Monday, December 30, 2013

Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi


Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
Book Three of the Under the Never Sky series
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: January 28, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

What I Liked:

First: this review will NOT contain any spoilers, at least for this book. I can't guarantee that I won't spoil things for books one or two. But book three (this book) is safely unspoiled in this review.

That being said, this review will probably seem to be extremely vague. I would hate to ruin any part of this conclusion novel for anyone, even by mentioning just the slightest specific thing. It would seriously break my heart. I wouldn't appreciate it if someone trusted with an ARC of a conclusion novel spoiled something for me in their review. 

This book picks up around the time that the second one ends - maybe a few weeks after it ends. The Tides is still having problems - food shortages, restlessness, difficulty shelter from the aether storms. Cinder is gone. Everything points to the Still Blue. Everything about this novel is about the Still Blue.

So, that's as far as I go with the plot. Rossi does an excellent job of keeping the plot moving, keeping it interesting, and keeping things unpredictable. Twist after turn, Rossi does not give Aria, Perry, Roar, and crew, a break. I love this aspect of the novel - I couldn't stop reading, once I started!

I LOVE that there is no love triangle in this entire series. To me, there never was a hint of one, or the possibility of one. It was always Aria and Perry. Rossi never fails to deliver on the chemistry in this book, but also on the romance. She allows readers to see how much Aria and Perry want each other, but also, how much they need each other and depend on each other.

Rossi allows does a really good job of torturing and testing her characters. EVERYONE suffers in this book, one way or another. I promise I'm not spoiling anything - because the suffering is physical, mental, psychological, and emotional. No one is left not scarred, and I really like this. It shows how well Rossi can develop a story, bruise her characters, and make things REAL.

Overall, I really could not have asked for a better ending to an awesome trilogy. I LOVED book one the most, mostly liked book two, and enjoyed book three. Series should end like this one - not heart-wrenching and painful and angst-filled. Of course, now I'm filled with all the sadness because I really enjoyed this series!

It's funny though - I don't actually finish a lot of series. I start them, usually because the first novel in a YA trilogy is an author's debut (usually). So, I'll read the debut, and then kind of not read the second or third book. Oops? Well, I finished this series! SCORE!

What I Did Not Like:

I'd say the only thing that I really didn't like was that the first, hmm, one-third of the book? Was a bit slow. I saw one person on Goodreads marked this book as "DNF", because she didn't finish. She probably stopped within the first one-third of the book. It was a tiny bit slow, and I kind of skim-read parts.

But honestly, it wasn't that bad. I personally was in no danger of NOT finishing this book.

One other thing that bothered me really doesn't have much to do with the content of the book - the summary. It seems to make the book (and series) focus on Perry and Aria's love/relationship, rather than what is basically the world ending under aether storms. Seriously?! The romance is important, but it wasn't the most important part of the series, like in the  Shatter Me series or The Selection series or something.

Would I Recommend It:

I would! I highly recommend reading this novel, especially if you've come this far! So to speak. If you've read books one and two, read book three. If you've read book one, read books two and three. If you haven't started this series, you should.

Rating:

4 stars. A beautiful end to a lovely trilogy! THIS is how a trilogy should end. *cough cough*


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

22 comments:

  1. I love this series. I loved this book. Roar is my favorite. I want a series just about him! LOL! I agree about the romance part. It's really not even about that aft all.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that! And Roar definitely endured some trials in this book. Maybe there will be a spin-off! Or a novella just for him ;)

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  2. YAY! Very glad to hear that the book doesn't have a horrible ending!
    Also, thank you so much for the vageness of the review, since it's the last book I want to enjoy it as much as possible without spoilers, just to know it doesn't have an Allegiant-ish ending is enough!
    Great review!

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    1. It did not! Isn't that nice :D

      And I was secretly dying inside, because I was like, WHAT IF SOMEONE TELLS ME MY REVIEW IS HORRIBLE BECAUSE IT IS SO VAGUE?! Glad that fear is assuaged.

      And I totally had Allegiant in mind, while reviewing this book. I haven't even read Allegiant, but who doesn't know all about Allegiant...

