It's Never What You Expect: Book love

Okay, so this isn't a review post, but I do have to gush a little bit about a new YA book that I read and LOVED.

Here is the synopsis from GoodReads (the greatest social networking site in the world!)

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

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.

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 a life worth living.

When I first saw this book at Barnes & Noble the cover grabbed me, but I wasn't entirely certain about the synopsis. Let's face it, the YA market is saturated with Dystopian/Post Apocalyptic novels. I've read more than my share lately. So, it took me about two or three weeks to finally give in to the cover love and buy it. (It would have only been a matter of time. I'm weak for a pretty cover, plus I buy almost everything that looks half interesting in the YA section, especially if it's got a Sci-fi/Supernatural/Paranormal vein.)

After reading this book, I'm sad that I waited the few weeks to experience this beautiful novel. The writing was beautiful, the characters were amazing (Especially Liam, who I fear I might be madly in love with.) and the premise and plot were unique and interesting. Often times the premise can be amazing but the execution is not. That wasn't the case here, in this case it was execution that made the premise truly shine.

I still think about the characters and the story, and where it's going next even after having read six books since. I got so emotionally tangled in this book, I actually yelled at it when I had to pause my reading to make my commute home and I was sure a certain character had done something super heinous. Turns out I was wrong, but... well I'll say no more because I hate spoilers. But you have to read this book!

Though I in no way want to rush summer along (especially since I live in Alaska) I can say that I am very much looking forward to November when the second installment comes out.