WWW (34) and Waiting On Wednesday (July 18th, 2012): Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

W. W. W. Wednesday is hosted by Should Be Reading a great blog that I subscribe to. Here's how it works... Each Wednesday I will answer the following questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you'll read next?


I've been working more on playing catch-up with my reviews and have spent less time than I would have liked to reading, but what I've loved what read so far this week!

What are you currently reading?

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare~ As promised last week, I'm FINALLY reading this book, and so far, it's spectacular!  I may be finished by the time this post goes live, so look for my review over the next few days!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate~ I'm reading this to my 7 year old daughter and it's just great!  Such a warm, gorgeous, uplifting story!  I hope people still read this book 50 years from now!



What did you recently finish reading?

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach~ Not at all what I expected when I started reading this book.  It's definitely a coming-of-age novel,but it is so much more.  It was emotionally charged, funny, and honest.  A great book for teen boys!  Review coming soon.

Lies, Knives, and Girls In Red Dresses by Ron Koertge~ Pretty brilliant!  Not sure who its audience is.  I think adults would enjoy it more than teens, but I don't think they'll pick it up.  They should!  Read my review HERE.

Quarantine: The Loners by Lex Thomas~ A great premise, but disturbingly violent and graphic.  Definitely not what I expected!  Read my full review HERE.




What do you think you'll read next?

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard~ I never got to this one this past week, so it is next on my list.  I'm really, really looking forward to it!  Look for my review next week!

The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter~ I was a little late to the party with this series, but I'm caught up now!  I can't wait to read the individual stories of all the other gods and goddesses of Olympus through Aimee Carter's eyes!  Review to come!

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund~ I absolutely LOVE the cover of this book, but I was on the fence as to whether I would read it or not.  Persuasion is not my favorite Jane Austen novel, so I wasn't sure I wanted to read a modern retelling, but I have heard so many RAVE reviews of this book, that I am now dying to read it!  Stay tuned!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is another fun blog event. Hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, this event gives us a chance to talk about the books we anxiously await the release of. Since there is ALWAYS a looooooong list of books I'm waiting on (I actually keep a spreadsheet), I figured this is one that I MUST do.


Since today is MY BIRTHDAY, if any of you have an advance copy of the below book, and want to share, I will graciously accept!  ;-)

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

A world-defying love is put to the ultimate test in the heart-stopping sequel to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece," Under the Never Sky. (Examiner.com)

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?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.
(Courtesy of the HarperCollins Children's Winter 2013 Catalog)

I adored Veronica Rossi's debut novel, Under the Never Sky (read my review HERE).  It was one of the first books I read in 2012 and it is still, 100+ books later, one of my favorites.  I can't wait to find out where Aria and Perry end up and whether or not they can survive the harsh realities they are going to face.  Also, that cover!  Perry is hot stuff!  Loving him taking the place of Aria from the Under the Never Sky cover.  It makes me wonder who will grace book three's cover...  Cannot wait!

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Publication Date:  January 8th, 2013

My Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

What are YOU Waiting On this week?

Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Publisher:  HarperCollins Children's Books

Publication Date:  January 3rd, 2012

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I had super high expectations of this book.  Not only has it gotten rave reviews from multiple YA bloggers whom I respect, but it has gotten much author love as well.  I went into this book expecting to be blown away and I was!  What an awesome start to what I am quite sure is going to be an excellent series.  Veronica Rossi has raised the bar for post-Hunger Games dystopia authors!

I have to admit that when I first read about this book, I wasn't sure.  The synopsis made the story seem a bit dull and predictable.  Don't get me wrong, I knew I wanted to read this, but it wasn't quite top of my list... It should have been!  The plot and pacing were awesome; never a dull moment, never a time when I said, "I totally saw THAT coming!".  This book was so expertly balanced.  The action was believable and very intense, while the more vulnerable moments were written with such a light touch.  I found myself gritting my teeth during the heart-pounding parts, and tearing up during the emotional parts- often these elements of this story only pages apart.  As for the idea behind the story?  It is unique and well represented.  There were subtle twists and surprises that kept me on my toes and reading until 4am because I had to know what would happen next.

The characters were impressive as well.  At first I thought I wasn't going to like Aria, but she turned out to be one of my favorite characters.  Same with Perry.  My favorite character had to be Roar though.  He has a quality that while difficult to pinpoint, makes you instantly like him.  The characters evolved throughout the story, and I never felt like I was given too much or too little information as the story unfolded.  I was equally impressed with the world building.  Rossi's descriptions of the sky, terrain, and the desolate nature of the environment outside the pods pulled me fully into the story.  I loved the way they the environment was described through those with enhanced senses.; that is what brought this world to life.

If you're looking for a great book to kick off your 2012 Debut Author Challenge, look no further! If you are a fan of Dystopia, Action/Adventure, even Sci-Fi, look no further!  I can't really imagine anyone being disappointed with this book.  Phenomenal!  A great way for me to have kicked off 2012!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book is violent at times, and it is implied that Perry is no virgin, but this book is otherwise pretty clean.  I would say that it is appropriate for ages 12 and up (7th grade+).