Lucky Seven Book Review #3: UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

I've been on a reading binge lately, and I've been lucky enough to have read seven excellent books that you definitely should bump to the top of your TBR list. (And five of them are from debut authors!) Here's a brief recommendation of the third of the seven, and happy reading!

LUCKY SEVEN: RECOMMENDATION 3

Under the Never Sky (Veronica Rossi)

(Harper, Feb. 2012)

Summary from Goodreads: 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.

Truth be told, when I initially saw this book, the cover (though accurate to the story) made me think "strange Hollywood premiere / wind in my hairrrrrrr." Thank goodness I know better than to let that stop me from reading a book, because I totally loved it.

UNDER THE NEVER SKY is a fun, delightfully readable post-apocalyptic novel with terrific characters (alternating 3rd-person narration), strong worldbuilding (just enough explanation and backstory), and plenty of action. I basically flew through it in one sitting. 

And the best part? The slow-developing romance---Aria and Perry's hatred and mistrust of one another doesn't even transition to anything positive until halfway through the book---doesn't overshadow the adventure.  ::Cue choir of angels::

I was a big fan of the fact that Rossi's characters had strong and clear motivations, and that she didn't throw in extraneous situations just for the sake of danger. Also, the characters' abilities to survive in such a dangerous landscape seemed plausible. Aria started out completely helpless in a foreign, dangerous place, and I enjoyed watching her inner strength develop into outward capability, also. Basically, she kicks butt.

Overall, the book is addictive, and the ending is satisfying, but it leaves an obvious opening for a sequel --- which I can't wait to read.

Veronica Rossi gets an honorary membership with the First Novels Club with this excellent debut!

Further evidence: Reviews from Parajunkee and ForeverYA.

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Check out book one of the Lucky Seven: THE GIRLS OF NO RETURN by Erin Saldin
Check out book two of the Lucky Seven: THE PROBABILITY OF MIRACLES by Wendy Wunder

Stay tuned for book four of the Lucky Seven --- WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE by Sarah Dessen! 

And if you're in the mood to win a book, check out our giveaway of the awesome debut FRESHMAN YEAR AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS!