‘Never Fade’ (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

An extremely action packed story about Ruby and the battles she has to fight. Both against the thing, she is beginning to become as a consequence of her actions, and all the other dangers lurking around every corner, while trying to protect everything she holds dear.

by Mariam

(Spoiler Alert – this is the second book in a series)

Ruby has been taken to the HQ of the Children League. Even though Ruby never wanted to have her abilities because of the dangers involved with them, she has to use them daily now on her missions and to break into the minds of her enemies.

When rescuing Liam’s brother, Cole, she discovers a life-changing and mind-blowing secret from him and decides, that it’s more important than anything else is, so she leaves the Children’s League behind.

She sets out to find the truth. The truth about the disease. However, the truth in only available in one place. Liam, who now no longer knows Ruby, is unaware that he has it inside a USB-stick he accidentally got hold of.

But Ruby is determined to finish her mission. Nevertheless, she is torn between her friends, both old and new, and her loyalty to the league and her mission. She also battles with the consequences of her actions. What if she has turned into everything, which she had been fighting for so long?

Dripping with personality

I was introduced to a whole lot of new characters in ‘Never Fade’ and the ones I already knew from the first book have developed massively. Personally, I think the dialogues were one of the most enjoyable parts of the novel, because Bracken manages, in a way that I have rarely seen before, to put all the characters’ personalities and behaviors into the dialogue, so they get really unique and realistic.

Ruby changes a lot and is almost unrecognizable at the start of the book. She uses her powers whenever necessary and isn’t afraid to do so. She has also gotten a lot more calculating and has gotten much better instincts now.

She has found new friends, and she is fiercely protective of them, especially of Jude. He is one of my favorite characters in the books, because he brings the good sides out of Ruby, when she can’t herself. But also because even though he is so naïve and open, he is still intelligent and thoughtful in his own way. He is different from everyone else in his outlook on life, and that was actually refreshing while reading this book.

Excerpt from ‘Never Fade’

“Just shut up and start sucking each other’s faces already,” Vida grumbled, leaning awkwardly against the stump. She would never admit it aloud, but I knew the burns on her back her eating her alive with pain. “I’m trying to make up for the sleep I lost when you started screeching at each other like cats in heat.”
“Miss Vida,” Liam said, “has anyone ever told you that you are positively the whipped cream on the sundae of life?”
She glared at him. “Anyone ever told you your head is shaped like a pencil?”
“That is physically impossible,” Chubs groused. “He’d be–”
“Actually,” Liam began, “Cole once did try to– What?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Chub said, “apparently the middle of my sentence interrupted the beginning of yours. Do continue.”
“I’m going to guess you probably don’t want to hear about the time he pushed my head through the neighbours fence…”
“Was there a lot of blood?” Vida asked, suddenly interested. “Did you lose an ear?”
Liam held his hands up next to his ears, indicating both were firmly attached to his skull.
“Then, no” she said. “No one wants to hear your boring-ass story.” 

A giant, fast roller coaster

Never Fade is quite a brutal book. A lot more than the Darkest Minds. It is filled with darkness, violent scenes, and destruction. The book hits the ground running and I felt like I didn’t even get a chance to pause to get my breath. There always seemed to be something lurking around the corner just waiting, so there were more than enough to focus on.

The plot is complex and things happen quickly after each other, so I actually had a hard time finding out finding out what exactly the climax was. The book is like a giant roller coaster and is filled with so many unpredictable scenes, and on the one hand, they are extremely frustrating, but on the other hand, they are just as captivating. It is action packed and full of suspense and one of the best 2nd book in a trilogy I have ever read. like a giant roller coaster and is filled with so many unpredictable scenes, and on the one hand, they are extremely frustrating, but on the other hand, they are just as captivating. It is action packed and full of suspense and one of the best 2nd book in a trilogy I have ever read.