Review: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Perfect Ruin
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Series: The Internment Chronicles #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Purchased
Find it here: Goodreads, Amazon

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.

My thoughts: 

Perfect Ruin is a beautifully crafted novel that caught my undivided attention early on. Lauren DeStefano has once again wrapped me up in her world-building, leaving me on the edge of my seat and definitely wanting more. The first book in her sophomore series is imaginative, inventive and creative, quickly making her one of my favorite authors.

Perfect Ruin is about a city called Internment and it is literally in the sky. It is surrounded by high intensity winds making it impossible for people to jump off. The main character, Morgan, describes the city as small enough for their train system to circle the city in about two hours. The citizens of Internment are made to believe that the Sky God has chosen them to live in a somewhat perfect society. There is hardly any crime and everything is regulated by the government. It’s all really fascinating. And then a murder disrupts everything!

I really loved the characters. Often time the characters’ attitudes and personalities are what really make or break a book for me. Morgan, the protagonist, is a very likable character. She doesn't make snide remarks, she’s not sarcastic and she’s really trying to see the reality of the world she lives in. She’s clearly struggling with thoughts of what’s on the ground and what it would be like to jump off Internment. She’s able to strike a balance with her curious side and her rational side which is what makes her such a great character.

Even though DeStefano writes with beautiful imagery, Perfect Ruin has very dark undertones that stay consistent throughout the novel. If you were a fan of her Chemical Garden trilogy then I recommend you pick up her new series. I will definitely be looking for the rest of The Internment Chronicles!