Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)

The sequel to Under the Never Sky was so exciting and interesting.

I liked the development of the plot and characters. I found Aria, Perry, Roar and Cinder more and more interesting as I’m reading.

Everything was so unpredictable and I immensely enjoyed reading Through the Ever Night that I can’t wait for the conclusion!

I thought I loved Under the Never Sky. I thought I knew Aria and Perry, and the strength of their relationship. I thought I understood life outside Reverie, and how hard Dwellers had it. I’m here today to tell you: I thought wrong on all counts. Through the Ever Night is easily more suspenseful, more romantic and more action-packed than I could ever have imagined, and is a rare instance of a sequel outperforming its predecessor.

Refusing to let her novel suffer from the fatal middle book syndrome, Rossi begins Through the Ever Night with a sense of urgency that only escalates as the pages are turned. This sense of urgency is fuelled by the Aether storms, growing in both ferocity and frequency, which makes everything that happens in Through the Ever Night feel like it’s on borrowed time. Add in the numerous, intersecting plot twists, all of which have you wondering how you mostly didn’t see them coming, and you literally can NOT put it down.

But as wonderfully suspenseful and fast-paced as the plot is, Through the Ever Night is brilliant because of its characters and their phenomenal growth since Under the Never Sky, and their relationships to one another. Having grown in strength – both physically and emotionally – Aria is nearly unrecognizable. Gone is the scared, nervous girl from Under the Never Sky, and in her place is a fierce warrior who is in tune with her abilities. While she stills holds a certain level of fear for the outside world, it’s accompanied by a certain respect and determination to meet her fears head-on. Perry shares a similar determination, but it is to do what’s right for his tribe – even when that means letting Aria go. I loved knowing that, as important as Aria is to him, his sense of loyalty to his people overpowered his desire to be with her after being apart for so long. And that they both knew that their relationship could handle the time and distance apart.

"Love was like the waves in the sea, gentle and good sometimes, rough and terrible at others, but that it was endless and stronger than the sky and earth and everything in between."

And as much as I thought Aria and Perry’s relationship would steal the show for me, it truly didn’t play an overbearingly important role in Through the Ever Night’s plot. While it was impossible not to feel how in tune with each other both Aria and Perry were, with their thoughts constantly returning to one another during moments of pain or loneliness, they were both focused on more important tasks: Aria hoping to convince Sable to lead her to the Still Blue, and Perry struggling to keep his tribe fed and protected.

And then there’s Roar. Passionate, protective and well-humored, Roar was the rock Aria needed to see her through her tasks’ hardships. Their connection as Auds created a friendship that was warm and heartfelt and innocent – I never once doubted that their friendship would ever be anything but friendship. Their casual banter was easy and so necessary to balance all of the heartache and hardships they were forced to overcome.

I really don’t feel like I’ve done Through the Ever Night justice. I can’t put in to words how strongly Rossi has made me feel for all of her characters, how much she has done to make sure I care for their future and how hard it is to walk away from them for a whole year!

As I finished “Under the Never Sky” I immediately set to work finding the second book in the series. I absolutely needed to know what happened with Aria and Perry. Last I had read, Aria has ventured home only to be confronted by Consul Hess and his offer of blackmail he had extended to Aria. In exchange for finding the Aether-free zone called the Still Blue, Hess would release Perry’s nephew, Talon, and allow him to go back to his tribe and new Blood Lord uncle. Caring for Perry as deeply as Aria does, she accepts without much hesitation. “Under the Never Sky” leaves off just as Perry and Aria are to be reunited once more (total cliffhanger!).

“Through the Ever Night” opens exactly where the last book left off. Aria and Perry reunite and after a passionate embrace, Perry talks Aria into coming back to his tribe to not only await the frozen passage they must travel to find information on the Still Blue to thaw but also so he may give her the markings of an Audile, the Outsiders with an acute sense of hearing. Aria is not accepted well in the tribe and after much ridicule and a few attempts on her life, she leaves without Perry to find the answers she requires to free his nephew.

Aria takes along Roar, one of her closest friends and Perry’s best friend, who wishes to go to the Horns, another Outsider tribe, and find word on Perry’s sister, Liv, who Roar is in love with. Along the way, Aria and Roar’s friendship really takes root and although I had a sickening feeling that it may venture into more, Rossi kept the relationship strictly platonic, which was much appreciated.

