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.
Author: Lauren Destefano Title: Sever Series: The Chemical Garden Trilogy Publication: February 12, 2013 Publisher:Simon & Schuster Source: AroundtheWorldArcTours Synopsis
Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy. With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them. Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain. In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered. Thoughts:Having escaped her plight in the red light district and making it home in the previous book, Rhine finds herself back where it all began. Desperate to protect her sister-wife, she pleads with Linden to keep her safe. Torn between his love for his wives and his father, Linden seeks out his father's estranged brother to house Rhine until she is well enough to travel. As her brother, Rowan's, antics become more frequent, Rhine is determined to reach him as she may be the only one to stop his madness but what she discovers is more sinister and confusing than she could ever imagine. Rhine is an alright as female lead, she knows what she wants but she doesn't and this leads to emotional turmoil. What she seems able to find in abundance is trouble every time she runs, she finds herself in more precarious situations and further from the freedom she so desires. Now, the character that most intrigues me would be the one left in the dark, Linden, it's his desire to believe in the good of his father and Rhine that makes him so appealing. Of all the characters his intentions seemed the most innocent and caused me the most conflict as he was seen as the enemy but I couldn't help rooting for him to get the "main" girl, Rhine in the end. Vaughn, the scientifically calculating mastermind makes me sick to my stomach, his only saving grace is his love for his son, other than that the man is crazy. The whole disease defect concept is interesting yet I still don't get it nor the how or why Rhine is so important. The whole taking girls to make them into baby making machines to keep the population going and to have test subjects seems cruel and quite disturbing. I really was not expecting that ending, absolutely shocking. This is truly a warped dystopian society. Overall, the writing is well done and though the story moves slowly for me, this is a thought provoking read. So, I recommend it to those that like twisted dystopian books.
My name is Latoya, I am a Librarian and photographer(though I haven't done much of this lately, I'm a litte rusty). So, feel free to chat with me, I don't bite..I promise!
