ARC Review of Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)

By Veronica Rossi

Review by: Kaede
Release Date: January 8th, 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 341
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: Epic Reads (Thank you, Epic Reads!) 

Other Titles in the Series: Under the Never Sky (#1) 
Purchase: Amazon

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.

What more is left to say that hasn't already been said about this second installment in Veronica Rossi's fantastic dystopian trilogy? But no - in all seriousness - really, what is left? Cause I'm extremely behind on my reviews and most readers who are interested in this series have either already read the books or picked them up and have them sitting on their pretty shelves. But you know, I'll share what I thought anyway. You guys don't mind, right? I'm sure you don't. And if you do, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do about it. I'M SHARING MY THOUGHTS WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. WHOOO HOOOO YEAH! 



...and that's exactly why my parents tell me not to go out too often or I'll attract unnecessary attention. I'm kidding. But still, you're probably like: 



or at least:




I'm sane. I promise...(not that my word would mean much if I was actually insane. WHICH I'M NOT.) Okay, so maybe I'm not like 100% sane, but still not crazy, you know. 

But anyhow, the review. Yes. The review. Good thing to start doing. Okay, so general feelings, you're up first.  

I was throughly impressed with Rossi's second novel, even more so - to my disbelief - than her first. And you better believe it when I say I loved Under the Never Sky. (Read and re-read 4 times in the same year. Which I don't think I've done in a long time.) But I think with Through the Ever Night, Rossi had more to expand on and more leeway to introduce new concepts and characters, because the foundation had already been built with Through the Ever Night's predecessor. Existing relationships are added to, new bonds are established, and ultimately, small and large memorable moments are presented to draw investment into the bigger picture of the story. 

Many sequels have proven to be disappointments, and more especially, too many novels that fall in the middle of a trilogy have been used as nothing more than set-up for the final installment. Through the Ever Night was neither. And while all I'm doing and probably will only do is sing this novel's praise, failing to mention anything remotely critical, I really truly believe Aria and Perry's story deserve just that. Praise. 

In Through the Ever Night, Aria and Perry are faced with challenges that threaten to overcome their relationship and everything they've worked for. As Blood Lord, Perry can't forsake the welfare of his people for anything. Their safety is his duty. And it proves to be a duty harder to bear than he ever expected. Meanwhile, Aria must face the initial and continued open hostility of the Tides. They don't see her as one of their own and use her presence to question whether Perry is fit to be a leader or too easily swayed by his heart. Which is funny because if somebody is "easily swayed by his heart", they'd be like that with anyone. Even a Tide. And what would happen, pray tell, if Perry wasn't with Aria but instead a Tide and this Tide secretly has horrible intentions and wants nothing more than for the other Tides to meet their demise in the cruelest, most horrible way. Then where would we be? Jeez. So just because Aria isn't Tide-born, doesn't mean she isn't awesome. Cause she is. Not all Tides are innocent, good-y goods who only want the best for everyone, you know? See Wylan dying to help Perry with anything? And just like all Tides aren't perfect, not all Outsiders are vicious monsters of a human who are nothing more than selfish, self-centered beings. God. Compromise, people. Tides, you don't need to love Aria, but you don't have to blame her for everything bad that comes your way.

Speaking of bad things, I loved the portrayal of "No Actions Without Consequences" Through the Ever Night had going on. The good guys weren't sitting back while everything happened in their favor. They were out there, putting themselves in harm's way, fighting for what they believed in. But they didn't always win. Heartbreak and failure was inevitable, as it is in life, and I can't express how much I appreciated that. Especially in a dystopian novel. Especially because dystopian novels are supposed to depict a grim, corrupt world. Because if your world is really being run by a insane-o government, and you're somehow magically involved at the center of this crazy conspiracy or plot to take over the world or even this operation to brainwash humanity for what is supposedly the "greater good", I'd expect that not everything has a happy ever after. And Rossi's storytelling has that. Which is really quite refreshing for a change. 

I also adored Roar, and with him, my heart broke like at least a hundred times. (No, not really. But you get the point.) I loved his relationship with Aria. I also loved Roar and Liv. They just work so well together. And that's exactly why I felt like crying (although I didn't. Not that much of a wimp. Ha. Yeah right. It's a miracle I held back the tears.) Why did I feel like crying? I CAN'T SAY. DANG. STUPID SPOILERS. 

But essentially, I think the point I'm trying to make managed to reach you. Through the Ever Night wasn't a good book. It wasn't even a great one. It was fantastic.

So if you haven't began Aria and Perry's story yet, than really, all I have to say is:

It's a damn shame. 

5 coffee cups!

**An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review. However, all opinions remain honest and my own.**

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~♥~

Contact Kaede: 

Email: kimberlyho75@yahoo.com
Goodreads: Kaede
Twitter: Kami178xx