Sparks Rise

Sparks Rise
By: Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds (Book 2.5)

"Sam didn’t think things could get worse at Thurmond rehabilitation camp. Then the Reds arrive. Everyone assumed the kids with firepower had been killed years ago. Instead they were taken away, brainwashed, and returned as terrifyingly effective guards. To her horror, Sam recognizes one of them: Lucas, the one spark of light in Sam’s dark childhood. Lucas has a deadly secret–he beat the brutal training that turned his fellow Reds into mindless drones. When Sam defends herself against an attack by a vile PSF guard and faces a harrowing punishment, Lucas must risk his everything to save her. "

My Rating:

5 Bows

My Thoughts:

I LOVE Alex's novella's so much because they play with my feels in such a short space.  Within this 110 page novella, I became so attached to both Sam and Lucas.  We know of Sam from Ruby's time in Thurmond.  Sam was Ruby's best friend there until she accidentally erased herself from Sam's memories.  

Ruby is now away from Thurmond, and has been for a while, but Sam can't help but feel some sort of connection to her.  However, Sam is different from the person we used to know.  Instead of fighting the Psi officers, she has lost the fire that once drove her to protect others.  That's where Lucas comes in.  He's a Red, but has beat the system.  While the Psi officers think he is just a mindless drone they can order around, Lucas has found a way stay sane throughout his harsh treatment.

Lucas comes riding in like a white night when he sees his childhood friend, Sam of course, being punished and she isn't doing anything to stop them.  He remembers their time together as kids and remembers his love of her even from that early age.  But it's a thin line between protecting Sam and carrying on his act.

Their romance in this book is really cute and sweet.  I love reading about childhood friends who grow to love each other.  Lucas helps Sam remember the fiery girl she once was and that we all love, which is ironic since he's a red (get it...get it).

Eventually, crazy stuff happens (can't really give that away can I?!) and just when the reader starts hoping for a happy ending, Alex is quick to shut it all down and leave us in a puddle of feels.  Note to self: never get your hopes up again! Just kidding...maybe.

If you're looking for a short filler book before, or even after, reading In The Afterlight then I really recommend this or her other novella. Seriously, how can she pack so much emotion into 110 pages!