Brooke

Under the Never Sky #2.5

by Veronica Rossi

Set just before the events of Into the Still Blue, the conclusion to Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky trilogy, this breathtaking novella is a satisfying stand-alone for new readers as well as an exciting glimpse at favorite characters from the trilogy. Pulsing with romance and danger, Brooke will leave readers desperate for the conclusion to this epic and unforgettable saga.

The only fight she can't win is the one for Perry's heart. Following the stunning climax in Through the Ever Night, the Tides have been forced to seek shelter from the Aether storms in a dismal, secluded cave. But Brooke's memories of the cave go back much further, to when she and Perry used to come here together. That was before Perry fell in love with Aria and before Vale's dealings with the Dwellers altered the course of the Tides forever.

Now, with her sister back from a haunting year in captivity and Aria lying unconscious in the sick bay, Brooke struggles to put the pieces of her life back together. Without Perry, who is she? And what is her role in this frightening new world? As these questions swirl about her, an old threat to the Tides resurfaces, and Brooke is forced to put the lives of her people before her own. But in taking this step outside of herself, Brooke may finally discover what she truly wants.

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Novella, Fantasy, Short Stories, Romance, Science Fiction

91 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2013

About the author

Veronica Rossi writes fiction for young adults and older ones, too. To date, she has written the post-apocalyptic UNDER THE NEVER SKY series, the RIDERS fantasy duology, and the historical fiction standalone, REBEL SPY. Her latest book, ROAR OF THE TIDES, picks up where the UTNS trilogy left off.
Thanks for reading!

Reviews

[Noura AF · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just found out about this new e-novella!!! *runs around the house squealing*

Okay. So, now we have to wait. Again. *sighs*


I'm so excited!
And it's 2a.m . Looks like I won't get any sleep tonight..


~UPDATE~

And the lucky character is..... Brooke.


I mean, it's still going to be super-awesome, right? ...right?
Oh who am I kidding!! WHY HER, WHY?!!!!

I know I'll read it anyway, though that does not make me any less unhappy because it's not about Liv or Cinder or another character whom we don't know much about. A character we love, that is.

But think about this! If it's not about Liv, then it's probably because the author wants to make her come-back more exciting in the final book! .... I hope.


~Update~
AFTER READING



Welll... I have to admit, this was certainly refreshing. It's actually nice to read about secondary characters. You know, to be reminded that the story doesn't revolve around just 5 or 6 people.
And it feels as though Veronica has expanded that fascinating world, and gave our imagination a larger place to wander through.

At first, I wasn't really sure what to expect, I was also worried that I'd hate it. And I did hate it sometimes: when Brooke just couldn't get over Perry and felt lonely and all that nonesense we -humans- tend to put ourselves through when we're rejected or feeling discarded by the ones we love. Though, I'm so grateful that we got to know the other sides of her, that she's more than just the super-jealous ex.
The parts I liked best were when her admirable sense of responsibility gave her the courage to do her duty towards her family and tribe, for she can be such a brave warrior when she puts her mind to it.
But I really didn't like her new beginnings. When someone wants to heal a wound like hers, they should know that the less new beginnings they have, the less endings they have to deal with.

Nonetheless, by the end of this novella.. I thought, hmmm.. not bad

Maybe I was wrong about her. Maybe there's still a chance for her to be loved by us fans, if she just let Aria and Perry in peace and become a kickass fighter.


In short, I honestly enjoyed this novella, but reading it was like pouring oil on the blazing fire of anticipation, and now I'm left wanting more.
I'm so excited about the final book, aaannd I'm going to fail my exam tomorrow because there'll be nothing on my mind other than this great series.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to feel wanted and cherished and safe.
I want to find someone who won't trade me for another.
I want to find love that is visceral and life-sustaining.

Actual rating: 2.5/5 Unbelievably Ridiculous Brookie Stars

Oh, I'm so, so, so disappointed about this one. :(
Well, reasons are simple.
1)I've hated Brooke from the moment she met Aria, wait, nope, from the moment she made her appearance in the first book and kept desiring for Perry in the beginning. Thus, this book is ALL about her and how she dealt with her loss when Perry made it really clear that his heart belonged to Aria no matter what.

