Series ~ Under the Never Sky #1
Author ~ Veronica Rossi
Release Date ~ January 3, 2012
Publisher ~ HarperTeen
Source ~ HarperTeen
GOODREADS SUMMARY
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
REVIEW
After a fast and furious start, Under the Never Sky is a slow mover. Action takes a back seat to vivid descriptions and characters who take their time getting acquainted. I am a girl who likes her some action, but I also enjoy and appreciate when an author takes their time. I love when the scenes are slowly built and the characters grow just a tiny bit at a time. There's a gentle ease to the words, nothing rushed, nothing forgotten.
Let’s talk about the world Veronica Rossi creates. There are the Realms, where life is grand, and the Outside, where life is a struggle. It’s a typical dystopian setup. The haves vs. the have not’s. Everyone taught to fear and hate the opposition. What struck me was the artificial vibe of the Realm compared with the natural beauty of the Outside. I ended up favoring the realness of the Outside, where you had to fight to survive, over the Realms, where you were given everything you desired. I surprised myself with that one!
How about the relationship between Aria and Perry? They struggle to relate and it is understandable. Aria has been raised in a world where she has everything handed to her. She is naïve and hasn’t had to fight for her survival. Aria, to me, is emotionally like a young child. Perry, however, reminds me of an animal, his life filled with cruelty and danger. Perry is more street-smart and he is not exactly an obvious good match for Aria. Circumstances have brought them together and they aren’t thrilled by it. Love connection? Not so much. At least not right away. They have to work hard to even get along and be near each other, let alone have a relationship. For Aria and Perry, romance and passion do not come easily.
What I like the best is that both Aria and Perry are trying to find and save someone that they love. Both situations are different and they each handle their grief in their own way. To me, Aria and Perry’s journey to save their lost family members was much more emotional and engaging than the relationship between the two of them. I loved this part of the story - the fear, the anguish, the longing.
Under the Never Sky brings an unlikely pair together in a world with remarkable descriptions. If you like a plot that very slowly builds, then you will enjoy the subtle changes that take place. I’m anxious to see what happens in the next book!
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