Into the Still Blue

Absolutely one of my favorite series ever. I love Aria and Perry's story. But this series reaches so much further than just Aria and Perry. There's Roar, Liv, Cinder, Brooke, Soren, and the list just keeps going. I adored so many of the side characters and wanted everything to work out well for everyone. Of course, we know that can't happen but it's what I wanted. And I so hate to see the series come to an end. Can't Veronica Rossi just keep writing stories in this world? Maybe do a spin-off with Roar?

In this final book, Aria, Perry and the other survivors make a run for the Still Blue - that step which we've been anticipating since the first book. We get to see the blending of many tribes and the dwellers joining in to the group. show more There are additions of new characters (hello, Aria's father). Final battles with bad guys. Everything that is needed for a great action story.

Ms. Rossi does a terrific job of building this world that in truth I wouldn't mind living in for a bit - as long as I'm in Perry's tribe! show less

This is part three of the Under the Never Sky trilogy, which got off to a great start. In this third book (which is definitely not a standalone) Rossi seems like she is more eager to tie up lose ends than to engage us. There isn't really much excitement, nor energy in the story.

Perry and Aria are trying to get surviving members of the Tides and the Dwellers to the “Still Blue,” a possibly mythic area free of the Aether storms that are increasing in intensity and frequency and threatening to destroy them all. The members of the two groups must learn to trust each other in order to survive, as well as to forgive past hurts that all of them have experienced.

There are some lovely moments when Perry and Aria share their thoughts about show more each other, and when both of them interact with Roar, but most of the plot is dominated by the more unlikable characters.

I felt the ending was rushed, and incomplete in some ways. As long as the author was resolving all the issues, it would have been nice to seen some closure for all of the characters, instead of just a few of them.

The cover is also a bit bizarre: Perry wearing a Henley shirt? LOL show less

I don't want to say too much about this book, since it's not out for another couple of months (thank you Edelweiss for allowing me to read it early), so I will try to keep this review as vague as possible.

The wrap-up of this trilogy was a bit anti-climactic, I'm sad to say, because I'm quite fond of the first two books. Going into this book, I predicted that certain things would happen to certain characters, certain events would occur, and certain characters would make out with each other. By golly, I was right on all accounts!

I don't think it helped that I had just finished up reading Allegiant, a book in which the author took risks with the characters and the ending. In comparison, Ms. Rossi didn't give me enough sitting on the edge show more of my seat, "oh crap, that did not just happen " sort of moments.

One thing that could have improved this situation is if she had given more depth to some of her supporting characters. She created this huge cast of characters, and except for Roar*, I don't feel as if I got to really know any of them, so I didn't care a bit what happened to them.

I do think Veronica Rossi shows promise as an author, so hopefully in her next writing adventure she will figure some of these things out.

*I absolutely adore Roar (despite his ridiculous name) and would happily read more about him. If Aria had a lick of sense she would have fallen for him, had he not already been enamored with someone else. Perry who?**

**This is not to say that I don't think fondly of Perry. How could I not, when every time I see his name I can't help but sing the only line I can remember from that one Story Books song ("Peregrine, you're animal, you're alien.")? I like that song. show less

Review first appeared on fefferbooks.com.

Some of you might have seen my Instagram about this book, in which I admitted to refreshing the Kindle Store about seventyzillion times after midnight, until I could download Into the Still Blue.

True story. I have enjoyed this series so much, and I could not wait to get my hot little hands on the final book. I was a little nervous, though: would it live up to all the hype I’d built up in my head?

Oh, man. Guys, there were goosebumps. There were moments when people had to wait a minute to talk to me, because they weren’t allowed to interrupt the crazy scene happening in the book. Friends, there might even (definitely. were.) have been tears! But only the good kind, I promise.

Still Blue is show more explosive, emotionally. If Under the Never Sky was action-packed, and Through the Ever Night was a little slower and more psychologically well-developed, Still Blue pulls a classic Joey Tribbiani and puts those hands together. The result is, in short, spectactular. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but let’s just say Rossi is fantastic at leaving us hanging just…long…enough. Omgosh.

Rossi’s writing is full of lush descriptions and fantastic new settings, and I so enjoyed the character development that was happening amidst all the action. I particularly warmed to Loran. His character was (no spoilers) exactly as it should be, despite his questionable motives, and he seemed just right, to me, even before we knew what he would become. The scene when he lets Aria kick him in the face is particularly heartwarming. That sounds nuts until you read it. :) Rossi’s ability to create complex characters whom we love, often because of their weaknesses and not just in spite of them, is just some of what makes her a great writer. These books have hit #6 on the NY Times Bestselling Series List–no surprise to anyone who’s read them. They’re just that engaging.

