Recent Reads - Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1), Veronica Rossi

 5 of 5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult, SciFi/Fantasy Dystopian

Pages: 400

Publication: 1/3/2012, HarperCollins

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Why I Chose It: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  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.

My Review:   I finished this one in the early morning around 2 am and I awoke hours later feeling very depressed that it was over. I felt like I'd lost a friend. I wasn't prepared for it to end--although it has a much more satisfying ending then some other series I've read recently. That being said, I will admit that it took me a while to get into the story. I found myself stopping and starting a few times, unsure of whether I liked it or not, but once it got going, I was completely enthralled.

Under the Never Sky has so much going for it. The dystopian world Veronica Rossi has created is all kinds of spectacular. You have a government within Reverie trying to cover up the loss of one of its pods and an attack on Aria, so they send her from her cozy little world into the real. Into the Death Shop.

Outside, you have a world scorched and dying from what they call Aether storms. You have tribes who use knives and arrows, and fight for land and barter for food. Not to mention cannibals and people with mutant-like powers they call Senses. This, as the name implies, is the heightened ability of one of the human senses. SO. COOL.

On top of that, you have a quietly strong heroine who is more amazed than anyone by how well she fares in the real world. And Perry. Oh Perry. How I love you. It was weird at first because his full name is Peregrine and I kept thinking about Pippin from Lord of the Rings (which I don't think is a bad thing because I have an uber crush on Billy Boyd who played him in the movie). You can't read or write. But you can hunt and you can kill and you're loyal, and brave, and noble, and oh so many wonderful things. For me, Perry is the best type of hero. Strong and kind, even if a little damaged.

This is not insta-love people. This is the real deal. Starting from a mutual disgust and hatred and building over time into something intense and beautiful.

By far one of the best post-apocalyptic/dystopian reads for me. This one is full of action and romance. I absolutely adore this story and the love between Perry and Aria. I can hardly wait for the next installment. Recommended to everyone.


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