UNDER THE NEVER SKY

    Title: Under The Never Sky

Author: Veronica Rossi

Genre: Young Adult Dystopia

Rating: * * * * 1/2

Publishers Date: HarperCollins (Jan 2, 2012)

Hardback: 384 pages

ISBN: 006207203X

FTC Disclosure: Received an ARC from contest.

Exiled from her comfortable home, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - called the Death Shop - are slim. Violent energy storms can strike suddenly, and even the very air she breathes might kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild, dangerous - a savage. He's also her only hope.
Because Aria alone holds the key to his redemption, Perry needs her, too. Their unlikely alliance will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
Debut author Veronica Rossi is accumulating fans from all over the globe--the book has already sold to more than twenty countries. It's not surprising that foreign rights for this title have been flying off the shelf. It's a tantalizing romance in any language.


It amazes me that the more dystopian fiction I read the better it gets. I picked this one after supper and thought I read a few pages to see how I was going to like it. Well, other than a very quick bathroom break and  shower, I did not lay it down till around four AM. It was simply fabulous. The world building and the characters were as vivid in my mind as if I’d just watched the whole book play out on the big screen.
Aria, (a Mole who lived in the Pods) while starting out as a fully indulged, self interested teen (apparently all who lived in the pods were), grew and matured with ever step through the Death Shop. She was an awesome compliment to Peregrine (Perry for short), an Outsider who was a very skilled hunter and killer. Together they start out on a trip to save Perry’s nephew and find Aria’s mom. The trip is frequently interrupted by unbelievable storms from the Aether sky and other Outsiders who are cannibals. While this world was vivid, the characters were what stood out for me. Even the secondary  ones were fabulous. I can’t wait for the next book in this series so that I can see what happens with Perry and Aria. While this book had a satisfying ending, you definitely go away wanting more.

Crave by Laura Burns and Melinda Metz 4 1/2*

Title: Crave
Author: Laura J Burns and Melinda Metz
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Rating: * * * * 1/2
Publishers Date: September 21, 2010
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN: 9781442408166
FTC Disclosure: Bought

“Born with a rare untreatable blood disorder, 16-year-old Shay knows she will never lead a normal life. She has accepted her fate but longs for the day when people can look beyond her illness and see her for herself. That day comes when her stepfather, Martin, an expert in the field of leukemia research, begins giving her a new type of transfusion. The treatments give her energy, strength, and awesome visions, which stir Shay's desire to live and cause her to want more. She breaks into Martin's office and finds Gabriel, the guy from her visions, chained to a table and sets him free. Kidnapped by him and on the run from Martin, Shay finds her world turned upside down. Crave is a fast-paced, action-packed vampire thriller with an original and refreshing story line. Gabriel's life is beautifully revealed through Shay's visions, and the well-written plot conveys depth and feeling while exploring important issues like friendship, loyalty, trust, love, and betrayal. A satisfying read with a shocking cliff-hanger ending.”

After a slow start, this book takes off at a speed that will not allow you to put it down. The only thing that annoyed me was I went into it thinking it was a stand alone. About 3/4 of the way through it – way before I got to the cliff hanger of all cliff hangers- I knew it could not possibly be wrapped up in one book. Thank goodness I only have to wait till the end of September for the next book-Sacrifice.
The characters in this book were so easy to get into. Sick girl Shay was totally fascinating. The authors did such a great job making you see and feel what she was going through on a daily basis, I have to wonder if one of them knew someone growing up that was terminally ill. Her best friend Olivia was there through thick and thin even when Shay wasn’t as good a friend back to her. And Gabriel, who we don’t actually get to meet until half way through the book, was a character of contradictions, that made him so believable. As a lover of paranormal romance, this was an awesome book. As a lover of YA novels, I felt it hit the nail on the head consistently.  You would think by know I’d be burnt out on vampire books but the authors have taken the oldest, most used, paranormal creature- the vampire- and penned a fresh new tale that will keep me and others up all night reading just one more chapter. I can definitely recommend this for middle school and up, though I (an adult reader) was just as hooked by this great story.

Crave (with Melinda Metz)
1. Crave (2010)
2. Sacrifice (2011)

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, Bk 1) By Melissa Marr

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely, Bk 1)
Author: Melissa Marr
Book Type: Hardcover

Rating:* * * * 1/2

Review Date: 3/13/2009

"The clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in this cool, urban 21st century faery tale. Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world, and would blind her if they knew of her Sight. Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer. Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King and has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost! Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working any more, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything. "

Just read this and absolutely fell in love with the fairy world. Even though I read it online and my butt went to sleep several times, I still managed to read this in two days. I like that the outcome is not obvious and there are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. A must read for lovers of paranormal romance. You can read the first 7 chapters free at this link. The author has offered it as a free read so don't pass up the chance to get acquainted with a fabulous new(to me) writer.

http://browseinside.harperteen.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061214653&pg=147

Wicked Lovely

1. Wicked Lovely (2007)

2. Ink Exchange (2008)

3. Fragile Eternity (2009)

4. Radiant Shadows (2010)