Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2)

The Darkest Minds is quickly becoming one of my favorite book series. Alexandra Braken has created such an amazing world that really highlights the faults of society and the American government system. This second book made me fall in love with Ruby all over again and the love between Ruby and Liam. They have been through so much, yet they continue to remain strong for themselves and for all of those around them. Ruby as a character also developed a lot from the first book. She is a very strong and independent person who has to make so many difficult decisions, but she takes it all in strides.
SPOILERS
Starting off, I was really disappointed with Ruby joining the Children's League and wiping Liam's memory. Everything became okay though when Liam got his memories back and I realized the intentions of the Children's League weren't so bad. I was glad that this allowed us to be introduced to her new gang of friends and Cole. Cole seems like a really interesting character with pent up anger. I really like Cole and it confused me so much cause I could see him and Ruby being a thing but I also like Ruby and Liam together.... Oh my conflicted shipper heart. Also the fact that he is a Red just blows my mind. Vida... I hated her with all of my guts in the beginning but she grew on me. Jude... god I loved that innocent and quirky kid. It pained me when he died. However, we saw the old gang including Chubs come back and that made me happy.
I was so glad to see Rob get killed off. They way he treated and killed those kids was sickening. I cannot believe adults would behave like that towards the children. It is not the children's fault that they are the way they are. And Clancy... oh I'm am so angry he lived. That little shit ruined everything.
Now that ending, I was so pissed President Gray didn't die and that he bombed LA. That just screwed up everything.

The ending of The Darkest Minds left my heart in my stomach. But the ending of Never Fade left me with sweaty palms, a racing heart, and sitting on the edge of my seat. It was phenomenal! I’ve been saying this since I read The Darkest Minds, and I still stand by my claim—this is my new favorite dystopian. Move over Tris and Four, because Ruby and Liam are stealing the show.
It is so hard to find a second book in a series that is better than the first, but found it I have. Never Fade was every bit as good as the first book, if not better. There were surprises and heart aches all along the way. I was sucked into this story almost from the beginning.
For all those that said Ruby was the weak link in The Darkest Minds, you won’t be saying that now. She has grown so much. Ruby is now in control of her powers and takes them to a whole new level. Of course, that level comes with horrible consequences. She is strong, determined, and a serious force to be reckoned with. She’s also not alone. Vida is another strong female lead in the book, although my least favorite character. I never really cared for her. She is rough around the edges and foul, which makes me hesitant to recommend this to my school aged students. I’m very disappointed by that, too, since I rave about The Darkest Minds all the time.
I could analyze the plot, but it would take away so much. This is a book (series) that you need to experience for yourself. It’s fresh and exciting, and packs a serious punch.

"Never Fade" continues the Darkest Minds series with what felt a bit like an intermediate book. Beginning after the end of the first book, when Ruby is now with the League, trained and running missions, we meet a whole new cast of children with special abilities who live and work with the League. Uncovering a plot within the League, Ruby has a new mission- to save the children who are working within it. Added to that, she finds an opportunity (from Cole, Liam's brother) to seek out Liam, and she takes it- but of course, he will have no idea who she is.

Chubs and Liam are back from the first book (but not Zu), and we now get to know Jude and Vida from the League. The side characters in this book are really fantastic and they really are well formed. The first half/two-thirds of the book drag a bit as the action moves very slowly. The last parts of the book really pick up and pull you in, but it still took me a very long time to get through the first parts of the book. In that way, it felt like an intermediate. I wish it had been a bit faster paced and really moved the plot forward throughout and not just at the end.

This book is dark, in the same tone as the first. There is major character death plus all sorts of terrible things happening in the desperate country. There might be some alludes to sexual assault also (not spelled out, but it seemed like it), and added together with the many violent and horrifying scenes, this book is really appropriate only for older YA audiences. Overall, I still enjoyed it and am looking forward to picking up the next book!