In the Afterlight: Book 3 (The Darkest Minds, #3)

by Alexandra Bracken

The third book in the heart-stopping The Darkest Minds trilogy, by New York Times bestselling author of Lore.

The fate of a generation lies in Ruby's hands - and one wrong move could set the world on fire.

One of the few survivors of a disease which killed most of America's children, Ruby has emerged as Leader of the rebel group determined to bring the government down. Torn apart by the unbearable loss of Liam, she forms an unlikely alliance with his brother, Cole. But whatever their differences, Ruby and Cole are united by a clear mission: there are thousands like them still suffering in 'rehabilitation camps'. It's up to Ruby to set them free ...

'A riveting emotional read that kept me on the edge.' - Melissa Marr, author of Wicked Lovely

Alexandra Bracken is the New York Times bestselling author of Lore, Passenger, Wayfarer and The Darkest Minds series. Visit her online at www.alexandrabracken.com and on Twitter @alexbracken

• ISBN10: 1786540207
• ISBN13: 9781786540201
• Publish Date: 17 November 2016 (first published 28 October 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
• Imprint: Quercus Children's Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 592
• Language: English

Reviews

This was a beautiful ending to The Darkest Minds trilogy. I know that there is a fourth book, but I do not consider it part of the original trilogy since it is set five years into the future, handling another problem.

The beginning of the book is slow, too slow. I was so invested with all the characters, yet I couldn't bring myself to care throughout half of the book. Nothing happened. They were just running around in their HQ, having average problems, and didn't communicate enough to solve them. However, after finishing 50% of the book, it got so much better. Finally, there were real problems. I thought it was really interesting to see how the dynamics in the group changed and that there became two camps, only because Cole just elected himself and Ruby as leaders without any discussion or explanation. It was realistic. The problems in Ruby's and Liam's romance also felt appropriate, they were holding things from each other and their romance would suffer from it. It should suffer from Ruby taking his memories. It should suffer because they did not communicate enough about the important things going on around them. Often in YA, romance is portrayed as a fairytale, as if can solve and overcome everything. Here, it suffered and we never saw it become as it was before. They tried, yet things are standing between them and it needs time. Alexandra Bracken portrayed this very well in her story and I liked how she didn't automatically go back to the 'everything is okay' stadium. People were grieving, grieving Jude, grieving Cate, grieving alone. People made mistakes and they were addressed. We, as readers, had time to mourn the characters as well. They weren't just gone, they were loved.

I have some remarks about the ending. I could totally believe that Clancy was manipulation Ruby again. I do believe that Ruby was too convinced about the capabilities of her own power, that she underestimated Clancy's power. He had been training it for multiple years, while she just started training her power when she met him. I appreciated that this story wasn't about a girl who was better in everything even without the proper training. Clancy trained longer, so he was stronger, which is realistic.
However, there are a few things I have some problems with. First of all, I understand how Ruby got into Thurmond, but the whole rescue mission wasn't portrayed at all. No explanation, no casualties, how did they handle the Reds? Wouldn't their presence at the camps give more problems as anticipated before? I have questions. I wished that it was explained to us afterward.
The other thing bugging me is that society suddenly solved itself. There wasn't enough electricity, the economy collapsed, and suddenly everyone had houses again and enough gas to drive around and go anywhere, just because two camps have been abandoned? I highly doubt it goes this fast, only three days had passed!

[pamela]

Review to follow.

[ladygrey]

I may have enjoyed this one the most in the series. Partly because I'd figured out to skip over the paragraphs of description and Ruby's musing. Partly because there were fewer paragraphs of setting description because they were (mostly) in one place. And partly because ruby's musing weren't so mind numbing - they were less repetitive (or I skipped over the repetitive parts) and more of the story was focused on the relationships of these kinds and the changing emotional reality as they made decisions and took control over their own fate.

Clancy wasn't as interesting as I wanted him to be. He was clever and cruel and powerful which meant he could have been a great villain or foil but he was pretty one note, only ever dominating everyone's mind - he never chose not to use his power or showed any different shades of being a character that would have made him so much more interesting.

And the power structure! Liam as a good leader because he listened to people and explained himself, what he was doing and why it mattered. Ruby and Cole were bad leaders because they didn't listen to anyone else, they didn't feel the need to help anyone else understand why or sway them to their side - they commanded rather than led and it was annoying that they then got so upset that no one wanted to follow them.

And Cole! What was the point - both from a narrative stand point and as an author? Why would Clancy send Cole off just to get him killed? What did he get out of it at all? Cole wasn't an enemy he needed to get rid of. It didn't get Clancy out of the sell or release the Reds to then run around doing his bidding. It would have made more sense to send Cole down there to get captured and trained. But just sending him off to die for no reason at all?
And as author, it didn't get her anything either. All of Liam's grief happened in like 1 page and then everything else was off screen. Ruby grieved a little but then everything got going and she barely looked back. There was a brief emotional hit but then what did Bracken get out of the reader by killing him? How did it improve the story? Was she just done with him and needed to move him off the board? Was she trying to raise the stakes? Because this was already established as a painful and brutal world - it didn't raise anything. Was it just because you're supposed to kill someone because it's unrealistic for everyone to survive in battle type stories like this? Blake's death had more of an impact because it moved the characters and their choices and it moved the story. Cole? he died for nothing.

