Review: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Author: Veronica Rossi

Publisher: HarperCollins

Page Count: 341 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: January 8th 2013

Find it on Goodreads: Through the Ever Night

Source: Purchased  

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.

This was an incredible follow up to an amazing dystopian. I was so impressed that I loved this book as much as I did. Through the Ever Night lived up to my expectations and I am so excited to say that!

I loved Under the Never Sky but it took me a long time to actually pick it up and start reading. After I finished I IMMEDIATELY went to buy Through the Ever Night because I was so excited to find out what happens next! This series is filled with nonstop action and a romance that will make the reader smile like crazy. I was, of course, expecting Perry and Aria to be separated by some force out of their control, as this is the second book in a dystopian trilogy, and well... I was right. Perry and Aria decide it's a good idea to keep their relationship a secret from the Tides, as she is not exactly welcomed there. Of course, that plan doesn't work out too nicely! Aria and Perry are separated for a vast majority of the book, either emotionally, physically, or both and while that was upsetting to read, as I loved their relationship in UtNS, it also helped me see a lot more about them. The reader got to see more of Perry leading his tribe and his decisions for their safety and nutrition, etc. Aria grows even more in this book, which I love, and she becomes stronger and braver when she is faced with some tough decisions. We see more of Roar and while he's hilarious, his story is heart breaking. But I have a feeling it's not over. I can't wait to read more about him!

I'm pleased to say that I was thoroughly impressed that the writing in TtEN may have even improved from the previous book! I was never bored and it felt like everything flowed quite nicely. We got more back story about their world and the Aether storms, which was nice, as that was one of my complaints last time. The world building improved, we met new characters and there was action and adventure throughout the novel... Awesome! I'm so excited to read the conclusion to this thrilling trilogy. It's sure to be amazing! Are YOU ready to go Into the Still Blue? I know I am. ;)

I know this review is kind of short and vague, but it's kind of hard to talk about a book when you loved it so much! I'm so glad this sequel didn't disappoint! Have you read this series? If so, how do you like it? Are you excited for the finale? Any predictions on what might happen? Let me know!

Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Author: Kristin Cashore

Publisher: Harcourt

Page Count: 471 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: October 1st 2008

Find it on Goodreads: Graceling

Source: Purchased (Secondhand/Library Sale)

Rating:  5/5

 His eyes, Katsa had never seen such eyes. One was silver, and the other, gold. They glowed in his sun-darkened face, uneven, and strange. She was surprised that they hadn't shone in the darkness of their first meeting. They didn't seem human....
Then he raised his eyebrows a hair, and his mouth shifted into the hint of a smirk. He nodded at her, just barely, and it released her from her spell.
Cocky, she thought. Cocky and arrogant, this one, and that was all there was to make of him. Whatever game he was playing, if he expected her to join him he would be disappointed.

In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

My Thoughts: Absolutely amazing.

I haven't read a lot of fantasy lately and I feel the need to get back into it. Graceling was an incredible book that contained a world so unique and captivating that I couldn't bear to put it down. I loved the characters and adored the world Cashore created.

When Bitterblue came out last year, so many people were so excited. It caused a huge buzz in the book world and I was utterly confused. I had only briefly heard of Graceling and wanted to know more about it. However, it did not seem like the type of book I was willing to pay full price for. Whenn I found it at the library sale though, I thought "Why not?" and picked it up. Then it sat on my shelf. And sat. And sat. Until I was talking to one of the girls at the bookstore that I have become friends with and she asked if I had read it yet, and if not, that I NEEDED TO. So I went home and began reading and now, here I am, so in love with the story and the characters and the entire book. I will admit it was a bit difficult to start the book, as it has a lot of world-building and the main protagonist, Katsa is a bit tough to get a hold on to. But eventually, the story sped up and I couldn't stop flipping the pages.

Graceling focuses on Katsa, a girl who has the talent of killing. She is the one her uncle, the king of her land, sends to do his dirty work. When she meets Po, a prince from another land, they become friends and set off on a dangerous mission and uncover terrible secrets that could rip all seven kingdoms apart. Katsa is a difficult one to like at first. She's tough and she's hard, but she's also very conflicted. I personally loved her character in the end. I found her to be so strong and that she actually really did care about the people that she wanted to protect. She would protect her loved ones even if it killed her. She was... How can I put this? BAD. ASS. Then there was Po. I loved Po. He and Katsa had a bit of conflict at the beginning, until they began to realise they could help each other. And then they set off on a long journey in hopes of uncovering answers in regards to Po's grandfather. I ADORED the way Po made Katsa jumpy and embarrassed. It was so funny and sweet at the same time. Here's a girl who needs to be in control, suddenly traveling with a handsome prince who makes her stomach flutter. There are so many things that happen in the book that I'd like to talk about, but I can't just in case someone, like me a few days ago, has not yet read it and thus, I can't spoil it!

So, I will just say, please go read this book if you get the chance. It's so different, but so good. The world-building is fantastic and I was so impressed by how much detail we get about the workings of the seven kingdoms. There was so much in this book and I loved it all. Now, I cannot wait to pick up Fire and then Bitterblue!!!


Happy reading!
~Kristy