Friday, November 18, 2011

Book Review: The Name of the Star



The Name of the Star

by Maureen Johnson
Series: Shades of London #1
Release date: 29th September, 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 372 (Hardcover bought by me)
Next Book: The Madness Underneath (Shades of London #2)

Summary from Goodreads:

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 By Alaiel Kreuz:

My time with this book was entertaining. The way Maureen writes makes you enjoy and see London like you were there which, for me, was very pleasant.

Rory is new in London and what she thought would be a very interesting and cool year turns out to be the beginning of a very scary and crazy year. As soon as she arrives to her new boarding school she learns that there has been a brutal murder very close to where they live and the way the victim died resembles a lot the way the first victim of Jack the Ripper did... Maybe, the whole city begins to whisper, there's a copy-cat out there...

But it doesn't matter how many cameras recorded the crime, the only person in the tapes is the victim who falls to the floor, with a slice in her neck, and behind her there's only air... Where is the cold murderer?!

And London goes crazy: the newspapers only talk about possibilities, the TV is full of specialists in Jack the Ripper and everybody knows when is supposed to be the next crime... the murders are almost like big shows.

But Rory, the only witness, is far from entertained. Specially since no one else could see the man she described near her school. Specially since her new roommate tells her that man was a ghost...

Personal opinion:
I have always find Jack the Ripper a very interesting and terrifying character... I want to know more about him but at the same time he gives me the creeps. That's the main reason I bought this book.
But, of course, been a YA book makes it more "pleasant" than reading a book where the scenes the author describes are full of gruesome details.

The coolest thing about this book? The Ghost Police. I mean, this idea is incredible! I would love to be a member too... well, assuming I wouldn't just run for my life as soon as I spot a ghost, of course.

Still, the fact that the romance was not as nearly as interesting was a little disappointing. And the plot lost a little bit of my interest in the middle of the book but that's because I was expecting something different to happen. Nevertheless, I'm going to buy and read the next book for sure.

Alaiel's Rating:


If you really like it, you can find it here:

5 comments:

  1. Hihi. I loved the ghost police!! :D Glad you enjoyed this too Ripper really intrigues me. Actually I love serial killer stories I find them fascinating!

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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  2. OOh I didnt know there was a Ghost Police in this book, I have read probably 3 to 4 chapters before I stopped reading it, I dont know why I didnt continue. But Ripper does sounds really good, I also like serial killers and stuff. I might read this again sometime. GIve it a try.

    Ficbookreviews

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  3. VERY interesting-sounding book. I finally added it to my TBR. Thanks for the honest review, pointing out what you liked and disliked. :)

    Molli at Once Upon a Prologue

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  4. Hey!! i havent read this book BUT i want to!! Im glad you enjoyed it, i cant wait to read it too! Thanks for your lovely review!!

    Farah

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  5. I loved this book. Thanks for the review.

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