Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 356
Series: The Internment Chronicles #1
Review Source: ARC from S&S Canada
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)My Thoughts:
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.
This book has a very slow start. I was intrigued by the world and what was happening, and I was definitely curious where things would go, but I wasn't fully involved with the characters for the longest time. I think this is because the majority of the book is very internalized to what Morgan is thinking and feeling. Much of the book is her musings about Internment, the edge, below, and how she feels about her brother and the others in her life. There's a bit of a mystery as things are happening and we're wondering who is committing crimes and why. This added a bit of action to the book, and made me keep reading.
While I never grew to love Perfect Ruin, it became more and more engaging as it went on. I don't want to spoil where the story leads, because it is such a journey to get there, but toward the end there's a lot more action and things happening, rather than just ruminating about them. It’s a bit frustrating, actually, that the book ends right when things were getting incredibly interesting, even though it was a logical stopping point for the book. While the beginning was a bit rough, I did like the characters enough that I’ll be continuing on to Book 2 to see where things go, and to get some explanations.
The Cover:
I don't care for the photograph, but the illustrated design (which continues inside the book) is gorgeous!
Rating:
[3.5/5]Find Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano on Goodreads, Book Depository, Chapters Indigo, Amazon.ca, & Amazon.com.
I agree - the cover picture is just ... odd, but the font and the scrolls are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it got better after the slow start. I flipped through a few pages and that was the impression I was getting, so I put it down. When I go back to it, I'll keep in mind that I just need to get through the beginning.
I feel like I read this book...but I can't remember for the life of me! That's terrible. *shakes head* Where is my brain?
ReplyDeleteHm, slow and internal sounds a lot like the one book we've read by DeStefano, which is WITHER. Maybe that's just her style? With WITHER, we did end up really enjoying the (sisterly) relationships that developed. But it doesn't sound like that happens much in this one...
ReplyDeleteThere really was a lot of Morgan's internal dialogue...too much, really. Most books like this are PACKED with action, but like you said, there wasn't much action until the end, which was a bit disappointing...but for me the beautiful writing sort of made up for it. I'm super curious where the series will go from here, and I wanted to cry when I discovered the next book doesn't come out until 2015!
ReplyDeleteI lack the patience for this read but I'm certainly intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind this one, but it definitely wasn't my favourite. I kind of hate how series books in YA cut off, like you said, when things start getting good. I much prefer series in adult books where each book is like its own story and can stand (more or less) on its own.
ReplyDeleteI think what frustrated me the most with this book was the idea of Internment ... we really weren't given any answers for anything! I hope the questions are answered in the next book, but I can't say if I'll be rushing out to read it ...
Great review!
I really liked this book. I was worried when I first started reading it that it wouldn't work for me. But I liked it. Mostly because I thought the characters were absolutely fantastic. I loved Morgan and Lex and even Basil. I don't know. I loved the mysterious feel of the whole thing. The ending killed me though. I want to know what's going to happen next.
ReplyDeleteI think had I been in the mood for a faster paced book when I read this one I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much, but I think it was exactly what I needed at the time.
Thanks for the review!
~Sara @ Just Another Story