Into the Still Blue: Under the Never Sky, Book 3
Trilogy finale regains energy for satisfying conclusion.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Into the Still Blue is the third installment in the dystopian adventure romance series that began with Under the Never Sky and continued in Through the Ever Night. It contains scenes of violence, including a brutal beating, the shooting deaths of some important supporting characters, and a climactic strangling. Although the protagonists, Aria and Perry, clearly sleep in the same bed and share a sexually intimate relationship, the level of sexual content does not rise much higher than some passionate kissing and embraces. A few mild curse words.
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What's the Story?
The opening of INTO THE STILL BLUE finds Aria, Perry, and their tribemates at a literal low point, living in caves and desperate to make their next move against their rival, Sable. Aria has been shot, and her arm refuses to heal properly. The Aether storms, which make life on the surface highly dangerous, are getting stronger. And Perry has to find a way to rescue Cinder, the troubled boy who may hold the key to controlling the Aether. Can they work with their enemies to find a way to survive, or will their salvation come only through violence?
Is It Any Good?
Maybe some tales of futuristic dystopias aren't meant to be stretched across three volumes. The Under the Never Sky trilogy started promisingly, but its momentum flagged in the second installment. The final book regains some of the lost energy, but much of the story feels repetitive and stretched out, especially those scenes in which characters squabble longer than is interesting. Longtime fans probably will be happy with the saga's resolution, but some will be eager for author Veronica Rossi to move on to a new setting and cast of characters.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can discuss why dystopian science fiction is currently so popular. What about the imagined end of civilization appeals to young readers?
What qualities make a good leader? What strategies do they employ to manage their followers?
How would you feel if you believed that one of your parents had betrayed you? How might you try to reestablish trust?
Book Details
- Author: Veronica Rossi
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Science and Nature
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date: January 28, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 400
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (abridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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