The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star (Shades of London, #1)

by Maureen Johnson

Thrilling ghost-hunting teen mystery as modern-day London is plagued by a sudden outbreak of brutal murders that mimic the horrific crimes of Jack the Ripper.

"A gorgeously written, chilling, atmospheric thriller. The streets of London have never been so sinister or so romantic." Cassandra Clare, author of THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS

Sixteen-year-old American girl Rory has just arrived at boarding school in London when a Jack the Ripper copycat-killer begins terrorising the city. All the hallmarks of his infamous murders are frighteningly present, but there are few clues to the killer's identity.

"Rippermania" grabs hold of modern-day London, and the police are stumped with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. In an unknown city with few friends to turn to, Rory makes a chilling discovery...

Could the copycat murderer really be Jack the Ripper back from the grave?

Reviewed by Amber on

4 of 5 stars

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Review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2012/05/name-of-star-by-maureen-johnson.html

The Name of the Star isn't what I was expecting at all, but I really liked it. I love mysteries, stories about ghosts and Jack the Ripper, and this book was all of those elements rolled into one story.

There wasn't much romance in this novel, which I loved. It's good to see a YA novel that is a romance in paranormal clothing. There also wasn't much focus on the boarding school in this, which I admit I was a little disappointed with.

The plot was fast paced and kept my attention throughout. I love the paranormal twist that the author put on things, and the antagonist was also pretty awesome! I think to make a book amazing, you have to have a badass, creepy protagonist, and this is what worked well in this book.

I have discovered that I really enjoy Maureen Johnson's writing style and I'll definitely be reading the sequel which is coming out in January next year.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 January, 2012: Finished reading
  • 26 January, 2012: Reviewed