2)There is no specific necessity for those details regarding Brooke and her moody feelings. So in my opinion, this book is completely...unnecessary.

3)I'm apparently biased here but Brooke wasn't my concern in this series so normally I didn't feel anything when it comes to her. However, she did piss me off when she kissed 3 guys, hold on, 3 BROTHERS in merely 3 days. Go figure.

4)As my foreshadowing citation from Brooke above, it clearly indicated that she was going to find that visceral love of her life, the only one who won't discard her, and the only one who made her heart pound crazily; however, she found none. Just because she kissed those guys doesn't mean she took them seriously and gladly, there was no love-polygon, but sadly, it was a waste of time for me.

5)That ending was awfully ridiculous, you know? I ended up sitting there, laughing bittersweetly, and trying to digest what I just read. Good for Haven(Straggle), boo for Brooke.

*sigh*

Time to cheer up!
Well color me surprised, there's still some great quotes and good sides from other characters, aka the Six who've been loyal to their Blood Lord, Perry, for starters. Apart from Brooke, I did come across some of the members in the Six and they were pretty awesome. Moreover, they were also the one and only reason I kindly appreciated this book.

"What if it's not what you see, but how you see it? What if the magic is in your perspective?" He gestures to the plateau that spreads in front of us. "What if real magic is about having the right outlook? The right view on life?"

In summary, though I disliked this novella so much that I wonder if it's really the novella for such an amazing series, I didn't lose my hope for the last book, Into the Still Blue so I'm curious about what'll happen to Perry and Aria AND at the same time, I am interested in who will be Brooke's ultimate love.
***Highly recommend the series EXCEPT this novella.***

[Devyani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading.

"Anyone up for another e-novella, like ROAR & LIV, based on one of the secondary characters?"



After reading.

I was a bit apprehensive about this one, since the novella is from Brooke's point of view, but I think that in the course of about 70 pages, Brooke and I have come to an understanding.
Also, there was an excerpt of the next book, so I'm bleedingly excited. BLEEDINGLY.

[Jen ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Spoilers for previous books*

I was not a fan of Brooke in the previous books. They way she treated and spoke about Aria made me want to smack her. And while I did see redeeming qualities in her, like when she stepped up and helped protect the tribe, it was never enough to push me to want to like her. Those moments couldn't erase the ickiness I felt towards her. So when I saw this book was in Brooke's POV, I hesitated. Could I really endure listening to a woman I dislike? Ultimately my curiosity got the better of me and I dived right into this book.

I can’t look into his worried eyes for another second, so I stare at the links of his chain. I want to wrap my fingers around it and pull his mouth down to mine. I want to feel his lips. His tongue. His body.
It makes no sense. He broke my heart and I still want him so much. How is that possible?

Starting out, I felt annoyed towards Brooke, which wasn't shocking. I viewed her as an inconvenience who I just wanted to go away. Which is harsh, if I'm being logical. This voice in my head kept reminding me that I'd probably act the same way, if I was in her shoes. Well, I'd most likely be worse than her. But I pushed that nagging voice aside and kept my dislike towards Brooke strongly in place.

She is everything I’m not.
And Perry chose her.
Over me.

Until I reached around 50%. I couldn't believe that Brooke won me over. When the realization hit, I actually cussed out loud. And I'm still upset at myself that I like her. But here's the thing, she has a good heart. And she is loyal and fierce. She contained qualities I absolutely love about a person. And even when her good heart went wayward a time or two, when she was thinking horrible thoughts about Aria, she still won me over. I can't believe it!

I actually feel like trying to be nice.

One thing I was surprised to find in the pages, was that we got to learn more about the three brothers, Hyde, Hayden and Straggler. They're part of the group whom Perry trusts the most. I read about them in Through the Ever Night, but they didn't have a clear voice to me. They were always just part of the Six. But now they each stand out strong and clearly to me. These brothers were charming, funny and left me hoping that they'll have a bigger role in the final book! But I will say that Brooke's "interaction" with them *rolls eyes*, see now this is one of the many reasons I struggle with her. Even if those last few pages left me wanting clap towards her in regards to Straggler.

Her arm was shot, apparently.
It’s becoming infected, apparently.
I should feel bad for her, I suppose.
I don’t.

