The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken
Release Date: July 31, 2018
My Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Five years after the destruction of the so-called rehabilitation camps that imprisoned her and countless other Psi kids, seventeen-year-old Suzume "Zu" Kimura has assumed the role of spokesperson for the interim government, fighting for the rights of Psi kids against a growing tide of misinformation and prejudice. But when she is accused of committing a horrifying act, she is forced to go on the run once more in order to stay alive.
Determined to clear her name, Zu finds herself in an uncomfortable alliance with Roman and Priyanka, two mysterious Psi who could either help her prove her innocence or betray her before she gets the chance. But as they travel in search of safety and answers, and Zu grows closer to the people she knows she shouldn't trust, they uncover even darker things roiling beneath the veneer of the country's recovery. With her future-and the future of all Psi-on the line, Zu must use her powerful voice to fight back against forces that seek to drive the Psi into the shadows and save the friends who were once her protectors.
From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a harrowing story of resilience, resistance, and reckoning that will thrill loyal fans and new readers alike.
Zu, in my opinion, was the perfect choice of a protagonist for us to follow as we return to the Darkest Minds world. As the youngest in the Black Betty crew, she experienced the events much differently than Ruby, Liam, Chubs, and Vida. Zu was somewhat sheltered and she never really got to choose anything for herself; of course, this would lead to a certain degree of frustration, especially as it continues in this new novel. She's still kept in the dark about certain things, and people frequently underestimate her. Yet, she endures it and proves herself to be a true member of the gang.
I love all of the characters, new and old. Roman and Priyanka are honestly the best additions to this world, and seeing them interact with the old group made me tear up a little :'))). They know each other so well; seeing Priyanka tease Roman for his mistranslated English phrases was the best and added much needed comic relief to the heaviness of some of the topics.
The old gang return as their usual selves, and I truly cannot believe how much I missed them! I love them all so much. I love Zu, I love Roman, I love Priyanka, I love Max, I love Liam I love Chubs I love Vida I love Ruby, I love everyone!! Honestly, I want more of all of these characters, though maybe not a new book because I can't handle them suffering anymore pain. A novella maybe? A novella full of just fluff and jokes and happiness and no more pain and suffering and angst. PLEASE, Alex, I just want my kids to be happy!!
Also, Alex is serving us another soft boy and I maybe only cried a little. We honestly don't get boys allowed to be emotional in YA and that is UPSETTING. #GiveUsMoreSoftBoysInYA2018 Anyways the romance is cute and subtle and electric (pun intended lol).
Perhaps what I love most about this book, and this series, is that it's realistic. If you've read the first three books, you know that it doesn't wrap up as nicely as we'd wished. The ending was bittersweet, but it's more realistic in that you can't make such big changes in a political system without time. Even the time that passes between In The Afterlight and The Darkest Legacy isn't enough; they're still fighting for a fair system, one that does not alienate the Psi kids. However, there will always be dissenters, and I feel like Alex portrayed the political turmoil very, very well.
I will say that the ending was very rushed? Honestly, I feel like the editors were like, please do not make this book any longer. Whatever the case, wrapping up what easily was another plot line in one chapter seemed like a rash decision that almost didn't work. I do wish we got more of a definite conclusion though, but maybe the author is leaving the door open for another book.
The Darkest Legacy is a perfect addition to the Darkest Minds universe. We get to return to a familiar universe with a new narrator, whom we know, and we get to know new characters. The plot is fast-paced, the romance is amazing, the characters and their interactions are the BEST. I really do feel like this is some of Alex's best work, writing and plotting wise. The Darkest Legacy is an unputdownable, exciting, electric thrill of a novel, and it's definitely worth the pain to return to such a familiar world!
About the Author: Alexandra Bracken is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the Darkest Minds series and the Passenger series. Born and raised in Arizona, she moved east to study history and English at the College of William & Mary in Virginia. After working in publishing for several years, Alex now writes full-time and can be found hard at work on her next novel in a charming little home that's perpetually overflowing with books.
I LOVED this book!!! I was so excited when I found out Zu would be getting her own book and I was excited to see where the crew would be five years later. I am really hoping there is going to be more in the future because the ending was so open ended! Great review!!
ReplyDeleteAmber ♥ The Book Bratz
YES! I loved returning to this world, especially because we got to follow a familiar character. And same! I hope we get another book. Thank you!
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