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Title: The Name of the Star (you can Buy on Amazon here)
Author: Maureen Johnson
Published: 29th September 2011
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Mystery, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: E-Book
Rating: **** (4 Stars)
About: 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 terrorizing 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?
Review: The mystery of Jack the Ripper is a story which has fascinated people since 1888 and this book brings a successful twist to the story. There’s murder, action, and a supernatural element. All of this takes place in everyday modern life, for a young school girl.
What I also really loved about this book, is that the romance isn’t the main part of it. There was just a bit here and there to give this book just a little bit extra. BUT that’s why I really enjoyed this book because it wasn’t just a straight up romantic book – it was something just a little bit different.
All the characters in this book are very well described. Johnson spends enough time on each of them so that we can see them for who they truly are – what is even better is that just the right amount of detail is given (not too much and not too little).
Rory was a great main character and I loved her attitude. She had her own little charm about her and didn’t let anything faze her. What was even better was the fact that she ate sausages and donuts for breakfasts! I mean some people might not be excited by that little fact but I quite enjoyed that it was added, even if it some may say it was unnecessary.
Since I’m down in London a lot, I really thought that this book had most of its details perfect and as I’m near Whitechapel it is quite frightening to think that something like this happened, even if it was in the past.
What is great with Johnson, is that (and I think I mentioned this early) is that she brings this story into the modern world so readers can relate to it a lot better. I don’t mean that we can relate to ghosts but sometimes it helps if we had actually lived in the world at the time that the book was written.
This is definitely a good read, as it has everything in – some mystery, romance, paranormal stuff and just everyday life for a young girl.
CastlesandTurrets 