So since I struggled with Brooke in the first half of the book, and rolled my eyes at her with the brothers, that's why I'm left having to rate this book 4 Stars. Even though the character development and the story that took place were a solid 5 Stars. I know I'm being immature when it comes to Brooke. Even though she won me over. But I'm definitely sticking to this rating. Ohhh before I forget, I want to throw out a guess. My way out of left field guess is that Brooke will end up with Soren. I know he's a dweller, and she loathes dwellers, but there's this spark between them. I'm really hoping my guess pans out!

When everyone you know is on the verge of drowning, you don’t stop to tell the person next to you that you don’t like swimming.
You just don’t.

So yes, definitely pick up this book. Even if you hate Brooke. You'll most likely feel stabby towards her in the beginning, but she could eventually win you over too. And there are HUGE events that you're going to want to know about! This book takes place the moment #2 ends, and you'll miss out if you just jump into #3. So good luck with Brooke and I hope you enjoy!

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if I give any shits about Brooke, but I'll read it.

3.5
Still don't know if I give any shits about Brooke, but the ending was kinda cute.

[Ferdy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers

Brooke was a right cow in Under the Never Sky and Through The Ever Night, I was hoping her novella would show her in a more positive light… And it kind of did, but yea, I still don't like her much.

-There wasn't much of a plot, it was mostly just Brooke moaning, being jealous, and bitching about Perry and Aria's relationship. Her self-pity and attitude was rather boring.

-I hated Brooke's attitude towards Aria, it was undeserved. I get that she was upset that Perry dumped her, but that was well before he met Aria, and it wasn't as if Aria even knew about Brooke or her relationship with Perry. Aria didn't steal Perry away from her, she was dumped well before Aria came into the picture. And Brooke had no right to act like Aria had done her wrong, she behaved like the typical mean girl who hated the heroine just because the hero showed an interest in her. Brooke was pathetic. Sure, she admitted at the end it was wrong to hate Aria but that was only after she realised that she never actually loved Perry in the first place. So yea, if Brooke had thought she was still in love with Perry then she would have still gone on treating Aria like rubbish. So she gets no points for no longer loathing Aria.

-I had no sympathy to Brooke's hurt feelings about Perry/Aria. She knew from the get go that Perry wasn't in love with her, so why was she so shocked and indignant that he dumped her? She pushed for the relationship, she knew he wasn't as into her as she was with him… So yea, she shouldn't have been surprised and hurt when he left her.

-I hated Perry. The girl he supposedly he loved was at death's door and he was barely with her, he spent all his time chilling with other people. Ugh.
He was such a typical manslut, his past relationship and feelings for Brooke just made what he had with Aria seem less special. I really didn't like how he had intimate and heated moments with other girls — poor Aria, she has no idea how Perry behaves around other girls. I have no doubt that Perry will cheat on Aria in the future whenever things hit a rough patch and some girl flirts with him. He's definitely the cheating type. I honestly have no idea what Brooke or Aria see in the sleazy scum-bag. Hayden and Hyde were much better characters than Perry, actually everyone was better than him.

-I loved how Brooke kissed three different guys who were all brothers, and then decided she didn't want to be with anyone, and instead wanted to concentrate on herself. It made a nice change from the usual YA heroine finding her twu wuv when she's not even out of her teen years.
There was a bit of vibe between her and Soren, maybe they'll hook up in the third book.

-Brooke's interactions with her little sister was sweet, it made her seem like less of a cow.

-The Marron arc was resolved in a rushed way. But I was fine with that since he was crappy character to begin with.

All in all, I wasn't impressed — the plot was dull, Brooke was still an insufferable, whiny cow but at least she had some redeeming qualities about her.

[Alaina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kind of wish I didn't find out that this novella existed because it was kind of meh. I didn't really like Brooke or how she acted at all so I wasn't really excited to read it, at all.

Brooke was just so god damn annoying. Pretty sure I still dislike her and I probably will still continue disliking her into the next book. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only annoying person in this book. It's sad to say but Perry was kind of annoying too. Especially with how he behaved around girls and then just how he acted in general.

Again, I just wished I didn't read this book but I'm sort of okay that I did because that mean's I can move onto the next book now..

