Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Book: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Genre: YA Dystopian
Rating: ★★★★★
For: Fun
From: Kindle ebook purchase

This is one of those books that I've heard tons about and noticed that lots of people of loved it, but I never really knew why or what it's about. When I saw it on Amazon for cheap, I bought it for the Kindle, started reading it pretty much instantly and couldn't stop. It took over all my other reading, even though that wasn't in the plan at all.  I loved it.

This is an interesting take on a dystopian society where two different groups of people have evolved in two totally different ways. You have the group that believes the sun and outside air are contaminated and therefore they've created safe bubbles (and underground even I think) to live in. Theirs is a very high tech society, one where they live their lives in a virtual reality most of the time. (Wow, I've been reading about this a lot lately. I'm thinking this is truly the direction of our future.) They've gotten rid of (supposedly) all bad things and life is just easy peasy.

The other group has adapted to life on the outside, and has in fact regressed technology-wise to the very far past. They live nomadic, tribal, basic survival lives.

This is the story of what happens when a girl from the inside gets kicked out and crosses paths with a boy from the outside. In this book, much of the story happens within the society living on the outside. We learn their customs, their special talents, their way of surviving. As far as the society on the inside, we don't know much. My guess is future books (of course, you know there's more!) will deal more with their story.

Anyway, so I found it all fascinating. I loved the leading dude... he was so different from your normal YA love interest guy. He had so many flaws and problems and he was just not your perfect guy. And yet... and yet.... he was all the cool stuff too. I don't know. I just thought he was great and a blast to get to know. And the relationship that forms was fun to be a part of too, not the normal there either. It took awhile. It was more the slow burn thing we talk about sometimes. With that being said, let me also add that I think this book has one of the most romantic kisses ever! Whoa, that's saying a lot!

And the society and the world created here was so interesting to me. I guess it had elements of many other dystopian stories, but still felt different and unique, if that makes any sense at all. Anyway, all I know is that I was immediately sucked in and couldn't stop thinking about it when I had to work or do whatever else needed doing.

Bottom line: It was a blast to read! I loved it.

Other Reviews:

It was unique, well-crafted, smart and complex. From One Librarian's Book Reviews

...it has it all: adventure, bravery, love, danger, tension, tenderness, betrayal, and loyalty. From Rhapsody in Books Weblog

Under the Never Sky is the ultimate combination of elements in previously successful dystopian novels, twisted in such a way to make each element fresh and exciting. From That's What She Read

The side characters are also compelling. They each play a part, but seem to belong to this story. They don't just conveniently appear when needed -- they are part of the world. From Annett's Book Spot

Sexy hand holding you guys, Sexy. Hand. Holding. From The Allure of Books