      Thank you!

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    2. I heard so many things about Allegiant, so much angst... that I read a review with spoilers and now I still haven't read it! Insurgent put me off the series a bit, but I think I need to finish it.

      So glad Into The Still Blue didn't go that way!

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    3. I didn't mean to read any reviews with spoilers, but it happened, unfortunately. And I saw things on Twitter. Agh. I'll read it in 2014, maybe.

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  3. I can't wait to read this book. This is one of my favorite series. Good to know the ending isn't disappointing! I still haven't got around to reading Allegiant yet. After the reviews on that one started coming in, I had to find out the ending. Now I am waiting and letting it sink in before I read it in hopes I won't hate it too much.

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    1. It's probably one of my favorite series as well! I haven't read Allegiant either - I don't really have to, anymore.

      This book does NOT disappoint, Amanda! Don't be worried.

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  4. Totally agree with you! Rossi definitely do a splendid job ending this series beautifully. I feel kinda sad but also satisfied when I finished reading this book!
    And yep, I feel like I couldn't love this book more because there's no an asdfghjkl love triangle. Love that Roar and Aria could be boy and girl and be close and be just friend. Seriously. YA author should write this kinda thing more often.

    Anyway, great review! Thanks for sharing!

    Neysa @ [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]

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    1. It was the good kind of sad! Like, not the I'M-GOING-TO-GO-CRAWL-IN-A-HOLE-AND-DIE sad ;)

      And RIGHT?! No love triangle for the win! I love Aria and Roar's (platonic) friendship - there definitely needs to be more of that.

      Thank YOU, Neysa!

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  5. I'm excited to hear that you loved this book , Alyssa. I adored the first 2 books and I'm looking forward to reading Into the Still Blue although my heart is breaking at the thought of parting ways with these characters too.
    One of the things I love the most about this series is the lack of love triangle, like you mentioned. I loved how Rossi didn't even show us a hint of it and I have so much respect for her because of that. I'll be getting to this soon and I can't wait!
    Great review! :)

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    1. Ahh, yay, Nick! You will not be disappointed by this book.

      And I love Rossi for not including a love triangle. See, YA authors? IT IS DEFINITELY POSSIBLE! :D

      Thank you so much, Nick! <3

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  6. I've like this series so far, though I wasn't as thrilled with the second. I found it a bit dull and didn't enjoy Perry being left behind. But I agree, though I use to enjoy certain love triangles, I feel they have become over done.

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    1. I wasn't happy with the second book either - my least favorite of the three books. And I'm sick of love triangles! This series is pretty awesome though, Kelsey!

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  7. I want it. I want it RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE. I can't wait for these two characters again. I love them! They are amazing. Can't wait to read this book!

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    1. OMG YOU DO THOUGH! Less than a month, Jaime! Trust me, it is well worth the wait.

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  8. I'm so excited for this one. I've read people saying this book was to slow for their liking too but don't think it'll bother me. Great review, I can't wait for this one

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    1. I doubt it will bother you, Ashfa! You'll love it anyway, I'm sure. Thank you!

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  9. I gave this 3.5 stars, which should be pretty close to yours since you gave it 4, but I think I was much more disappointed with ITSB than you were. I do love the more-or-less lack of love triangles in this series. I loved the focus on friendship and a primary romance instead. I'm glad you finished a series, though! I'm exactly opposite. I finish almost all the series I start. It's weird for me to abandon one! Cool review, Alyssa. I like your perspective on the action and the pacing.

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    1. Woah, Mary, I did NOT see this comment O_O

      I'm sorry to hear that you were a bit disappointed! But I agree, I loved how this one focused on friendships too.

      And it's not that I don't finish series - it's more that I read the first book (usually a debut), and then never read the rest of the series :(

      Thank you, Mary!

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  10. I'm glad you enjoyed it! You're right, the beginning was a little slow, but like you, I wasn't in any danger of not reading it. And yes! The synopsis wasn't as well-written as the book, by far! Great review, Alyssa :)

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    1. YES! We weren't NOT going to see how this one ended! It was epic, no? :D

      Thank you so much, Hafsah!

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