Like the Waves in the Sea

Like the Waves in the Sea

• Mar 11, 2013

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Release Date: January 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 341 pages
Series: Under the Never Sky #2
Source & Format: Bought; Kindle e-book
Amazon | Goodreads

Summary (from Goodreads)

It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at fi rst. Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

Thoughts on Through the Ever Night

Last week I told you that I fell in love with Under the Never Sky, and many of you commented that you couldn't wait for me to read Through the Ever Night. I smiled every time I saw a comment like that because, surprise, I had already read it by the time I published my review of Under the Never Sky. But I must say you were all right - I loved Through the Ever Night even more than the first book! There's no second book slump here.

I was immediately hooked on this story, unlike my experience with the first book. I'm sure it was because I was already familiar with this world and it's terminology, which made it easier for me to get drawn into this book. So often, the second book in a series just seems like it's there to set up the action of the third book. Thankfully, Through the Ever Night avoids that completely. I learned more about some things introduced in the first book that weren't fully fleshed out, as well as saw how Rossi was setting everything up for an action-packed conclusion.

Through the Ever Night picks up right where the first book left off, and I was immediately reminded of why I love Aria and Perry together. Aria returns to the Tides with Perry, which introduces some drama and conflict because the tribe considers her an outsider. They are wary of her, and it also causes them to question their new Blood Lord. Aria and Perry's relationship continues to develop in a way that was both natural and admirable. I love how they complement each other and want to be together, but they aren't dependent on each other! Aria is independent and sometimes opinionated AND makes a hard decision when she believes it is what is best for Perry and his tribe.

I really loved Perry in Under the Never Sky, but it was so wonderful to be able to see him truly begin to come into his own in this book. Perry struggles to do the right thing and be the kind of leader his people need, and I loved seeing him try to navigate the challenges that arise in his new role. Rossi really excels at writing from his perspective. When she talked at the Pitch Dark Days event, she mentioned that she had her husband read Perry's section and give her feedback on whether he thought it seemed authentic. She also mentioned that she had an all-guy critique group, and I loved finding that out. You can tell she wanted to make sure she got his voice right.

While we're talking about falling in love with boys, I have to mention that Roar really shines in Through the Ever Night. I really enjoyed him in book one, but I just fell in love with him in this book. His search for Liv and friendship with Aria are endearing. I was rooting for him in this one! Also, I absolutely adore Rossi for creating a guy/guy/girl friendship that DOES NOT become a triangle. Perry and Roar truly care for one another, and you can tell that they will always have each others backs. But I also loved how Aria and Roar really bond in this one - some of my favorite parts in this book include these two!

I cannot say enough good things about this book, and it's definitely made me fall in love with Veronica Rossi. I was amazed at the character development and the spot-on pacing. Just like Under the Never Sky, this book leaves you satisfied but eagerly awaiting more! I cannot wait to see how this story concludes in Into the Still Blue.

So Quotable

"He paused, his gaze focused completely on her. 'Come back with me, Aria. Be with me.' Something brilliant unfolded inside of her at the sound of those words. She memorized them as she would a song: every note, unhurried, spoken in his deep, warm timbre. Whatever happened, she'd keep those words."

"Then he told Perry that love was like the waves in the sea, gentle and good sometimes, rough and terrible at others, but that it was endless and stronger than the sky and the earth and everything in between."

"She'd been seeking the comfort of a place. Of walls. A roof. A pillow to rest her head on. Now she realized that the people she loved were what gave her life shape, and comfort, and meaning."