Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Author:  Veronica Rossi
Title: Under the Never Sky
Series: Under the Never Sky #1
Publication: January 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Borrowed
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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.

Thoughts:Aria is desperate to find her mother and she reaches out to the only person that she thinks can find her the answers, Soren, the son of one the Reverie leaders. Soren takes Aria and some of their friends to an unauthorized Realm and things spiral out of control quickly; leading to a big cover up and Aria getting thrown outside to fend in the wild. She finds her savior and enemy in outsider Perry, who blames her for the loss of his nephew, Talon but sees her as the means to getting him back. So, thus a truce is made and they look to help each get back those they love, if they can survive the Aether and each other. 

The interactions between Aria and Perry make me visualize this story like a modern day Beauty and the Beast as she refers to Perry as a savage. Also, the fact that he's quieter and she's so curious about her surroundings and his world and he's less inclined to talking. However, gradually over time they begin to develop an understanding of one another and see where some of the misconceptions about their people come from. It's nice to see Aria appreciate and experience the beauty of the real world after never being able to in the Realms. A funny moment is when something changes in her body and she thinks she's dying, HA! I think Rossi has created a touching group of characters and the message I got from this story is about truth and judging people without knowing for yourself who they truly are.

I found myself wondering what in the world Aether was, so hopefully the author will clear that up in the next book. The creation of the Realms and the use of the Smarteye seems really cool. The idea of being able to visit different places would eventually get tiresome because they can't really feel anything, so not for me...I'd prefer the outside world to that any day. The writing paces along steadily and the story is believable (I could really see this happening in the future). Overall, the world building and the characters are realistic enough that a reader of this genre may like it.

Liked it

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