Perry’s loyalty to Aria is tested in her absence and secrets are revealed as to what is happening in Reverie when Aria isn’t there as well as an explanation for some odd behavior from the leader of the Horn tribe, who supposedly knows the location of the Still Blue.

This book focused more on the friendship between Roar and Aria and Perry’s struggles with his new Blood Lord title than on the romance between Aria and Perry as the first book did. It was nice to take a step back from the lovey-dovey and delve a little deeper.

In what I have now come to know as classic Rossi style, the book was phenomenal. It did leave on such a tedious cliffhanger as the first book, but there was a question of what might happen as, I imagine, Aria and Perry venture out to find the Still Blue finally. I cannot wait until the third and, sadly, final book in the trilogy comes out. Mark your calendars my book-aholics: “Into the Still Blue” is set to release in January 2014!

So, I couldn't be happy until I bought and started this book. I was going to wait to get it from the library, so I tried to read 3 other books, and wasn't feeling it. So I put myself out of my misery and bought it.
Then I read the summary, and I knew that more heartache and trouble were in store for Aria and Perry, but I just had to see more of their romance and find out what happens next. The characters did not let me down, they continued to be amazing and blow me away. I couldn't stop thinking about them and this world. Every time I had to put down the book I was thinking about Aria and Perry and Roar in the back of my mind and this beautiful but dark and treacherous world that Ms. Rossi has created.
There were times that I wanted to cry, and I couldn't believe the obstacles and heart ache that happened. There were others that made me smile and still others that made me want to fan myself. Or possibly zap myself into Aria's shoes so I am there with Perry. There were other moments that I wanted to smack some sense into them because of the choices, or almost VERY bad decisions made. But luckily my rage wasn't waranted at the specific moment where I was ready to give up on my book boyfriend.
Here is an example of the swoon worthiness:
Perry’s hand settled on her hip, his grip firm. She felt their kiss shift into something deeper as his mouth moved with more urgency over hers. Suddenly there was real heat between them, and she had to force herself to draw away.
When she did, a soft curse slipped through Perry’s lips. His eyes were half-lidded, unfocused. He looked as overcome as she felt.
Aria leaned by his ear. “We’ll pick that up when we’re alone.
He laughed. “That better be soon.”
Yeah. Hose me down now. But I digress.
The twists were amazing, and I was shocked that the unlikely alliance that formed, and also very glad to see the return of some of the characters that I liked a lot but wasn't sure I would see again after the end of the first book.
The depth of the characters just really amazes me. They are so complex and they really found a way into my heart. I learned so much more about Perry in this one, and it was such a joy to be in his head. It was difficult watching him grow into the position of Blood Lord, but it was worth every minute.
I just loved the devotion and loyalty in this book. The measures that Aria and Perry would not only take for each other but their friends such as Roar and Cinder, and the people that they are connected to by leadership, family, or place they grew up.
And while I loved Roar in the first book, he has gone to a whole other level in this one. He never fails to bring a smile to my face, but knowing he is in so much pain makes my heart hurt too. His friendship with Aria deepens even more in this one, and I really appreciate that. It is not a love thing at all, but shows the depths that you can care for someone without being IN love.
This series has worked its way into my top ten and maybe even higher. Aria and Perry's romance is up there with my favorite couples and the cast of secondary characters, esp Roar is there as well.
I appreciated the continuing world building in this one, especially a more detailed description of the aether. I can picture this world in my head and feel myself right in the story with the characters.
The pacing was great. There was always character development or action to keep things moving, and I almost wanted to press slow motion at times to savor the happy and together moments of Aria and Perry before the next impending disaster. Because you know there will be one.
While I of course am still craving more of this world and of Aria and Perry, I think that Through the Ever Night ended at a good spot and it didn't make me want to through my kindle because it felt like it stopped in the middle of a chapter, like some books do with cliffies. It was heart breaking though!!

Bottom Line: Loved it even more than the 1st. Perfection. Lots of character growth, swoon moments and heartache.

**ARC won through PitchDark**

I read this ARC immediately after I finished Under the Never Sky because I needed more Perry and Aria. This book has them apart for most of it but the moments when they are together are just fantastic. I think I liked this one as much as if not more than Under the Never Sky.

