Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)

When Under the Never Sky first came out, I was really excited, hoping to love it. I nearly ordered a copy for myself a couple of times, but, ultimately, decided against it. I feared this would be another disappointment, with a trap of a cover. For whatever reason, I was pretty sure this was going to be another instalove dystopia, but I'm glad to say that it's definitely not that.

Under the Never Sky is told in third person from the perspectives of Aria and Peregrine (aka Perry). Aria lives in Reverie, a Pod, safe from the aether outside. Most of her life is spent in the Realms, complex simulations that are thought to be even better than the real world. She has no issues with her life, except for her worries about being separated from her mother, a doctor working on a project in another Pod.

Having lost contact with her mother due to network issues for longer than usual, Aria decides to investigate. To do so, she befriends Soren, the son of a powerful man in Reverie, hoping to lure the information from him. Little does she know what a creep Steldor and his dad are. This first section made it difficult for me to relate to Aria, not so much because she found herself in a bad and stupid situation, but that she should have seen it coming. She has observed some weird behavior from him before, but did not think better of going somewhere with him. Not wise.

Peregrine, desperate and searching for a way to save his nephew's life, breaks into Reverie just in time to save Aria. Ultimately, though, this condemns both of them to expulsion from their respective homes, him from his tribe, The Tides, and her from the Pod. Even worse, a bit of tech he took from her brings Reverie's soldiers after him, during which attack they kidnap his nephew.

Gifted with night-vision and a crazy good sense of smell, Perry finds her, doomed for death in the desert and rescues her despite his loathing for her. Note: there's no instalove. The both hate one another for a good portion of the book. Real trust and affection are slow in coming. In fact, she thinks he's a monster, a savage, and he thinks she's useless, a mole. Circumstances require them to put their feelings aside and work together.

For the most part, I didn't particularly connect with Perry and Aria. With aria especially, I just didn't really have a sense of her personality. Perhaps this stems from the fact that she wasn't a real person until she emerged from the pod and really got to experience life, but I found her very bland for roughly the first 3/4 of the book. Thankfully, a lot of the side characters grabbed my interest, particularly Roar.

What really caught my interest in Under the Never Sky were the powers possessed by folks on the Outside. These powers are essentially enhanced senses. Did they evolve? It's curious. I'm also really interested to know what's up with the aether. Is that from people having destroyed the environment? That's what I would guess, but I could be wrong.

While I was not blown away, I am definitely eager to read the next book, because I would like to learn more about this world and how it came to be this way. I also hope to see Aria really grow into a powerful heroine.

Veronica Rossi has created two futuristic worlds in this book both showing opposite ways the human race could have evolved. One is a super-high tech civilization where we rely on technology to survive; and the other a primitive civilization where human's senses and instincts have evolved to help us survive. Despite my interest in her concept however I found this book somewhat underdeveloped.

The only part that I felt was truly well developed was when Cinder was introduced, there was mystery about him and he moved the storyline alone with the other characters, but his actions ended up being completely predictable in the end when he saved Perry and Aria. One nice surprise was at the end when Vale's true intentions came out. Most of the ending was foreseeable and uninspiring, but I was surprised by what had happened with Vale. In the end this book didn't hold my attention enough to make me want to read more. I still have unanswered questions that I assume would be answered in the next book, but I don't think this one captivated me enough to read on.

Under the Never Sky was so much more than I expected. I went into it with somewhat low expectations because of all the not-so-stellar reviews I’ve come across, but I needn’t have worried about those.

When it comes to dystopian, I’m usually most attracted to shiny futuristic technology and while that does take a part in Under the Never Sky the majority of the story occurs out in the wilderness and I was surprised by how much this didn’t bother me at all. I actually found it new and interesting to be reading about something so different than the usual.
Also, while there are terrible beasts and animals that need to be worried about, Perry and Aria’s journey wasn’t ALL about worrying about them. They were also worried about food and the storms and shelter and getting to their destination on time.

And then there’s Aria. At first she doesn’t know what to do with herself and is basically just waiting around for death to overcome her, BUT THEN. But then she turns into this super awesome butt-kicking person and it’s pretty much awesome squared.
Oh yes, and I can’t forget to mention Perry. He’s got the tough-on-the-outside-mushy-gushy-heart-in-the-middle thing going for him. His mushy gushy heart doesn’t make too many appearances, but when it does, be prepared for the swoon.

One random thing: I kept picturing Perry with black hair instead of blond. I think that might be because most dystopian dudes have black hair :P

And guys, there’s kissing. And it’s a slow burn, so there’s that ;]

The Nutshell: Under the Never Sky will surprise you by breaking out of the dystopian norm and the end result is one fantastic story. All the intricacies from the Aether to the beasts in the wild had me wondering what would come at me next. If you like dystopian, slow burn romance, unknowing-girl turned-bad-a**, and swoon-worthy guys then this is definitely the book for you.

