The Name of the Star
(Shades of London #1)
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 work of Jack the Ripper in the autumn of 1888. 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 with her at the time, didn’t notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, what is he planning to do about her?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.
——————————–
Tea: Sweet vs. Earl Grey
One of the things I found most interesting in the set up of this book is that Maureen Johnson isolates her main character from the get go. As a laid-back, Southern girl in up-tight prep-school London, Rory sticks out like a sore thumb. While she’s able to integrate herself somewhat and make friends with her roommate, Jazza, and a sort-of-maybe boyfriend, Jerome, she still continues to stand out, and not in a way she enjoys.
Then she realizes there’s something REALLY different about her…
Enter the Ghost Police
I absolutely LOVED this part of the story! So it turns out that there’s this whole, super secret segment of the London police that deal with ghosts! And these were, by far, my favorite characters in the book!
First, there’s Stephan: the uptight, young constable. For anyone who’s ever fallen in love with the quiet, reserved English type. Stephan’s your man. Honestly, I don’t know WHAT Rory saw in Jerome when she had Stephan right in front of her!! Fortunately the romance with Jerome can easily be written out in favor of Stephan in book two. *hint, hint*
Then there’s Callum: think Tony from Love Actually, only more surly. And when you read about his back-story. Well….let’s just say, I’d hate ghosts too!!!
Finally, there’s Boo. Well, technically, it’s Bouvana, but don’t call her that! (I apologize if I misspelled this, I listened to the audiobook). She comes in to protect Rory after she’s seen something compromising in the Ripper investigation. And she’s BRILLIANT! Sassy and snarky, tough and yet a totally sweetheart, Boo stole the scenes she was in handily!
And what they do… well, it’s pretty amazing
Rippermania
The main plot point in this book, though, is the mystery around Jack the Ripper, both the historical figure (you KNOW I love my some historical fiction!) and the modern-day copy-cat. And I’ll admit that the mystery is FANTASTIC!! I loved how Ms. Johnson kept me on the edge of my seat, even getting me all kinds of freaked out over the possibilities of who the Ripper was and just how they were going to stop him.
Maureen Johnson walks the line between fascination and horror with this part of the story expertly. I was drawn in and repelled at the same time, but it’s handled with such a deft touch that it leaves the reader breathless with anticipation rather than smeared in gore. No small task when covering one of the world’s most gruesome murders!
The Adventure Continues?
I absolutely loved the climax of this book. It tied things together while leaving just enough open for another book and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment where (even though there’s no synopsis available for it yet) Rory will ditch Jerome, snatch up Stephan and they’ll chase down the ghosts of King Henry VIII’s wives, because let’s face it: those ladies have a LOT of grudges to hold against the men in their lives!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Additional Notes
If this book looks familiar to you, you’re right! Heather reviewed it last year right before it came out! Definitely check out her thoughts on the book as she’s a true Maureen Johnson fan!
In a funny side note, I was first introduced to this book last year at BEA. Heather had to leave before the book was up for signing but she made me swear on my children (seriously, the look I got was intense!) that I would get her a signed copy! When I told Ms. Johnson the story and how Heather might have to kill me if I didn’t get her the book, she wrote a very cute inscription on Heather’s copy, which you can see here.
And…speaking of BEA….are you going? If so, let me know because a whopping FOUR bookworms will be in attendance this year and we’d LOVE to meet up with you. And since we’re verterans (yes, attending once now makes us veterans, nice, ‘eh?), we’ve got a sweet feature coming up next month so keep your eyes peeled for that. *cough*give-away involved? *cough* 😀
Audiobook ramblings:
Get your own Audiobook at audible: The Name of the Star (unabridged, 9hrs 50 min)
So you know my favorite way to consume books these days is in audio format and this one was EXCEPTIONAL!! I loved Nicola Barber’s narration, which went from Southern twang to British clip seemlessly! If you’re a fan of the medium, definitely pick this one up in audio!!!
Latest posts by Pushy (see all)
- Pre-Squee about… Icebreaker by Lian Tanner – The Hidden Series - April 8, 2015
- The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black - February 19, 2015
- Guardian by Alex London - February 12, 2015
The ghosts and police thing was my favourite part of this story too!! It was so much fun to read, and I don’t think I’ve ever read another book where they had a team of teens to deal with them. Plus, I LOVED BOO TOO!! The sassy characters are usually the ones who bring the smiles to my faces (those, or the supremely adorable ones), and at one point I was ready to make Boo my best friend! 😉
Awesome review, Pushy! I can’t wait until book two!
