10 Things I Loved About Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

So many great series are coming to an end and making me long for more! Last week I reviewed Tahereh Mafi's conclusion to the Shatter Me trilogy and today I'm giving you my 10 things about Veronica Rossi's trilogy ender.

Also, last night Jenn N., Eileen, and I (plus Jenn N.'s Dad) got to go to the Dark Days book signing in NYC and had an absolute blast. So now I'm reviewing my personalized and autographed copy of Into the Still Blue. Meeting favorite authors is my favorite thing in the world!

But enough exclamation points - here's what I loved about Into the Still Blue (spoilers ahead).

1. Aria and Perry's relationship. Although the two of them got together in the first book, their relationship has been a bit of a journey. In this final book they are back together again. Last night Veronica said that this book is more the story arc of them as a couple rather than them individually and I definitely found that to be true. It was good for their characters and for the overall movement of the story that they were working as a team, but are still individuals as well.
2. The alternating POV's. I know that this has been true throughout the series, but I appreciate the way the story continues to be told through both Aria's and Perry's eyes. They both see things differently and are involved in different aspects of the larger story, so you need both of their perspectives to really get the whole picture. I personally also have a tendency to write things from multiple POVs so I enjoy reading ones that are done well. Aria and Perry have distinctive voices, but have also become more alike as their relationship has deepened.
3. Roar :( Poor Roar. I really did like his character arc in the final book. I liked that it took him time to work through the things that had happened in Through the Ever Night and that he's not miraculously "all better" even at the end. But I also liked the way that he does improve and how Aria and Perry are able to help him in different ways.
4. Cinder. Pardon me while I go cry my eyes out please.
5. Last night Ransom Riggs pointed out that this trilogy is kind of a person vs. nature conflict more than anything else, something Veronica pretty much agreed with. It's such an interesting thing that I hadn't really considered before, but it's pretty true - the aether storms are really the major antagonist - the thing that is threatening everyone's life and safety. But I also think that there are some pretty strong people antagonists in Hess and Sable, but they are also pretty nuanced (especially Hess) and make for some interesting conflict that Perry and Aria have to deal with.
6. Soren. I never in a million years thought that I would love him, but his character arc was AMAZING and I would love to get a short story or novella from his perspective.
7. It wasn't easy for them to escape Hess and Sable. I know this might seem like an odd thing, but I really liked how freaking hard it was for them to get out of the Komodo. Sometimes I feel like escape/rescue attempts in books and movies are way too easy. This hit the right note of being hard without keeping them stuck for too long either.
8. Loran. LORAN! Holy. Cow. I can't believe Aria found her father. And the little tiny bit we get of his character wasn't nearly enough. Loved that reveal.
9. Basically every secondary character. Even if they are the most minor character, I feel that Rossi gives them such life and personality.
10. The ending. This was another trilogy that ended on a perfect note for me. There was loss and danger and sad things, but everything was necessary for the whole story that got told. And it ended at the right moment. Enough resolved to feel complete and satisfying without closing everything off so it feels like the characters only existed for this story. Ending on a high note.

So that's what I loved about it. What did you like?

June Book Club: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Since we took May off we decided to read Through the Ever Night for June - this would give anyone who hadn't had a chance to read the first one time to catch up.

In this sequel to Under the Never Sky, Perry and Aria's troubles are just beginning. As the Aether grows and destroys more and more of the land around the Tides' territory it begins to threaten the well-being of everyone in Reverie. Perry and Aria have to part ways in to search for an answer. The question is whether they will have to stay apart or come together in order to save everyone they love.

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What we thought:
Rachelyons: I loved Through the Ever Night! I wasn't impressed with the first book, because I felt that the world building needed some work. However, I loved the development in the sequel. I really began to love the characters, especially Roar, and I love that we got to see more of the Tides. I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

Rebecca T.: I loved this book. I find it kind of funny, because, as opposed to Rachelyons, the worldbuilding was what sold me on Under the Never Sky, but I thought that Rossi did step it up in this book. The danger, intrigue, and twists kept me guessing throughout the story. I loved meeting Liv and learning more about Roar and Perry as well as the rest of the Tides community. I was pretty sure the book was going a different direction for a good part of the book and would have been happy with the story going either way, but I like the direction Rossi took it. I am dying to get my hands on the third book!

Jenn N: Through the Ever Night was great. I'm always a little apprehensive about reading the 2nd book in a trilogy as they are often weak and a mere placeholder until the 3rd book's climax. However, Through the Ever Night was a delightful surprise that proves Rossi is a gifted writer. She expanded on the world building and the character development. Like Rachel, I really enjoyed Roar's heartbreaking story and Perry's Tides world. I also love the romance between Aria and Perry. It's so hot, but yet so true and chaste at the same time; it's beautiful. I can't wait to see what lies ahead in the quest for the Still Blue.

If you liked the first 2 books you also might want to check out more about Roar and Liv's story in the e-novella. AND the third cover was just released so have a gander!

