Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken: Review

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
Title: Never Fade
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: October 2013
Length: 507 pages
Series: The Darkest Minds (#2)
Audio or Book: Book
Reason for Discovery: the Internet

There may be The Darkest Minds spoilers. Haven't started the series? Check out my review of The Darkest Minds (book 1).

From 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?


Ruby has been working for the Children's League for a few months and is miserable. She has made a few friends, but she is uncomfortable with the way that the Children's League wants to make use of her Orange abilities. In a happy accident, Ruby meets Liam's older brother and strikes a deal with him: Ruby gets his flashdrive back and Cole improves the stressful situation at the Children's League. Ruby is ready to help; however, getting the flashdrive back means seeing Liam again.

Can my review just be: OMG? Seriously, that is my review. I found my heart beating a mile a minute the entire time I was reading this book. I was out of breath.  

Okay, we need to get serious for a moment. I need to tell you why I loved this book. This book, like The Darkest Minds, was non-stop action. I couldn't put the book down in fear that Ruby would go off an adventure without me. I just kept finding excuses to keep reading. I needed to know what was going to happen to Ruby. I feel that the pacing was great and was even better written than The Darkest Minds. Never Fade does a great job of balancing storytelling with adventure. I didn't feel like Bracken sacrificed plot or action in this book.

In regards to the characters, I was also very pleased with Never Fade. I fell even more in love with Ruby. I thought that she was a bit more of the "strong female hero character" in this book; however, her evolution as a character made sense and it wasn't weird that she had gained some confidence between The Darkest Minds and Never Fade. I didn't notice a drastic shift in her character, she was just a bit braver this time around. I really enjoyed seeing characters from The Darkest Minds and meeting new characters. I was surprised how quickly I became emotionally attached to everyone.

This book addressed my world building questions from The Darkest Minds. First, there was a little more information on how long the virus has been affecting children and how long the children have their powers. Second, there was more information about the powers the different kids have. In The Darkest Minds, I wasn't sure what the Red and Green kids could do exactly.

This book was awesome. I can't wait for the next book. I give this book a 5 out of 5. 
Excellent
 

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