Mundie Moms

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Book Review: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: January 3rd, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher to review, purchased book
5 stars: I LOVED It!
Browse inside the book via Harper Teen

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 -quoted from Goodreads

What a stunning debut! I really wasn't prepared to be totally swept off my feet with this book like I was. Veronica's writing is brilliant and it didn't take me long at all to totally fall in love with her amazing story. I LOVED the feel of this book. For me it felt like a blend of fantasy, dystopian and a little bit of sci-fi, which worked beautifully for this book. Along with the fascinating world that Veronica's created are some unforgettable characters. I really enjoyed the journey I took with Aria and Perry, so much so that I kept turning the blank pages of the ARC hoping to find just a little bit more of the story. I didn't want to leave the world or the characters just yet, and I'm sure I'll have the same longing feeling even with this series ends, and it's just beginning.

Aria is one of those beautiful characters who truly grows so much through out this story. I liked her from the moment the story opens, but I really feel in love with the person she becomes. Her story begins when she's banished from her home and left to "survive" on her own in a world she knows nothing about, except for the scary stories she's been told. Someone like her isn't made to survive in the "wild", or so she thinks. Aria isn't one to sit back and accept her fate, she's a fighter and a survivor, and she's also has the help of Perry, a Savage. These two have such an awesome chemistry together! I loved every moment I spent reading about them.

They both start having these preconceived prejudices against each other, but during the course of their journey things start to change between them as they learn more about each other and their abilities. I really enjoy watching the two of them change and grow closer together as they learn to trust in each other. Veronica does such a beautiful job at unraveling their relationship little by little. Their relationship really comes full circle during their journey, and that ending...*sigh* The world they're surrounded by is enticing, wild and totally dangerous, and I really liked that Veronica created characters who were able to adapt to this world, and in Aria's case learn to adapt in it. Aside from Perry and Aria, I absolutely adored Roar! He totally brings the humor into this story and at all the right moments too. He's the best sidekick for Perry and Aria, and I loved the history he and Perry have together. There's some hilarious moments between the three of them. He's someone I seriously wanted to spend more time with in this story.

I'm going to sound generic when I say this, but I seriously loved everything about this book. I swear I was completely mesmerized by it. Veronica's writing is one that just hooks me. It's clear, it's beautiful, it's inviting and she makes me feel as though I'm right there experiencing everything her characters are. Under the Never Sky's world is truly unique and completely fascinating. I love a book that makes me wish I could hang out in it's world for just a little bit longer. The characters are brilliant! They're detailed, realistic and so easy to just love. Plus there's this little bit of history we get to learn about with both Perry and Roar's tribes, and the complex world they all live in. I really liked the attention to detail that Veronica gives with Perry's people, also known as the Outsiders. While there are still things that I'm curious to know more about in the next book, I really liked how Veronica wrapped up everything up with the first book. It felt complete even though I know there's a lot more to come.

There are so many more things I want to say about this book, but I don't know what else I can say that won't be a spoiler. I seriously highly recommend picking up this book! It's definitely being added to my shelf of all time favorites. I'm blown away this is only Veronica's debut book. I'm eagerly waiting the rest of this series to be released.

17 comments:

  1. I just got this one and can't wait to read it! I'm so glad you enjoyed it (:

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    1. Kelsey I can't wait for you to read it. I'm hoping you enjoy it as much as I did. :)

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    1. I want to sit and read it again, it was that good. I'm so glad you loved it too.

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  3. great review!! I seriously gotta read this!!!

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  4. Ah! I love your review!

    I too was swept off my feet with this book! I loved everything about it! I am hoping she comes to the east coast soon so I can get my copy signed!

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  5. Aww, thank you Damaris! I totally hopes she comes to TX too! I want to talk to her about her book. Don't you want to sit and re-read it again? I am seriously on a Under The Never Sky high right now lol

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  6. I looooved this book so much. I REALLY didn't expect it to be as amazing as it was. my review.

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    1. I didn't either! I was totally blown away with it.

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  7. I also LOVED this book and it seemed when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it!! It's one of my favorites for sure!

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    1. YAY! I'm so glad you LOVED it as well. I agree, even though I've finished reading it, I'm still thinking about it.

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  8. I have heard so many great things about this book on a ton of blogs. I'm glad to see yet another rave review- this book is definitely on my TBR pile now!

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    1. Aliyah- It's seriously one of my favorites! I highly recommend picking it up :)

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  9. Love love LOOOOVE this book! I beelieve this will be one of the best debuts this year, it was fantastic, the mix of genres, the love, the characters... *swoon*

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    1. I totally agree with your comments Danny! I loved everything about this book.

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  10. Aria is a strong, likable female protagonist who will fight to stay alive even when the odds are stacked against her. Perry is a natural leader who will do anything for the people he loves. Combined, they were a great duo to read about.

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