I have a lot of love for dystopians, but ‘Under the Never Sky’ is definitely one of my favorites. There’s new tech, action (fight, fight, fight!), cool powers, super dangerous places to visit, insane sky effects, nifty characters, a not-over-dramatic romance and a crazy kid who can burn you with aether. Oh, yes. This is good.

I loved the world-building, with the Dwellers who live half-virtual lives in the big safe domes while the Outsiders manage to survive by intelligence, know-how and sheer determination to live. Personally, I’m all for the Outsiders. They’re super awesome and could probably kick any Dweller’s butt, as seen by Perry at least once or twice. Hmm, Perry. More about him later. I like the world that Rossi builds; the crazy, ever-present Aether sky is a very nice touch, and I could imagine as impressive and looming throughout the book.

The powers in this world were really, really neat. Most of them are more like heightened senses rather than standard telekinesis or telepathy or weather control things of that nature. They actually seemed more plausible than most normal powers. The technology in this book is pretty awesome too, though I would like to know more about how Aria’s SmartEye thing works. Somehow it connects to her brain and nervous system through her eye and it can be pulled off without ripping her eye out…not entirely sure how that all works. But I can forgive that since I just think it’s awesome that she basically has a holographic gameset attached to her face constantly whenever it’s on.

And finally getting to him, I think I am sort of in love with Peregrine; he’s manly, fierce, hot-tempered and an awesome hunter, and I am all about guys who can take charge and get dirty. So, therefore, I have a massive literary-character crush on Perry, and I am unashamed to admit it! I really liked the characters in this novel, but Perry was my favorite, and not just because I’m in love with him. He was complex, rough but kind, and I like the way he thinks and how he treats Aria. Aria, by the way, is a fantastic female protagonist, and I looove how she grows through the book. She’s sort of weak at first, but she finds her strength through the journey she takes and becomes a much more self-confident and aware person.

I absolutely cannot wait until the next book in the series comes out. I need more Perry. And Aria. And everything. Now! :)

Moves along well, with great twists, turns and surprises. I loved it, and I am thrilled it's just the first book in a planned trilogy. If you haven't read this one, it's a WORTHY read. So powerfully written!

Under the Never Sky is an adrenaline packed thrill-ride from start to finish. Travelling in constant fear of cannibals, light storms and harsh elements means there's never a dull moment. Add in the scintillatingly slow development of romantic feelings and the hope and strength that comes with true self-discovery and you have one amazing debut!

The only area that had me stumbling was the introduction to Aria's life in Reverie. The futuristic slang mixed with undeveloped world-building had me seeking answers that took time to reveal themselves. Most confusing is the technology Aria uses, mainly her Smarteye, and how she manipulates it to transport her into different Realms. You quickly learn that in order to reduce claustrophobia, those living in Pods are able to live virtually through a device attached to their eye which projects a virtual reality where anything is possible - and fear is eliminated. However, despite the fact that you spend the first few chapters slightly confused, the action and intrigue is strong enough to keep you turning pages.

Told from both Aria and Perry's PoV allows for a unique look into both sides of the coin - that of a Dweller (or Mole) and an Outsider (or Savage). Aria is a heroine you can look up to. She first enters into a dangerous situation to gain information about her mother, who she hasn't heard from in over a week after the link between the Pod she was working in was severed with Reverie, knowing the consequences could be (and ultimately are) life-changing. Her courage in the face of obstacles only continues as she's literally thrown into the "Real", refusing to succumb to the panic welling up inside her at the thought of dying from just breathing the outside air. Her initial distrust of Perry is believable, and her attempt to escape his presence was something I admired her for. Her curiosity was endearing, and I laughed when I realized that she collected rocks just because she was fascinated by their differences. I loved that she was eager to learn how to fend for herself, so she wouldn't be so reliant on those around her, and that even though she developed strong feelings for Perry, she didn't let those feelings change her course - she was determined to find her mother, even if that meant walking away from Perry forever.

Perry was interesting for completely different reasons. Where Aria was brave in the face of the unknown, Perry was brave for knowing what kind of obstacles existed (cannibals!), but swearing to overcome them in order to save his nephew from the Dwellers who had taken him. His kind nature is apparent from the moment you first meet him, but he has managed to convince himself that he brings nothing but pain and destruction to those he loves. His ability to open up with Aria showed us a side of him that he had never showed to anyone, and her faith in his kindness gave him the strength to overcome his insecurities and pursue what he felt was rightfully his. His selfless act of letting go showed strength beyond measure, and I loved him even more for it. My heart broke for him when Aria walked away from him, but I love that he also had the strength to let her go - he had a different purpose, and knew that sometimes there are more important things than love.