In this book we are finally introduced to Liv (if you haven't already read the novella Roar & Liv), she's tough and caring and pure awesome. I admit I hated her when we were first introduced simply because I adore Roar, but she quickly grew on me. We are also reintroduced to Soren in this one and I admit I didn't hate him nearly as much as in the first book.

This book made me laugh at parts and then had me crying my eyes out at others. This novel is just one big emotional roller coaster and anybody who has been lucky enough to read this book already knows exactly what I'm talking about.

As with Under the Never Sky, the plot never slows down and the story keeps you sucked in. The actions as well as the emotions in this installment are intense. You just do not have the chance to become bored with this book.

So I'm sure you're asking, Is this book a great sequel to Under the Never Sky? Yes! This book doesn't fall into the sophomore slump that many second books in series find themselves in. Veronica Rossi's writing continues to be amazing and she really pulls off both Aria's and Perry's POV flawlessy by giving them each a unique voice.

I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in this amazing series. I cannot wait to find out what happens next with Perry and Aria and all of their friends.

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
ARC borrowed from Jen from Jenuine Cupcakes!
Release Date: January 8, 2013
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Hypnotic and Thrilling, With a dash of the sweetest romance ever!

Veronica Rossi—you’re amazing!!!! Through the Ever Night is a breath of fresh air—dazzling and heartfelt. It will easily be one of the best of 2013! From Chapter 1, I was catapulted right back into a world full of duplicitous loyalties, crumbling hopes, and passionate romance—a world where trust can be just as dangerous as the aether.

The story starts right where Under the Never Sky leaves off, and right away, we are rewarded with the brilliant love between Perry and Aria. I just love how Veronica doesn’t break you by having them become victim to miscommunication or deceit right away like many others 2nd books in a series do. When that happens, for me, I have a hard time enjoying the book because I’m too distraught about the star-crossed lovers. I just want to give Veronica a shout out for being able to deliver an amazing and breath-taking story without falling into that cliché. Now, that doesn’t mean everything is all hunky-dory and doves in sky and frolicking through a field of poppies. On the contrary, Perry and Aria do find themselves being thrust apart and challenged, but it’s done in a way that won’t leave you cursing and threatening to stop reading then and there.

What’s also great about this 2nd book is that we get to know Perry, Aria, and Roar! even better. You see them more clearly as individuals, instead of people who are so tied to another that they cannot go on living. I liked seeing their strength, even in the face of distance and tribulation and death, because it made their missions and their relationships all the more meaningful. I loved getting to know Roar more, too. I found myself laughing out loud with him at times, and then crying for him a moment later. He’s this big brute of a man, but there’s a softer side to him that cries out for help—and I wanted so badly to read through the pages and tell him all would be okay.

Aria is so much stronger in this book than in UTNS. Don’t get me wrong, I think she was kick butt in the first book, but she has really grown into her own skin in this book. She’s confident and not to be messed with, and you can see her agility in the way she moves, the way she speaks, and the way others speak about her. She isn’t whiney like many other female main characters are when things go wrong, instead she is hopeful and nostalgic. So we see her pain and longing in her memories of the past, but she never gives up or breaks down. She puts on her brave face, she squares her shoulders, and she takes a step forward, knowing that she must fight if she’s to come out the other end alive.

And Perry. I just love him so much! He seems so different than other swoony guys, and I don’t know why this is because he shares so many attributes that my other book boyfriends do—he’s handsome and overprotective, sympathetic when he needs to be, kick butt strong with an in your face temper when its warranted, loyal and unwavering, and full of passion an love. But there’s just something about him, maybe the way all these attributes interact, that makes him different from Aiden, Daemon, Jace, Adam, etc. I can’t seem to put what it is into words, but just know, that this guy will sweep you off your feet.

Perhaps what I love even more about Veronica is her endings—they don’t kill you! I am not a fan of cliffhanger endings because then I have to toss and turn for a year wondering what’s going to happen next. Veronica knows how to end a book where there is still much to be accomplished and discovered in the next installment, but without making you want to scream. Her endings make me smile and feel like everything is going to be okay, even if the aether is threatening to tear the world apart.

Resolute.
Chilling.
Romantic.

Through the Ever Night is everything I look for in a dystopian novel, and it breaks my heart that I must wait an entire year (at least) for the next book. I just don’t know if I can survive without Perry…and Aria…and Roar….Cinder….and all the new (and old) faces we see in this heart-wrenching sequel.