Book Review: Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Never Fade

Alexandra Bracken

512 Pages

Published October 15th, 2013

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 flashdrive 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?

This review is probably going to suck. OK, I KNOW it's going to be trash, more like an incoherent mass of babbling than a review. All I can think about is how freaking fantastic this book was, how I want to read the next book already... the next book that isn't set to arrive for over a year. I think I'll die. So.. there.. I've warned you.

Never Fade picks off right where our characters left us at the end of Darkest Minds.. only a short time after that. Ruby is working with the league and the other characters are.. well we have no idea; off doing their own things. From the beginning I kept my eyes peeled for signs of Liam, wanting to know what would happen when they finally crossed paths again. I loved seeing her work for the league, a terrifying organization if you ask me. Seriously the people in there gave me the creeps.. a lot.

We were introduced to a lot of new characters like Jude and Vida. Vida was snarky and arrogant at times, but a very kick-ass character all around. I loved all the sarcasm that just kept spewing from her and it cracked me up every time. Jude was so tiny in my mind, frail and off balance. He called Ruby "Roo" and that helped me see his character more. In the end he did many things that changed my views of him.. he's actually pretty awesome as well!

As for old characters... loved getting reuinted with some of them. We see Chubs and YES Liam!! and.. someone I wasn't expecting to see. At first Ruby and Liam were awkward around each other, though Liam  had no idea in the world why. I really like how Bracken executed this, and how she let them slowly get to know one another again; it was all so believable for me.

Just like in the first installment, Never Fade was action-PACKED! It took me a while to get into because I was reading other books, but by the time I was 150 pages in or so the other books got temporarily pushed away. I stayed up until 2am, without any breaks to finish this. I'm definitely not disappointed, though I do wish the finale was out already..