I was so excited to get this book, the sequel to one of my best reads of 2012, Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky. I'm happy to say I really enjoyed this one too! This is not a stand-alone book, however, and you would need to read the first book to know what is going on. If you like YA dystopian novels, don't hesitate to read the first book. For more on this trilogy, you can read my review of Under the Never Sky.

The story starts where it ended in the first book. Aria and Perry meet again and must uncover where the Still Blue is situated so they can relocate his tribe who are struggling to survive even as the Aether storms are devastating the land. Circumstances force them apart and test their love as they put their skills to use against their enemies.

Once again, Rossi swept me away into the world of Perry and Aria. Perry has become Blood Lord and must guide his people, who are wary of him and his ways, some even rebelling as he struggles to find solutions to feed them and keep the compound functioning. They will not accept Aria who is a former Dweller. The plot thickens as she communicates with people from her past to save Perry's family and get them the location of the Still Blue, their only hope for survival.

Initially, I went back and read the last chapter of Under the Never Sky to refresh my memory of what happened last. As I began to read this book, the secondary characters came back to mind. The first half of the book is very much about how Perry and Aria become comfortable in their respective roles and grow as individuals. The second half is more action-packed and I raced through it to see how it would all end. It's a satisfactory ending, of course, with the promise that the last book in this trilogy should deliver a good conclusion to this hopeful union between two people from vastly different worlds.

Once again, the way Rossi blends fantasy, sci-fi and dystopian elements is really what makes this trilogy so unique. The story flows smoothly and I liked the way it focused more on Perry this time. Although this is YA fiction, I had no problems relating to the characters who were young but intelligent, strong, sometimes vulnerable and wonderfully flawed, finding their way in a world falling apart.

What's more, there is no bad language, no sex scenes and little violence. I really can't wait to read the last installment in this trilogy, and any other book Rossi decides to write.

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