me one reason why we can’t be together, and I’ll give you a hundred why we can. We can go anywhere you want. I’m not your parents. I’m not going to abandon you or send you away, not ever."

"Where did she come from, and where can I find one?"

"Picked this one up at a gas station in West Virginia, bargain price. Last one on the shelf, sorry."

"Where in the world did you get that dress?"

"Present from Zu."

"You look like you want to throw it in a fire."

"I can't promise there won't be an unfortunate accident later on."

But part of surviving is being able to move on.

"We'll just have to try to make better mistakes tomorrow."

"They were never scared of the kids who might die, or the empty spaces they would leave behind. They were afraid of us-the ones who lived."

"The most important thing you ever did was learn how to survive. Do not let anyone make you feel like you shouldn't have."

"I think we should stop for the night," Chubs said. "Are you going to find a park?"

"Relax, buddy; I got this," Liam said.

"You keep saying that," Chubs muttered, sitting back, "and then it's, Oh, sorry team, let's huddle together for warmth, while the bears try to break in and eat our food."

"Yeah...sorry about that," Liam said. "But hey, what's life without a little adversity?"

"And there I was, trying to be all valiant and stuff by catching you?" He chuckled, using the closest tree to help him stand. "Lesson learned! You're falling next time, darlin', because, man, you have a hard head..."

"Maybe nothing will ever change for us," he said. "But don't you want to be around just in case it does?"

As a special treat this month, we're giving away one of Evie's expertly designed mugs! Enter via the rafflecopter below and don't forget to comment on the discussion questions. Beware: we've read the book, so we'll be able to tell if your answers are legit or full of bologna - which gets you disqualified. And Andrea used to be a teacher, she can spot those answers a mile away!

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