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Aug 27, 2015Rox9300 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Alexandra Bracken’s Never Fade, sequel to The Darkest Minds, resumes a few months after the first novel’s ending. Throughout this time, Ruby has trained with the Children’s League, a secret organization that strives to expose the truth behind the children’s concentration camps. The story starts out during a League mission, in which the goal is to free an important League agent being held hostage in a militant bunker. The agent turns out to be no other than Cole Stewart, Liam’s brother. During the process of interrogating Cole and searching his mind, Ruby uncovers a recent memory of an encounter between Cole and Liam, in which Liam accidently left with Cole’s USB, which contained top secret PSI Children information. In order to protect Liam, Ruby does not pass on this information to the League. Later on, Cole confronts Ruby on the matter and directs her on a rogue mission to retrieve the USB from Liam. Due to complications, Ruby is forced to involve Jude, a fourteen year-old, overly-naïve Yellow, as well as the obnoxious, sharp-tongued Vida, whom is a Blue. The trio, later joined by a character from the previous installment, set out on a brutal journey, filled with destruction, mayhem, and suspense. Never Fade was absolutely incredible. Bracken wrote a beautifully complicated storyline, which definitely topped the first novel. The story was much darker and tenser than the previous book. There were many violent and destructive scenes, as well as miserable ones which really enunciated the prevalence of issues faced by Psi kids, and how those issues cause such a drastic level of desperation among them. The character growth throughout the novel was lovely too. Ruby learns to come to terms with her powers and how she uses them, and develops them to an even greater extent. The others in the group also show personality growth, especially Vida. Alongside that, I truly enjoyed the abundance of villains presented in this installment, and how different they were to one another, while actually being the same within. Lastly, the relations between characters were once again just as magnificent as the first novel. Bracken knows how to create real chemistry between characters, which a reader can easily feel and relate to. Also, I’m incredibly glad she brought in Liam again, it didn’t feel right for that relationship to end how it previously had. Overall, absolutely, thrillingly pleased with this novel. An incredible sequel, which keeps readers fully engaged.