[Mary ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

It's strange how you can know something -know the pointy, sharp truth- but still want to bend and blunt the edges so it fits better in your mind

I have to admit, I was very hesitant to read this short story at first, because I did not like Brooke as a character at first and I believed my opinion wouldn't change. But oh boy, it totally did.

Because Brooke is not just a character that wanted a romantic love and when she didn't have Perry, she started hating everything (and mostly Aria). She was in fact a character who wanted to feel loved, and hadn't realized that she first of all had to love herself. She did figure it out, though, and it made me connect so much with her self-admiration at the end, and the way she chose to be, first and foremost, her own soulmate.

Ι also loved how we came to see three of Perry's team of Six, and how each of them developed in their own unique way ♥ Not only that, we also saw how the Tides took care of the Dwellers, and how, in the face of illness, all differences vanished, and everyone helped each other. This, by itself, brought such an important message of how humanity should work, and it made me tear up, if I have to be honest.

The writing was absolutely stunning, best one so far in the series, and it was full of incredible metaphors. The novella itself was action packed, cute, full of family love, romance, self realization and magic, not in supenatural powers or anything, but mostly in how Brooke reached her point of self discovery ♥

What I generally love about the Under The Never Sky novellas is that they are not exactly made to just dive into a sidekick's past and character, but are also full of twists and turns and explain more about both the world and the story in general.

I also have to admit I sort of shipped Brooke and Sorren, and if Brooke decides she is ready to love someone romantically again (if not, it's totally okay ♥) , Ι'd really like to see them together, mostly because a bond between an (actual) Dweller and an Outsider would be something very, very interesting to see and explore ♥

Overall, I loved it, as you can see, and the only reason it lost half a star was because I needed to see more of the new, powerful Brooke :)



Despite my disappointment from the second book, I will still recommend this series because it has some wonderful unique elements that I really, really enjoy and I believe a lot of people will too ♥

Until further news, Happy New Year ♥ May these new 365 pages be a joyous, incredible journey ♥

~Mary

[cindy ♕]

I don’t think I’m alone when I say that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Brooke, so I was kind of hesitant to read this novella altogether. While my opinion hasn’t exactly taken a 180, I can appreciate her characterisation a little more now.

“People who try to be nice are false. They’re liars. You should never force your behaviour to be a certain way. You should just be. Maybe it’s not going to be nice, but at least it’ll be honest.”

The thing about Brooke is that she’s unapologetically herself no matter what – i.e. jealous, petty, and even selfish at times. This novella just gives her the complexity we don’t see in the main arc, elucidating her emotions to heighten our own sense of empathy.

And it worked… to an extent.

Brooke’s self-development was slightly cheesy, but I gained respect for her loyalty and the way she treated her younger sister. It showcased a more vulnerable side, adding warmth to her otherwise frosty demeanour. The romance seemed a bit random / forced at first, but it managed to play out in a way that wasn’t entirely cliché. Frankly, I was confused as to why so many guys crushed on her in the first place, but 🤷 ??? Both brothers contributed to a different aspect of her character growth, I guess.

In general, this was a good bridging novella in terms of events, and it tied up some loose ends with Brooke’s character. It’s not really necessary, but it offers more insight into the relationships before book one, and how they’ve shifted. I kept forgetting that Perry was considered such an “alpha” because he seems so soft from his POV lolol.

Plus, the novella actually covers an interesting plot point, addressing the whole situation with Wylan (etc.) Though the outcome doesn’t directly impact the main storyline, it was still nice to get the added closure. Brooke also provides some much-needed distinction between the Six – before, they were all kind of interchangeable except for Reef. So there are other aspects that make this novella worth reading, if you care about the series enough (which you should 🙃)

“It’s strange how you can know something – know the pointy, sharp truth – but still want to bend and blunt the edges so it fits better in your mind.”

For a side story, Brooke explores pretty deep sentiments – about life and love and magic and perspective. It holds its own as a story, delivering Veronica Rossi’s characteristic charm. Though for whatever reason (probably bias), I preferred her first-person narration from Roar’s perspective. There were moments here where the writing lost some of its flow.

But with all that being said, this novella brings something different to the series. It humanises characters you’d otherwise overlook, proving just how much potential they have beneath the surface.

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A NEW NOVELLA... about Brooke...



