Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi EARLY REVIEW

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

Egalley thanks to HarperCollins


Synopsis from Goodreads
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

The first book in a captivating trilogy, Veronica Rossi’s enthralling debut sweeps you into an unforgettable adventure.

US release: 3/01/2012
UK release: 7/02/2012


Amazon | Amazon kindle | Amazon UK | Amazon UK kindle |   The Book Depository | The Book Depository UK

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An interesting combination of sci-fi, primitivism and virtual reality, - this was one of those dystopians which didn't disappoint.



The vivid style of Under The Never Sky reminded me of another wonderful story I've read in 2011, - Angelfall by Susan Ee, although two plots have absolutely nothing in common.


The synopsis pretty much describes what happens in the book, but as they say "the devil is in details", and they are gorgeous.


Aria is a product of genetic tampering by her opera-loving mother, who gave her a powerful voice.She spends her life in virtual multiple realities where she can be anyone she wants. Virtual world was designed by first Dwellers so people wouldn't go mad spending their lives in confined spaces. Now every Dweller is plugged in with the help of Smarteye.


When Reverie, the pod where Aria lives, is damaged in a freaky incident involving her and a son of a powerful man, she is a dangerous witness who is left to die outside.


Perry is an Outsider who lives with aetheric storms, lack of food and harsh conditions all his life. Some Outsiders are born with special gifts which gives them certain superpowers. Perry's gift is Smell and Sight which makes him a magnificent hunter.


When he finds a Dweller girl within an aetheric storm, their goals coincide. She wants to stay alive and find her mother and he wants to find his nephew taken by the Dwellers. Thus, an unusual alliance is born.


UK edition, cover and synopsis (which I strongly dislike) lead you to believe this to be a love story. Thankfully it's not. The world doesn't revolve around how she feels/he feels. It's more about survival, a journey that changes a lot of people's lives, about rediscovering and reconnecting to the nature.


The connection and attraction between Perry and Aria happens and grows naturally through little details. How her smell changes the more she is outside, how her stubbornness impresses him, how Aria's fear of a barbarian Outsider turns into a reluctant respect and admiration.


The secondary characters are beautifully done as well. 

There is much food for thought in this book. How aetheric storms help people's mutation and adaptation to the world? What happens to people's minds when they lose contact with reality and their instincts of self-preservation atrophy? The implications of genetic experiments?


Under The Never Sky is a strong debut with fantastic world-building and charismatic characters. I would recommend it to any fan of YA dystopians.

* * *
Замечательная книга! Очень интересно соединены научная фантастика, примитивизм и виртуальная реальность.


С приходом электро-магнитных штормов, человечество было вынуждено построить убежища, где люди могли бы существовать без того, чтобы когда-либо выйти на поверхность. Чтобы люди не сошли с ума в ограниченных пространствах, была сконструирована виртуальная реальность, к которой каждый человек подсоединён с рождения и где в тысячах Реалий он может быть кем угодно.

Ария - одна из таких поселенцев, тщательно сконструированная собственной матерью-генетиком, чья любовь к опере побудила её дать своему ребёнку необыкновенный голос. Когда происшествие, в котором замешана Ария и сын могущественного руководителя Убежища, чуть ли не уничтожает её дом, Арию оставляют умирать на поверхности, чтобы избавиться от опасного свидетеля.


Перри - один из Дикарей, поселенцев, что живут снаружи в первобытных условиях. Электро-магнитные шторма дают некоторым из Дикарей особые дары. Перри обладает двумя из них Чувством Запаха и Зрением, что делает из него прекрасного охотника.


Когда Перри находит Арию посреди электро-магнитного шторма, они заключают странный союз. Арии необходима его помощь, чтобы выжить и добраться до поселения матери, а Перри нужны её знания, чтобы вызволить племянника, захваченного Поселенцами.


Несмотря на то, что отвратительная розовая обложка и синопсис английского издания рекламируют эту книгу как историю любви, Под Небом, Которого Никогда Нет прежде всего история о выживании, об изменении двух людей из совершенно разных миров.


Влечение между Перри и Арией второстепенно сюжету, развивается медленно и естественно, постепенно переходя от взаимной неприязни к уважению и восхищению, чем больше они узнают друг друга. К моему облегчению, здесь нет обычных TSTL поступков, клятв в вечной любви и жертв во имя неё. То есть ум не отказывается функционировать во имя чувств.


Второстепенные персонажи и сам мир также чрезвычайно интересны, поэтому в целом я смело рекомендую эту книгу любому поклоннику дистопий/антиутопий.


9.5/10

Comments

  1. I think we've requested exactly teh same books on netgalley - only you seem to be able to read them a week or two ahead of me! :-)
    This is one I'm hoping to read in the next week or two and now I'm really excited about it!

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  2. I hope you like it, Mel! It took me only few hours to read it, and I'm sure next book I want to read you'll review first *wink*

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  3. Oooo, sounds like a great read! :) THank you! A nice blend of items to make my day.

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  4. "The world doesn't revolve around how she feels/he feels. It's more about survival, a journey that changes a lot of people's lives, about rediscovering and reconnecting to the nature.

    The connection and attraction between Perry and Aria happens and grows naturally through little details. How her smell changes the more she is outside, how her stubbornness impresses him, how Aria's fear of a barbarian Outsider turns into a reluctant respect and admiration."


    Halle-freakin-lujah! Now, I want this book more than ever. I've got really high hopes for it, and I have a feeling (based on your fab review) that it won't disappoint. I requested this on NetGalley but was unfortunately denied. Oh well, I guess I just need to wait patiently for the official release.

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  5. Oh, it sounds wonderful! I'm super curios about it and had actually planned on picking it up next, which I'm even more excited about now. Great review!

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  6. Great review! I found this one much more sci-fi than I expected but I did enjoy the story and the characters.

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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  7. This one sounds like a nice read, I was very intrigued with this cover, I really like it. So if the sotry is interesting, it's prefect!

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  8. I have my copy of this book and I cannot wait to read this! Lovely review Karina x

    ♥Ficbookreviews♥

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  9. Marg, I hope you like it! Put it that way, at least it's refreshing and doesn't have "girl meets boy,feels insta-love and is ready to take on the world for him in a matter of days" scenario :)

    Rebecca, Melliane, Lalaine, I do hope you ike it just as much as I did!

    Giselle, it was more sci-fi than I thought too! and I love that! :)

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