From start to finish I was hooked. There were moments where I caught myself holding my breath, unwilling to keep reading for fear of someone's life, but unwilling to tear my eyes away at the same time. I was on the edge of my seat for the whole book, waiting both for something terrible to happen and for Perry and Aria to just kiss already! I can't believe how it ended - I flipped back and forth through the pages several times to make sure I didn't miss anything - and I literally shook the book in my satisfied frustration. Round one to you Ms. Rossi, touché.

I've been pretty psyched to read Under the Never Sky since I saw the cover several months ago. I mean, that is a pretty sweet cover, right? Plus, it's a sci-fi dystopian, which is a mash-up of two of my favorite genres. So I was excited when I was finally able to sit down and read it.

This world is complex, and although I love the thought that went into it and all its intricacies, I found the story initially kind of hard to settle into. There's a lot that happens very early on in the story, and I had to struggle to get my bearings. But once I got my feet under me, I really enjoyed the story.

I think this book is actually only loosely a dystopian. It's really much more sci-fi, with a few dystopian elements thrown in almost as an afterthought. Truthfully, if not for random mentions of pieces of Earth's history (a Matisse painting, a National Geographic magazine) sprinkled in sporadically, this entire story could easily have taken place on an alien planet. The atmospheric conditions are so different from what we currently know, and humans have changed so much, that the setting isn't really recognizable as Earth. However, the back story of how the Earth came to be this way is never explained (there are some vague mentions of what happened before and after "Unity," but the book never explain what this was), so maybe if it is revealed in the sequel(s), it will all make more sense.

I enjoyed Aria's character. She wasn't a meek and klutzy damsel in distress like so many YA heroines. (She was, of course, freakishly beautiful, BUT that is explained as a product of genetic engineering, and therefore forgivable. In Aria's words, in Reverie, "everyone looks like this.") She had her moments of forehead-slapping idiocy, but she also learned and grew, realized when her stubbornness was stupid, and was someone I could root for.

I liked Perry even more, although at the beginning I kind of wanted to punch him, what with all the "my brother's in charge but it really should be me" nonsense. Okay, fine, it should be you, but stop acting like your only two choices are killing your brother or exile. There's such a thing as humility, dude.

But again, that was just in the beginning. Once he was out on his own and with Aria, I liked him much more. And like Aria, he also grew, which I appreciated. Too often, the worldly male character in a book serves only as a teacher for the naive female character. But while Perry did teach Aria a number of things (including how to not pick poison berries, a lesson Peeta could have used), he also learns a great deal himself.

I enjoyed the pacing and the development of the plot, and the writing was absorbing, once I got used to it. I loved that the romance in the book developed slowly and naturally. The only complaint I had was that I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending. A lot of questions go unanswered. Since this is book one of a trilogy, I'll forgive it. But I was hoping at least a little more would be wrapped up in the first book.

Overall, I thought this was an intriguing story with engaging characters, and I'm excited to see what happens next.

In Under the Never Sky, Veronica Rossi builds a thrilling and terrifying dystopian world in which she sets a story of two teenagers who are thrown together after each loses what is held most dear. It is action-packed and will leave you breathless from the start.

The two unlikely teens are Aria, a Dweller who is framed and exiled to the Death Shop for a terrible crime while trying to reach her mother, and Perry, an Outsider with special talents who is searching for his kidnapped nephew while feeling the call of leadership. Circumstances force them to work together to accomplish their goals, which fate has woven together. The metamorphosis of their disgust and mistrust to love is a beautiful thing to watch unfold. The amazing and dangerous future that Rossi sets this in is so vivid and skillfully written that it makes the story that much more believable, despite being science fiction.

I usually avoid books that I know to be a romance unless it comes to me highly recommended, but I read Under the Never Sky without seeing what other reviewers were saying. I delved into the story with an open mind and found one of the most beautiful young adult romances that I have ever read. This book is sure to be a classic, and I cannot wait to read and experience it again.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON http://shelversanon.blogspot.com

UNDER THE NEVER SKY is a dystopian third-person dual narrative. To be honest, when I read the description, I wasn't very interested. I hate switching to different perspectives, the whole girl-from-a-supposed-utopia-goes-to-the-wild trope is getting a little old, and I figured I knew exactly how the relationship between the two characters was going to play out. He's a jerk, she gets feisty, aw he's a wounded soul, smoochie smoochie smoochie, the end. I was right... and I was very, very wrong.

