Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Never Fade

by Alexandra Bracken
second book of The Darkest Minds series
published on October 15th 2013 by Disney Hyperion Books
YA/Dystopia/Science Fiction/Romance/Adventure
507 pages
I'm bad about spoilers. This is a warning.

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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?

“The call you Medusa. One wrong look and your brain turns to stone.”

I was glad I didn't have to wait for Never Fade because the ending of The Darkest Minds was just SO MINDBLOWING I can't I just.... can't. Never Fade welcomed us a few months after what happened in those last pages of The Darkest Minds: Ruby was in the center of a mission, with a totally new pack. There was a bit descriptions about what's been going on, introduction to some new characters.... And all. I love these new characters! Zu was absent in this second book, but her two replacements aren't bad at all. Jude and Vida were definitely important to the story—Jude is practically a kid, and his bright personality warmed my heart, a total opposite of Vida who's loud and snarky but also smart at the same time. These two grew up on me eventually, and I found myself loving them as much as I loved Chubs and Zu. (PS: I TOTALLY SHIP VIDA AND CHUBS. THEY'RE TOTALLY SHIPPABLE)

Alexandra Bracken doesn't wait to instantly deliver us the action. She doesn't hold back at all. Since the beginning we're being plunged right into all the suspenseful confrontations. Ruby's main goal in Never Fade, however, is to find Liam and bring back the flashdrive that even the guy himself doesn't know he has in his jacket. The moment after they find him, though, is so heartbreaking I cannot help but to cry reading about it. YES, Ruby is finally reunited back with Liam. NO, he isn't in a good shape. *silent tears running down ma face*

Ruby continues to be awesome in Never Fade—to me this girl is so unselfish, she's willing to protect those she loves whatever the consequence is, and that's exactly why sometimes she could make the worst decision. It was palpable how big the guilt she feel about Liam. She doesn't regret it if it means to protect him, but after finding the guy she loves in such an awful condition, well, how can she be so sure about her decision anymore, right? Their heated conversation in the gas station, oh my god, TOO MANY FEEEEEEEELS. I love how Alexandra explains that heart and brain are two totally different things through this scene; Liam's brain doesn't recognize Ruby, the girl is practically a stranger to him, but Liam's heart cannot lie about it. The heart does recognizes her. I cried a little and then I cried some more. It was good that Liam confronts Ruy about her stupid decision—I mean, if I were him, I would also be shouting things at this girl, like 'You do not have the right to do anything like that because, it's MY mind, yo!'

"I feel like I’m losing my damn mind, like your face has been carved into my heart, and I don’t remember when, and I don’t understand why, but the scar is there, and I can’t get it to heal. It won’t go. I can’t make it fade. And you won’t even look at me!"

The whole thing about IAAN, Clancy and Cole, I'm still wondering where it's headed. I do loathe Clancy with my every being, cause honestly even after we got a glimpse of his life in The Darkest Minds I cannot feel even a little bit of simpathy toward this guy. Cole, well, he doesn't really play much in Never Fade, and I was kinda worried that he's going to be... a rival for Liam, you know, regarding Ruby, but so far he hasn't done any harm. 

So in conclusion, yay! One more series where the sequel doesn't disappoint at all! Alexandra Bracken is good at making such quotable lines from the dialogs of her characters (that's what I love the most about this series, actually), she's good with her plot, Never Fade proves to be as entertaining as The Darkest Minds. Over five hundred pages goes by without me noticing how long it is. If you haven't started reading this one, well, you at least need to give it a shot, because it's a GOOD series. The last book of the trilogy is set to be out this fall, can't wait for it! :)

Need more to convince you that this series is worthy of your time? Read reviews by Mimi Valentine and Melanie from YA Midnight Reads

Have you read The Darkest Minds and Never Fade? What do you think of them? If you have any books to recommend that is similar with this one, do not hesitate to tell me!

Have fun and read some more,