ARC Review: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds, #2) by Alexandra Bracken

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 flash drive 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?

 

I didn't think it was possible for me to enjoy an installment in this series more than the series opener, but Bracken proved me wrong.  This second installment was even more action packed, suspenseful and full or twists and turns that never ceased to surprise me as I was reading.  I was on the edge of my seat from the very beginning and stayed that way until I finished the very last page.

 

I was worried that with the way things were wrapped up in the series opener that with the new addition to the cast of characters and the way things were changing so quickly that I wouldn't be able to embrace all the new and unique changes Bracken introduced.  But once again Bracken has a way with words and her character development had me feeling like the adventures Ruby was facing were exciting and surprising all over again.  The new cast of characters that Bracken brought into the mix this time around became some of my favorites.  But don't get me wrong...while I loved the new additions, most of all Jude, my old favorites were still around and still had me rooting for them every chance I got.

 

I'm sensing a pattern with Bracken's work, and I'm correct, she'll always have me embracing all the new obstacles that the characters must face throughout her pages, there will always be new faces that inspire me and have me wishing we were all friends in real life, and hoping that the bad guys got exactly what they deserved in the end.  But most of all, she'll always leave her readers with a cliffhanger ending that will brings tears to your eyes, anxiety to your life and have you once again counting down until the next installment in the series hits the shelves.  Her third installment in The Darkest Minds series cannot come soon enough!