We all hated Brooke right? I mean... okay, maybe hate isn't the right word, but we certainly didn't love her. At least I know I didn't. So when I heard Veronica Rossi was writing a novella in her point of view I won't lie, my face may have looked like this



But here's the thing.... when I turned the last page of this, I liked her, like, really liked her.

So much of the rest of the series focuses on all the other main and secondary characters (Perry, Roar, Aria, Cinder... even Liv)that we never really get to know her, only glimpses of what those characters thought of her and how they react to her, but getting inside her head for this novella was the best thing that Rossi could have done for this character. Not only do we get to see everything from her point of view, but we get some explanation for how she feels, we can feel the loneliness and sadness and what exactly the Tides means to her.

And I realized... she's not that bad. At least not as bad as I made her in my head. And like I said, I walked away from this novella really finding that I liked her character. Her loyalty and devotion to her family and friends, her desire to keep them safe and the budding friendships were all wonderfully written.

I don't know how Rossi does it. Even in these novellas I find myself highlighting the beautiful words and sentences that she gives us... this was no exception. Some examples:

The bright green of his unrelenting eyes. He is weathered and softened like a seashell. Beautiful in the exact opposite way of the plain perfectness of the Dwellers.

or

I can tell he's smiling. He's a happy kisser. A girl could fall in love with that, I think.

If you haven't started this series, I beseech you - go get the books start them now, so you're all caught up by the time Into the Still Blue comes out because like the rest it is amazing and a wonderful conclusion to this series.

And make sure you read the novellas. Not only will you get a bit more about some of the amazing secondary characters that Rossi has created but she definitely delivers the swoons as well.

This has quickly moved to the top of my all-time favorite series - I know you'll feel the same way once you start!

This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare!

[Stacia (the 2010 club) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I have the galley, I went and put Into the Still Blue on hold, figuring I might want to read Brooke first, based on publish order.

Eh. It wasn't all that necessary. Most of this short was about Brooke getting over Perry, and debating the hotness of two different guys. Not that I have complaints about reading anything from Rossi because she has a way with words that is always a pleasure to read, but I am sort of burned out on series with all of the extra short stories which don't actually need to be read.

There were a few snippets about the other characters, but it was nothing all that new or exciting.

If you're debating whether or not to read Brooke, but haven't yet read Roar and Liv, definitely go for R&L instead. At least that was a short story worth including, and is one you won't want to miss if you're invested in the series.

(I still adore this series though)

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veronica Rossi understands that there are only a few reasons why you should be writing short stories to include in a series. This one was written as a quick reminder of where the previous book in the series left us. Very neccessary for me as I usually read these when they are published. Another good reason for a novella is to give us the perspective of one of the smaller characters in the big story. I liked getting to know Brooke, especially as she did not really feature in the previous books. I can't wait for book 3. This is without a doubt one of my favorite candyfloss series!

[fennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm impressed, veronica rossi. i don't know how you did it, but you managed to make the girl everyone loves to hate relatable, and vulnerable, and dare i say, lovely. i'll admit that when i heard about this novella, i had the same reaction that i'm sure the masses had: brooke?! who wants to read about a childish, bratty girl who seems to think she has some claim on perry when clearly he's in love with (not to mention rendered to) aria?!

oh but i was wrong. no, i don't love brooke with the same intensity that i love roar or perry or aria, but i've grown to care deeply about/for her and respect her. when it comes down to it, she's just another heartbroken girl trying to figure out her way in the crazy world of aether and cave-dwelling where her ex-lover is her blood lord. her situation isn't an easy one, yet she manages over time to handle herself with grace and maturity. she goes through a growth process throughout this novella and i'm thoroughly glad that i took this short journey with her. i actually completely understand why perry cares so much about her. she's very much like him: intensely passionate, fiercely protective, loyal to a fault, proud & strong & capable. and when i really think about, she had to have redeeming qualities; after all, she was liv's best friend and i loved liv for the short amount of time that i got to spend with her.

this novella also allowed a glimpse into brooke's history with perry & how they began, as well as some heartbreaking descriptions of liv & roar's relationship. It was also nice to read an outsider's perspective of perry & aria together since we tend to get their viewpoints.

at the end of this novella is an excerpt of "into the still blue" and dear god that book is likely going to kill me.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The events in this novella occur between Through the Ever Night and Into the Still Blue but I don't think it's essential to read this story if you don't want to. It does give a little insight into what's happening with Perry and Aria and it does resolve a plot thread with a certain group but it was mainly Brooke moaning and feeling sorry for herself.

