Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Readers have been waiting in GREAT ANTICIPATION for the final installment of Veronica Rossi's trilogy and it's almost here.

(Don't worry, my synopsis is quite vague so as long as you've read the first two books there shouldn't be any spoilers.)

After the downfall of Reverie, Aria awakens in the Tides's new home to find that much has happened while she was asleep. Hess and Sable have joined forces and are keeping Cinder hostage, with the knowledge that his control of the Aether will be the only thing that allows them to get to the legendary Still Blue. Aria's old Dweller friends are still keeping to themselves and many are suffering illness from having entered the outside. Aria knows they'll have to work together if they are to survive especially with the Aether storms growing more powerful and dangerous everyday. But first, she and Perry will have to try to save Cinder. 

I'm on the fence about this wrap up to the trilogy. I didn't love it but I did enjoy it. Part of it just seemed rather anti climactic after the build of the first two. I found the character development to be on the lean side in particular. One could argue that we already got plenty of Aria, Perry, and Roar in previous installments but this third book does introduce some new developments with regards to characters we've not really learned much about in previous titles. Sadly, there's little to no further development on anyone in the story here in this final release.

Much of the focus of the book is spent on rescuing Cinder. This is fine but - without giving anything away - it just felt as though a bit more time and energy could have been spent on fleshing out other aspects of the story as well, especially with regards to some of the BIG events and revelations that occur in this third installment. I also wanted to see more interaction between the Dwellers and the Tides. Instead, this is pretty much relegated to a few lines and Jupiter's help in flying one of the hovers (which I did appreciate).

I don't mean to knock the book too much. Overall Into the Still Blue was a fine installment and it did offer up closure to the series, but I wanted fabulous instead of fine.

Into the Still Blue is out next Tuesday, Jan 28.

Rating: 3/5

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Aria and Perry are reunited after their months apart. Now, Aria has struck a deal with the same man who banished her from Reverie, promising to find the legendary Still Blue -- a portion of Earth that remains untouched by the violent Aether storms that have become the norm since the solar flare that devestated the atmosphere so many generations ago. The Pods are now plagued by Degenerative Limbic Syndrome, an illness Aria's own mother was studying before dying in the destruction of Bliss. What's more, the Pods are no longer safe from the Aether either. But Aria's presence amongst the Tides brings discord to the already troubled tribe and threatens Perry's position as Blood Lord.

This follow up to Under the Never Sky definitely delivered as far as moving the story ahead. It can be problematic finding a balance between world building, character development, and story progression -- especially, it seems, in a shorter YA title. After spending 2/3 of the first book traveling with Aria and Perry, I definitely wanted to see more in the action department and Through the Ever Night did not disappoint.

We also get more of other character's stories here as well. Aria and Perry still get center spotlight, but Roar is a huge part of this installment and we finally meet Liv as well. What's more, the story travels to yet another tribe, giving us another glimpse of more of the world around Aria and Perry.

The ending in Through the Ever Night is pretty killer. It's definitely one that leaves readers on the edge of their seats, which is another reason I found this installment a bit more exciting and overall satisfying than Under the Never Sky. Now I desperately want more!

Through the Ever Night hits shelves today!

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Reverie is the only home Aria has ever known, and it's just one of many Pods created after a solar flare destroyed Earth's atmosphere. Here the Chosen and their descendants have lived a charmed and protected life, never wanting for anything and safe from the dangerous Aether storms outside. Aria and her friends only meant to have a little fun when they broke into the defunct agriculture dome but their night of adventure ends in tragedy and Aria finds herself banished to the outside world -- a punishment that means almost certain death. Perry saved Aria once before, on that fateful night. Now he is her only chance of survival. But Perry isn't gung ho to buddy up with a Dweller. Especially not after they stole his nephew. If he wants to save the boy, Aria might prove to be his only hope.

I read through the majority of Veronica Rossi's debut on the plane home for Christmas. It was a super quick read and definitely engrossing enough to keep me distracted during the flight. I found that the promise of reading both this first and the follow up title back to back was much more satisfying than if I'd had to wait, however. Under the Never Sky spends a lot of time setting up the world. It's not something that normally bothers me but with a book a short as this one, it meant that the story didn't move forward very much. The plus is that Rossi also uses this time to build her characters quite well.

The premise is pretty standard post apocalyptic, utopian/dystopian fare: Destruction of the atmosphere leaves Earth all but uninhabitable so a series of domed cities is created for the chosen few. Power in the domes rests in the hands of a select few but all is not as great as it seems. But the setting is a bit unique. The tribes and the roving bands of Croven as well as the Aether storms are different as is the explanation for the mutations exhibited amongst the outsiders -- Audiles, those with excellent hearing ability; Scires, those whose sense of smell is greatly enhanced; and Seers, those with exception sight.

I will say the Scire ability gave me a bit of the creeps, though, especially when Perry starts spending an excessive amount of time talking about Aria's scent... um, ew.

While I have to admit that I much preferred book two (review coming soon), I did quite enjoy this series opener. My suggestion would be to pick up both and read them back to back -- and then suffer alongside me as we all wait for book three to come out after the great ending of book two!

Under the Never Sky is now out in paperback and the sequel, Through the Ever Night, hits shelves in hardcover on Jan 8. HarperCollins also has a new prequel e novella out, Roar and Live: Under the Never Sky.