Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Title: Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Published: January 28th 2014
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do--and they are just as determined to stay together.
Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival--he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

This series is like a futuristic, youthful version of the Game of Thrones what with its tribes, traditions, power hungry rulers, betrayals, alliances, family, love and, most of all, fighting for survival. It has quickly become one of my favorite series and I will recommend it to everyone who takes a minute to listen. Into the Still Blue was basically everything I hoped for and in some ways even more.

“Try to sleep. Tomorrow’s coming, whether we worry about it or not.”

I like how it starts with jumping right into action. Yes, there is some strategy talk for obvious reasons, but it doesn’t take a lot of time to dwell on these things and the plot is quickly set into motion. The plot was predictable, but it still managed to keep the edge and I liked how we got even more growth from the characters which I thought would be impossible.

What else? Want to know about my favorite swoon scenes? Let's see... The nickname scene. The flirting in chapter 33? SWOON! *fans self* Watching Perry ramble—the cutest thing ever!!! Chapter 35 was, I think, the best thing romance wise in this book and I absolutely adored it and couldn’t have wiped the grin off my face even if I had wanted to :’)

Yeah, I basically looked a lot like this throughout that chapter.

When I realized what Perry had seen in one scene when captured (those of you who have read, know what I’m talking about), I was quite honestly shocked and so ready for the confirmation. Guess what? We didn’t have to wait for 100 or more pages to get it, it was confirmed in the very next chapter from Aria’s point of view. Also, Cinder and Perry’s friendship was heartwarming and so sad *gets teary-eyed when thinking about it* I love how almost everyone in the tribe cared for this little boy and made him one of their own.

I adore good villains and though it seemed like there were villains everywhere throughout the series: Hess, Vale, the creatures/tribes in the forests—none of them compare to Sable. During most of Into the Still Blue, and especially during chapter 44, I wanted to punch Sable in the face so bad, you have no idea *scowls* He is just so vicious and cunning and.. I can’t even begin to describe my hate for the guy, but this shows how great of a storyteller Rossi is.

My only few complaints about this book are the predictability and, also, never once was I afraid for my favorite characters. Yes, there are a lot of deaths—even some of the main secondary ones—but I still felt like all would be well for those who my heart was sired to the most. Rendered would be the best word though, because when they felt down, I felt down; when Perry, Roar and Aria felt happy, I couldn’t hide my own smile.

So, the plot got 2 points form me (you can predict everything that's about to go down based on the previous books) and everything else (characters, world and writing) get 5 points so there you go—the explanation regarding the rating.

To sum alllll of the previous talk up, this is how you end a series, ladies and gents! This is how you do justice to yourself, the characters and the readers. It was a great ending to a marvelous series and I cannot wait for more by Veronica Rossi. PS. It’s not related to the plot or anything, but the very last line of acknowledgements made me teary-eyed—it was absolutely beautifully said.

Overall rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★★

Meet the author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Annnnd this is basically what every single one of these books from this series looks like on my shelf. Couldn't help myself. So much goodness to re-read every now and then:)