I've never particularly been a fan of Brooke's but I didn't dislike her either, she was Perry's ex girlfriend but I never felt there was a chance of her coming between Perry and Aria even though she obviously wanted to. I have to admit I did feel a little sorry for her but it's not like Perry ever lead her on or made promises that he didn't keep. She knew all along that he didn't love her and she pushed him into a relationship that she knew he didn't want but I guess that doesn't make her heartache any less and I expect most of us have been in a similar position to Brooke at some point.

Although I could relate to Brooke's feelings I just didn't find myself enjoying spending time in her head, she is so obsessed with Perry and if I'm honest I found it boring listening to her constant complaining about pretty much everything. Add in the fact that when finally she decides to move on she jumps back and forth between two brothers and I just found myself rolling my eyes at her behaviour. Do all girls in YA have to have a boyfriend to feel good about themselves? Okay Brooke finally makes a good decision at the end but unfortunately it was too little too late for me.

Unlike the previous novella, Roar and Liv, I didn't really think this had much to add to the series and I ended up being disappointed with Brooke's story. It's definitely one I'll be skipping on any future rereads of the series.

[Siiri (Little Pieces of Imagination) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a gorgeous cover! These pinkish and purple-ish colors suit well with this novella. I thought I’d hate Brooke’s view on things, but I actually found myself enjoying it. Since I’m a huge Perry & Aria shipper, I naturally dislike anyone who tries to tear them apart, but Brooke’s reaction was normal and expected in Through the Ever Night and even in her novella. The realizations she has were natural, well-written and I’m really glad for her. Reading this will help you realize the sudden change in her in Into the Still Blue and I appreciated the glance into her mind.

Also, SOREN!!! I hated his guts in Under the Never Sky, but slowly, he made his way into my heart and I became to root for him. I had two ships in this novella, though in all honesty I’m rooting for only one at this point. [Well, I was. Since I read Into the Still Blue right after and my review will be up tomorrow.] Who are they? Um. I ship Brooke with either Hayden or Soren. Yeah. These two would make great pairings with this female warrior and I like these possibilities. All in all, it wasn’t anything special, but I really appreciated this novella and I think it’s worth exploring. Plus, some really cute Aria and Perry moments even when she’s unconscious and fighting for her life:)

Overall rating: 3.3 out of 5.0

More of my reviews can be found on my blog.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this novella really suprised me. I like Brooke. I cant believe myself



For a few chapters I was really mad at Brooke. I wanted her gone. I wanted her to shut her mouth. I wanted to not like her. I thought I wouldnt. I tried. I really did. But Brooke was amazing in this novella.



At the end of the chapter 5 Brooke finally stopped being annoying for me and at the end of the chapter 10 she won me over. She realized how much Perry loved Aria. She decided to move on. She realized she wasnt actually in love with Perry. She apologized to Aria OMG I loved all those moments.



I dont feel sorry for her. Ok maybe I do. Just a bit. But one thing for sure, I understood her better. She definitely earned my respect in the last few chapters.

Question: Am I the only one who wants her with Soren hahaha they'd make a interesting couple.



Excerpt from Into the Still Blue was AMAZING!!! It was perfect. Aria and Perry were so cute. I've felt so sad for Roar. And I hope Cinder is okay.I cant wait to read the whole book :)

[Liz* Fashionably Late · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you hate just ignore a character and then, suddenly, fall completely in love with her? That's how I feel about Brooke, guys.

Brooke is amazing. She's heartbroken. She's lost her best friend and the one she loves. She desperately needs to move on and find a way to get along with Perry and Aria.
Everything occurs between Through the Ever Night and Into the still Blue and in just a few chapters, we get to know so much about her: how she tries to protect her family and herself, how little she knew about her relationship with Perry and how she's planing to move one.

I love Veronica Rossi. Her writing style may not be amazing but every time I've read one of her books I just forget I'm actually reading, it's like I'm absorbed by the world she creates. I can't wait to read Into the Still Blue!

