Review: The Name of the Star
Aug •
22 •
2011
Title: The Name of the Star
Series: Shades of London # 1
Genre: Young Adult- Historical/Thriller
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Putnam
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Book: Library Thing
“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.”
I can’t begin to express how much I love it when an author takes a classic story and makes it into something I never thought of before. I have also been a big fan of Jack the Ripper. The stories itself have always intrigued me in who this man is. And why he committed the murders he committed? What was the purpose? With Ms. Johnson amazing writing style, I, the reader, am taken back to a place I have never been before, and see things new.
I really enjoyed the plot. If anything the plot grabs you and pulls you in. The re-taling of Jack the Ripper gave you goosebumps all over your body! The reason the plot is so amazing is the the flow of it. I like how the reader is slowly introduce to the Jack the Ripper tales and how it weaves itself into Rory’s life like a weed. You see it slowly take over her life, and you can’t help but hold your breath.
The love story in this book totally caught me off guard. While I was caught up with the Jack the Ripper and the murders, I had no idea that a romance had sprung up. I was quite surprised but loved that in the mist of murder and mayhem, that their could be a love after all.
If you love a dark, edgy, amazingly written story, read this book. I think Ms. Johnson did an fantastic job on bringing back such a classic tale and putting something new in it. Her characters/plot caught in a way a book has never caught me before. Drowned in a great mystery, The Name of the Star is a book you must read!
I give it 4 BITES!
Happy Reading!
I am so excited to read this. I love the whole take on a classic but with a twist too. Great review Savy 🙂
Savvy wavvvy 🙂 love your review 🙂 Gotta love Jack The Ripper related storys 🙂
So happy you liked this one. I’m super excited to read it. It sounds like a new direction for Maureen Johnson to go in. And nice that there’s even a good romance thrown in.
This one sounds really good. I’ve never read a Maureen Johnson book before, so maybe I should start with this one!
I’ve always been grossly fascinated with Jack the Ripper, he scares the life out of me, so since I’m a glutton for punishment I can’t wait to read this book! I certainly love dark and edgy:)
Great review! I read this the other day & have to agree that the new spin on the Ripper story is very well done & totally gripping.
Now, I’ve never been a fan of Jack… 😉 but this sounds so good! Romance within this plot? Oh I have to know!! You are building my wishlist faster than I do! lol
I’m really looking forward to this one as well. The surprising love story definitely sounds like one I’d enjoy.
The thought of reading this book scares me! I think it just isn’t for me with being afraid of CSI and all of that 🙂 Loved your review! I will admi,t I contemplated for a second to read it just for the romance you mentioned!