4.5 stars, only because I was a little confused about the big scene with Cinder; I felt like I was left hanging a bit. But I pretty much loved every minute of this one. Super clean. show less

I have wanted to read this one since I fell in love with the first and second books in the series, and I was so happy to get a copy from Harper Teen.
Into the Still Blue is one of my most anticipated books, and I was so glad when it was time to read it, and I was not at all disappointed. The characters that I grew to love are back and as awesome as ever. They have learned and grown a lot in the last two books, and I can see it still going on in this one. It was really amazing how they transformed, stepped up and discovered who they were as people, as leaders, friends and as a couple. Aria and Perry are one of my favorite book couples, and even though they have their issues, they end up back at this happy, romantic, and swoony place. show more Their trust in each other grows so much more in this one, and they are learning to open up and communicate more, which leads them to even higher places in their relationship. I love their moments together, the romantic tension and the hot moments. They are def making up for lost time and facing what could be death and even if they make it to Still Blue, what will certainly be a hard journey, not only physically but emotionally, from the loss of loved ones, to past hurts, and patching up relationships.
I also love the interactions between Roar and Aria. Their friendship has come so far, and I like how they support each other, but that things are usually kept light and funny. It brings relief for the tension, but it also shows that friendship between guys and girls is possible, and can be beautiful.
Soren, ah Soren. He was surly, but he is the character that I saw the most growth in this book. His sarcasm, and unnessesary remarks also served to make me laugh when Roar was too heartbroken to be his usual boisterous amazing self.
The action is amazing as usual, and it was great to see the dwellers and the outsiders learn to trust one another and work together for their common goal--safety and happiness. The pacing is amazing as always. I never wanted to put it down, even when I was sick with the norovirus, I would read until everything went blurry and then picked it back up. I used my day off to rest and read, and this was a perfect companion and way to start the new year.
The surprises and twists were enough to make me want to scream. Some really hard stuff happens, and while I understand why it had to happen that way, it still doesn't mean I didn't want it to, and that I didn't have open mouthed shock. There were a few things at the end that I kept waiting and waiting to change, because I couldn't live with the series if it ended in that manner. I know that it is all about testing and trying the characters, and I know they can't just have a lolly-dah this is beautiful third book, but its hard to read about these characters that I love being put through so much physically, mentally and emotionally. There are some twisted bad guys, and they went through unusual lengths to get what they wanted.
The ending was fitting for this story, and I got closure. Some characters that I wanted desperately to live unfortunately didn't so I didn't get the complete happily ever after that I wanted, but I do feel like the plot is well wrapped up and resolved. Although I don't want to say goodbye to Aria and Perry. I love them as characters, I love their romance, intense, fiery, but also sweet and savory.

Bottom Line: Bittersweet ending to a favorite series. show less

Just like the first two books, Rossi wastes no time delving into the action, and there’s plenty of it! With the Aether storms getting more and more powerful, Perry must find a way to get the Tides to the Still Blue. Whatever it takes, anything it takes. I seriously sat down to start this book and ended up reading it all the way through. I couldn’t put it down. Everything that happened was so unpredictable, which was great.

At first, when Soren’s character was getting more page time than I expected I was annoyed. From the very beginning of book one we have come to hate Soren for what he did to Aria and Paisley but then all of a sudden I found myself enjoying this opportunity to see Soren’s character develop and become part of the show more team.

This is probably one of my favorite cast of characters ever. I love that the story focuses on so many different relationships, and not just the romantic ones. This series is overflowing with friendships, and family ties that will imbed themselves in your heart. Aria & Perry, Perry & Roar, Aria & Roar, Roar & Liv, Perry & Talon, Perry & Cinder, Cinder & Willow, Roar & Soren, each relationship brought something unique to the story and I loved each and every one of them!

Overall, my heart is content. I’m so happy with how Veronica Rossi ended this trilogy, creating an ending that was everything I hoped for and more. show less

Oh, this series. One of my favorite all-time YA series.

Yes, it is dystopian and you may feel or hear how the whole genre becoming overdone...but I think the writing, world-building, and plot certainly make this series stand out. There is character death. However, the way it is written is so well done even this HEA girl was satisfied.

And the ending? A bittersweet, perfect ending. Veronica Rossi's writing was strong to the end, and nice balance of adventure, page-turning twists, romance, character depth and those last errant plot strings all tied up.

I highly, highly recommend the entire series.