I totally ship Brooke with Soren.

[katnissbraid. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brooke is a shallow character, I don't know if someone finds her funny, badass or whathever I just find her a petty girl who cannot understand what she truly wants. And goes around kissing boys (brothers!) for getting over Perry. Really this is the novella.

I hope she gets with Soren. That would be a good couple.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Brooke a lot more than I expected to!

[Natasha (books_n_dreams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke's story is very intense with emotions. There is quiet a bit of hatred which makes me not like it, but at the same time you see and understand why because of how strong she feels for Perry.

It was nice getting to see Brooke but this wasn't one of my favorite novellas. Maybe it was because of her hate for Aria that really turned me off of it.

When Brooke finally takes a change in direction my feelings towards her changed, but not 100%. I think Brooke is one of those characters you are unsure of how to feel, at the end I like who she is a lot better.

Again this novella wasn't my favorite but it was definitely needed and had a lot happen in it.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of Brooke throughout the series but after reading this, I think she really redeemed herself. She's hung up on Perry, which is understandable, but it was nice to see her figure things out. When she finally understands that her relationship with Perry was never going to last, and moves on from her boiling rage and jealousy, she's actually a pretty decent person. I liked her interactions with the three brothers, her developing fondness for Soren and her acceptance of Aria.

[Gabriela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care much for Brooke in the series and thought that reading this novella would make me understand her better and sympatize. But that didn't happen. I guess her way of thinking is just different and to me, it was dull and uninteresting.
However, I did enjoy getting more information and a story that isn't even mentioned in the book.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really certain that I don't like Brooke but this novella change my views about her.

Argh. Honestly, I'm starting to like minor characters more than the main protagonists of this trilogy. Tell me, is this a good thing or not?

[Book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm probably in minority because I liked Brooke as a character while reading Under The Never Sky trilogy. This novella made me like her even more- I loved the way her character developed throughout it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review up soon! Gah, can't wait to start my arc of Into The Still Blue.

[Antonella ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella more than the other one. I felt like getting an idea of how Brooke and Perry were before made their characters make more sense. They were more serious than I had thought. I also liked getting to know Hyde, Hayden, and Straggler more in this one. There was also a decent amount of action which was one thing I felt was lacking in the original trilogy. And it answered some questions that had been left unanswered, such as what happened while Aria was unconscious and what happened to the people who abandoned the Tides in the second book. Overall it was a good addition to the story and I’m glad I read it.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hated Brooke so I originally wasn’t even planning on reading this novella. I only did just because I didn’t want to miss out on any information that may important before reading Into the Still Blue.

But this really just felt like a waste of my time. I already have my heart firmly set on who Perry should be with so reading about Brooke constantly whining and acting like a spoilt selfish brat was not my idea of a good time.

There was some actual plot towards the end, but I just wish this novella could have been from the perspective from someone else more important to the story. Or at least anyone other than Brooke.

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Σίγουρα πιο ενδιαφέρουσα νουβέλα από την προηγούμενη της σειράς, που μπορεί να μας συστήνει έναν -θεωρητικά- δευτερεύοντα χαρακτήρα λίγο καλύτερα, αλλά που εν τέλει καταλαβαίνουμε πως ήταν μια πολύ σοφή απόφαση. Προσωπικά, αναθεώρησα αρκετά πράγματα όσον αφορά την Brooke, που μεταξύ μας δεν ήταν και από τους αγαπημένους μου χαρακτήρες, και που με έκανε να σκεφτώ πως καμιά φορά πρέπει να κοιτάμε πίσω από την εικόνα, ακόμα κι αν πρόκειται για άτομα που δεν μας πολυαπασχολεί το παρελθόν ή το μέλλον τους, αλλά που στην πραγματικότητα η παρουσία τους είναι σημαντική με έναν τρόπο που δεν αντιλαμβανόμαστε με μια πρώτη ματιά, αλλά εμμένοντας λίγο περισσότερο στο πρόσωπο, στις συμπεριφορές, στις αποφάσεις του.

[Books'N'Tracks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I still don‘t like Brooke as a character, but the author has found the perfect combination of action, humor and emotion. Now I‘m more than ready for the third book.
Perry, I‘m on my way!
I‘m so in love with this series.