NEVER FADE by Alexandra Bracken

“They call her the Leader. Their saviour and only hope. Only Ruby knows what she really is - a monster, capable of destroying them all. Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her life. Now she must call upon them to bring down a corrupt government in a world where children have been eliminated. When she is entrusted with an explosive secret, she embarks on her deadliest journey yet: leaving the Children’s League to track down Liam Stewart, the boy who carries the truth about the disease that threw the world into chaos. The boy she once loved and hoped never to see again…”

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as I got the book I wanted to read it and start reading it immediately. It wasn’t because it looked good or sounded interesting, although those were factors that contributed slightly, it was because I had just read the first book and it had ended in the biggest cliff-hanger I have ever read. I wanted to read so badly and once I read the blurb I got even more excited and found the book even more interesting, which I thought couldn’t possible happen. I was so happy that Ruby would see Liam again and I knew that I would love the book as soon as I read the first page.

Who was your favourite character and why?

My favourite character in this book was Jude. I liked his bouncy personality and that he always filled the silence, if there ever was any, and that he was chatty. I liked this about him because I am chatty too and liked how happy he always was. My favourite thing about him was something that he said to Ruby when they were on a cargo plane, “I don’t just want to see someone’s face; I want to know his shadow, too.” I really liked when he said this because it told me that he liked to know what was on the inside of people and didn’t just care about the outside like some people, it also told me that he like meeting knew people and liked to know everything about them. Another great quality that Jude had was that he really cared about his friends and always wanted to help them.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was when Liam finally remembered Ruby and all the memories that she took from him in the first book. Ever since I read the ending of the first book I had been waiting and hoping that Liam would remember Ruby, it was the most important part of the book because to me I felt that they were meant for each other and that if he didn’t remember the book would never be as good as the first. I also liked this part because they would finally be able to get on with returning to the Children’s League with the flash drive and, as I had thought when I had read it; find out more about the disease and how to cure it. I loved this part and was happy that Liam finally knew what was going on and they would finally be able to get back together.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I loved the book but I still feel that like the first book it was very slow-moving. Unlike the first book, I don’t think that anything was boring or unnecessary but I do think that they could have been faster at getting to Liam and that Liam could have remembered Ruby faster. Some parts of the book were great and I really liked the fact that Ruby got to meet Cole, Liam’s brother, and that they came across Clancy because I think that meeting a new character and seeing Clancy again were important parts that would have changed the store if they didn’t happen. However, I didn’t like the initiation at “East River” because it was a bit gory and I don’t really like that sort of thing, I think that it was important for Ruby to tell everyone the truth but that she could have done it differently. I also think that something that could have been done differently was the ending and that it was very sad and it didn’t really need to be. Even including the not so amazing bits I still think that this book was great.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

I think that I like the first book better because although I think that they are both equally amazing, I think that the ending of the second book wasn’t very good. I feel that the unnecessary death really ruined the book and that this character really didn’t deserve to die, he was important, and helped make the book amazing and I think that his personality would have helped bring up the mood in the book and probably will too in the third. I think that his death will probably have more meaning in the third book, and hopefully a better explanation, and that I will probably feel different after reading it but so far, I think that the first book was better.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers and adventure books. If you have read the first book then this book is definitely for you. I think that it is perfect for children over 12 and that you will love it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict) 

An exciting, emotional book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego