Review: Through the Ever Night (Veronica Rossi)

Title: Through the Ever Night
Series: Under the Never Sky, Book 2
Author: Veronica Rossi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, sensuality, peril)
Told: Third Person (Aria & Perry), Past Tense
Format Read: Hardback (library)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

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?

*          *          *

Cover: Love the color scheme, although the inaccurate Perry is a little annoying. At least photoshop some scars onto him, people!

Series: This is Book 2 in the Under the Never Sky trilogy. You can check out my review of Book 1, Under the Never Sky, here.

Writing: Easy, effortless; a quick read.

Setting: A dystopian future where the world has been devastated by electrical ("aether") storms. Some escaped into domed pods and live out their lives in virtual worlds, while outside the "savages" (some with heightened senses) struggle to survive in the ravaged wild. In this book, the storms are growing stronger and more frequent, threatening the existence of everyone, including the pods.

Story: A typical trilogy middle book, picking up several months after where the first left off and setting up for the grand finish in the third. The story was fast-paced and well-crafted though, and held my interest where most middle books don't. Aria and Perry's stories diverge as Aria sets off to find the Still Blue and Perry struggles to keep his tribe together and safe. Needless to say, neither proves an easy task.

Characters: Aria is an impressive female character - she started out weak in the first book but slowly and surely built herself into a strong woman capable of taking care of herself. And it wasn't in a "I don't need a man to protect me, I can kill everyone myself" kind of way. She accepts and welcomes help, but when it comes down to it she can make her own decisions and fight her own fights if need be. As a female role model, I definitely approve. Perry was more grounded in this book, probably because he was literally "grounded" for most of the story. His struggles and emotions felt raw and real - he made his decisions despite the friction around him and stuck with what he believed was best, and I admired his strength and resolve. Roar, as before, was a welcome addition to lighten the general mood of the book, even when all was lost. Lastly, I will say the whole Soren angle threw me for a loop - no spoilers, but I am both intrigued and wary of what he will become in the final book.

Relationships: Aria and Perry's relationship continued to grow, but also stabilize. After you read the book you may think "stability" is an odd word for it, given what happens over the entire course of the story, but where some YA sees the couple at it more than ever despite the world burning to the ground around them, Aria and Perry allow their relationship to take a back seat in the face of saving the people in their care - including each other. This felt realistic and genuine to me, and made the few moments they did manage to steal even sweeter (never fear, there are still a few steamy scenes! ;).

Conclusion: While I didn't feel there was anything particularly special about this book, the writing was solid and story held my interest. If you enjoyed Book 1 (Under the Never Sky), you should like this sequel. I look forward to the final installment, Into the Still Blue, to see how it all ends.

Scribble Rating: 

3 of 5 Scribbles