The Darkest Minds, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Hyperion
2013-10-15
512
"In the second installment of The Darkest Minds trilogy, Ruby joins forces with the revolutionary Children's League to find critical information about the epidemic that has torn both her life and America apart"--
Review:
Ruby and friends are back, with the book picking up only a few months after the first one left off. The sacrifices she made at the end of “The Darkest Minds” become immediately clear as far more than even she thought they would be. It jumps right into the action and never really stops. In other words, this book is intense, so be prepared.
Typically second books in trilogies are the weakest link. I was prepared for that to be the case with this one, because it really did seem impossible to make it on par with the first. In my opinion, this one was even better, though I was disappointed in seeing so little of my favorite character, Liam. That is bias on my part though and was necessary to the plot. When he does come back, the result is perfectly believable and flows well with how he left off at the end of the first book.
We are introduced to quite a few new characters, and just like in “The Darkest Minds”, they are fleshed out with complete and compelling backstories gradually revealed over the course of the book. Alexandra Bracken is a genius when it comes to character development. All of their actions fit with their backstory.
One of my favorite things about this novel is the fact that teenagers actually speak and act like teenagers. Vida is the most shining example of this. Her language is vulgar, she is full of attitude, and can be volatile with her moods. I think we’ve all known at least one Vida growing up. All too often authors shy away from the way teenagers actually speak, and the fact that Bracken is not afraid to go there speaks of both her talent and her respect for her readers that are of that age.
The world is expanded in a wonderful way. We get to see the inner workings of the mysterious Children’s League as well as learn more about how the government is currently functioning. It adds a perfect balance to what we learned in the first of the series of how the children are living and gives us a much more complete view of the world Ruby lives in. All of it sets up for what is sure to be an exciting conclusion.
As with “The Darkest Minds”, “Never Fade” has become one of my favorite books of all-time. The world and characters are so well-developed that I feel like Alexandra Bracken needs to teach a class in creative writing. She is a true natural talent. Again, if I were wealthy I would buy everyone a copy.
My only question is how am I supposed to wait until October 28th? I feel like I may go into withdrawal and need some sort of rehab.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
