#56 Book Review: Under the Never Sky

Under the Never Sky
Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: Pier 9 (Murdoch Books)
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Amazon & The Book Depository
More Info: Goodreads

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

My review:


Cover:
I absolutely adore the cover. The shimmering lights surrounding the girl in the middle as if she's alone in a journey makes the cover really eye-catching. I also love the use of colours such as blue, red and white to bring out the cover. 

5 Forget-me-not flowers for the cover!

Story:


Anything can happen under the never sky...


Aria never thought the day she decided to search for more information about her mother would lead to her being exiled from Reverie: home. She had always lived blissfully inside Reverie, where she will always be safe and sound. The moment she stepped in the outer wastelands, she knew she couldn't survive. But the tables have turned when she met Perry, an Outsider who had rescued her life before. Aria and Perry needed each other's help and so they decided to go on a journey to find what they are searching for, under the never sky.


Under the Never Sky was a very addictive book. I couldn't stop reading. This story of survival, and how completely different individuals' lives became intertwined had me from the very first page. The book has become one my alltime favourite YA dystopian reads. The storyplot was filled with actions and it was an exhilarating ride. Under the Never Sky is told from 2 perspectives, one from Aria and one from Perry. I loved Rossi's vivid descriptions of the outer wastelands, and how Aria came to adapt with the situation she was currently in. Aria never knew that such things existed in the outer wastelands and the knowledge and new experiences she gained from her journey was thoroughly explained throughout the book. I really enjoyed reading it! I also loved reading about how both Perry and Aria came to like each other as they spent more time together and I loved reading about their story of survival in the journey. This book was very well written and gives me the ability to imagine what the outer wastelands is like, how survival is a very important thing and how different it is to the Reverie. The ending wasn't a cliffhanger but I wanted the second book now! There were some questions left unanswered and things that can further be explained!


Characters:
Under the never sky, I came to fell in love with all the characters in this book. I loved every one of them. Perry, with his gentle heart, his powers and strength, Aria, with her determination, love and voice, Roar, with his easy-going self and jokes. The characters were very well-written. I loved the detailed explanation of how Aria came to accept the life in outer wastelands and how she had become stronger. I enjoyed reading how Perry and Aria came to love each other and how they support each other. I was glad it wasn't an insta-love because I wanted to read about how they grow to love each other, instead of the characters already falling for each other when they first met. Roar was another character I adore. He was Perry's bestfriend and I loved how Aria didn't felt awkward around him and was able to talk a lot more to him than to Perry at the beginning. There were times when I felt a bit annoyed with how Perry knew he couldn't be with Aria for long because he couldn't marry just anybody for the sake of his tribe but he just kept on building his relationship with Aria, which is one of the reasons why I can't wait to read the second book to know how their relationship will be like after the first book!


Overall:
Under the Never Sky is a story of survival and power, with characters you'll love and adore for their strength and heart. Rossi's detailed and vivid description of the outer wastelands will take readers on Aria's and Perry's journey of survival and how anything can happen under the never sky. This is a 2012 debut you must read!

5 Forget-me-not flowers for Under the Never Sky!

Thank you to Pier 9 (Murdoch Books) for the review copy!