Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

This is the second book in the Darkest Minds series. Click here to read my review on the first book, The Darkest Minds.

Overview:

Ruby is not only now part of the Children’s League but she is also a leader in the league. She is forced to go on missions and interrogate people using her abilities. She does it all in the hopes of getting the League to free the children in the camps and to try to protect Liam. All of that gets put into jeopardy when Liam’s brother, Cole, shows up saying Liam has information they need. Ruby must recover the information and face the decisions she’s made.

My thoughts: 

I like this book quite a bit more than the first for so many reasons.

Ruby’s character is so much stronger in this book. She still has some issues with how she views her abilities but I feel like she’s finally making decisions for herself and standing up for herself. I think her leadership position with the League might have something do with this change.

On another note, I love the way Ruby’s abilities are explored in this book. She has to use her abilities more because of the League but there are also times when she consciously makes the choice to use her powers. In doing this, she questions just how far she’s willing to go, what she’s willing to do, and the morality of her choices. It’s hard to know what’s right and what’s wrong when the world is the way it is. This book can definitely get a little dark at times.

There are so many characters from the first book that come back around in this one. Some great and some not so great.

I hated Vida, she could drive almost any person to violence, but she doesn’t seem so horrible by the end. Jude I loved. He’s such a positive hopeful kid you can’t help but love him for it.

Liam, of course, is also back in the fold but a little changed which is no surprise if you read the first book. Despite everything that’s happened to him, I think it’s amazing how he’s still such a great guy to everyone and Ruby.

There is so much that happens in this book, so much that is revealed, and so much still that needs to be revealed. I classify this book as a genuinely good read.