Never Fade

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? (goodreads.com)

Whoops! I started this post on November 8 and apparently got distracted because I never actually finished it.(sort of spoilery, so read at your own risk)I suppose I also let myself get distracted because I didn't really want to write this post. Sadly, I did not enjoy Never Fade nearly as much as I adored Darkest Minds. Alas. I had a bad feeling at the start of the book when I couldn't remember who Ruby was. How did I forget the main character's name? Golly, Cat, maybe pay better attention to things when you read books! Gah! I had to go back to my review of the first book to make sure I was reading about the same person. I felt like I was reading a different series at first.I had some trouble reading this book. I kept finding errors in the text and had to re-read some parts over due to some awkward phrasing at times and I don't normally notice these things, so it's strange that I did this time.I felt very little connection to Ruby in this sequel but I really liked Vida. I have to admit the Epic Love between Ruby and Liam just wasn't doing it for me in this book. I think Ruby did something totally unspeakable and I feel like Liam should not forgive her for her actions. But, whatever... he's supposed to remember intense love feelings for her regardless of Ruby's actions and I just was not feeling that connection at all.I was worried after reading the first book that the sequel would not be able to match the pace of the first book. I was right. I felt like this part of the story was very drawn out with little breathless action. I found a lot of it predictable and nowhere near as mysterious as the first book.I was disappointed in the sequel much to my chagrin.  I'm not entirely sure how much of my disappointment has to do with my current mood and lack of reading ability or how much was the story itself. It's often difficult to match the awesome of a first book. Sometimes I love the first, hate the second but love the third book in the series, so I am looking forward to reading the next book. I like the idea of this story and I tend to like the secondary characters a lot. For instance I really loved Chubs this time around even though I wasn't a fan of his in the first book. He's had some major character growth and that is pretty awesome to read in a book. Sadly, the protagonist hasn't had much growth and I feel like her decisions are getting stupider by the second. She keeps endangering herself and everyone around her for stupid reasons. Smarten up, girlie!Book three is out next fall (I believe) so I'll be on the look out for that for sure. Hopefully Ruby will be a little more intelligent by then. I'm curious to see where this is all going after the ending of Never Fade. I'd appreciate a little more action and a lot less Epic Never Ending LOOOOOOVE.The Darkest Minds

1. The Darkest Minds
2. Never Fade
3. TBA - 2014