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

Title: Never Fade

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Summary: 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? -Goodreads

Review:

I feel like it’s been so long since I’ve done a book review, probably because it has been.  I went through a reading slump while reading this book, but it wasn’t the book’s fault—I just didn’t feel like reading.  But, if there are any books I’d recommend to pull you out of a slump, it’s Alexandra Bracken’s The Darkest Minds series.  I have so much to say about Never Fade, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to tell you all of it.  I didn’t take as many notes as I would have liked, since I just wanted to really submerge myself in this book.  So I’m going by memory for this review (sorry if I get any facts wrong!).  But I just finished the book a few minutes ago, so hopefully everything is nice and raw. Let’s get started!

In The Darkest Minds, I noticed something so incredible about Alexandra Bracken’s writing style, but I don’t know if I mentioned it in my review for the first book.  I don’t think I did, but I’m going to mention this little trait here because it stood out to me so much while reading this: Alexandra Bracken has such an amazing way of describing sensations:

Before, his memories and thoughts had been slow to bloom, velveteen and expanding with every turn.  Now they burst like splatters of black tar, a jumbled mess of faces, numbers, hands, and guns. -page 331

I can clearly envision all of this, and throughout the book, I kept noticing this vivid way Ms. Bracken explained everything.  She went into detail, but not too much detail.  I loved that.  But if there’s too much detail, and that’s all we’re focusing on, it gets boring to read.  That never happened in Never Fade, which was great.

There are never dull moments in her books, either.  Right when we think everything’s all nice and dandy, BAM!  Chaos!  But it’s not forced.  It totally flows smoothly.  There were a few times, however, when I had to go back and reread a page a few times to really understand what was going on.  That may or may not have been my fault, though.  I was so excited about the next action-packed happening that my eyes probably skipped over some sentences.  That’s how good Bracken’s books are 😀

I really loved the character development in Ruby, which we really got to see in both books.  Before, she was this timid girl who could barely use her own voice, and now she’s tough and no-nonsense, and would willingly use a gun.  I guess it kind of reminds me of Tris (Divergent) in a way.

We were introduced to quite a few new and unique characters in Never Fade.  My favorites were Vida and Jude.  I adored Vida.  She was always cracking me up with her dialogue.  She cussed a lot, but it was part of her charm, I suppose 😀

**SPOILERS**

Jude was amazing.  The ending was so sad, and I cried.  I had to read it a few times, but I couldn’t believe that he died.  I was devastated.  And then stupid Clancy emerged from the dust, like, “Wassup?”

Jude was such an innocent kid.  He was barely fifteen, right?  His death was so, so heartbreaking.  I have no words.  asdfghjkl;

**END OF SPOILERS**

Anywho.  I know that this review is on the shorter side (thank my lack of notes for that), but oh, well!  I’m pretty tired, anyhow.

5/5 stars for another brilliant Alexandra Bracken book.  I’m so excited for the third installment of The Darkest Minds, In The Afterlight.  Its expected publication is October 28th of this year.  I’m very anxious!  Last year it was The House of Hades and Allegiant for big October releases.  This year it’s The Blood of Olympus and In The Afterlight.  Scared feelings… very, very scared…

One last thing before I go.  I kind of picture Cole, Liam’s brother, to look like this:

Drew Van Acker

Whaddaya think?

That’s all for now!  My next read is Leap Day by Wendy Mass.  What’s yours?