So I typically just review the individual books in a series and then I’m done but I had a reader email in my inbox this year asking if I did overviews of the series after I finished them. I hadn’t before but I was thinking about how maybe a little “overall thoughts on the series” when it came to the last book in a series might help some people decide to start the series if they had never heard of it before and are just catching my review of the last book. Also, my feelings on an overall series could grow or break down so maybe it’s important to see the whole picture. So let’s see how this goes? Let me know if you find it helpful. PLUS this helps me close the page on a series (which is exciting because I SUCK at finishing series). And thank you to my awesome reader Angie for sparking this!
Into The Still Blue
(I received this for review but this ABSOLUTELY did not sway my thoughts or feelings. Pinky promise!)
Upon finishing the series I say to all of you who haven’t started the series:
READ IT. It’s definitely one of my favorite series. It’s just all around great — the world, the characters, the relationships (friendships AND romance), action and more! Also, very satisfying ending!
Thoughts On Into The Still Blue (Skip below if you haven’t read the series yet!)
I was so devastated to say goodbye to this world and these characters. Through The Ever Night was so badass and ended in a way where I was sighing a sigh of relief while chewing my fingernails down to nothing KNOWING that things were going to get CAHRAZY in Into The Still Blue. And they did.
I’ve had some disappointing series finale books recently and I was just crossing my fingers and toes that I would not be disappointed. I’m happy to report it was a satisfying conclusion — it felt true to the story, there were some happily ever afters, some sad things, some crazy action and somehow even more dimensions to my favorite characters to make me love them even more. I felt fine with where it ended and I could picture life for them after — lots left to the imagination but ultimately very wrapped up!
I really, really loved watching some of these relationships and how they strengthened. Obvious Perry and Aria and it’s great because they actually get to spend more time together this time around and it’s so sweet. I LOVED Perry and Roar throughout the series (best bromance ever) and it was so hard to watch them have some tension but I felt like it just made that friendship have even more depth. And Aria and Roar. Yay platonic friendships! I love those two. There were so many swoonworthy moments. Some very tender and vulnerable moments in some combination between Aria/Perry/Roar and others. It was just really nice that these beloved characters were given even more life and didn’t fall flat in favor of action and twisty things…which there was plenty of THAT to keep your fingers in shape.
I also really loved watching the Dwellers and the Outsiders have to work together and get to know each other as they were now officially all roomies in the cave. The tension between the two sides was well written and I could feel their distrust for one another and their adversity to change but I so badly wanted them to just STOP BICKERING AND GET TO SOME SERIOUS ASS WHIPPING OF SOME MAJOR BAD GUYS. It was just really nice to see how realistically they worked together and got along.
I’m really sad it’s over but I’m so happy Veronica Rossi delivered — it wasn’t all sunshine and fa la la everyone lives happily ever after but every action and decision made sense for the story while also giving the characters what they deserve in the end. I never knew what was going to happen or what to expect and I was constantly on the edge of my seat for many reasons. I cried when I finished because I was just so damn happy and sad and feeling too many emotions.
What The Series Is About:
Okay so basically in this futuristic world things happened in the past that caused some craziness with the climate and such and these things called aether storms were becoming more and more frequent. They were obvious threats to the Outsiders but not so known to the average Dweller. The Dwellers lived in an enclosed city and they have some pretty awesome technologies and they are able to go to different realms (virtual reality). The Outsiders, well they live outside of this compound in the air that the Dwellers don’t breathe, and they rely on survival and don’t have all the luxuries that the Dwellers do in Reverie. Aria (Dweller) and Perry (Outsider) meet when they are both looking for something important to them and they begin to realize that they mutually need each other to survive/get what they want. And then there’s a whole lot of crazy and twisty stuff….but you should just read.
Rating Broken Down By Books (Links to individual reviews):
Under The Never Sky: LIKED IT. (3.5 stars)
Through The Ever Night: FREAKING AMAZING. I LOVED. (5 stars)
Into The Still Blue: LOVED! Such a good ending! (4.5 stars)
Recommended For People Who Love:
fantasy, dystopian/futuristic stories, awesome romance that doesn’t detract from plot, books with great friendships, survival-y stories, fantastic world building world building (I mean, she creates TWO kinds of worlds really that both were so vivid), just a damn well rounded story honestly…it’s got it all.
Farewell Under The Never Sky! I loved you so much and Aria/Perry/Roar will remain in the ranks of favorite characters for a long time (dare I say forever) and I can honestly declare you as one of my all time favorite series!
What did you think of the conclusion to this series if you’ve read it??
Danielle @ Love at First Page says
This is my all time favorite YA series, right next to the Lumatere Chronicles. I loved every single book – Through the Ever Night is “technically” the best, but I think I love Into the Still Blue the most for the romance and friendships. I was so relieved that it ends on a a satisfying note (though I’d love a post-Roar novella!). I’m definitely going to miss these characters, especially Perry, who will always be a favorite book boyfriend of mine. 🙂
Jamie says
I need to read Scarlet and Cress!! LOVED Cinder!
Yeah, the romance and friendships were AMAZING in this one!! Loved watching Perry/Aria blossom!
I would DEF be on board with a post Roar novella!!!
Nadia @ Nadia Reads says
I like this series send off! Gives us a complete picture of what the series is about and what you thought about it! I’ve been a bit hesitant to read these books despite the hype, but I think I will pick them up! (eventually)
Jamie says
Thanks for the feedback! Once I read that email I was like BRILLIANT idea! I feel like it’s just a good way to wrap up the series when I finish them!
Lots of hype with this one but it’s deserving!!
Trish says
I really like your series review. Makes sense.
I love the UTNS series. I like how Veronica Rossi writes.
