The Name of the Star 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.
My Thoughts:
The Name of the Star is a departure from the somethimes fluffy, often angsty, totally awkward girl-grows-up type of young adult books Maureen Johnson is known for. I’ve enjoyed her books, and I was especially excited to hear that she was writing a new series of paranormal YA books.
Louisiana native Rory Deveaux gets a chance to spend her senior year at a boarding school in London when her lawyer parents take a teaching gig in London. The day she arrives on British soil, a series of Jack the Ripper copy-cat murders spring up, and Rory winds up being the only one to witness the murderer. The problem is, Rory’s the only one who can actually see the murderer–her roomate Jazza looked right at the space he occupied and only saw air. While Rory tries to acclimate to her new school and an entire new way of doing things in a different country, the murders continue as the killer seems to be focusing on drawing her into his game.
I haven’t read any books that featured Americans in British boarding schools, so Rory’s take on this type of life was new and refreshing to me. Maureen Johnson has a way of writing that brings the sights, sounds, and smells of London and the boarding school vividly to life, all while making the actual words light and breezy. The trademark wit and usual thorough research we expect from the author are present in copious amounts in this book, and they just add depth and character to everything from the scenes where the characters are walking down a dank alleyway to relaxing in a bedroom at the boarding school.
The Name of the Star is a mystery and thriller, first and foremost, with a smaller dose of romance between Rory and Jerome, dashes of comedic relief just when its needed, and the right amount of horror injected into the murders to give it the right edge. I give this one a five, and I absolutely cannot wait until book two comes out after the ending on this one!
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I really liked this one as well and after that ending I need the second book as soon as possible! The writing was really great and I loved the whole atmosphere of the novel. 🙂 I'm glad you liked it, too.
Carina
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This one sounds pretty good, great review! I love a book that takes place in boarding schools for some reason. I'm not sure why, it just adds some kind of interest to it. 🙂
♥ Sarah @ I'm Loving Books
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This is a little different from what I usually read but I think it sounds like a perfect October read! I loved your review, thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
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I've just been waiting to see some reviews of this one! I think it sounds amazing and I LOVE that cover! So I'm VERY happy to hear it's so good! Can't wait to read it!
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Definitely a Maureen Johnson fan over here, and I am super excited for this new series! Okay, I feel guilty admitting this, but one of my favorite things I got to do in London on my last visit was the Jack the Ripper walking tour through Whitechappel. So yeah, this book definitely hits my Must Read Now button. Thanks for the heads up about this one!
Smiles!
Lori
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That ending made me want the second book ASAP too! Maureen Johnson certainly knows how to write a vivid setting.
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I don't know why I haven't read any books set in boarding schools, aside from the fact that I'm one of the few people who haven't read the Harry Potter series yet. But this was really interesting. Great book, definitely pick it up.
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Definitely check this one out, it's a perfect read for October with the ghosts.
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I really loved the cover on this too! This is a really great read and you should definitely check it out soon.
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Don't be embarassed to admit going on the Jack the Ripper walking tour, that sounds like a lot of fun. I'm actually a bit of a serial killer buff (morbid curiousity) so I'm pretty familiar with the case, and it was really interesting how Maureen Johnson brought all of that into this book. I think you'll really enjoy this book because you'll be able to picture the actual places while they're described in the book. Definitelly pick it up.
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[…] 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 […]