Review: Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (Under The Never Sky #1)

Title: Under The Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
Publication date: January 3rd 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age group: Young Adult
Genre: Dystopian/Fantasy
Cover rating: 4/5
Content rating: 2/5
Buy: Amazon 

Description:

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

My thoughts:

This is actually a pretty tough review to write. Under The Never Sky was without a doubt one of my most anticipated books of 2012. I actually decided to read it this week because I was in a reading slump, and figured I would definitely love this so it would help me out. That was not the case! It was a bit of a let down! I loved the first 20 pages and remember thinking it might actually end up being a five star book. However, nothing much happened for the next 100 pages or so which definitely lost this one some stars. Honestly, the snails were passing this plot out. I was really far into the book before Aria and Perry met- something which we're told right there in the description!

I think that one of the most jarring things about this one was that I didn't expect it to have such a fantasy feel to it. I had assumed it was a dystopian along the lines of Divergent and company, but it had a paranormal aspect that I didn't realize would be there and that I didn't much like. It felt like it was too much of a mix of everything and I didn't personally think all the elements blended in that well with each other. Everything felt really out of place.

What I did like: The way the chapters alternated between Aria and Perry. It actually worked ridiculously well in this book and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how differently they both saw the same world as they had really different upbringings. I loved reading about Perry's relationship with his family members and all the drama that went along with it. I liked how he looked out for his nephew, Talon.

I also LOVED Roar! He was pretty awesome and had me laughing out loud every time he opened his mouth! I probably would have adored this book had he been in it from the very beginning to make things funny and lighthearted with his snarky and cocky attitude. He was without a doubt my favourite character in the novel an I wouldn't have minded a whole novel centered around him.

I did enjoy Rossi's writing and while the plot moved slowly, it wasn't actually difficult to read because Rossi certainly has a way with words. Some things would be phrased so nicely or differently that I'd just have to go back and re-read it again just to appreciate how it was said. It definitely made sure that I will read other books by this author- perhaps not in this series but I would totally check out other stuff she writes!

Despite there being quite few good points, I was still left with an overwhelming ''meh'' feeling. I do not think much happened. Small events here and there but nothing too exciting or terrifying. I spent the whole book waiting for it to get good, waiting for it to live up to my expectations and all the rave reviews. No luck though and I won't be reading the sequel unless it pops up in my library or something. I'd probably still recommend it but I myself was left sorely disappointed and bored!

Looking at Goodreads, I am one of only a handful of people who didn't adore this one so take that as you will.