Under the Never Sky

"Under the Never Sky," is a dystopian future where life as we know has ceased to exist.  Crops and livestock have died off due to horrific weather conditions. As such most surviving citizens,like teenaged Aria, leave in secured pods where they escape through virtual reality devices that are "better than the real."  However others known as "outsiders" choose to fight for their survival in small tribes and live off of what is left of the barren world.  Perry is one of these outsiders.  His world and Aria's world collide both literally and figuratively when Aria and Perry cross paths in a mission to save their loved ones.  Aria is on a mission to find her missing mother and Perry is out to find his kidnapped nephew.  These two opposites don't attract but Perry and Aria need each other to survive and find their loved ones. Along the way they learn a lot about themselves and each other.  They also discover they may not hate each other as much as they initially thought :)

This book was terrific.  The different worlds are described in great detail.  This book was told in Perry and Aria's alternating voices which literally put you inside their heads.  You fight right along with them.  Aria is one of the most realistic teen dystopian characters today.  She isn't equipped with some supernatural or trained skill, she has to rely on her own wits and limited life experience in her quest to save her mother.  I love that she didn't immediately swoon over Perry.  Their relationship grows at a what I find to be a refreshing realistic pace.  I don't normally relate to male protagonists but Ms. Rossi did an amazing job at making me sympathize and root for Perry.

You'll have to read for yourself to find out if Aria and Perry are reunited with their loved ones.  If you haven't picked this book up yet - go get it now !

For more on Veronica Rossi and other Harper Teen authors, please read our previous post.