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fayesfate's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
When I saw this on Goodreads, I knew I just had to read this.
A new story + Prequel + Stephen = perfect combination.
This prequel tells us about Stephen, starting when he was young, then when he went to Eton and what happened there to the hospital and further.
I really loved this story, loved that we finally find out more about Stephen (who is after all a very important character in the series). His past was really sad (we had some hints here and there I believe in the main books), his parents were utterly crap. Seriously your daughter has an addiction, you don't help her, no you kick her out. And I was at times wondering why those 2 got children. They seem to be selfish, thinking more of themselves than of their kids.
Poor Stephen, when he found out about the sight, how he couldn't believe it and even just told people about it (bad idea, very bad idea).
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I really hope we will get more prequels for the other side/main characters.
A new story + Prequel + Stephen = perfect combination.
This prequel tells us about Stephen, starting when he was young, then when he went to Eton and what happened there to the hospital and further.
I really loved this story, loved that we finally find out more about Stephen (who is after all a very important character in the series). His past was really sad (we had some hints here and there I believe in the main books), his parents were utterly crap. Seriously your daughter has an addiction, you don't help her, no you kick her out. And I was at times wondering why those 2 got children. They seem to be selfish, thinking more of themselves than of their kids.
Poor Stephen, when he found out about the sight, how he couldn't believe it and even just told people about it (bad idea, very bad idea).
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I really hope we will get more prequels for the other side/main characters.
anxiouslyreading33's review against another edition
5.0
I loved getting Stephen's whole backstory wish there were more
melissa_who_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Short and absolutely lovely. Now I want to go back and re-read the Shades of London series.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
Maureen Johnson was awesome enough to have this story available online here. Thank you!
I'm rather ashamed of how long it took me to realize this Stephen was *the* Stephen. I had a few theories about who this character was before I realized, and basically wanted to slap myself in the forehead when he mentioned a desire to be a police officer.
This is a fantastic one off from the main series. She starts the story beautifully, giving you all you need to know about Stephen with just the first thought, which is that his parents have forgotten to pick him up from boarding school. And he texts his sister, who immediately promises vengeance.
For a small, four part short story, you get so much information about Stephen. More than I think we've gotten on Rory in the main series.
He often had the impulse to go and find the flat this had happened in and burn it to the ground.
This struck a particular nerve of mine, and I had to remind myself for the 100th time that a certain motel in my town has been gone for quite a number of years.
The ending, with Peter, was the perfect ending. The knowledge that he This story sets up the Stephen we know from the books, and really beautifully explains why he is the way he is. I may have liked this even more than the two main books. Is that bad?
I'm rather ashamed of how long it took me to realize this Stephen was *the* Stephen. I had a few theories about who this character was before I realized, and basically wanted to slap myself in the forehead when he mentioned a desire to be a police officer.
This is a fantastic one off from the main series. She starts the story beautifully, giving you all you need to know about Stephen with just the first thought, which is that his parents have forgotten to pick him up from boarding school. And he texts his sister, who immediately promises vengeance.
For a small, four part short story, you get so much information about Stephen. More than I think we've gotten on Rory in the main series.
Spoiler
The loss of Gina is just gut wrenching.He often had the impulse to go and find the flat this had happened in and burn it to the ground.
This struck a particular nerve of mine, and I had to remind myself for the 100th time that a certain motel in my town has been gone for quite a number of years.
The ending, with Peter, was the perfect ending. The knowledge that he
Spoiler
won't ever see Gina, but he can save someone else.gingyy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
Short prequel to The Name of the Star. Works quite well as a story in itself and fills in the details of Stephen's past.
des92's review against another edition
5.0
Oh god. Stephen. I love you. This one is great and I loved reading about him so much. He's one of my top ten fave characters in a serious. He's just so complex and wonderful and I want more of him. All of him. This series is amazing and I cannot wait for the next book.
nssutton's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, Maureen. Just when I thought I couldn't be any sadder about Stephen. I'll never recover from the ending of the last one.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
"Thank you," Stephen said. "For saving me."
It's amazing to read the 'before' life of Stephen. He has so many secrets in the story and it's not told from his POV so it's great to get this little peak into his world.
what a horrid way to be raised. I'm so glad his two tasks at the end were just as they were. Stephen really is the sweet good person we know him to be.
I can't wait for the next installment of this series!
It's amazing to read the 'before' life of Stephen. He has so many secrets in the story and it's not told from his POV so it's great to get this little peak into his world.
what a horrid way to be raised. I'm so glad his two tasks at the end were just as they were. Stephen really is the sweet good person we know him to be.
I can't wait for the next installment of this series!