Into the Still Blue
by Veronica Rossi
Series: Under the Never Sky #3
Publication Date: 28 January 2014
HarperCollins, Hardcover, 392 pages
Source: Library
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WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR UNDER THE NEVER SKY AND THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT.
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.
Within the confines of a cave they’re using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. 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 earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.
Rating: ★★★★½
Into the Still Blue was by far the best of the trilogy and what an ending it was! Intense, emotional and action-packed, I enjoyed it a lot better than the prior two novels (especially the first one which I wasn’t a big fan of). Picking up immediately where Through the Ever Night left off, there was barely a dull moment as the pacing of the plot had been impeccable and the line-up of events pretty unpredictable.
The amount of emotional investment I put into the characters’ relationships here is ridiculous and despite the many times Rossi abused my sensitive feels with them, I can’t say I regret it. I’m noticing that with each book in the trilogy, the characters become even more incredibly and real. Aria and Perry’s relationship was literally brought to life in this book. Somehow, the reality of their situation and their enduring relationship turned more relatable and hence, also a lot more enjoyable. Moreover, I loved how their fights (lets face it, even the best couples have disagreements) were based on legitimate, important reasons and not petty ones.
Moving on, lets talk about Roar. So, I will admit after Through the Ever Night, I was in denial and continued hoping Liv was alive because I shipped Roar and Liv crazily. Yes, more than Aria and Perry. Roar was by far my favorite character and seeing him devastated and destroyed by losing the only girl he’s ever loved killed me on the inside. Rossi strategically lets him make some big mistakes out of grief but ultimately knew where to draw the line so he did not seem too rash.
I’ve heard there’s been a little controversy over Aria and Roar’s relationship, it being platonic even though they are incredibly close. In my mind, it has always been Perry for Aria and Liv for Roar, probably because Rossi made that extremely clear in her writing. I do, however, understand why Aria and Roar can be seen in a romantic light (though I really don’t see it that way), because they give off this ‘they can be contently living together and loving each other with their future kids and a white picket fence in an alternate reality but will never be in love‘ vibe. Still, I felt Rossi clearly portrayed a purely platonic relationship between Aria and Roar. Though part of the reason why I understood might be because I’ve got a friend who’s like Roar to Aria.
However, I did have one little issue with Into the Still Blue. Although there were substantial losses in the book, they weren’t exactly elaborate enough. With the exception of Liv’s death (which I wasn’t sure whether to count since she died in the previous book), almost every other death was kind of glossed over. They were like cycles of a) death occurs, b) boohoo lets cry then c) ok, they died, whatever, bye. Everyone seemed to get over the loss of dear ones too quickly.
Apart from that though, the other aspects of the book had been quite impressive. I had an amazing time hating on the villains and admittedly, I did tear up a few times because of Roar, the romance and Perry and Talon’s bond. In conclusion, I loved Into the Still Blue a lot more than I had expected and undoubtedly did the trilogy justice but as for the Under the Never Sky trilogy as a whole, it was relatively good though definitely not one that would make it onto my favourites list. Would I recommend it? Yes, just not to the point where I start shoving it in people’s faces.
Adelena
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