Under the Never Sky

By: Veronica Rossi

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne Flagler

Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

In her enthralling debut, Veronica Rossi sends readers on an unforgettable adventure set in a world brimming with harshness and beauty.

©2012 Veronica Rossi (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent title. Neat world-building

What made the experience of listening to Under the Never Sky the most enjoyable?

I liked the narrator. And I liked the idea of the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Roar. He's funny, strong and it's actively gunning for the main character. It's nice.

Which scene was your favorite?

I like the scene on the roof where Roar is teaching Aria how to fight and Perry is just angsting over it all.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not so much. It was interesting. But it didn't rock my world.

Any additional comments?

The idea of the smart screen was very intriguing. Fancy fancy technology.

It was a great story, better than I expected

I didn't like the cover of this book, and the narrators voice was a bit scratchy so it took me a long time to actually decide to listen to it. I'm sorry I waited so long, turned out to be a very good story and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. 😀

I Will Never Get Tired of Rereading This World

The first time I read this series, I devoured the whole thing so fast, that I honestly wasn't sure which events occurred in book one, so it was interesting to reread this.

I still absolutely love this world, and my previous review still stands.


PREVIOUS REVIEW:
After I read this novel, I couldn't write for days. The story itself is incredible, but it’s the way Veronica Rossi writes that astounds me. Every sentence is so gorgeous and delicious. I want to breath them in, drink them down, stare at them forever. If I could read a piece of artwork, I feel sure it would read like this.

I know I should be telling you about the plot, which is amazing, the characters, who rocked my world, and the setting, which is brilliant. I’m not going to though. What gripped me the most about this novel was the complexity in emotions that it both presented and evoked in me. The way it wrapped its long fingers around my soul and pulled me down, into not just the writing but into the whole gorgeous concept, totally delighted me.

It has been almost four months since I read the first two books and one of the novellas, but I still think about this book fondly and frequently recommend it at my library.

Go read it now. I’m wrong about a lot of things but not this.

Great book!

Any additional comments?

This story was unique and interesting and full of adventure. Parts were predictable but I still really enjoyed it. I had a hard time putting it down because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. Narrator was annoying though. She sounded too old and the voices she gave some of the kids was whiny and just plain silly.

Loved it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes.....because I like my friends

What did you like best about this story?

The overall story line and the building of the charaters. I liked them and cared about them.

Have you listened to any of Bernadette Dunne Flagler’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.She was ok, but I felt a younger narrator would have been better suited for this book. I never related her voice to any of the charaters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was hard to stop, I always wanted to know what was going to happen next....it never got boring.

Get of story!

Started off slow but ended up being a great listen. I recommend this book can't wait to listen to the next one!

It will take you on an unforgettable journey

Where does Under the Never Sky rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is by far one of the best if not the best audiobook I have listened to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Under the Never Sky?

I think the most memorable moments are the poetic ones. When the author talks about living "under the never sky" for example, that one's my favourite.And of course the beautiful love story, you cannot prepare for all the feels.

Which character – as performed by Bernadette Dunne Flagler – was your favorite?

Perry, without a doubt. He is truly an incredible person. I love how cautious he is when they meet. He doesn't trust her and they're supposed to be enemies, still he saves her life and keeps her safe. He is a person that you have to warm up to. At first he might seem cold and distant, but the more you get to know him the more you understand him. He would do anything and everything for the people he loves. He never looks down on anyone and he has the biggest heart. He is so beautiful, on both inside and outside. I sincerely wish he wasn't a fictional character because I have fallen in love with him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely! I couldn't put it down! I was up 'til after midnight listening to this book.

Any additional comments?

I pity all the people on this earth who haven't read this book, my heart goes out to all of you. You have no idea what you're missing out on.

Good story, but ending doesn't resolve enough

Would you listen to Under the Never Sky again? Why?

No -- it was fine, but I don't usually listen to audiobooks multiple times.

Would you recommend Under the Never Sky to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not. I enjoyed some of the dystopian aspects of the novel, but it was too much of a romance novel set in a dystopian universe when I was looking for more of a novel about the dystopian universe without the romance being center stage.

I liked the characters and enjoyed the story, but it very soon became clear that the romance was the central aspect of the story. Honestly, I think that this book needs a sequel -- there was so much that wasn't resolved at the end of the story. And a lot of things about the universe that I thought would get revealed over time (like how it became dystopian) that the author never explained. I found that frustrating because I was interested in those aspects of the story more than the romance.

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games...

This story grabbed my attention and kept me interested until the end. It was easy to become involved with each of the main characters and their back stories. I was reminded in ways of The Hunger Games, yet this story definitely took its own direction. After reading the story first, the narrator didn't quite seem right to me as I listened (that's why 4 out of 5 stars), but I still enjoyed the experience. I can't wait to read the second book!

Once you start- you can't stop!

If you could sum up Under the Never Sky in three words, what would they be?

First of all, the narrator: usually female narrators, in my experience, are harder to listen to- NOT so in this case. After the initial chapter full of teenage stereotypes, the narrator was perfect. She has a vocal resonance that is easy to listen to. The story grabs you in the first chapter. Action, adventure, intrigue - it's all here and more. Definitely an excellent read/listen.

What did you like best about this story?

The concept is intriguing. Realms, pods, the Death Shop. Clever, creative- a wonderful read/listen!