The Madness Underneath (Shades of London, #2)

by Maureen Johnson

[layawaydragon]

The Good:

I'm still loving the characters and how the ghost hunters are set up. Though I'm sad not to see them really all come back like they used to be but I wasn't expecting a Kumbaya moment after Name of the Star.

I love how Rory dates and it's just dating. Instead of “insta-forever”, it's down to Earth and complicated and awkward and exciting.

I loved how Rory wasn't pushed or forced into being a tool for the Shades.

Rory's parents reactions made so much more sense than typical YA gives adults. It was refreshing to see and maneuver around them for desperate freedom.

And Rory's experience with PTSD and surviving the ordeal is just perfect. I probably would've quit if it wasn't done right. As much as I hate seeing great characters torn up (emotional attachment) but the story demands it and really, they wouldn't be as great without it.

However, Madness Underneath is not as good as The Name of the Star for a couple of reasons.

The plot isn't as tight. It feels disjointed. The first half is all teen drama with Rory's recovery, return, and the consequences. Which isn't bad to read or see. Obviously, after what she went through shit isn't easy. But the second half murder-mystery focus doesn't smoothly follow.

It's jarring going from the Shades inner turmoil and Rory to the murderers, like they were in the backseat and suddenly grabbed the wheel from Rory and Stephan.

It's ending was satisfying either. It doesn't feel like a conclusion or that much headway was made at all. We're right back to inner and inter-group turmoil. I'm sure the twists and character progression will bloom in the next installment. Or hope at least.

But The Madness Underneath doesn't feel like it's own book. It's just a bridge between the first and third with an identity crisis. Sadly, it's classic middle book syndrome. I'll still be continuing but that's due to loving the characters, this version of London and wanting resolution. The twist didn't spur me to the next book.

In fact, it's really been months since I finished this and I still haven't continued the Shades of London series. It's on my list but it's dropped down from “Must Read Now” to “Whenever I feel like it” because of Madness Underneath. Maybe thinking and writing about it will get me moving on but I dunno.