I met with her also. She is absolutely awesome!
Jamie says
Thanks for the feedback! YES Veronica is so awesome in person and a great author! Can’t wait to see what she does next!
Patty says
I only just got this in the mail the other day so I’ve skipped over the review so I don’t ruin anything for myself haha. I’ve started doing the same kind of thing with a series review. It usually ends up being for books I read before I started blogging/ don’t have an individual review for the book. I just seems easier to put it all in one post 🙂
Jamie says
That’s a good idea for series you read pre-blogging! I’m trying to even think if I have any pre-blogging. HMMM. NOw I’m going to have to stalk goodreads. Now I’m like should I do this for series I’ve already reviewed and finished here on the blog. THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. Will be curious what you think when you finish Into The Still Blue!!
Kelley says
I haven’t read the final book yet – but I really LOVE this series. I guess after some of the dissappointments lately, I am actually nervous about finishing this one because I just loved the first two books so much. After reading this review though, I feel so much better about getting it started… It’s been sitting on my E-Reader taunting me since the minute it came out (because I pre-ordered of course!). It’s my next official read – thanks for the great review and I loved the way you covered an overview of the entire series. That’s something I thought of doing on my blog for books I’ve read in series but haven’t reviewed – maybe reviewing the series as a whole – so great idea!
Jamie says
I was so nervous too!! I had it for so long before I read it bc I was just NERVOUS. Series I LOOOOVED ended badly. SIGH. This one will not disappoint!! And thanks for your feedback!! Let me know what you think when you finish!
Kelley says
Glad to hear that – I am bumping this to my next read for sure! I will let you know how it goes once I do read it for sure! I’m so glad I read your post today since I’ve been so on the fence about it… I just love Aria & Perry and even Roar…! Veronica Rossi is such a talented writer. Looks like I have a great book for my weekend read!
Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says
Your ratings by book are pretty much how I felt about them too! I really enjoyed UtNS but wasn’t hugely sold until TTEN! It was SO amazing! Loved the ending to this series and Veronica Rossi really nailed it with Into the Still Blue. This series just got better over time and it was so hard to say goodbye too! I loved seeing Rossi’s writing grow and how much her characters grew too!
Jamie says
YES that’s how I felt about the first one. Like I would never have thought this would be my favorite series after book 1 but MAN it gets AMAZING and even better!! That’s how I always try to tell people…you’ll enjoy the first one but JUST WAIT. I cannot wait for what she does next. I plan on reading her NA because I’m so curious! But I hope she will return to this genre too!
Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says
I agree!!! Definitely looking forward to her NA JUST because it’s her. I’m so curious about what she has in store for us! I actually don’t know much about it… is it contemporary!? For some reason that’s where my mind always go to first.
I’m hoping for more YA from her as well. Although, I mean, this series WAS YA but it was also so mature!
Carrie Mesrobian says
I love this series so hard. Start to finish, it’s my favorite YA fantasy/post-apocalyptic whatever you call it. Great characters, great plot, beautiful beautiful beautiful.
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA says
I didn’t love the ending to this series as much as I loved the other books in the series. BUT! I loved elements about it. Like the tension between Perry and Roar. My. Heart. HURT! I don’t like seeing characters like this. And Perry and Aria had some major swoony moments in this one… LOVE! Can’t put my finger on what I didn’t like about it but it didn’t hit me as hard as Through the Ever Night did. However, this is a pretty solid series and I LOVED getting to experience it! Also loving the overall thoughts on a series idea; I’ve done this in the past with whole series instead of individual reviews or if it’s the end of a series I just talk instead of review. Looking forward to more of these (if you plan on doing them)!
Trina says
I love this series! I love Veronica Rossi’s writing and CANNOT WAIT for her next book (not the NA one), I don’t know what it is, but I know she’s working on something and I need it now.
I like your series wrap up! I agree with your rankings of the books. I can’t believe it’s over. ITSB left me with questions, not about the main story, but about things outside of the story that I feel like could easily turn into sequels or companion novels. Not that it needs to be continued, I am just saying I love that the world and issues were so complex that I feel like I can still imagine the story beyond the end of the series.
Emmah says
I actually just finished the last book yesterday! It was sooo good! I already miss the characters! Especially Roar.
kimberlybuggie says
Glad you liked the series! I really enjoyed it as well. I’m so glad that the last book was good. I’ve been trying to finish up some series recently and a few of them, their last books have been so flat! I’m so glad this one has three strong books!
I’m looking forward to re-reading this one again.
I really like it that you did an overview of the entire series and then broke it down by individual ratings on each book. Helpful!! Also, I just read this other series that I really liked, but it took a while to get into. So while book one was okay, book two was really good and by book three it was AMAZING.
🙂
Ikao says
Congratulation you’ve finished the trilogy! I’m suck at finishing series too, but I try to complete more series this year 😀
I LOVE Perry and Roar’s bromance too <3 There are many girlxgirl and girlxboy friendships in YA, I feel like I need moreee bromance XD Glad you love it, this is also my favorite series 😀
Jen says
One of my all time favorite series
Amanda D says
I like the series send off idea. This particular series I have read and loved. I was very sad to see it end 🙁 Also, I am glad to hear I am not the only one who sucks at finishing series. I am so bad that my goal for 2014 is to finish all series I have started. I’m working my way through my list!
Melissa @ Bookmark Dragon says
I’m a few days late on commenting, but I just wanted to say what a great idea I think it is to have a series send off! I loved this series as well, and will miss Aria and Perry… but I’ll mostly miss Roar. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the series as well!
Kari says
I loved this series! My book BFF recommended it to me last summer, and I didn’t get around to reading it for various reasons. When I finally picked it up *insert angels singing*. One of the best series I’ve read this year.