Book Review: Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: October 15th, 2013
Read: April 22nd-May 2nd, 2016
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Series: The Darkest Minds, #2
Format: ARC, 512 pages
Source: Gift

Description 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? 

Review:

   Give 'em hell, darlin.
   I thought after what occurred in The Darkest Minds, that Never Fade would be as exciting as the first novel in the series. The Darkest Minds certainly left us off in a good place for it to be so, but unfortunately that was not the case for me, I found it to be a slow and not as entertaining novel.
   The whole book was honestly just ridiculous to me, Ruby our main character had made a deal in the first novel that left her in the possession of the Children's League, and all it was a one giant bad decision. She could clearly see how bad the League was, and the things that were doing were wrong, but she stayed with them anyway. Even with the deal she made, it was honestly not in her best interest, even if it was to protect Liam.
   With such a slow pace, and nothing really important happening until the very end, I found Never Fade not to be to my taste. The only reason I'd consider picking up the final book in the trilogy would be to see how the final events in Never Fade, play out in In The Afterlight. 

   

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Ghosts don't haunt people--their memories do."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopian, Paranormal, Post-Appocalyptic, Super Powers

Book Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Release Date: October 22nd, 2013
Read: March 23rd -April 22nd, 2014
Publisher: Disney- Hyperion
Series: The Darkest Minds, #1
Format: Paperback, 488 pages
Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

   When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control.

   Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.' to

Review:

   I'm afraid of how much I don't know.

   I had heard about The Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken, so very long ago. Time went by and then I found myself with an ARC of Never Fade, the sequel to The Darkest Minds, but I still hadn't picked up the series to read. It wasn't until I was leaving for my school trip and needed something to read that I went finally and picked up the first book.
   Starting the book I instantly got dija vu, like I'd read a book similar to this one before. Children suddenly getting powers, I'd just felt like I've seen it before. Fortunately that didn't stop me from continuing on with the story.
   I loved how The Darkest Minds had so many things going on in the story all at once, the objective to get to Slip Kid, the ongoing chase of the four, on the road to get away from Cate and the League, and from the PSF's, it all created an adventurous read that even with the slightest addition to the game board making it all that more interesting. And that's exactly what happened at the end of the novel, making the cliffhanger more unbearable.
   I loved Ruby, even with her rough situation of her powers, especially when they caused her to loose so many important things in her life, she stood strong and would always try to keep Zu, Chubs and Liam safe. Her need to protect them made her all that more of an admirable character.
   I also enjoyed reading about Liam, he reminded me a lot of one of my closest friends, so I would always picture them the same.
   I'm glad I finally got around to reading The Darkest Minds, It was an exciting fast paced read that I would recommend to anyone in need of a  little bit of adventure. Now onto Never Fade!
   

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"The Darkest Minds tend to hide behind the most unlikely faces."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Dystopian, Apocalyptic, super powers, chosen ones, mutations, diseases