REVIEW: The Madness Underneath (The Shades of London Book #2) by, Maureen Johnson

The Madness Underneath (The Shades of London Book #2)

Released: February 26th, 2013

By: Maureen Johnson  

Summary: 

"When madness stalks the streets of London, no one is safe…

There's a creepy new terror haunting modern-day London.
Fresh from defeating a Jack the Ripper killer, Rory must put her new-found hunting skills to the test before all hell breaks loose…

But enemies are not always who you expect them to be and crazy times call for crazy solutions. A thrilling teen mystery." - Goodreads


Book Trailer:

Review:

note: this review contains The Name Of The Star spoilers. 

"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."  - Megan Kaniasty

Rory is pushed from that tightrope, having her choices decided for her before she returns to Wexford. Cut from contact with Stephen, Boo, and Callum, Rory attempts "normal" life - well, as close to normal as she can get when  she can see ghosts, and destroy them with a single touch. Upon her return, she is reunited with her now boyfriend Jerome. 

Rory and Jerome snogging in Alistair's favorite hiding spot in the library.
Artwork done by Cassandra Jean.

Stephen sees Rory and Jerome kissing in The Name of the Star.
Artwork done by Cassandra Jean.

 Jerome represents Rory's normal life, and Stephen represents her new normal, when normal is seeing ghosts. As soon as Rory is returned to Wexford School, she is back on that tightrope, balancing between catching up with school work and having a normal boyfriend, to her life of putting murderous ghosts to rest with Stephen, Boo, and Callum. Normal normal, or ghosty normal? Jerome, or Stephen? - Who do you think she will choose? 

Rory and Stephen reuniting
Artwork done by Cassandra Jean.

    

I absolutely loved this book! Maureen Johnson creates these beautiful complex characters, and The Madness Underneath takes you further into their lives. This book made me laugh out loud, scream, cry, and throw it in my freezer - an emotional roller coster is what it is! I would have even given this book a 5 out of 5 star review if not for that HUGE thing at the end where after two books of falling in love with these characters, you get your heart ripped out and are left with absolutely no hope. Okay so, there is always hope, right? I give The Madness Underneath a 4 out of 5 star review! The third book could not come soon enough. The Shadow Cabinet is the third book in this series, and it is unknown at this time when the book will be released.    

More Shades of London artwork by Cassandra Jean:

New characters we will meet in The Madness Underneath

Callum, Stephen, and Boo - one big happy family

Stephen's family photo

Rory and Jazza visiting the scene of the crime of Rory's atta