Mimi Valentine recently posted..Masquerade Read-Along Week 1!
Reply »
Thanks, Mimi!!! Boo for the win!!! I certainly hope to see a lot more of her in book 2!!!!
Pushy recently posted..Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson
Reply »
OoOOO HONEY!!! I can’t wait for BEA and for your nice little Feature! This will be so much fun and I LOVE you for having this idea!
Besides that, Loved your Review… I didn’t think twice about this book but with you and Heather both loving it so much I might want to give it a chance!
Danny recently posted..Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson
Reply »
Hooray for our BEA feature!!! It will be awesome!!! <3
Pushy recently posted..Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson
Reply »
Great review Pushy 🙂 !! I didn’t like this book that much but I’m glad you did !! I have a true fascination for Jack the Ripper so I had expectations for this one ..
Elodie @ Once Upon a Quote recently posted..Review ; The Highlander’s Touch by Karen Marie Moning
Reply »
Thanks, Elodie!! I’ve never really given him much thought but I enjoyed that aspect of the book.
Pushy recently posted..Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson
Reply »
I’m so glad you finally listened to this, Pushy! Now that you have the flavor of Maureen Johnson, you have to listen to 13 Little Blue Envelopes and the sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope. Those are my favorite books by this author.
But I really loved The Name of the Star, and i’m looking forward to the next book. Who knows, maybe we’ll both be in line for an ARC of the second book if they have them at BEA this year? LOL, instead of me menacing you into getting one for me since I had to leave!!
XOXOXO Heather
Heather recently posted..Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson
Reply »
It was one of my favorite lines at BEA last year. Everyone else was so excited and I enjoyed meeting her and telling her about your fangirl love for her. She was really nice!
And I’m sure we’ll be in quite a few lines together this year, babe!
Pushy recently posted..Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson
Reply »
I loved this book so much! It was so creep and awesome! 🙂 I can’t wait for book two.
Lori recently posted..Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Hop
Reply »
Agreed! Thanks for stopping by, Lori!!
Pushy recently posted..In My Mailbox – Pushy in the House!
Reply »
I am really intrigued about this one – I have been putting off reading it because I’m afraid of being completely scared, ha.
Erica recently posted..Fantasy Five Friday: Interview with Marissa Burt
Reply »
Okay, unless you’re MORE of a scaredy cat than I am you’ll be fine. I was definitely creeped out but not immobilized with terror. Can’t wait to hear what you think, hon!
Pushy recently posted..In My Mailbox – Pushy in the House!
Reply »
I really enjoyed reading THE NAME OF THE STAR and am glad to see that you liked it, too. I can’t wait for book two either and I have to admit I really like your description. I hope you’ll end up being right. 😉
Carina
Carina @ Fictional Distraction recently posted..Fictional Distractions of the Week #24
Reply »
Hot British Cop for the WIN!!!!!! Thanks for stopping by !!!
Pushy recently posted..In My Mailbox – Pushy in the House!
Reply »
I listened to this one on audio and while it was a good story I almost felt at times that the reader was getting two very different stories. I felt like her life and the fact that she could see ghosts and be a part of something bigger was in itself a story plot while all of the Ripper stuff that was going on in the sidelines just didn’t seem important. The connection between the two plots just never really came together for me. I am interested in seeing where the next book goes though.
I’m glad you did like this one. Thanks for the great review 🙂
Alexa recently posted..Blogger Pages to Love… Nick’s Book Blog
Reply »
Thanks for stopping by with your thoughts, Alexa. I’m definitely looking forward to where this series goes too.
Pushy recently posted..In My Mailbox – Pushy in the House!
Reply »
I really enjoyed this book as well and am anxiously waiting for the 2nd book to come out! I loved the main character and really appreciated that this book didn’t feel like a series book. She tied it up nicely while leaving room for more which I liked. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed this one as well!
Samantha recently posted..The Sunday Salon- Books and Randomness
Reply »
I find that I like that too. I like there to be more meat on the bone, so the book can be expanded on but I HATE EVIL CLIFFHANGERS!!!!! 😀
Thanks for stopping by, Samantha!!
Pushy recently posted..In My Mailbox – Pushy in the House!
Reply »
[…] Reviews: Anna Reads Bewitched Bookworms The Book […]