Review: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

Never Fade

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Series: The Darkest Minds

Pages: 452

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Amazon

Release date: 15^th October 2013

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster. 

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her. 

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

Review: 4 out of 5 stars

You can read the first chapter here.

The Darkest Minds ended on a brutal cliff-hanger so I have been more than enthusiastic to read Never Fade by author Alexandra Bracken and right from the onset we are thrust into the dark dystopian world.

Ruby is now a member of the Children’s league, a group of kids with special abilities where she is entrusted with risky tasks to bring down a corrupt government by invading the minds of her enemies.

I admit I didn’t like Ruby in the first book, she came across as woe is me weak but her character was certainly kicked up a notch in this book and I found myself liking her but also feeling sorry for what she has been through, one minute she was kick-butt awesome and the next moment my heart would break at her vulnerability, she has progressed drastically and I really found myself liking her courage.

Ruby is on a mission to locate a missing hard-drive which is now in the hands of the boy she once loved but no longer remembers her - Liam Stewart. There are so many twists and turns in this book my mind is still reeling, it is emotionally intense! We get to learn more about the PSI powers and mind control as well as corrupt government agencies, secrets and missions, there was never a dull moment.

The secondary characters were great with the exception of a few who garnered a lot of suspicion, I adored Jude, Chubs and Vida; her potty mouth had me giggling. We also get to meet a whole new slew of characters who were each likeable but I did at times find it difficult keeping up with who was who with such a large cast. My heart broke for Liam who is still pretty swoony but he remains outspoken and obstinate; the characters all play a pivotal role and each of them has shown strength and determination; you can’t help but like each of them.

The world is dark and gritty and shows the desperation and fears; you are pulled back into the well-crafted story with a plot that continues to strengthen and characters that have changed drastically since the first book which I appreciated. Alexandra Bracken’s writing is engaging and addictive, I was riveted throughout despite feeling the pacing lagged throughout the middle and then we are thrust into full throttle towards the end, the pacing would be my only gripe.

Overall, I enjoyed Never Fade as much as The Darkest Minds but I do still have a number of unanswered questions which I hope will be solved in the next book.

Thank-you kindly to Disney Hyperion for the opportunity to read and review Never Fade.

 

About the author: 

Alexandra Bracken wrote Brightly Woven as a birthday present for a friend, and the story grew and flourished during a year of unpredictable, wild weather. A native of Arizona, she is a recent graduate of the College of William and Mary, where she majored in History and English. She now lives in New York City.