Tag Archives: the darkest minds
The Darkest Minds Never Fade
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
The Darkest Minds
Juvenile Fiction
Hyperion
2012-12-18
496
"Sixteen-year-old Ruby breaks out of a government-run 'rehabilitation camp' for teens who acquired dangerous powers after surviving a virus that wiped out most American children"--
Review:
To put this out there right up front, this is one of my favorite books ever and the beginning of one of my top three favorite dystopian series.
Ruby and company are part of a generation of children who have developed various powers, each given a different color code. The government locks them into camps to try to “cure” them. Obviously, this is not how it goes, because if they just went to camp and were cured there would be no plot to speak of. I’ll leave it to you to read the book and find out what happens.
Ruby is a refreshing character in the world of young adult dystopias. While she does have quite a bit of naiveté when it comes to interactions with the outside and boys due to being sent to the camp when she was ten, she is certainly not slow to pick up on things. She takes help and needs help but is by no means a damsel in distress. Others need her just as badly as she needs them. All too often these types of novels leave the heroine in somewhat of an intellectual fog when it comes to adaptation to their new environments, but Ruby does not suffer from that. This is part of why I love it so much.
The other characters are all wonderful. Each one has a well-developed back story that is compelling and heartbreaking. This is not a novel where you find anyone with an easy life. Getting to know them on such an intimate level made me become invested in the novel as whole, not just as it related to Ruby, and made me feel genuine panic when the fates of some became unknown.
The author clearly thought out the motivations of every character in a scene before writing it. None of it is muddled, and it all fits perfectly with their history and current circumstances. None of it seems out-of-place and it makes the plot flow beautifully leaving no room for holes in a character’s plot line. It’s an excellent example for those looking for what to do when it comes to character development.
There is one scene that is particularly disturbing in a sexual consent and control issue way. It’s intense enough that I feel it warrants a description here rather than a brief mention in the content warnings. One character takes advantage of another by using their powers. It’s somewhat ambiguous as to the exact nature of what occurred, but it is definitely creepy and a possible trigger for some. That being said, it is in no way gratuitous and does serve to further both character development and plot. In my opinion, it’s a delicate subject that is handled well.
I cannot end this review without mentioning the world-building aspect. That is my favorite part of any non-realistic fiction type novel and Alexandra Bracken does not disappoint. It’s a world still very much like how we live today, but one going downhill fast. The best parts of the small details that make perfect sense but many would not even think to add. For example, what would the radio play in an absence of teenagers? Oldies. Don’t even get me started on how they are used, because as a combined biblio- and audiophile I may never stop speaking.
Overall, I recommend this book to the point that were I a rich man I would buy all of you reading this review a copy. Well-written, well-developed, heartbreaking, and really darn fun.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, General Intense Situations
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