(Under the Never Sky #1)Author: Veronica Rossi
Classification: YA Fiction, Dystopian, Paranormal
Source: ARC copy from HarperCollins
Published: January 3rd, 2012
Overall Grade:
A+
Recommendation:
Pre-order it: A unique and thrilling dystopian with an amazing romance!
Add to Goodreads | Pre-order from Amazon
__________________________________________________________________Add to Goodreads | Pre-order from Amazon
Summary (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 abarbarian, 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
The first book in a captivating trilogy, Veronica Rossi’s enthralling debut sweeps you into an unforgettable adventure.
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My Thoughts:
Veronica Rossi's new paranormal dystopian series is surprising, well-crafted, and romantic as heck! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I grew to love the two protagonists of the novel, Aria and Perry, and the skill with which Rossi's 3rd person narrative told the story with emotion and tension.
The novel's opening, showing Aria and several others in Reverie, is probably the weakest point of the novel. It was difficult to understand the technology that Dwellers like Aria use on a daily basis, mainly the Smarteye devices, and the way that they function in everyday life. However, despite the fact that readers may feel confused by the lack of world-building at the beginning of the novel, the action picks right up, forcing them to turn pages despite their lack of information.
Perry and Aria are great protagonists, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. I felt that Rossi allowed each character to overcome their own separate prejudices against the other slowly, but surely. Their relationship is believable, as is each character's growth throughout the novel.
Each section of Under the Never Sky is told from either Perry or Aria's perspective. This is a great way for the reader to get to know each of these characters very well! I felt that Perry's world was very well-developed. He was a character I instantly loved... his personality and story managing to be both heart-warming and heart-breaking, even if his painful secret, that we learn towards the end of the novel, is a bit melodramatic and predictable.
Aria is another great protagonist: she is strong, even in her weakness and ignorance of the world outside of Reverie, and she shows herself capable of change. The romance between Perry and Aria can be compared to Romeo and Juliet, in that each comes from a separate background that is at odds with the other. This drives up the sexual tension to the max! If I had Perry and Aria dolls, I'd smush 'em together and make kissy noises.
Although the characterization and romance were both spectacular, Under the Never Sky also delivers as a thrilling dystopian and paranormal tale. The plot was fast-paced and varied, keeping the reader on their toes at all times! When you weren't worried about Perry getting caught up in an Aether storm, cannibalistic tribes bent on munching on Aria, or Dweller hovercrafts snatching people, you were wondering when they were going to shut up and make out already!
Overall, Under the Never Sky is not only one of my favorite new dystopian books, but one of my favorite reads of 2011. Pre-order your copy before it's released on January 3rd, 2012!
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Overall Grade:
A+
Recommendation:
Pre-order it: A unique and thrilling dystopian with an amazing romance!
Add to Goodreads | Pre-order from Amazon
Add to Goodreads | Pre-order from Amazon
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(Full Disclosure: Any books purchased from Amazon through the links on this page will result in a small commission to me.)
Definitely an awesome book I need to order soon. I liked Perry, but Roar just did it for me. I would've preferred him as the main male lead. I also felt the Smarteye was a bit confusing. Awesome review, and thanks for visiting mine! :)
ReplyDeleteOhhh, awesome review! I absolutely agree. LOL, love the doll part. So true! It's one of my all time favorite reads as well. I've actually already pre-ordered it myself and have planned for a re-read with a friend! I'm in love with it and completely addicted.
ReplyDeleteChelsey: Roar is definitely a one-of-a-kind secondary character that deserved more time! Hopefully we'll see a bit more of him in the sequel. :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca: Thanks for the props! I can't believe how much this book makes me want to giggle and squeel!! It's so addicting!!