Under the Never Sky

By: Veronica Rossi

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne Flagler

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Beware of the Triology

It seems all the rage these days to write a trilogy leaving the reader wanting and waiting for more (those evil genius marketing people) . I usually try to stay clear of reading a series until at least 2 books are complete, however, I gave this one a shot after seeing many positive reviews.
BEWARE: there is a big cliff hanger at the end
If you like a good YA story and don't mind waiting for a complete story resolution I would highly recommend this book. I was immediately drawn in and I enjoyed the high-tech dystopian society that Veronica Rossi has created. This book made me laugh, cry and scared me a little too. It had the right mix of everything.
I love YA books and I never expect any of them to be literary classics. I read them for pure pleasure and the joy of an easy read.

It was just OK..I wouldnt waste my credit on it

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would add more suspense and I would describe certain things more. Without it you lose emotional attachment with main character.

Could you see Under the Never Sky being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I see it being made into the cheap TV series on scifi channel.

Fun, exciting listen

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

Yes, it was intriguing and fun.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Perry, he was unique

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

Perry

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Sent to die, Aria learns how to live

kept me entertained

this was a good enough book, I enjoyed both the performance and story enough to finish in a relatively short period of time. I will continue the series.

Decent But Very Quick Gentle Dystopian

I was suprised at how fast this went - not because there was so much action but because it is a surprisingly short book. Judging by the publication dates, it looks to have originally been one novel that was split in two.

The story, dystopian American, was an easy read/listen. It had a good blend of action, plot, and some characterization. I felt the characters were a bit too black and white in many areas - cliches of decent guy, kind hearted mom, warm brotherly relationships, etc., did feel a bit too pat and not very engaging. But the narrative flowed easily and so this gentle easy kind of plot never weighed down.

I never really felt the characters were in danger - despite the premise promising/requiring there to be a bit more abrupt violence. If anything, this book is the antidote to the mindless violence and lust in contemporary YA such as Ee's Angelfall.

Some might find it a bit too pat. But there is a nice balance here throughout that you don't find in many YA novels these days. Certainly, it isn't a shallow or immaturely written novel.

One thing to note is that the narrator does have a very dry, scratchy voice that can make it sound like the story is being narrated by an elderly woman. This may be off-putting, though she did a decent job in the reading.

Better than anticipated!

Would you listen to another book narrated by Bernadette Dunne Flagler?

I feel that the narrator was mechanical sounding and flat. It could have been worse, but it could have been MUCH better.

Any additional comments?

This story was much better than I had anticipated. I think I like the idea of the future with it's technology, etc. but living as primitively as possible. This concept makes the future seem more plausible, but then again, that's just my opinion.

I feel Veronica Rossi did a great job of developing the storyline, providing some relationship frustration, a huge plot twist at the end, and one hell of a cliffhanger. I'd be crazy not to read the next in the series to find out what happens.

I did have a hard time picturing a tanned blonde savage as Perry. Every time I tried to imagine a blonde, he was clean cut and clean, but when I incorporated the rest of his description, he had longer dark hair and had that beautiful dirty sheen to him. Oh well, my loss. As far as Aria is concerned, I'm especially excited to see that she has grown into her own, and although super naive at the beginning of the story can now survive on her own.

I enjoyed all the characters except those few we were meant to dislike, like Soren and his father. Although we haven't heard about Soren since the beginning, I have a feeling he will make an appearance later in the series.

Can't wait to start the next one.

Predictable, but still great. I love the story and characters. I can't wait to start the next book in this series.

Unexpected good read

Honestly, I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. The book had a good plot everything in the story line developed and played out with good timing. Not too fast where it felt rushed and all over the place but not too slow where it became boring and uninteresting. I can't wait to read book 2 of this series.

Superb Dystopian Fantasy, memorable narration

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

This is among the top 2 audiobook series i've listened to and Bernadette Dunne Flagler is among my favorite 3 narrators (Davina Porter/Outlander series and Wanda McCaddon/The Seamstress being the other two). Under the Never Sky narrative is a perfect balance of heart and mind with aspects of sci-fi, dystopian, fantasy and romance. These characters really come to life and you want to hang on to every word.

What other book might you compare Under the Never Sky to and why?

The obvious YA Dystopian trilogies are Hunger Games and Divergent. Ironically, i liked Hunger Games trilogy on film better than the narrated books. Divergent trilogy is much better in the books (nice narrator too). UNDER THE NEVER SKY could make a superb film in the right hands, but i don't know if they'll be bringing this out soon. The book, however, is quite cinematic, so i am seeing the scenes vividly as the book is being narrated.

Which scene was your favorite?

The heart-throb scene on the rooftop is probably my favorite!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

On the rooftop and also in the treehouse... both romantic scenes...

Any additional comments?

i've heard this book series a dozen times or more and still love it. Veronica Rossi is an excellent writer and i hope to read (or hear) more books by her! Haven't heard any other books (except 1 and 3 in this trilogy) narrated by Bernadette Flagler but i'd listen any day, she's outstanding!

couldnt put the series down

Ive read them all a couple of times, now im listening to them. Which means I paid for them twice - that's how much I love them.