Thursday, October 10, 2013

Review: Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken


Never Fade (The Darkest Minds, #2)
Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken
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?

”add

Publishes in US: October 15th 2013 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: YA paranormal
Source: Disney via Netgalley
Series? Yes. 2nd in Darkest Minds
The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds, #1)
Untitled (The Darkest Minds, #3)
December 2014 by Disney-Hyperion
Buy it: Amazon . Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: Site blog, or Tumblr.

    I liked this one, but not as much as the first. I feel like I don't remember enough from the first to be totally gung ho going back into the plot. Reading over my review of the first and then jumping into the second because I have absolutely no time to reread I guess is on me, but I really think that more authors should do like Kate Kaynak and give a few paragraphs or pages telling the highlights of the previous books. 
    All of the characters that I grew so attached to, Liam, Chubs, and Zu weren't in the beginning of this one obviously and I missed their presence very much. Don't get me wrong, I loved being in Ruby's head, she is such a strong and solid main character, but what had built her up and brought out hope, light and life in her in the first was all of the sudden missing. 
    I did like some of the newer characters from the Children's League, but I was always second guessing everyone there, because I don't have a history with them or if I do, it is mostly not good. 
    I feel like the middle of this one was a little draggy, but I loved the last third. Action started exploding, characters really stepped up and things happened to absolutely break my heart. I feel like some of the middle could have been cut out a bit, because it is long at a little over 500 pages, and the story would not have been lacking. 
    One of the things I enjoyed the most was Ruby's internal struggles. She hates her power, but wants to control it, but doesn't push too hard because she is afraid to lose control. She sees the allure of the total power it can give her, but she is afraid to become like the people she's seen who abused that power, and hurt others. 
    The ending is dark, but laced with hope, and I can't wait to see Ruby kick more butts and take more names. 

Bottom Line: Good second book with action, but not as awesome as the first.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
If you had the ability to control others, do you think you would use it?
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18 comments:

  1. I skimmed your review since I am reading this now, and while you didn't like it as much a the first I am glad to see it earned a 4.

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  2. Oh I have been dying to start this series. Great review!

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  3. Yay it was good, boo it was not as good

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  4. So glad you enjoyed this, Brandi!

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  5. I've been feeling the same way lately about follow up books, I have still been enjoying them, but they haven't been able to leave an impression with me as much as the first book. Great review! :)

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  6. Ruby sounds like a well-developed character. I haven't read book one but this is a series that I think I'll want to read.

    I guess having an ability doesn't necessarily mean we have to use it - we may all have the ability to manipulate others to do what we want to some degree, but whether we really engage in the manipulation or not is a matter of choice - wouldn't you agree? Thanks for the question :)

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  7. Alas, I was not able to make it through to the awesome ending. Just too confusing with the new characters -- and I didn't even get to the dragging middle part, so I think there's no way I was going to get through this one. So disappointing...really loved the first one.

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  8. I've been seeing so many awesome reviews for this lately. I didn't have any interest in reading this series until the reviews for this one started pouring in. Now I'm considering it. :)

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  9. I am reading this right now, and I like it so far. :) Glad you did too.

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  10. Who has time to reread? It is frustrating when you don't get the right amount of review. I have heard wonderful things about this series and I would like to try it!

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  11. I haven't read these books yet. I think it's great that you're able to still give it a fairly high rating even though you didn't enjoy it as much. By the way, thanks for the great idea - reading your own review of the previous book to refresh your memory. I tend to forget a lot as well. ;)

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  12. It sounds like for a second book in a series it did a pretty good job overall. I can see how if it's 500 pages and draggy in parts that it could certainly use a trimming down in words. I'm glad that the action picked up and you ended up enjoying it. Great review! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  13. I'm glad it's still that good even if less than the previous one. I hope the third will be better. It sounds like a great series.

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  14. Rarely is book two of a series better than book one. I still want to read this series. great review.

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  15. This is definitely a book that every dystopian lover needs to read. Full of action, intrigue, friendship, betrayal and a story that will keep you second-guessing at every turn - this was a stunning novel that I am proud to have on my shelf. I definitely can't wait for the sequel and really believe that this book would make an awesome movie. Just saying..

    Cleo Rogers (Auto Detail)

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  16. I'm so disappointed to hear this isn't as good as the first, but still happy to hear you liked it a lot. I think most people seem to agree with you. Still, I'm excited to read it. Lovely review! To answer your question, I would hope that I wouldn't take advantage of such a power. How could you live any kind of a normal life and have normal relationships?

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  17. I'm glad you really enjoyed this one, though it wasn't as great as the first book. (Which I just loved). I cannot wait to get this one, and I hope I enjoy it, too!

    Great review!

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  18. I'm glad you liked this one, even if it was disappointing. I need to reread the first one before I get to this one!

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