Book Two of the Darkest MindsBy Alexandra Bracken
Available now from Disney Hyperion
Review copy
Read my review of The Darkest Minds
If you haven't started this series, no worries. THE DARKEST MINDS is currently on sale for 99 cents in ebook (and $5.99 in paperback). Once you reach the end, you'll pick up NEVER FADE immediately because that ending.
NEVER FADE picks up several months after THE DARKEST MINDS and Alexandra Bracken lets the full details of what Ruby's been up to unfold slowly, as she runs into some familiar and unfamiliar faces. Ruby is with a new group now, one that she hopes will help liberate the camps, but she's not sure how to sway people to her side. Meanwhile, some people would prefer to just start killing the kids.
I still sometimes have trouble buying into the central premise of this series. Everything I said about it for the first book stands: plague centralized to the US? I guess it could be something nefarious, but who knows. Parents give up their kids willing? Yeah, it might save their lives, but I don't know a single parent who would go five years or whatever without their kid. They would be teaming up and busting in. Where are all the parents?! But, again, I do go with it, because Bracken is a compelling writer.
If you're hoping that things get happier in NEVER FADE, then you're out of luck. Bracken does introduce Jude, an optimistic, sunshine character who I instantly fell in love with. She also introduces Vida, a tough, rough girl. Yet in some ways she isn't as tough as the kids who have been through the camps. Since they're grouped with Ruby, you know they're going to be put through the wringer.
Once more it is a trip across a changed United States, running into different factions all with their own agendas. But Ruby's after a hard drive, one that might be able to bring down the corrupt president and free the kids. All she has to do is keep from getting herself killed. She also needs to come to term with her powers and decide where she draws her moral lines.
NEVER FADE is a fascinating, heart wrenching book. Bracken's X-men meet dystopia series is full of action, romance, wise cracking, and pain. Once more she ends things with a hook, leading you right into the next book. (Oh when oh when will I have it in my hands?) If you're like me, it's also an ending that might make you shed a tear or two. I'm afraid I might be a wimp.
If you're a wimp, then I am too Liviania because I was an emotional mess at the end! *sobs just thinking about it* I really enjoy this series and the characters in particular, I just wished we'd gotten some answers in this book. It felt very middle book in that way to me - she dangled the "cure" in front of us but we learned nothing about it really, we only got set up for the next book. That being said though, I agree with you - this is a fascinating and painful read all at the same time and I can't wait to see how everything plays out in the next book! Lovely review:)
ReplyDeleteThanks! (I think at the end I was partly sad and partly angry. NOOOOOOOOO.)
DeleteWell, I guess we can all start a wimp club, because if you said tear or 2, then I know I will need a tissue or two! OH and I hate to cry. Still, it sounds pretty good. However because of that ending I may wait until the next book. That way I'll know if I can have my HEA in the end. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who tears up!
Delete"If you're hoping that things get happier in NEVER FADE, then you're out of luck." BAHA. I have yet to read Never Fade yet but I was indeed hoping for a bit of a happier story, guess not! xD This one also has a sad ending? Dang, Bracken is out to kill with these endings, I barely survived the first one.
ReplyDeleteI just hope the third book gets a happy ending!
DeleteI haven't started this series yet but the worldbuilding does sound implausible. It's good though that the author is a compelling writer because you don't end up focusing on the worldbuilding so much then.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is a balance.
DeleteHeart-wrenching, eh? Jeez, I need to read Darkest Minds. My coblogger reviewed it and loved it, so I have held onto my ARC even though I had trouble getting into it the first couple of times I tried. Maybe it was just my mood, though, all these positive reviews have me intrigued!
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
I do think The Darkest Minds really gets going when Ruby hooks up with Chubs, Liam, and Zu and you get the character interaction. But not all books can work for everybody.
Delete