Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano

Author: Lauren DeStefano
Title: Perfect Ruin
Series: The Internment Chronicles #1
Publication: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Around the World Arc Tours

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.

Morgan can't help herself, she dreams of the land below. She's knows that going over the edge has consequences and most people who attempt to jump never return exactly the same. All her life, she's known the safety of Internment, having been shielded from violence until one day that changes with the death of a girl her age. The sickening realization that could’ve been her, shakes her to the core and instead of stopping her hopeless thought of the below; she becomes more persistent especially when that one death becomes more. Not sure what's really happening, Morgan will learn that there is more to her world and she must decide whether to stay or search for a way below. 

I thought it was interesting how this world's created and curious how exactly is it floating in the air. Internment could be in any era, though it seems futuristic and the title is completely right for this book. The government regulates births and couples pairings happen before birth. The betrothed couples wear these rings around the necks until they get a certain age (I believe) and then transfer them to their fingers. Morgan and her betrothed Basil balance each other out perfectly; he's the calm to her chaos and enjoyed the moments when they were together. I admit I was little nervous and still am at a possible love triangle. Another character that stands out is her best friend Pen, artistic in mind but not very open to the idea that the below exists and to the possibility of going there. I think all the characters all real, especially emotional with their hopes and fears, which I think anyone can relate to. 

I think the story is cool; it reminds me of Howl's Moving Castle, obviously because it's in the sky. The story moves well throughout. I'm looking forward to reading what happens next after that ending and what is in store for Morgan and her friends. Will there be a love triangle? Overall, I think this is a good beginning to a new series that readers will like.