The Darkest Minds Trilogy: In the Afterlight

Bracken, for her third book in The Darkest Minds Trilogy: In the Afterlight, a low fantasy young adult novel about teens trying to survive with powers in a dystopian world, takes a huge risk and focuses the story more on character development instead of plot. And it pays off.

Every character I already love becomes more vibrant and sings on the page; they feel so real. An old character named Cole plays a much larger role, and the Cole/Liam sibling rivalry is born! It’s a very populated novel with extra characters plus the originals from the other books, but Bracken doesn’t forget anyone, right down to the pink hair dye.

And that ending! It’s one to remember. I love that everything comes full circle; in the first book, Ruby, our main character, breaks out of Thurmond, and in this one she breaks back in. The irony plays right into the reader’s emotions. The whole thing tugs at the heartstrings.

A stellar ending to a stellar trilogy.

Recommended for anyone who’s on Team Reality. Or maybe just Team Sanity.

--Grace Nask