Overall, I revisted the series because I'd read The Darkest Minds years ago and now that all the books were out I wanted to see where it went and how it ended. I didn't love the series but I've despised other things more. I like some of the characters enough to be glad I read the whole thing and if I watch the movie I'll have the context of the trilogy and it's nice to know how it all ended.

[shannonmiz]

3.5 Stars- Copy provided from publisher

I have enjoyed this series, as a whole. I still think The Darkest Minds was the strongest book, though I found In the Afterlight to be stronger than Never Fade. This series conclusion didn't quite blow me away, but it was good. As usual, I am staying very clear of spoilers, so vagueness will be my friend yet again, via some "likes and dislikes". 

What Worked: 

• The characters. As always, this series is really driven by the amazing characters that have been brought to life by Ms. Bracken. Truly, I don't know that a better cast of characters, based on sheer volume-to-quality ratio, exists. To make you feel something for every character (be it love or hate) takes quite a talent. I knew I would read this book, if for no other reason than I cared so deeply for the characters. Yes, Ruby was a strong and transformed heroine, but it was the others who really stole the show (and my heart).


• The questions of morality. I think that this really added an extra layer that worked so well for this series. Not only was it full of adventure, but there were deeper questions behind a lot of it, and I loved that. There is a gray area in this book, and I loved trying to figure out the "right" answers.


• The action. I suppose when kids have special powers comparable to X-Men, it makes sense that things would get hectic on the regular.


• Adults! Yes, yes, we have adults, and they are not always the bad guy. I won't say much more, but when we saw some actual adults coming around, it seemed to give things a more realistic feel.

What Didn't: 

• The pacing was a bit slow for me. As in Never Fade, this book is long, and sometimes it felt a bit draggy. That is really my main gripe with the book, that there were points that my attention just wasn't completely held.


• It kind of became a bit predictable. I knew how it was going to end pretty much from the start, and I had been hoping for a few more twists and turns, though most of the loose ends are tied up pretty satisfactorily.

Bottom Line: I recommend this trilogy as a whole. Especially if the psi powers are your thing, and you love a phenomenal cast of characters. While I wasn't exactly on the edge of my seat, my love for the characters made the trilogy and In the Afterlight worth the read.
This review was originally posted on It Starts at Midnight

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/11/in-afterlight-by-alexandra-bracken.html
I enjoyed The Darkest Minds, I loved Never Fade but In The Afterlight was phenomenal. Ruby is now helping Liam's brother Cole, to gather the children and seek refuge. The former Children's League cannot be trusted and the group are left to make the long journey across the country to what could be the only safe haven that remains. With thousands of children still trapped within the camps, guards armed with high powered riffles and the President himself discounting their efforts as mere terrorism, all the small group of dangerous children have now is the will to survive. They've been beaten and broken, but realise this may be their only chance to live with freedom and without fear, in the hope for a future where they can return to their families.

The freedom to live where we wanted to, with whomever we wanted to, and to not be scared of every passing shadow. For kids not to grow up with the fear that one day they might not wake from their sleep, or that they'd blink out like a light bulb in the middle of an otherwise normal day.

The group are experimental children of their generation. Cursed with abilities that society have deemed dangerous, and the President decreeing those who have survived shall be forced to enter rehabilitation camps. Children aren't being rehabilitated and the only escape from the oppression is death. Ruby was one of the lucky few to escape, where the children are coded by colour to represent their level of ability and danger. She can violate your thoughts, only surpassed by Clancy, the former leader of East River and a teen with a dangerous ability himself. But the President's son is a liability, withholding information and had proven that he cannot be trusted, under any circumstances.

I enjoyed seeing the role reversal in Liam's relationship with Ruby from that of typical young adult. He understands that she is capable of defending herself, but still worries about her nonetheless. I felt that Cole was the more dominant male lead and hides behind a strained and one sided banter with Liam. He carries an enormous weight on his shoulders. The new relationships that formed throughout the storyline were surprising, and fans of the series will rejoice at the return of a few favourites that have been assumed missing.

One aspect that was missing from previous installments, was the inclusion of poetic passages verging on purple prose. I adored them. It provided a much needed softness within the storyline to balance the intensity. The Darkest Minds series may very well be the last of the incredible dystopians we'll see in young adult for quite a while. If you've yet to pick this series up, with all three books released, now is the perfect time. Alexandra Bracken is brilliant. You won't be disappointed.