Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano
On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.
Publishes in US: October 1st 2013 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA sci-fi
Source: library
Series? The Internment Chronicles #1
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Author stalk away: site twitter facebook blog
I loved Lauren's chemical Garden series, so when I heard this one was coming out, I knew that I had to give it a try and see if her new characters and world was as gripping as the first.
I was not disappointed. While the beginning is a bit slow, it wasn't enough to make me want to put it down because of the great descriptions of this new world and getting to know my main character, Morgan, her betrothed Basil (yeah, the name got me too), best friend, and family, especially her and her brother.
The world building was good and I enjoyed learning more about this world in the sky. The politics and secrets kept were def a surprise as well as who didn't make it through the books.
I really liked Morgan, her unending curiosity, and how she is so loyal to her brother and those closest to her. She even sticks her head out for others because she has a good sense about her for others. The relationships were really well written and kept me so invested in this story. Her and her best friend Pen are so close and have this natural flowing relationship built over time. They laugh with one another, share in deep secrets, and can read each other really well. Pen and her betrothed Thomas have a strange relationship, but it was interesting to see how she acted on the surface and then felt underneath. As for Morgan and Basil it is a sweet romance, one that I couldn't get enough of. Basil is protective but he also knows when to back off so that Morgan can grow, explore and be herself. But I liked him more and more as I realized that he accepted even the parts of Morgan that aren't okay in this society. Thoughts of the edge, thoughts of more.
Morgan and her brother are really close and make up for their parents, their dad who is a patrolman who works long hours, and their mom who takes headache meds and sleeps to no end. Lex, her brother, once tried to jump, and it left him blind. He was damaged by the experience and now shunned by the government and others. Morgan really along with his wife Alice is protective over him, and accepts him even with his many faults. But he is really smart, and under the scratchy surface, he really cares for Morgan too and tries to protect her.
The writing is beautiful and while the plot is different from the chemical garden series, we still have the great dark feeling to it, and a world that has been corrupted in so many ways, but yet has some things working, enough that people were happy, until stuff starts to seep through the cracks.
The ending had a few surprises, but I enjoyed where it stopped, and although I am eager to get the next one, it was not unfinished or on a cliffie to where I would need to stalk Lauren and figure out what she was thinking for ending there (hint hint Jennifer Armentrout.)
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you'd be drawn to the edge of a floating society, needing to see what was below?
I'm so glad to hear about this ending! I hate it in a series where they purposefully leave you hanging so you have to buy the next book. I like a series starter that can stand on its own as a whole book, if it needs to. I mean, I don't want everything tied in a bow, but it's nice to have stuff resolved :)
ReplyDeleteI really can't wait to start this since I have it :) I love her Chemical Garden's trilogy as well! Great review.
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Excited by the sound of this, thanks recommending it as well as the Chemical Garden series.
ReplyDeleteLovely review Brandi, I haven't read the Chemical series, but the dark tone of this intrigues me!
ReplyDeleteOh right the new Stefano, I had forgotten about that one
ReplyDeleteI love her writing style, it's so haunting and beautiful. I can't wait to read this, especially since you enjoyed it so much!
ReplyDeleteThe world sounds completely fascinating. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't read any of Destefano's book. I'm glad you enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteI would be NOSEY. I wouldn't like to be floating. I just got this book, so I'm excited to read it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAmazon put this up for a deal but I was unsure if I'll like it because as you mentioned, readers found it a slow start. I think it's wise if I read an excerpt, see if I can get past that or if it'll ruin the entire series for me. Your review is making me optimistic though. Thanks, B!
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read anything from this author but this does sound interesting. Glad that you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteI've been really anxious to see some reviews of this one! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it, it sounds like something I would enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHaha, It's hard to take the name Basil seriously. But otherwise this sounds good! Love Lauren DeStefano's writing.
ReplyDeleteThe Chemical Garden series is one that's on my to-read list, but I haven't read it quite yet and this one intrigues me as well. The plotline sounds really interesting and I love the idea of the surprises but not ending too hard on cliff-hanger. Excellent review! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so good. I've only read Wither but I really enjoyed it. To answer your question I'm not sure I'd venture too far to the edge, I'm terrified of heights, lol.
ReplyDeleteThis one is new to me. I love the sound of Morgan.
ReplyDeleteSounds great, Brandi. Morgan seems like my kind of character and I love a book with great worldbuilding...even if it includes a guy named Basil. ;)
ReplyDeleteyou know I'm so in love with this cover! I could read it only for that.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you loved it :D Great review. <3
ReplyDeleteExcited to read that you loved this one! I feel really embarrassed to say that I haven't read anything by DeStefano as of yet but this sounds very promising - I think I'll be intrigued by the plot. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you loved this one! I liked how completely different it was from TCG trilogy. I thought the ending was great and I'm excited to see where it takes us in the next book.
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