I listened to the audiobook version of Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi, the close to the Under the Never Sky trilogy. The first thing I have to say is that I was so relieved at the return of Bernadette Dunne as the narrator. She narrated the first book, but the second book was narrated by Michael Goldstrom who actually did a great job, but somehow Dunne really captures the characters' voices in a way no one else can.
Rossi's writing is as powerful and poignant as ever. And this book is very much a "third act" to the story - the place where the characters for the most part achieve resolution of their storylines and either get what they want or learn to live with what they have. Thus, there's perhaps less internal conflict between the key players because the book is a clear move toward resolution for everyone. There's plenty of external action and adventure as the various clans are vying for the upper hand in getting to the Still Blue. And there's lots of external conflict between the Tides, the Horns and the Dwellers. But there's less tension in the relationships between Aria and her two leading men - Perry and Ror - because that was dealt with for the most part in previous books. This book is about her finding an equilibrium in her life. There is definitely conflict between Perry and Ror which plays out nicely, but it's not as interesting perhaps to a reader as the sparring between Aria and Perry in the previous books. Now, they're a couple and they're devoted to each other. Their relationship has been tested and, by the beginning of this book, we know it's going to endure. There are sweet moments between the two of them (and between Aria and Ror), but nothing as challenging for the characters as we saw in the previous two books.
This is a very fast-paced read and easy to get through quickly, particularly because we want to know how the story ends. And I can't say enough good things about Rossi's voice as a writer. She's so intricate and clever in her plot twists and turns, and her writing sings from the page. I hope she writes MANY MORE books in her career. So this is a strong ending to the series. It's very much a "third act" but provides necessary and important closure to the story.
Rossi's writing is as powerful and poignant as ever. And this book is very much a "third act" to the story - the place where the characters for the most part achieve resolution of their storylines and either get what they want or learn to live with what they have. Thus, there's perhaps less internal conflict between the key players because the book is a clear move toward resolution for everyone. There's plenty of external action and adventure as the various clans are vying for the upper hand in getting to the Still Blue. And there's lots of external conflict between the Tides, the Horns and the Dwellers. But there's less tension in the relationships between Aria and her two leading men - Perry and Ror - because that was dealt with for the most part in previous books. This book is about her finding an equilibrium in her life. There is definitely conflict between Perry and Ror which plays out nicely, but it's not as interesting perhaps to a reader as the sparring between Aria and Perry in the previous books. Now, they're a couple and they're devoted to each other. Their relationship has been tested and, by the beginning of this book, we know it's going to endure. There are sweet moments between the two of them (and between Aria and Ror), but nothing as challenging for the characters as we saw in the previous two books.
This is a very fast-paced read and easy to get through quickly, particularly because we want to know how the story ends. And I can't say enough good things about Rossi's voice as a writer. She's so intricate and clever in her plot twists and turns, and her writing sings from the page. I hope she writes MANY MORE books in her career. So this is a strong ending to the series. It's very much a "third act" but provides necessary and important closure to the story.
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