Perfect RuinAuthor: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 356 pages
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
From Goodreads:
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.
Review:
This book is well-written and the world-building is intricate. I loved the idea of a floating world where the residents know there is another, bigger world on the ground, but they can't reach it. The city is surrounded by a wall, and if they go over the wall to try to see over the edge, it leads to madness or worse.
Morgan, the main character, is likable and relatable. She's been sheltered by her parents and she's never really questioned the rules, but ever since her brother went over the wall (he's called a jumper, although I'm not sure I totally understood since it doesn't seem like they actually can jump over the edge, the wind and other things keep them from doing that) she's been feeling restless and not as satisfied with this seemingly perfect world. "I'm looking for more than what I know."
The details of the world are slowly revealed throughout the course of the novel and you find out that even though there is hardly ever any crime (Morgan's parents don't even lock their doors), many people are not as happy as they seem. "There is the termination procedure. The dispatch procedure. The dusting procedure that reduces bodies to ash. The mercy procedure that dispatches the infants who are born unwell." Also, your spouse is chosen for you before you are even born. And then you find out that most people deal by taking "medicine." I found the world to be fascinating, but the plot was a bit slow in the first half and I was somewhat frustrated that certain things aren't explained. However, to be fair that was because it was told from Morgan's POV and she didn't really know too much about what was really going on.
I did enjoy the book, but I never really connected with the characters. Basil's such a great guy and I was so happy that there wasn't a love triangle, but at the same time I didn't feel like I got to know him at all. He would say things like, "Whatever you decide, I want you to know that I'll stand behind it. I said I'd follow you off the edge, and I meant it. I'd jump into the sky with you. Wherever you go, you won't have to go alone." I should have been saying awwww. But for some reason, I just never felt anything.
The book ends in a huge cliffhanger that definitely makes me want to read the next one (but also annoys me). To sum it up, gorgeous writing, amazing world-building, but I never became emotionally invested in the characters.
Posted by: Pam
Thanks for the honest review. This one is on my TBR list, but this is the first review I've read that wasn't over the top in love with it. I completely relate to the frustration of not connecting with characters. I'm the type of person who values complex, relatable characters with a strong voice more than anything else in a YA book, so it's really hard for me to get into a book if I'm not feeling that part of it. I suspect I will have the same issue with this one as you did!
ReplyDeleteConnecting with the characters is really important for me too. I did feel like I got to know the MC, Morgan, but other than her, not so much. I did really enjoy the book, though, so hopefully you will too! ~Pam
DeleteOooh bummer that you didn't love it. I have been dying for this one. I read her Chemical Garden series and loved it. I've heard pretty good things about this one so far, but I really hate when you can't connect with the characters. Thanks for the honest review. I'm still definitely going to be reading this one, but now I'm a little wary.
ReplyDeleteIt might just be me, sometimes that just happens. And I hadn't heard of the Chemical Garden series, but I read the summary of the first one and the premise sounds amazing, so I'll definitely be reading it sometime soon. Glad to hear you loved it. ~Pam
DeleteLauren DeStefano's writing is always so beautiful so it's good to hear that that is still in effect with this new series! That is really a bummer about not connecting with the characters. Most of the time that is more important for me than the writing but I am going to be reading this one soon so I guess I will see how it goes for me! I can't really remember connecting to the characters in The Chemical Garden series as much as I normally have to in order to love a book but I still really loved that series. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThat's the main thing for me too, connecting with the characters. I can appreciate beautiful writing, but if I feel a disconnect, there's only so much I'm going to like the book. The world-building in this book is fascinating and well-done so I did end up really liking the book. Hope you do too! ~Pam
DeleteGreat review! I loved this book but I definitely felt the same way RE: Basil. I thought it was very sweet how unconditionally devoted he was to Morgan, despite her irrational thoughts sometimes. But like you, it was hard to believe it sometimes. I guess it's because we didn't get to see them grow up together to develop that strong bond? We come to the party late, so to speak, so we have to just accept that's how they are. I can't wait for the next book. Lauren is famous for her cliffhangers. I'm just itching to see what happens next.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was probably part of it (not seeing them grow up together). But it also seemed like he would just throw these lines around, but you never had them just having a conversation, or saw him interacting or relating to other characters. To me, that's how you get to know the secondary characters. He'd be there, say something awesome, and then that was it. I will definitely be reading the next one, because that cliffhanger...come on! I just have to know what happens. ~Pam
DeleteIt's a shame you didn't connect with this book. I will probably read it just because I really liked DeStefano's Wither (even though I think the sequels weren't as strong as the first book) and the premise sounds interesting (and the cover is gorgeous) but I am in no rush. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI still really enjoyed the book. I keep hearing great things about her other series so I'll probably check it out soon. ~Pam
Delete