The Name Of The Star (The Shades of London Book #1)
Released: September 29th 2011
By: Maureen Johnson
Summary:
"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."
The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson has quickly become one of my favorite books. Not only is the story absolutely thrilling and captivating, the writing is beautiful, and she gets her facts right!
I tend to get very critical when authors and hollywood integrate real life events in fictional works. In Maureen's case, she takes the Jack the Ripper case, a real life event that happened in the Whitechapel district of London 1888, and gives it an enthralling twist. The medical details involved in this story is exceptional. I am not a doctor, so I cannot verify if the medical details concerning the re-enacted ripper murders within this story are correct, but when it comes to the scene mentioning insulin, diabetic comas, and a "special antidote" to reverse a fast dropping low blood sugar (aka glucagon), Maureen has done her research! I am a type one diabetic and I have NEVER read a non-informational book that has used the correct terms for diabetes until now!
I have wanted to tell Maureen this, and thanks to twitter and my less than 160 characters word vomit, I was able to:
I figure, if Maureen got the facts right in using the diabetic terms, the other medical terms she writes in regards to the ripper case must also have been used right, along with the integrated historical facts, making for a very intriguing and realistic novel.
There is this twist to the story that the audience finds out half way through the novel. I guessed it, but I don't blame Maureen. I think she did an absolutely brilliant job leading up to the reveal, giving only settle foreshadowing in the dialogue, actions, and atmosphere.
Speaking Writing of atmosphere, Maureen creates this amazing tension that sparks between the characters, especially as main character Rory Deveaux walks a tight rope between two distinct groups of friends from her "new old" life in London, to her "new new" life in London.
I wouldn't of minded a little more snogging, but that's just me!
This book is extraordinary, I already want to re-read it; but first I need to go to Barnes and Noble and buy the second book to the Shades of London series - this is a serious need of mine...seriously! I give
The Name Of The Star a
5 out of 5 star must drop everything and read right now review!
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