Author Interview: Alexandra Bracken previews The Darkest Minds

For my spotlight on upcoming dystopian/post apocalyptic fiction series, I interviewed over 20 authors with novels coming out in the genre in 2012/13. These are exclusive first looks at exciting new works. Enjoy!

Author Alexandra Bracken (BRIGHTLY WOVEN) has THE DARKEST MINDS (previously titled BLACK IS THE COLOR) coming out with Hyperion in December 2012. I am super pumped to get my hands on this one - especially after reading Alexandra's wise answers.

Here’s a longer summary than you've probably seen before:

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have been cursed with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby has spent nearly half her life desperately trying to hide the fact that she’s outwitted the camp’s sorting system—that she isn’t powerless, or safe. She’s one of the dangerous ones… and everyone knows what happens to them.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of teens who escaped their own camp, pursued along the way by terrifying bounty hunters. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close to him. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Before the end, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

ETA the cover:

And the interview!

Why do you think people are drawn to "dark" stories?
I know a very popular answer to this question is that dark stories allow readers to experience horrifying events and harrowing peril in a “safe” way (at least, you know, in the sense that always close the book if they need to escape it). For a few hours or days, they can be involved in a kind of imaginative suffering that’s either personally therapeutic or enlightening about humanity/themselves/their government/etc.

But… I don’t know. I don’t think there’s one simple, neat explanation. Storytelling-wise, I think dark stories appeal to readers because they often feature very high-stakes situations, and those make for exciting reads. I know that, personally, I grew up in a very safe, happy environment, but I read books about war and death and oppression and addiction because I wanted to peer into the darkness outside of my own little bubble.

If you think about it, though, the dystopian genre naturally lends itself very well to YA; any “coming of age” story is underscored by the main character trying to figure out his or her place in the world as they gain independence and start creeping toward adulthood. The character’s perspective changes. They begin to ask questions, take up causes. The same government that seemed benevolent and perfect to them as a child begins to show cracks in its veneer. Coming to terms with the fact that the world isn’t—hasn’t been and maybe will never be—a completely safe place is a huge part of shifting out of childhood, and something that almost everyone can relate to.

If THE DARKEST MINDS had a theme song, what would it be and why?
I’m a little torn, here, because classic rock plays a minor role in the story and it feels wrong not to choose one of those songs, but I think I have to go with “Suburban War” by Arcade Fire. I’m so lucky The Suburbs came out when it did—it was the perfect writing soundtrack for a story about kids who, essentially, have been forced out of their idyllic suburban lives years and years before they ever should have. For me, this song captures that strange, lonely feeling you get when you try to go home again after being away for a time. You look around and see familiar places and old friends, but you can’t quite figure out if they’ve changed, or, in growing up, you’ve changed to the point that you no longer fit into their world.

Also: super gorgeous, vaguely apocalyptic lyrics!

In the suburbs I, I learned to drive

And you told me we would never survive,

So grab your mother’s keys we leave tonight


But you started a war that we can’t win

They keep erasing all the streets we grew up in

Now the music divides us into tribes

You choose your side, I’ll choose my side

What fictional character from another book would Ruby chose as her best friend and why?
Ooohh, this is a tough question! The problem I’m having is that Young Ruby is very different than Teenage Ruby. The latter, I’m sorry to say, is pretty battered emotionally… to the point she actively tries to not have friends. I can see Young Ruby being BFFs with Jo March from Little Women, though. They’re both tomboys, fairly blunt, a tiny bit clumsy, and voracious readers. I imagine they would have gotten into a lot of trouble with one another!

What are your top 5 Dystopian lit recs and why?
There are SO many amazing dystopian titles that have been released recently—too many to name! Instead, I’m going to pay tribute to my five favorite classics instead…

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
When I finished reading this for the first time, I was filled with a kind of rage and despair that had me side-eyeing everyone and everything. It was the first “true” dystopian book I’d ever read, and very few have lived up to it in my mind.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding
This book made a huge impression on me as a teenager, and to this day I still count it as one of my absolute favorites.

Anthem by Ayn Rand
One of those rare, teacher-assigned books that’s stuck with me for a very long time. (Though, I’ve always wondered if it would have made less of an impact on me if some developer in Arizona hadn’t had the bright idea to name a new cookie-cutter housing development Anthem. Creepy!)

Animal Farm by George Orwell
The last line slays me every time: “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.” Nightmares forever, y’all. Nightmares forever.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
If you’ve only seen the movie Blade Runner, you’re missing out!

What's on the top of your to-do list before the world ends? (you know, in case it ends next year)
You know, I was just thinking the other day that I really need to get myself over to the top of Empire State building before the aliens come and destroy it…

Thank you Alexandra!

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