Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Published: January 28th, 2014

Publisher:  Harper Collins

Pages: 400

Copy: Edelweis

Summary: Goodreads

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

This is going to be a short and sweet review.  There is no point in going over the story - if you're a fan then you already know what's happened and I won't spoil what's coming.  If you're not already a fan, then telling the story would spoil the experience. 

Let's just say that Ms. Rossi has managed to write a trilogy that has kept up the suspense from start to finish.  Her characters grow from book to book and most readers have taken Aria, Perry and Roar and all the others, into their hearts.  With this last book, Ms. Rossi has pulled everything together, stirred up the pot to near boiling and then produced a wonderful repast.  If you're like me, you'll want to sit down and digest the contents and then smile and sigh.  Happy that the ending is a good one, yet sad that it is all over.

Yes there were a couple of places where my reaction was a resounding 'are you kidding me', but in this case these perceived lapses were easily forgivable by the end, it is fiction after all.  I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I'm looking forward to seeing what Ms. Rossi will come up with next.  If you've not tried the Under the Never Sky trilogy yet, you are in for a sweet treat. Enjoy.

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

 

Published: January 8th, 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 352

Copy: Publisher through Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.(

I cannot believe that I didn't review Under the Never Sky.  It was In My Mailbox in May of this year, along with 4 other books, all of which I reviewed, but UtNS got lost somewhere.  Let's just say that I loved it and leave it at that.  So when I saw the opportunity to get an early copy of Through the Ever Night, I leapt up and down and clapped my hands a few times and quickly started reading - just in case it would disappear, if you know what I mean?

Through the Ever Night was much more adventurous and less romantic than I was expecting, and I loved every minute of it.  Aria and Perry are one of my favourite book couples and their story this time around was refreshing.  Ms Rossi has a way of bringing just a little doubt into your mind about what is going to happen and that made the story less predictable.  And it wasn't just with Aria and Perry - but no spoilers.

There are several secondary characters who reappear, and some new ones as well.  We finally get to meet Sable, and let me tell you he was a character who made me feel very uncomfortable.  I felt like I should be squirming when reading about him.  Another character is the weather.  Yes I do mean that.  Ms Rossi has managed to imbue the Aether with an almost palpable sense of malice, or menace, like a dangerous criminal you know you should be fleeing from.  It's very cleverly done. There is also a very strong sense of family, even though that family may not be by blood.  Characters bond strongly to one another and look out for each other in many different ways, and it makes any betrayal seem magnified somehow.

All in all, this was a wonderful book.  There is adventure, tension, mystery and just a little romance, all wrapped up in some of the best world building I've come across.  Highly recommended, but you need to read Under the Never Sky first if you haven't already.