The official description quoted above does the book a great injustice. The best taste of the book comes from my favorite quote, found on page 125:

"Do the clouds ever completely clear?" she asked.
"Completely? No. Never."
"What about the Aether? Does that ever go away?"
"Never, Mole. The Aether never leaves."
She looked up. "A world of nevers under a never sky."
She fit in well then, he thought. A girl who never shut up.
That's Aria, inquisitive to the point of irritation, intellectually curious, artsy, and poetic. And that's Perry, rough, blunt, and dry.

The book opens with Aria. Unfortunately, it also opens with a heaping handful of other named characters that I wasn't inclined to care about. Because of the description, I knew she was going to be exiled at some point, and seeing as the first scene is about a group of teenagers about to do something mind-boggling risky and stupid, I figured this "something" was going to be the impetus for the exile. I'm not going to put spoiler tags around that, because it's a bit of a no-brainer. And since I knew she was going to be exiled and therefore unlikely to see any of these other teenagers again, I REALLY didn't care who they were.

Luckily, Rossi finds her stride fairly quickly. The unimportant teenagers are a teensy bit important, because the lead teenager, Soren, is Aria's link to finding her mother, with whom she lost contact several days prior. What's supposed to be a fact-finding mission disguised as a rollicking good adventure in a forbidden area soon devolves into something primal and savage. Tragedy and mayhem ensues, leading to Aria's rescue by a mysterious Outsider who then disappears, and ends with Aria's banishment.

That synopsis might seem a bit dismissive, but only because it is. Aria is fine in her own right, but my heart beats for Peregrine (aka, Perry), the hunky Outsider who saves her not only in the teenage mayhem but also when he finds her exiled and trapped in the middle of an Aether storm. Despite their mutual distrust of and disgust for each other, the two reluctantly join forces to help Aria return home - Aria to clear her name and find her mother, and Peregrine to save his nephew, who was kidnapped by Dweller soldiers.

And snap diddley, does it take off from there! By switching back and forth between perspectives, each character serves as our eyes into a world we don't understand. Through Aria, the girl who finds the Aether fascinating and the fact that fingernails can grow bewildering, we learn about the world inside the pods and the Matrix-meets-Genetics-101 reality she thinks of as normal. Through Perry, younger brother of the tribe's Blood Lord, we learn about the harsh, unbending reality of the outside, where madmen and cannibals roam and a chosen few wield almost supernaturally enhanced senses. Each knows of the other world only what they've learned through legend, which can carry a shocking degree of truth amid the lies.

There were details that irritated me. The very fantasy-like Aether and its effect on Outsiders is never really explained, though the world of NEVER SKY is supposed to be a future version of our own world. Also, Rossi serves up some common stereotypes (of COURSE the heroine of the story can sing like an angel; of COURSE the hero has a rare and valuable skill set) that make me grit my teeth every time I see them in a book. However, the negatives are more than counterbalanced by the positives. Charming and charismatic cannibals that have an established reason for being cannibals? Check! A Jacob-and-baby-in-Twlight type of bond that is NOT solely romantic? Check! A character named PEREGRINE?! Check! (Although I did mumble "Fool of a Took" in certain sections.) Best of all, like other clever authors before her, Rossi shows she is unafraid to kill off a character just because it is expected that she won't.

While the story was in part predictable (the relationship model I expected between Aria and Peregrine? Yeah, it was pretty much like that), Rossi managed to avoid a purely stereotypical ending and left enough valid, compelling loose ends (both plot-wise and character-wise) that a sequel is inevitable and welcome. I look forward to meeting an ever-maturing Aria and an ever-hunky Peregrine in their next episode of their continuing adventure, as well as their array of supporting characters (I won't mention names, as I've already mentioned that she does kill off someone(s).)

**Points Added For: Charismatic cannibals (I squee with joy just typing it), hunky boys who genuinely love kids, main characters older than the obligatory 16, pyromania, sensible Jacob-and-babying (here called "rendering"), characters with cool names, "fables" that actually have some truth to them.

**Points Subtracted For: Unimportant minor characters (Brooke, grrrr), super-Aether in an otherwise realistic world, missing/dead/abusive parents, girls whose main claim to fame is singing.

**Good For Fans Of: Graceling by Kristin Cashore, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (I view the Dwellers as ancestors of both the Eloi and the Morlocks).

**Points For Parents: Mild-to-moderate language (semi-frequent use of the word b*stard), non-explicit sex, non-explicit supposed attempted rape (nothing graphic and no actual rape), violence.

This story was gripping from beginging to end. I picked it up while scanning the bookshelves ofHatchets London, and found that i had to buy it as i couldnt put it down. Aria is a strong willful character. I fell in love with perry the moment he was introduced.

This is not like all the other romance reads that start with a girl and a boy that are in love, the book takes you allong a journey of discovery, with twists and turns that are unexpected, it had me guessing 'till the very end!

I cannot wait for the rest of the Trilliogy, its going to be a long wait1