Under the Ever Night read-along: Through the Ever Night part 2

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Through the Ever Night: Chapters 22-42

1. Aria and Roar finally meet Sable in Chapter 22. What is your first impression of him? Does your impression change through the book?
Douche.canoe. I didn't trust him from his first little trick he played on Aria. I moved into active loathing territory when he flaunted his relationship with Liv in front of Roar knowing that the two of them were close. I'm sorry but Roar's my boy. You hurt him, I'll shank you! To be honest, my impression of him just got worse and worse as the story went on. While I can understand that he's between a rock and a hard place in some respects, I.don't.like.him.

2. Things happen with Liv in Chapter 32. Share your thoughts on what happens.
*cries like a baby* I'm actually of the belief that we'll see Liv again in book 3. Things were happening so quickly in those moments that Aria and Roar couldn't confirm that what they think happened truly happened. They saw her fall. They saw blood. I BELIEVE SHE'LL RETURN TO THEM AND ALL WILL BE WELL IN THE WORLD! *cries some more*

3. In Chapter 41, Perry makes a decision to offer refuge to some new people–how do you think this will play out in Into the Still Blue?
I think Perry made the right decision simply because they're no longer Outsiders and Dwellers. They're just a bunch of scared people trying to survive. And if they truly want to survive, they're going to have to work together. That's kinda a theme, isn't it? Perry and Aria are stronger together than they are apart. Roar and Liv are... No, it's too soon. I can't talk about them yet. Bottom line, I think that it's going to be through the efforts of both groups that they survive what's coming. How? I don't know. But I feel it in my bones.

4. What do you think the Still Blue is? How is it protected from the Aether?
I'm tempted to say an island but I don't know how an island would be protected from the Aether. I mean, the ocean doesn't mystically hold the storms at bay. So, there must be something more. BUT WHAT? How about... a line of magnetic beacons that... yeah, I don't know.

Under the Ever Night read-along: Through the Ever Night Part 1

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Through the Ever Night: Chapters 1-21

1. Perry and Aria choose to hide their relationship from his tribe because they feared the tribe’s reaction. Have you ever been in a situation where you hid a relationship or friendship from your family? (Chapter 2)
Nooooo. (that long drawn out 'no' was me trying to think of a time this happened and failing, just so you know) Sometimes I try to hide my friendship with Amanda but she keeps climbing out of the box I shoved her in. *stares at Amanda*

2. Does a leader–like Perry–have a responsibility to put his life ahead of everyone else’s so that he survives or is his responsibility to take care of his tribe no matter the cost? Why? (Chapter 7)
OMG! This is a tough question. On the surface, I'd say that, as a leader, it's Perry's responsibility to protect himself for the good of the tribe BUT... Perry wouldn't be the man he was if he didn't put others ahead of himself. Perry's strength is that he isn't willing to give up. When others say it's impossible, he keeps looking for a way around the problem. I'm also of the belief that a true leader wouldn't ask more of his people than he's willing to give. Perry epitomizes this when he's willing to risk his life to save one of his the tribe. Man, Perry pretty much rocks, doesn't he???

3. Why do you think Aria made the right–or wrong–decision to leave Perry and go off on her on? (Chapter 15)
Both! I think she did the right thing at the time, but I don't think she should have left without telling Perry what was going on. Although, in all honesty, I don't think Perry would have listened to her arguments. So... maybe she did do the right thing.

4. Soren–the reason Aria ever met Perry in the first place–makes an appearance in Chapter 18. What do you think: do you trust or distrust him? Why?
I did not trust him in that initial meeting. While I understand that his actions at the beginning of UtNS were caused by a sort of chemical imbalance, I couldn't shake the memory of what he had done in the ruined pod. His actions caused people to die and I was on my toes the entire time he and Aria were talking, thinking he was about to go batshit crazy again and betray her somehow.

Under the Ever Night read-along: Under the Never Sky

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Under the Never Sky

1. What do you think of Aria’s adjustment to living outside the Realms?
Honestly, considering how sheltered her life is in the Pod, I'm impressed that she does as well as she does when she first gets dumped. It's eye opening for her to see that stepping outside the Pod doesn't immediately kill her. I loved that part of her growth -- the moment where she realized that she's strong enough to survive and thrive in this hostile environment.

2. These two worlds are so different from each other, which would you want to be in?
While the idea of a world where anything is possible at the drop of a hat is tempting, it's not real. I'd take all the trials and struggle of Perry's world over the cold sterility of the Realms. Well... I say that now. I imagine that I'd be singing a different tune after a season where food is scarce and the storms are ever-present. STILL... I think I'll stand by my decision to live on the outside.

3. If you had a Smart-Eye, what would you do? Where would you go?
I wish I had something brilliant to say here but I'd probably hang out in a giant library. Or Bilbo's house in the Shire. Because that shit is AWESOME! NO! WAIT! I'd totally live with Rehvenge in his swank penthouse. We'd hang out all day and talk. Yep. Talk. That's alllllll we'd be doing.

4. Who was your favorite character and why?
I loved Aria's growth and Perry's strength throughout the book yet Roar was SUCH a standout character for me. The three of them together are fairy dust and rainbow unicorn farts! AWESOME WITH A SIDE OF AWESOME!

5. Make a few predictions about what you think will happen in Through the Ever Night.
I've read Through the Ever Night at this point and don't want to spoil anyone, so I'm going to make some INSANE predictions that are totally not true... Aria becomes the Amazon queen and is forced to hunt down Perry and take him as her mate. Perry, as the new Blood Lord of the Tides, can't leave his people, so he and Queen Aria move the tribe onto the Amazon lands and settle them in before finding a secluded grotto and making sweet, sweet love by the light of the Aether storms. Meanwhile, Roar continues to be awesome and develops superpowers that let him find Liv. The two of them become honorary Amazons and help defend the tribe against any marauders that threaten their peace!

BOOM! Predictions!

Under the Ever Night read-along!

Amanda and Cassie are hosting a read-along for BOTH of Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky books! Hop on over and check out the details! (here's the gist, you can participate in just one book discussion or BOTH. #WIN!)

I read UtNS toward the end-ish of 2012 (October, to be exact) so while I won't be rereading it, I will attempt to participate in the questions. (or maybe I will reread it just for shits and giggles) However, after meeting Veronica Rossi at a recent signing event, I am so so so SO excited to be starting TtEN soon. I have my flaily hands ready for all the shenanigans!

EXCITING STUFF!