Set in a harsh world that may or may not be Earth, two different ways of life have evolved after the onset of some sort of natural disaster and/or revolution which is never fully explained. Some people live a life of total grayness except for their ability to 'escape' to different realms via a "Smart Eye" which is just a high tech version of virtual reality. They are too afraid (and not allowed) to leave their confined space as they are told they would die out in the open. Those who do not live in this dome are considered Outsiders, and they live like primitive tribes, hunting off the land, and fighting to the death for land, supremacy, and power all in a hostile environment not really conducive to human life.

The world-building for Under the Never Sky was promising and while the two main characters who each come from these opposing worlds had a genuine chemistry the story line was rushed and under-explained. Much is left to the imagination. What is this mystical Aether that makes the sky roil and creates enormous storms, lightening strikes, and chaos? When, if not necessarily how, did it come into being? What divided humanity so?

The female lead, Aria, is part of an intriguing mystery leading to the death of some of her friends, the disappearance of her mother, and why certain members of her society seem to be going crazy. Part of this mystery leads her to be cast out of her world, and into the harsh world of Peregrine, the male lead who also has his own struggles to overcome. Their interplay is at times amusing and sweet as they both learn to adjust to one another, but I found ARia's transformation into a outdoorsy wonder woman a bit quick.

I may gie the second book a shot, we'll see!