10 May 2012

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson



The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Shades of London #1
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Rating: Enjoyable


The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London, it's the start of a new life at a boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago. - Goodreads



The Name of the Star isn't what I was expecting at all, but I really liked it. I love mysteries, stories about ghosts and Jack the Ripper, and this book was all of those elements rolled into one story.

There wasn't much romance in this novel, which I loved. It's good to see a YA novel that is a romance in paranormal clothing. There also wasn't much focus on the boarding school in this, which I admit I was a little disappointed with.

The plot was fast paced and kept my attention throughout. I love the paranormal twist that the author put on things, and the antagonist was also pretty awesome! I think to make a book amazing, you have to have a badass, creepy protagonist, and this is what worked well in this book.

I have discovered that I really enjoy Maureen Johnson's writing style and I'll definitely be reading the sequel which is coming out in January next year.


2 comments:

  1. I love Jack the Ripper themed books too and with nil teen romance makes this book even more appealing!

    Talk Supe

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  2. What a fun book to read! The main character, Rory's parents move to England for business and she decides to attend a private boarding school- to get the whole "English" experience. Shortly after moving in, bonding with her roommate, crushing on a guy, and secretly despising the resident "perfect" girl- tragedy hits London. Someone is murdering people in the same fashion and on the same days that Jack the Ripper struck years ago.

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