Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Book: ★★★★☆
Cover: ★★★☆☆
- Reading level: Ages 14 and up
- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins (January 3, 2012)
Aria is a teenager in
the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time
with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an
eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in
Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not
commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known
as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.
As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators,
and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere
called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe,
Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he
is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food
and even human emotions.
They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom
she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry
needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction
by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much
by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to
their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will
forever change the fate of all who live under the never sky.
In one word, this book was beautiful. I loved the alternating POV,
which I usually do not, but Aria and Perry were both absolutely
delightful characters to read. The writing is in third person, which,
yet again, I usually do not like, but this book did much more than pull
it off. All of the characters are crafted wonderfully, each of them with
their own opinions, feelings, and thoughts. While you don't always
agree with their choices, you do understand why they did it. I have to
say, though, my favorite thing about this entire book was the world.
I'm
really not sure whether to call this book a post-apocalyptic or a
dystopian. Really, it's both. In the pods, life seems perfect, but it
becomes obvious very quickly that there are sharks in the water. But
outside, the world has been reduced to villages and tribes that
constantly destroy eachother. And the threat that ruined the world so
long ago? It's still hanging around. Aether, swirling currents of water
and lightning, still writhe in the sky. Even worse, a new madness is
brewing in the pods- making "Dwellers" go completely postal. Which is,
you know, kind of frightening.
However, the writing
style was, to sum it up, electrifying. Throughout the whole book, there
is a sense of urgency and suspense. Both Aria and Perry experience loss
and pain. At first, both of them hate the other. Aria thinks Perry is
like a caveman, ruthless and volatile. Perry sees Aria as a fragile,
useless dweller. But after traveling with each other for a while, they
realize that the other isn't half bad. And so their epic love story
begins.
Another thing I always love in a book is
action, and lots of it. I'm happy to say that this book was full of the
stuff, plus a little Aether mojo. The action was perfectly paced, unlike
my heartbeat when a Cannibal came out of nowhere and tried to EAT
EVERYONE. (Yes. Cannibals. How's that for a kick ass enemy? Although,
believe me, there are plenty of other enemies who are just as scary.)
I've been trying to decide who my favorite character in this book is and I just
cannot do
it! I'm torn between Cinder, Roar, and Liv. If you've read the book,
you know what I'm talking about when I say Cinder is officially one of
the coolest and most mysterious characters ever. Then again, Roar is
handsome, brave, kind, and will go to all lengths to save the one he
loves. And, well, you know, his name is
Roar. Roar! Finally, Liv.
You never actually meet Liv in the book, but you feel like you do. Liv
is Perry's sister and Roar's girlfriend. The way everyone speaks of her,
she is very courageous and kind. She seems like a very interesting
character to me. Thoughts?
Overall, a wonderful and
beautiful read. I totally recommend it.Be sure to pick it up the next
time you can! You won't regret it.
