FlumeAward – Under the Never Sky Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
"Aria and Perry, two teens from radically different societies–one highly advanced, the other primitive–hate being dependent on one another until they overcome their prejudices and fall in love, knowing they can’t stay together." so says the publisher. This is the first in a trilogy, and as dystopian fantasies go, it is well written. I think it has more girl than boy appeal, but even so, it deserves consideration as a fantasy title for the list. It is definitely behind Stiefvater’s book but better than some of the other’s I have read. I am hoping someone else reads and critiques it. Sally Nelson, Leach Library, Londonderry
A more blatantly futuristic dystopia, with tech along the lines of Feed. Good chemistry between the main characters. I liked that Aria showed herself from the beginning to be strong, and willing to do what needed to be done in order to get where she needed to be. Part of me felt a little like the romance was Harlequin formulaic with the instant antagonism giving way to attraction, but even as I thought it, it still struck me as believable in this case. I will probably read the sequel.
Because of the romance, this is probably more appealing to girls, but it is a good adventure, and the technology will probably appeal to boys. Good for older teens.
-Kirsten Rundquist Corbett, Lane Memorial Library, Hampton
I read this book almost a year ago and very little of it has stuck with me. I think that is telling in and of itself. I will probably read the sequel at some point but I am not clamoring to. I think there are other dystopian/fantasy books more deserving of being on the list. (Raven Boys, Shadows on the Moon, Matched) Sylvie – Nesmith Library
I liked it more than I expected I would. I agree that the romance was a bit formulaic and quite a bit of it was too stereotypical for my taste ("savage" boy and "civilized" girl), but it was better than these issues suggest. I agree that it’s somewhere in the middle of the pack. Caitlin, Bedford Public Library