The Name of the Star
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Putnam
Publication Date: September 29, 2011
Pages: 370
Series: Shades of London, book 1
Source: ARC from BEA and unsolicited ARC from publisher
About the Book: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. (goodreads)
My Thoughts: I love this book with a passion most people reserve for their offspring. Creepy? Perhaps. But oh so true! Until The Name of the Star I had never read a book that had me laughing hysterically and cowering in fear in the same chapter. Seriously, one minute I thought I would pee my pants from laughing and the next from being so scared. Note to babies like me: if you read this book before bed you will be sleeping with the lights on! Creepy Maureen is creepy.
The setting alone had me. It’s like Maureen Johnson went in to my head and picked all my favorites to put together! Rory is a Louisiana girl going to boarding school in London! Southern US! England! Boarding School! These are pretty much my top three bookish settings! Add to that some romance, history, suspense, and a cute boy and you have perfection.
And the quirky! Oh the quirky. The people of Rory’s hometown and her family sound like the kinds of people that have to be seen to be believed. I have to agree with Jazza when she tells Rory, “I want very much to go to your town.” The stories Rory tells about home are some of my favorite parts.
I really can’t express how much I loved this book. You would think I’m using hyperbole. It’s that good.
Random Things I Loved:
*The setting… London! Boarding School! Awesomeness!
*Rory’s name
*Reading about Rory’s family and the people in her hometown… especially grandma!
*Jazza!
*Cousin Diane’s freaky healing angel ministry
*MJ’s description of Welsh
*”What he does is creepy and socially awkward, but it’s not actually stalking.” Bwa ha ha ha ha!
*Jack the Ripper history
*Jerome!
*Basically everything!
*The way Maureen signed my ARC (I was second in line at BEA)
Nina
“I love this book with a passion most people reserve for their offspring.” Haha! Great opening line for a review!
Book Light Graveyard
I really want to read this one! I love Maureen Johnson and I’ve always had this weird fascination with Jack the Ripper. So based on your review, I think I’m going to like this one 🙂
Kyle
I loved this book too! I agree about the creepiness– I had SUCH a hard time sleeping after reading it! I love mj so much and even won a name of the star pin in a twitter contest she held. Glad you enjoyed the book!
DarthClavie
Awesome! I’m looking forward to this one too, though I’m not sure about the whole Jack the ripper thing, I generally like Maureen’s books.