The Darkest Minds was a series I had never even heard of until the day I was bored and decided to watch that god awful movie adaptation where Amandla Stenberg is put into clothes four times smaller than her size. That day still bring me shivers at night. Although I thought the idea of the movie was really interesting and I felt like they had just played it wrong on screen. I did some research and found a trilogy? I had no idea at all these books existed and I was so pumped! The movie does this series a shame!
Some Details
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Title: Never Fade
Series: The Darkest Minds #2
Published: 2013 (this edition 2018)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 513
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Fantasy
Synopsis
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?
First Sentence
“The dream first made an appearance my second week at Thurmond, and it came to visit at least twice a month.”
My Thoughts
My first thought upon finishing this book was how great the character development was. Ruby is completely revamped, Liam bounced right back since the end of The Darkest Minds, Chubs is learning how to survive in the county. Never Fade is really the book where I can see the most change in the main characters. It was also very interesting to see how they would all find each other again. I figured after the way the first book ended that they would reunite sometime in this book but I’d have no idea it would be through these consequences.
The new characters like Vida and Jude are another aspect that is very intriguing because Ruby will now have to face the decision to either abandon the Children’s League family she’s created or her former friends that she left on the road. Bracken’s added characters really add turmoil to Ruby’s decision making which has made every choices for her harder than it was in The Darkest Minds. As the two groups merge, there will also be new links and relationships to note, which makes the novel all the more enticing with the constant happenings to the story.
“I don’t want to just see someone’s face; I want to know his shadow, too.
—Jude”
― Never Fade
Never Fade is a busy book. There is never a dull moment. Constant suspense and surprises. I read this book in a day or so and I find that the plot in this novel was way more exciting and thrilling than the former book in my opinion.
In addition, yes there was a great, addictive, fast, plot but the story was lacking in some sections. For example, we have no idea how Ruby can reverse her powers… she just kinda whips it out on us mid-book. That kinda pissed me off because c’mon she wasn’t able to do it for her parents but it so happens to be great ol’ Liam in book 2 and all the sudden she can “wingardium leviosa let me reverse my mind altering powers.” Yeah, ok. ExPlAiN?!
The Wrap Up
Side-by-side, I prefer Never Fade over The Darkest Minds even though I still thoroughly enjoyed the latter. Never Fade is never boring, fast paced in a good way and super captivating. I was hooked to this book until the last page! The bar is high for In the Afterlight!
“And people like you are the reason we have middle fingers.”
― Never Fade
Buy Never Fade at Indigo Books & Music Canada here. or The Darkest Minds box set here.
Add Never Fade to your Goodreads list here.