Review: Under the Never Sky

Book: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Source: bookstore
Stars: 4.5/5

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.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

Here's the truth: with the huge amount of dystopians coming out right now, I didn't expect to be blown away when I started this book. But this was one of those times when I wish I'd thrown my instincts out the window and read this sooner — Under the Never Sky was amazing!

The beginning was a little confusing because this book takes place in a whole new world — with Dwellers, Outsiders, Realms, etcetera — and some of the terms weren't fully explained in the beginning. But I actually loved that Veroinca Rossi didn't overwhelm us with information at one time! It helped us get sucked into the twisting and fast-paced plot so much easier.

Aria and Perry were both fierce, determined, and extremely layered characters that I loved so much! The romance between them wasn't a love triangle or insta-love or anything else from the cookie cutter. It sprung from a tentative alliance for survival and grew into something so beautiful that my heart ached. The whole cast was incredibly awesome (like Roar)!

And another thing I loved about this book was that there was never a point in the story when I could say, "Oh, I know what's going to happen next!" It continuously surprised me over and over again with its originality and intensity. Plus, the supernatural aspect was so cool!

Dangerous yet beautiful, terrifying yet totally enthralling, Under the Never Sky was probably one of the most original and compelling books I've ever read! It left me mesmerized and wishing I had book 2 immediately. Definitely a book I'd recommend! :)

BUY or BORROW?: I bought this book on a whim and I LOVE having it on my shelf! You won't find another one like it, I promise — buy it for sure!

-Mimi