Review: The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken

Lauren Wengrovitz

6 years ago

Alexandra Bracken returns to the world of The Darkest Minds in her newest book, The Darkest Legacy.

Set five years after the end of In The Afterlight, this novel follows fan-favorite Zu as the main character. Since the closing of the rehabilitation camps, Zu has been working as a spokesperson for the government and the Psi kids. But when a terrorist attack occurs at an event where Zu is the speaker, she has to go on the run in order to clear her name and that of the Psi. Teaming up with the two other Psi caught up in the attack, Roman and Priyanka, Zu goes on a journey to find the truth about the attack, clear her name, and reunite with her friends.

Since the Psi camps were shut down, Zu has worked to cultivate a public image for herself and the Psi kids to show that they deserve to have normal lives. When everything goes off the rails, Zu begins to grapple with her understanding of the new government, her role as a spokesperson, and her place in rebuilding the country. Zu is now seventeen-years-old and very much her own strong individual. After going through the horrors of a rehabilitation camp and playing a pivotal role in bringing down the camps system for good, Zu takes pride in her job. But of course, not everything is as it seems, and Zu’s understanding of the government, humanity, and Psi powers are challenged again and again throughout the novel. This gives Zu a chance to come into her own and it’s a joy to see her tackle the challenges thrown her way.

While The Darkest Legacy is very clearly Zu’s story, it does feature many characters from the original Darkest Minds series, including Ruby, Liam, Chubs, Vida, and more. The story may not revolve around the Black Betty crew but fear not, they play a pivotal role nonetheless. And while you’ll share Zu’s initial unease over the addition of Roman and Priyanka, especially over the secrets it’s clear they’re keeping from Zu, it quickly feels as if they’ve been along for the ride the whole time.

Bracken’s world-building has only grown throughout the series, leading to the world of The Darkest Legacy being even more complex and realistic than the previous books. With the addition of five years’ time since the end of the last book, there is a lot to be explored in this one, from changes in relationships to society’s evolving views on people with Psi powers. It’s a hell of a ride and one worth the 550+ pages.

In addition, The Darkest Legacy touches on themes relevant to today’s political climate in a thought-provoking way. So much of Zu’s journey in this book is fighting for justice for the Psi, grappling with right vs. wrong, and working to change their future for the better. It’s impossible to ignore the similarities between the fictional world of The Darkest Legacy and modern day realities, and it’s equally as inspiring to see Zu and her friends step up to the challenge of fighting for what is right.

Alexandra Bracken has stated that she thinks it’s best for readers to go into The Darkest Legacy knowing as little as possible about the story and we agree. If you’re a fan of the original Darkest Minds books, you’re going to enjoy the newest addition to the series. The Darkest Legacy is captivating and exciting. With twists and turns that you definitely won’t see coming and stakes that are higher than ever, The Darkest Legacy is a must-read book of the summer.

About The Darkest Legacy:

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.

About Alexandra Bracken:

Alexandra Bracken was born and raised in Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children’s book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that’s constantly overflowing with books.

The Darkest Legacy goes on sale July 31, 2018! You can purchase it anywhere books are sold or online: