The Name of the Star - Book Review

Title ~ The Name of the Star
Series ~ Shades of London #1
Author ~ Maureen Johnson
Release Date ~ September 20, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Putnam Juvenile
Source ~ A Good Addiction

GOODREADS SUMMARY

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London 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.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

REVIEW

In 1888, Jack the Ripper murdered six people and then he got away. Now, there’s a new Jack in town, and he’s up to the same old tricks. When I picture something like this going on in a community, I imagine mass hysteria, and that’s exactly what happens. There’s confusion at first and then it snowballs into full blown “Rippermania!”  The story itself has an uneasy feeling in the sense that everyone is more than a little bit on edge.  Let's just say that I'm glad no one came up and surprised me from behind while I was reading. 

I have read a number of books that take historical events and retell them in a modern way. Of them all, The Name of the Star really does shine. I have to believe that Maureen Johnson worked as a detective gathering facts and then flooding the story with awesome details.  From the descriptions of London, to Rory's school, to the gruesome murder scenes, every word is perfectly chosen. 

When Jack makes Rory his target, the plot's intensity heats up.  Jack doesn't know who he's messing with.  Rory is one very brave and calculated girl.  She's not one to sit back and just let things happen.  She makes them happen!  Oh, and she sees things.  Things that not everyone else can see.  Perhaps Jack should think again about who he targets.

There is a just a hint of romance that took me by surprise.  I like that it's understated, but it's there if you look for it.  The story is strong enough on its own that it doesn't need to rely on a love story to carry it.  Nice.

The Name of the Star is the first Maureen Johnson book for me, and it won't be the last.  She is as fabulous a writer as I have been told.  The Name of the Star is amazing.  Two words for you - READ IT.

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

Ghostly and spooky and rippery! It would be fair to say this is an epic great cover. Yes, it would.