Review: Under the Never Sky

Under the Never Sky

Veronica Rossi
Published by: HarperCollins
Released: January 3, 2012

Description of book from inside flap of book jacket:

     Sinece she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.
     Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of survival in the outer wasteland-known as the Death Shop-are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild-a savage-and her only hope of staying alive.
     A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile-everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
     In her enthralling debut, Veronica Rossi sends readers on an unforgettable adventure set in a world that's harsh but often beautiful.

Wow. I just loved this book. I was a little iffy at first because it was once again, another dystopian novel, but it's so different from all the others. First, there is no leading government and a group of rebles. You can all relax now. Second, no rebellion. FINALLY! Instead there are Dwellers and Outsiders, one group lives inside the safety of the Pods and the other on the outside in the vast unknown.

The story is written in third person point of view, switching between the two main characters, Aria and Perry. It gives us something different each time because we can see things from both people's point of view instead of just following one. You can understand Aria's weary feelings towards Perry at first and Perry's hatred of her. Then you can discover the feelings they have for each other as the story continues. Personally, I loved that! I often get bored following the same character throughout the book, so switching it up like this made me a very happy girl :)

The only thing that bugged me were some of the things in the story like the Smart Eye and Realms. I didn't feel like they were fully explained at some points and I got confused for a while until it was finally explained better. And then *SPOILER* when Rose started giving relationship advice to Aria about Perry, I was like "Wait? What? Go back and read this again" *END SPOILER* Things like that drove me crazy, despite the fact that I still loved the book.

The names. I love how Rossi connected their names to some personal connection. *SPOILER* Aria is named 'Aria' because of her beautiful singing ability and the fact that she sings arias for her mother, Lumina. Perry is short for Peregrine because of the fact he can smell feelings and see at night. *END SPOILER*




Then the name of the book. Under the Never Sky. Such a tantalizing, amazing, unique title! I have to admit, I think that is what convinced me to buy the book. That and the cover is just stunning!

Lastly, the whole love story. The two characters started out hating each other, both fearing each other because of their differences. But they push those aside and fall in love with each other. They were like a Romeo and Juliet minus all of the suicide. I still cry whenever I read the ending (And I have read this book at least four times. I'm a sucker for a happy ending).

This book has easily become one of my favorite books of 2012 so far. So if you are up for an epic love adventure, I highly recomend this one.

Review by Calypso

Side Note: The cover for book two, Through the Ever Night, was released yesterday. Frankly, I think the cover and title are even more beautiful than the first one. It keeps with the same design, only with Perry on front now.

Cannot wait to read it!