Book Style: Perfect Ruin

Morgan Stockhour is the primary protagonist of Lauren Destefano's newest novel (and series) Perfect Ruin. She's a teenager living on Internment, a floating city in the sky. According to Internment's myth/theology the sky god took pity on the imperfect humans destined for destruction by the god of the earth and plucked them and their city into the heavens for safekeeping. The only thing is, you can't ever leave Internment's preordained society; those that try, called "jumpers" are returned by unknown forces permanently damaged in some way, even if only psychologically. When a classmate is murdered, allegedly by her betrothed, Morgan is plunged into an a world of self doubt that eventually leads to her alignment with a rebel group, bent on escaping Internment for good. 

I hadn't read any of Lauren's books before this, despite their amazing fanbase, but they are now definitely on my to-read list now! I'm also eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the Internment Chronicles (because, can we talk about gut-wrenching cliffhangers?!). I wanted to make an outfit for Morgan as I saw her. There aren't too many specific tie-ins to the plot with this outfit, it's just how I pictured Morgan looking in her, slightly futuristic schoolgirl uniform. The 'Lockdown Love' tights are a nice nod to some of the novel's themes. But that ring. Can we talk about how perfect this ring is in general? And than can we talk about how it is exactly what I was envisioning when the betrothal rings were described? Just read the books and tell me you can't picture this eventually being filled with a spouses blood, as they do on Internment.

Book Style: Cruel Beauty

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast mixed with a healthy dose of Greek mythology. It's gorgeous and unique and rather sadly not the beginning of a series. I wrote about the plot (and my love of several other fractured fairy tale type reads) over on The Ship's (B)log so you go there and read that and we'll stick with the wardrobe over here. (I do hate repeating myself).

This outfit is clearly my vision of how Nix should be dressed. Greek sandals and a gown which calls to mind the elegant draping of an ancient Greek chiton (the Romans wore togas, not the Greeks, something to bear in mind). That door knocker ring is meant to symbolize all the doors in Ignifex's home. I wanted Nix's wedding ring to be impressive and decided a fire opal was a great way to represent one of the elemental hearts: Fire. Water gets a nod with that water crystal necklace, which I am so drooling over. And wind gets attention with the feather ear jewelry, which also serves as a reminder of Nix's bird friend. That Gwen Stefani for OPI nail lacquer is called "In the Morning" which I find very appropriate for a story where night and day dictate so much of the plot's progress. The final touch is Nix's precious dagger, meant for Ignifex's heart, which I included via those killer dagger earrings.

This book is magic. Read it now and come fangirl with me. And Rosamund Hodge - if you're reading this - I want more!