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A review by emilymahar
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
5.0
5/5 stars
I have read other books by Ms. Maureen Johnson, such as 13 Little Blue Envelopes (which I loved), and I would never have expected that this book was by the same author. The two were so very different. One being a bright contemporary, and The Name of the Star, being a darker more chilling novel that will leave you wanting to know what will happen to Rory next.
This book goes by so fast, as it is a really fast-paced thriller. It brings the history of London together with the paranormality and creepiness of ghosts and murder. While you’re reading it, you get the feel of both old London and modern London combined. Plus there is a little bit of romance that makes it that much better.
I really liked the main character, Rory. Her luck in moving to London right after the “Ripper” case started again was very relatable to me, as I have very bad luck. She was funny and sweet, also towards the end of the book, she became more brave in finally facing the “Ripper”. She didn’t seem very out of place at Wexford college, with all of the other students. She blended into the London scene very nicely.
Rory’s friends were very welcoming to her in the beginning of the book, and as it progressed, they seemed to become very close. One thing I didn’t like was how she kept the information about the Shades from Jazza. If they really were close friends, I would have thought that she would have told her despite the rules. But maybe that’s just me!
The last thing about this book that made me like it was the wonderful descriptions of the “Ripper ghost” and the murder scenes. At some points it got a little graphic, but that’s what makes a YA murder mystery.
Overall, it’s a great read, and I am pretty sure that there is s second book on the way in the Shades of London series. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who gets scared easily, or gets woozy at the sound of blood, also younger YA readers might not want to check this book out quite yet!
I have read other books by Ms. Maureen Johnson, such as 13 Little Blue Envelopes (which I loved), and I would never have expected that this book was by the same author. The two were so very different. One being a bright contemporary, and The Name of the Star, being a darker more chilling novel that will leave you wanting to know what will happen to Rory next.
This book goes by so fast, as it is a really fast-paced thriller. It brings the history of London together with the paranormality and creepiness of ghosts and murder. While you’re reading it, you get the feel of both old London and modern London combined. Plus there is a little bit of romance that makes it that much better.
I really liked the main character, Rory. Her luck in moving to London right after the “Ripper” case started again was very relatable to me, as I have very bad luck. She was funny and sweet, also towards the end of the book, she became more brave in finally facing the “Ripper”. She didn’t seem very out of place at Wexford college, with all of the other students. She blended into the London scene very nicely.
Rory’s friends were very welcoming to her in the beginning of the book, and as it progressed, they seemed to become very close. One thing I didn’t like was how she kept the information about the Shades from Jazza. If they really were close friends, I would have thought that she would have told her despite the rules. But maybe that’s just me!
The last thing about this book that made me like it was the wonderful descriptions of the “Ripper ghost” and the murder scenes. At some points it got a little graphic, but that’s what makes a YA murder mystery.
Overall, it’s a great read, and I am pretty sure that there is s second book on the way in the Shades of London series. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who gets scared easily, or gets woozy at the sound of blood, also younger YA readers might not want to check this book out quite yet!