Ofpagesandink’s The Darkest Minds 2016 Readalong | Wednesday Questions & Fun Stuff
Challenge Seven: Response Questions
1. When Vida showed up at the Train Station..thing, what did you think? Should Ruby have trusted her or did they make the right decision?
At first I didn’t trust Vida at all, I thought she was too invested in the League to see the bigger picture, but in the end trusting her turned out to be the right decision. Despite the fact that she is rash and quick to anger, she has a big heart and is loyal to those she loves month.
2. How did you feel when Ruby and the gang run into Chubs at Liam’s old house?
Beyond happy.
3. Ruby insists that once they find Liam and get the flash drive, she’ll let him go. Do you believe her?
...I believe she fully intends on letting him go. But whether her emotions will let her, or his, is another matter. In terms of “League” letting him go, yes I fully believe she thinks she will be able to persuade them to do so. However, circumstances...
4. After Ruby takes out Knox and lets Michael and his group go, Ruby feels like she’s turning into a monster. Do you feel her actions are justified? Was there a better way?
Unfortunately sometimes it takes people becoming the monsters they fear in order to rid the world of far worse ones. No I don’t think the way she did it was the best way, but I don’t think there was any other way it could be done. Sadly, Knox was too full of himself, had done too many things, to be redeemable.
5. If you were Ruby, would you stick with Chubs and Liam, or go back with Jude and Vida?
Okay here is my ideal situation. EVERYONE goes to LA, but only the League kids go into HQ. There, make a copy of the flash drive, leave the League, and go off with Chubs and Liam and the copy so that if the League goes back on their word you would still have the information to do with it as you would. Does that makes sense?
6. Clancy’s scaley face has returned to the story. What do you think about that?
I want to slap him.
7. On a scale of 1 to dead, how would you rate the ending of the novel in feels?
I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF “HOW FUCKING DARE YOU”, “MY EYES ARE STILL WET” AND “DAYUM GIRL RUBY JUST WIPED BLEACH IN CLANCY’S EYES THAT WAS FRIGGIN AWESOME HAHA”
In the Afterlight Chapters 1-8
1. The remainder of the Children’s League, or whatever they are now, are stuck in the city moving from building to building. Ruby discovers that agents are hiding the amount of food they find by eating what they want and bringing home the remainders. How would you handle the situation?
Start scavenging for the kids only. Find a way to leave the other agents.
2. Ruby blames herself for what happened to Jude. Do you?
What? No! If anyone is to blame it’s Gray and his wiseass decision to BOMB THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.
3. The team is on the move to The Ranch, and Cole’s color is exposed to Clancy. After sedating the president’s son, he and Ruby share a moment. Are you hoping as much as I am that there will be no triangle?
...was there a moment? I’m sorry I can’t read much into Ruby and Cole because to me there is no romance there whatsoever. Their personalities...are too alike I think. They both feel this need to protect others, as though they were forced into the position because of the abilities they were given. Everything Cole pushes Ruby to do, is exactly what she wants, but not what she needs. Liam balances her out. Cole is just...fuel to her fire. I just, don’t feel anything between them in the romance department, you know? OH PLEASE NO TRIANGLES I WAS SO GRATEFUL WHEN THERE WASN’T ONE IN THE FIRST BOOK DON’T SPRING ONE ON ME NOW PLEASE
4. The Ranch is less than impressive due to the fact the other agents had raided it for things on their way to Kansas. Cate is furious because Ruby and Cole had been the unintended cause. If you were Cate, would you go after them like she does, or just let them go and listen to “her kids”?
I think she should stop and think things through for herself. She is so busy trying to see the good in everyone that she fails to see that what she wants isn’t what others want. I don’t think she should feel as though she has to listen to “her kids” but I think she should have taken a moment to think things through, weigh the evidence, and then decide whether or not the other agents were actually invested in helping the kids or not.
5. Clancy tells Ruby to make the children love her, to put her at the center of their project to free the camps. Do you think this is a good idea?
No. No no no. I don’t want Ruby to make anyone love her. Even if she didn’t use her abilities, making anyone love you for who you are not is manipulating them. Either they like you for you or they don’t. That shouldn’t affect what position she is in for the project. It should be based on who is right to be “at the center” of it. Who is best to see things through and make sure all of the goals are met as safely as possible.
This week’s fun stuff is playlists for the books, which I will create and post tomorrow (if I remember to).
