Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi Book Review

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
US Release Date: January 3rd 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Author Info: Veronica Rossi's Website
Source: I purchased it through Amazon
Genre: Young Adult Sci-fi/Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Buy It: Amazon / Barnes and Noble
Challenge: 2012 Debut Author Challenge
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Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse. 

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive. 

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
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Plot: I really did like the basic plot of this story. The post-apocolyptic setting with the contrast between a very new way of living and a primitive way of living was really interesting. The premise of Aria trying to get her way back to the Pods was really engaging (and Perry made it interesting too :P ). However there were some plot points that didn't quite fit. Maybe with a bit more development they would have worked better but there were moments in the book when something would happen and...it didn't just feel quite right. However I believe that only shows that Veronica Rossi is still learning and as she grows in her skill im sure her plots will become more cohesive.


Pacing: The pacing was very well done. A lot of the book seemed to be Perry and Aria traveling through the wilderness but it was not boring in any way, shape, or form thanks to Veronica Rossi's skill. The alternative POVs also helped to move the book a long so that even as they were traveling there was still something new going on. However the ending was a bit rushed for my taste.


Characters: I really did like the characters. I liked Aria because even though she starts of weak and unsure she really grows. Because of her secluded life within the Realms she really doesn't know how to take care of herself in the wild but she isn't helpless. Despite her struggles she learns (with a minimum amount of whining) and eventually becomes strong enough to hold her own. Perry was really good. You really get to see his depth more fully in the POVs in his perspective than if Rossi had just kept the book in Aria's POV and I really appreciated that. Perry is a much more complex character and entertaining as well with all the struggles he has personally and with his clan. 
               The romance between them really worked. It was not insta-love. It grew slowly and over time as each character began to learn about the other. It was really sweet and engaging and a good bonus to the book.


Writing: The writing was good. Not blow your socks off amazing or tear the book to pieces awful, just good. It made the world easy to visualize and the characters easy to connect to. Veronica Rossi is a good story-teller and a good writer and the world she created was very vivid and adventurous.


Overall: This book is fun, exciting, full of adventure, with just the right touch of romance. The characters are developed and likeable and you really cheer them on in there adventures. However, there are some plot parts that need a bit more development and didn't quite connect with the novel as well as it could have. I did enjoy this book and the setting and the unique idea. It didn't excite me as much as other books have but I still am glad I read it.

4 out of 5 stars

Should you read it?

Yes, this book is fun, creative, and has a nice bit of romance. Plus the heroine isn't sappy or defenseless which is always a plus.

Should you buy it?

Personally, I would say it isn't a must buy.