Author: Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 400
Edition: Hardcover
Received: For Review
Goodreads: Link
Pre-order: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
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.
--from goodreads
Man, the FIRST book I read in 2012 and I already know it's going to be one of my favorites of this entire year! Under the Never Sky is a brilliant debut with heart-breaking characters, exquisite world-building, and a bittersweet romance that already has me dying for a sequel.
Even though the book is a Dystopian, the writing is as lush and beautiful as a High Fantasy. It really reads like a fantasy novel because the world-building is that detailed and scary and somewhat magical in the sense of things! Aria and Perry come from two completely different worlds and I loved the insight that we got to both of them throughout the novel, especially The Death Shop! The journey that the two of them have to take not only physically but emotionally was written beautifully. I want to say I can't imagine what it's like to be in The Death Shop but with her writing, I can! I wouldn't last a day! Haha.
As for the characters; they were definitely the best part of the novel. Each character was carefully crafted to have their own little quirks and personalities, which made every character unique and real to me. Aria was headstrong and brave and I was rooting for her even from the beginning. She's a girl who knows what she wants but is impulsive and sometimes makes mistakes but she's got heart and she's tough! I definitely know why it's recommended to fans of Graceling; she has the strength of Katsa! Perry was fascinating to me. The entire idea behind his kind of people and their different abilities was amazing and I can't wait to learn more about it and his past! He was sweet and protective and my heart ached for him.
As for side characters, this book is full of awesome ones! There was Talon: who was cute and young and I loved reading about his relationship with Perry and how much they cared for each other. There was Roar: who was definitely one of my favorites! He was flirty and witty and completely loyal and then you have Cinder: who was simply under all his harsh words, a little boy terrified of what he was capable of. None of them were flat or boring and each had their story!
And finally; the romance. My heart ached for Perry and Aria the entire time but especially the last half of the book. It was all about the subtle touches and sweet longing and because of that; it was so much more meaningful and steamy than a hot and fast romance will ever be for me. They were so calm and accepting for their fate and I just wanted to shout at the rooftops for giving me a romance this amazing when there is SUCH big obsticles in the way for these two. But even though they never say it, they love each other and the way Rossi presents it makes you believe it the second they know themselves. It's a slow romance for them; considering they absolutely hate each other in the beginning. I loved how they first got to know each other and trust each other and then just fell completely for each other. It was beautiful!
NOTE: you can read the first few chapters right here!
Overall? I recommend a thousand times.
Happy Reading!
