Under the Never Sky

Review

Common Sense Media says

Hard-edged romantic adventure set in a dystopian future.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Under the Never Sky is a well-realized science fiction adventure romance that has a fair amount of violence and killing depicted, incuding arson and bloodshed. The novel also has a frank approach to teen sexuality, but the one sexual encounter isn't described in any detail.

  • Educational value2
    The setting of this sci-fi adventure story is reasonably well thought-out, but the futuristic elements -- immersive virtual reality, biotechnology, psychic abilities, and genetic mutation -- aren't explored with any particular scientific rigor.
  • Positive messages4
    The novel emphasizes the importance of being true to both yourself and your family obligations. Aria and Peregrine are very focused on their finding their remaining family members.
  • Positive role models4
    Aria and Peregrine aredriven to push themselves past their limits for the benefit of their families. Although shielded from harsh reality for most of her life, Aria quickly adapts to life Outside, moving forward without complaint, even though she's ill-equipped to deal with the demands of her journey. Peregrine adheres to a warrior's code and can be brutal when circumstances demand it. But he's sensitive to Aria's needs and is deeply devoted to his young nephew, Talon.
  • Violence4
    Life outside the protected enclaves in Under the Never Sky is harsh, and there's a fair amount of violence and death depicted in the novel, incuding arson and bloodshed. Peregrine is a hunter, and he tracks prey both animal and human. He kills a number of opponents with arrows, instigates a knife fight, and ultimately kills someone close to him. Aria also finds herself in a situation where she must use deadly force in self-defense. Another character who has psychic powers similar to pyrokinesis badly burns Peregrine and later decimates a tribe of cannibals.
  • Sex3
    Aria experiences her first period while on her trek across the wasteland with Peregrine. (Women in the Pods do not menstruate.) Aria and Peregrine are physically attracted to each other, a situation complicated by his ability to read emotions through the senses of smell and taste. Eventually, they are physically intimate, but their encounter isn't described in any detail. It's more than implied that Peregrine has had other lovers. It's also implied that the virtual reality Realms are used for some form of cybersex.
  • Language1
    Very little swearing. One character mentions being "pissed off," and one half-jokingly uses the term "bastard."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Characters occasionally drink a concoction called "Luster," which seems to contain alcohol, based on its effects. Luster is also used as a pain killer when Aria and Peregrine are injured. A lonely and distraught Peregrine later overindulges when he meets up with some strangers. He becomes belligerent, gets into a deadly fight, proves victorious, and then vomits copiously.
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What's the story?

An attempt to reach her missing mother ends with 16-year-old Aria exiled from the safety of her enclosed city, Reverie. She doesn't expect to last long Outside, not if the stories about deadly plagues are to be believed. Luckily, she meets up with Peregrine, a hunter who's also estranged from everyone he cares about. Together, they brave deadly Aether storms, wolves, and attacks by cannibals as they search for their missing loved ones.

Is it any good?

 

Some elements of UNDER THE NEVER SKY may seem overly familiar, but there's enough originality in the book's plot, character, and setting to raise this opening installment in a new series above the ordinary. Issues that seem underdeveloped will presumably be addressed in future volumes. Many readers will be eager for Volume 2, but the set-up isn't yet a slam-dunk. Author Veronica Rossi still needs to prove that she can maintain her story over at least three installments.

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about whether being physically connected to a virtual world like the Realm would be an advantage. What are the benefits of being continuously "plugged in"? What might the downside be?

  • The people who live in the Pods are genetically engineered to be healthier and more physically attractive. Do you think that would be a completely desirable environment? What could be the drawbacks of seeking genetic "perfection"?

  • In science fiction, the future is sometimes depicted as worse than the present day. Why do you think that is? Do you think science-fiction authors are most often predicting the future or commenting on their own times?

This review was written by Michael Berry

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This review was written by Michael Berry
Topics:adventures
Author:Veronica Rossi
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Science Fiction
Publisher:Harper
Publication date:January 3, 2012
Number of pages:376
Hardcover price:$17.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):14
This review was written by Michael Berry
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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