The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Published: September 29th, 2011
Publisher: Putman Juvenile
372 pages (hardcover)
Genre: YA paranormal/thriller
Acquired this book: From the library
Warning: may include spoilers
Rating: 3 stars
Rating: 3 stars
Synopsis: 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.
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I’ve had a sick fascination with Jack the Ripper for years, so when I first heard about this book, I was really excited. I entered a gazillion giveaways for it, had it as the second book on my wish list, and then my library finally got it. Although I enjoyed it, it wasn’t exactly what I was hoping for.
I thought the concept of the book was fantastic. The new Jack the Ripper being a ghost (that seriously freaked me out), and there being a secret ghost police - terrific ideas. It was creepy, and had its funny and exciting moments, but for the most part, it left me with a bit of a ‘meh’ feeling. It dragged a lot, and I spent quite a bit of time waiting for something to happen between Rory telling weird stories about her even weirder family back in New Orleans. I just didn’t feel satisfied with a few things - the reasoning behind ghost-Jack's killings, the lackluster ‘romance’ between Rory and Jeremy, and a few other little things. Also, the book was set in London but I didn't feel like we got to see much of London - if a book has a cool setting like that, use it to your advantage (think Anna and the French Kiss)!
Even though the book creeped me out, I wish the author had ramped it up a bit. It’s rare that I read scary/creepy books (I’m a bit of wuss when it comes to scary stuff), so when I do read them, I want to be sufficiently freaked. Like I said, the concept of the new Ripper being a ghost scared me, and the climax was great, but there could have been more.
Rory wasn’t my favorite character ever, and I didn’t like Jeremy, but I thought Jazza and Boo were fun characters, and I liked Callum, Stephen, and even Alistair. I thought having ghosts mixed in as characters other than the Ripper was a really neat idea, and it helped showcase Rory's new abilities.
I’m interested to see where the series will go. I’m hoping that Rory will develop as a character and mature in the next book, and that the story will have less unnecessary filler. I'm also hoping for more creep-factor, and a bit more romance...just hopefully not with Jeremy!
~Marie
Great review Marie I loved the ghost police concept too and Ripper fascinates me! Glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
This is one that is near the top of my want-to-read list. I'm fascinated with serial killers in general, so your Ripper fascination is fine. lol. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of your review. I thought it was very "meh" and I won't be reading the next in the series.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame, because the premise is brilliant. I found the characters dull though, and the first 100 pages were painful. None of the excitement of the Boarding School situation that Stephenie Perkins did so well in "Anna..."
Aw, I so want to read this one. I nearly bought a copy last week for only $5, and I'm kicking myself now that I didn't! The idea of the Ripper being a ghost is terrifying--you can't defend yourself against a ghost--I love the idea.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you still liked it overall, right? I hope it gets better in the next installment :)