Book Review: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds, #2)

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?

So I really enjoyed the first book in this series,  The Darkest Minds. Personally, this book was a huge let-down for me. I really wanted to love it, or at least enjoy it more than I did. 

The cover is gorgeous as usual and does represent the plotline of Never Fade really well. I think the covers of this trilogy are some of my favorite YA covers. 

However, I wasn't such a fan of the plot. Most of my favorite characters in The Darkest Minds didn'tappear as frequently (or not at all) in this book so it took on a very different tone. This installment was a lot darker than the first. 

Although I did like a few of the new characters introduced, I missed the usual gang--Ruby, Chubs, Liam, and Zu. I wasn't nearly as attached to any of the new characters as I was to the characters in The Darkest Minds. 

me not being attached to any characters

The setting and descriptions were good, and something about the setting and plot reminded me of Mockingjay. I think it was that the Children's League reminded me a lot of District 13. Even though it reminded me of Mockingjay, Never Fade didn't get my heart pumping half as much as it did. 

I think the main reason why I didn't enjoy Never Fade was because I didn't feel like I had anything to get emotionally attached over. I'm really emotionally attached to and invested with everything in my favorite books, and this one just didn't really give me anything to root for. 

And sure, things were happening and there was action, but I didn't feel like it was moving the plot forward of helping in the development of characters. Things were just...happening. 

So I was pretty bored while reading this. I really wanted to enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first book, but I just couldn't get into it. I don't know whether I should read the last book because this one disappointed me so much. Maybe I'll try rereading Never Fade in a few months again and see if I like it more.