Never Fade - Alexandra Bracken (Book two in The Darkest Mind's series)

Never Fade – Alexandra Bracken (Book two in The Darkest Mind series)

Never Fade is a brilliant sequel to that of The Darkest Minds. This book is full of action, suspense, betrayal, friendships and loss all in one nonstop roller coaster of events. Bracken masterfully continues this story and betters it in a way I couldn’t imagine. Unlike with most series, the first book is always seen as the best, I honestly feel like each book in this series will simply be better than the previous one before.

In this book we follow on with Ruby, after the shocking ending and her departure from Liam at the end of the last book. The journey follows her working within the Children’s League with Cate now as her minder, and we follow the missions she is working on. We really see how Ruby’s character has evolved from the last book, more comfortable with her power, and really comes across as one kick ass protagonist who will do anything to protect those she cares about. We are introduced to an array of new characters, all varying in significant ways.

Vida, a Blue, and a girl with one bad ass attitude, I absolutely despised her character at the start, I simply did not understand what her problem was. Eventually you grow to accept her bluntness, and quite abrasive attitude, and her character is a joy to watch develop as you uncover the many layers of her personality. The relationship she has with Ruby all be it turbulent, is actually nice to watch, it may not seen much, but there is a genuine care for each other, and protective nature they have to keep the other safe from harm.

Jude, a Yellow, a sweet young boy, who comes across incredibly naive and vulnerable. I have to say as sweet as it was to see his relationship with Ruby, and the almost Ruby and Zu esque nature of it at certain times. I really did find this kid annoying quite a bit. It could have been his excitability and naivety, but I did really struggle to get along with his character.

Then we have Cole, Liam’s older brother. Now his character was incredibly interesting. Seen as one of the more influential agents that has worked within the Children’s League for quite a while now. It was interesting to see the conflict of how he felt about his brother Liam and the situation that he had found himself in. I feel we will maybe learn more about Cole in the next book, as I felt we were given very little about him, other than the work he has accomplished and the data he has uncovered which could expose what really caused IAAN. His character is incredibly exciting and I really want to learn more about how he got to be where he is today and more about his relationship with Liam.

This book really was packed full of action, there was constantly something going on, and at times you really didn’t know who to trust or what to believe at all.  Ruby really had to take the leadership throughout this book, taking on Cole’s secret operation for her and the trust he placed with her to find Liam, protecting Jude, finding Chubs and Liam, and dealing with Vida and her attitude. But together they made a great team for the obstacles they faced, of the nasty fake Slip kid (not that Clancy was exactly nice now was he...) being chased by PSF’s, dealing with Rob, but Ruby really showed us how powerful and controlled she could be when it came to it. I really enjoyed seeing this side to her, but also the vulnerability she tried to keep contained, especially where Liam was concerned.

Safe to say I was not impressed at Clancy’s return, I honestly cannot begin to describe how much I hate that guy, but every story needs an enemy. I loved how Alexandra gave us more insight into his life and gave even more depth to his character. The reason behind what he was doing, and especially the shocking discovery at the end! I just couldn’t believe it! And well done Ruby for that last line in the book! The gratification I got as soon as she said that to him, and the way Alexandra wrote that final chapter and the carnage and loss, leaving you shocked and confused, but bringing it back round with that ‘Yeah!’ moment to Clancy. It really did keep you hooked.

I genuinely loved this book, it almost felt like a movie with what was going on, and the writing style is so detailed and great, it really helped create that picture within your own imagination. Alexandra Bracken is becoming one of my top authors at the moment, and I love this series, and cannot wait to read the final book in this series In the After Light. What I love even more is the link between all the book names to create a sentence ‘The Darkest Mind Never Fade In the After Light’ I have heard nothing but great things about the final book, and the sooner I read it the better.

I would give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.