In July we're having a Harry Potter birthday celebration! So we decided to read a little fan-fiction and are going with James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (which you can check out at the James Potter website) and we're going to throw a party at our monthly gathering so check back next month for picture! (If I remember to bring my camera :)

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.

Spring Into the Future Recap AND Giveaway!

Rebecca, Jenn, Rachel
Posing in front of the display!

On Sunday, Rebecca, Jenn, and Rachel met up and took the train into New York to go to the Spring Into the Future book signing at Books of Wonder. We were so excited to get to meet these fabulous authors!

Tahereh Mafi was signing her novel Shatter Me, Anna Carey was signing her novel Eve, Veronica Rossi was signing her novel Under the Never Sky and special guest Lauren Oliver was specifically touring for Pandemonium the sequel to her dystopian Delirium. It was definitely a dystopian bunch and it was great to hear them weigh in on why they write about the end of the world and why they think the genre has gotten so popular.

First off, Books of Wonder is the cutest little book store ever. And all those kids books had the three of us practically drooling. We each said "ooh! I should get this!" about 4,000 times. Unfortunately we could not buy that many books, but we managed to spend a bit more than we probably should have anyway.

Delicious burger and fries!

We got there pretty early and managed to get good tickets. Jenn was 007, which made us all dorkily happy. After grabbing lunch at a yummy burger place we returned and found a spot of floor where we had a good view of the table. It also happened to be at a spot where we could see into the back room where the authors were waiting and it was really tempting to just act nonchalant and wander back there and then fangirl. But we didn't want to get thrown out, so.....

The Authors! (and emcee - whose name I cannot remember! eek!)
L to R Lauren Oliver, Anna Carey, Tahereh Mafi, Veronica Rossi

Tahereh and Veronica

Anna and Tahereh - and Lauren's ear :)

Each of the authors read a snippet from their book, which was really fun and then they did a Q&A. These women are hilarious.

We found out that Tahereh would like to be her antagonist, Warner, for a day, even though it would be awkward... since he's a boy, that Anna Carey loves reading survival manuals so she will be able to take care of herself during the apocalypse,

Lauren

Anna, Tahereh, Veronica

that Veronica Rossi once lost her sketchbook on a plane (I think it was) and it got returned to her, but she was miserable for the month it was missing, and that Lauren Oliver is all for using boys as slave labor.

We got SWAG!
Showing off our Shatter Me necklaces :D

We also learned that, while we may act like crazy adolescent girls, we are not and sitting cross-legged on the floor for so long is not a pleasant experience anymore. Yes, we were the ones staggering to our feet and trying to work circulation back into our legs when the Q&A was over :)

It was really nice to talk to each of the authors during the signing and how giddy were we over Tahereh's swag?!

AND, because we're super nice, we even snagged a signed copy for one of our lucky followers! Jenn also picked up an extra one of the Spring Into the Future tour posters, plus we're throwing in a Hunger Games bookmark. We would have loved to give away a book from each author, but it just wasn't feasible this time, so we had to choose one. And since Rebecca found out about the tour because of Tahereh, we decided to give away a copy of Shatter Me!

Here's what we thought of the book (we'll stay clear of spoilers for you!):

Jenn N: Tahereh does a wonderful job of putting you inside the mind of Juliette. You feel her the fear and confusion of her wrongful imprisonment right along with her. When Juliette learns to fight back, you'll be just as dazed and amazed as she was. Tahereh also does a great job of layering her characters - can Adam really be trusted? Is Warner truly evil? Read this book and decide for yourself.

Rebecca T: Juliette is an outcast a menace to society a lonely, broken, seventeen year old girl. She can't touch anyone because of her curse gift and now the Reestablishment wants to exploit utilize her talent. So Juliette has to fight for her life, for freedom, for love, and for the very soul of humanity that is being destroyed. With characters that live vibrantly on the page and in your mind, a premise that's intense and a little too real, and a style that will suck you into the story and not let go, this is a book you don't want to miss.

Claire: Such a good book. I thought that the crossing out would bother me at first, but the more I read, it was either the less I noticed or maybe the more it helped. Either way it was so different from anything I have read. So good!

Rachel: This book was a breath of dystopian fresh air. I was prepared for another fluffy YA book but found a love story that made my bones ache and an adventure that made my heart race. Tahereh was so inspirational and approachable and I feel privileged to have met her.

Stay tuned - You could very well see some reviews of the other books from the tour once we've had a chance to read and think about them! For now you can check out Stacey's review of Lauren Oliver's Delirium, the first book in the series!

To enter you just have to leave a comment on this post, letting us know what extra power you would want to have, and fill out the Rafflecopter so we can contact you if you win! (In some views there is a "view more" link below - you'll have to click on this to view the Rafflecopter and to enter the contest) This is our first time using Rafflecopter so if there are any problems please let us know! There are also chances for extra entries :) We love all our readers, but we have to limit this drawing to the US and Canada for shipping reasons. The contest will run through the end of the month - April 30th - and we'll announce the winners during our May 1st Laydown Lowdown! May the odds be ever in your favor! (oh wait, wrong book!)

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