Begin Ruby's story
Start with The Darkest Minds, continue through the original trilogy, then add the novella collection and book 4.
Book Series · 4 Books
The Darkest Minds Books
In order from The Darkest Minds to The Darkest Legacy.
Alexandra Bracken's dystopian series follows children who survive a deadly disease only to develop frightening abilities and face imprisonment, experimentation, and political exploitation.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Darkest Minds
Read The Darkest Minds, Never Fade, and In the Afterlight as the original trilogy. Through the Dark collects three stories that occur around those novels; reading the whole collection after In the Afterlight is the easiest spoiler-safe approach. Finish with The Darkest Legacy, the publisher's book 4, which follows a different lead after the trilogy.
Sources: Alexandra Bracken's official reading order, Publisher's numbered Darkest Minds inventory.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
A disease kills most children before the story begins, and survivors are imprisoned in camps. The books include abuse, medical experimentation, torture, shootings, battles, mind control, serious injuries, important deaths, and sustained grief.
The young characters also face prejudice, political manipulation, family separation, and difficult romantic relationships. The series is written for teen readers and treats its dystopian violence as traumatic rather than as consequence-free action.
Where to start
Where Should My Teen Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1697
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2012
The Darkest Minds
Ruby escapes a camp for kids with dangerous powers, seeking safety and freedom.
488 pages· 137,395 words· Est. 12.5 hour read
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Ruby, now sixteen, escapes a harsh camp for teens with uncontrollable powers. On the run, she joins a group led by Liam, who is drawn to her. As they seek refuge at East River, Ruby faces a choice that could cost her everything. Can she trust anyone when her powers make her a target?
In reading order
The Darkest Minds Series
4 books · Published 2012–2018
#1
Sale price
$1697
The Darkest Minds
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2012
Ruby escapes a camp for kids with dangerous powers, seeking safety and freedom.
#2
Never Fade
Chapter Book · 2013
A girl must use her dangerous powers to challenge a corrupt regime.
#3
Sale price
$1899
In the Afterlight
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2014
A leader's mission to free captive children risks igniting a global conflict.
#4
Sale price
$1049
The Darkest Legacy
Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2018
Accused of a crime, a young Psi must clear her name and uncover hidden truths to save her kind.
Novella collection
Through the Dark
1 book · Published 2015
Three stories set before, during, and after the original trilogy. Reading the collection after In the Afterlight avoids having to switch between editions mid-series.
Sale price
$1049
Through the Dark
Chapter Book · Ages 12–+ · 2015
Survival demands impossible choices in a world where hope flickers against darkness.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Darkest Minds series?
There are 4 books in the Darkest Minds series. It began with The Darkest Minds in 2012, and the newest book, The Darkest Legacy, was published in 2018.
What order should you read the Darkest Minds books in?
Start with The Darkest Minds and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.
What ages are the Darkest Minds books best for?
The series is best for ages 12–18, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Darkest Minds to life.
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