Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 374
Source: Purchased
Rating: ★★★★☆ 

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.
DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.
Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.
Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.
If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.
[Summary Source: Goodreads]

THE REVIEW

After a brutal Aether storm, Aria suspects something VERY BAD has happened to her mother. To get info, she cozies up to a crazy guy and, long story short, gets herself exiled into the wasteland. BAD NEWS. Until Perry shows up and saves her ass. Perry, like Aria, is seeking someone - his kidnapped nephew. This unlikely pair - Aria, the mole and Perry, the savage - join forces to hunt down their loved ones and figure out the best way to survive a dystopian society that's going to crap.

Let's break this down:

I mostly loved this book. Mostly.

What did I love?

Well, I love me some Aria and Perry. Like whoa. This is a relationship I want all of the more of - partially because they're freaking adorable and awesome and they actually grow to like it other in an believable way. They also have the whole Pocahontas/John Smith vibe going for them. But in reverse. And seeing as though I love Pocahontas, I'M DOWN. Seriously. Definitely one of my favorite Disney movies.

If anyone mentions John Rolfe, I'll throw a hissy.

Oh, and, Aria and Perry are also pretty kick ass as individuals.

I ALSO LOVE ROAR. He's the best friend sidekick ala Kenji in Shatter Me and, like Kenji, I freaking adore everything about him. EVERYTHING I TELL YOU. He's just so wonderful. I haven't read the Roar & Liv novella, but I'm excited to read all about relationship because it's bound to be made of amazing.

All the other characters in this book are pretty stellar as well. Even the psychos in the story are just so deliciously psychotic and 3-dimensional. And you guys know I like my villains believable and somewhat sympathetic, so this book really works for me in that regard.

I guess I have some issues with the writing. Sometimes I feel like I didn't understand how the book got from point A to point B. Like, there'd be a fight and things would just get glossed over. But it was only with the characters actions, not with descriptions. The descriptions of the landscape are really amazing.

But it's just the physical description of the landscape that really works for me. The explanation of some of the stuff still alludes me. I get that Aether is like this cloudy swirly thing that causes mass destruction when angry (kind of like a really bad thunderstorm/hurricane?) but where did it come from? Why it is a thing? What is this turning point they keep talking about in the book? A lot of things are slowly unveiled over the course of the story, so I'm not sure why this is kept from the reader.

That being said, I did like all of the plot twists. Everything that goes on with Aria is killer and explains SO MUCH about her. All the stuff with Perry and his family also work really well. I especially like that there are twists in this story that directly affect Aria and then there are twists that directly affect Perry. Since they're kind of a unit, they both have to deal with everything, but the twists hit home more for one or the other. Which makes sense since the story's told form both of their POVs, but somehow I feel like this isn't the usual. But maybe I'm wrong.

The long and short of it?

Plot: I like. The sci-fi aspect helps it stand out in the sea of dystopians, but it's nothing TOO different. Although, I will say the romance is really special in this one.
World Building: I feel like a lot of the world-building here REALLY WORKS but some of it is lacking. But I tend to let dystopian series have at least 2 books to really get the world in working order before I get judge-y. So, not bad, but not the best either.
Character Development: I love the way the characters progress throughout the book. Everyone just seems to come into their own (protagonist or otherwise) and I love.
Prose: For the most part, sharp, clear and descriptive. However, there are times when the writing is a little TOO vague.
Would I Recommend This Book?: I think everyone was right to recommend this book to me. It's definitely one of the better dystopian series, but it's not full of the feels like I think I thought it would be. So if you're looking for good dystopia with brilliant romance, give it a go. If you're looking for something a little more feels-y, despite the genre, maybe pass for now.

Did YOU feel the feels from this one? Or was it the romance that wow-ed you? If nothing had you loving this book, I'd also like to hear about that! Also, PLEASE talk to me about Pocahontas - even if all you have to say is: "I love John Rolfe" (GROSS). 

Sorry. I needed one more Pocahontas gif and I love Meeko.