Review: The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson

      

Title: The Name Of The Star

Author: Maureen Johnson
Series: Shades of London #1
Pages: 370

Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: September 29th 2011 (UK)
Source: For review
Rating: 4.5 stars

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 is nothing like I've ever read before. A book set in London, about Jack the Ripper and ghosts. Totally count me in! Rather than feeling like a paranormal, it felt like a contemporary fiction with a touch of paranormal. The first third of the book felt very much like a contemporary novel. A new girl in a new school in a new country. Nothing overly unique there (though still fabulous). The ghosts were a nice touch to add some paranormal elements yet it still felt very plausible and realistic.


Rory was incredible. A fabulous protagonist. Her southern charm and wit was hilarious and constantly had me smiling. Jazza, Rory's roommate was wonderful too and she added humour and fun to the novel. The relationship the two of them had was endearing and sweet.


Jermone was a lovely romantic interest. Gosh, does Maureen Johnson know how to write a hot guy and some steamy make out scenes. I really enjoyed the romantic aspect of the novel. This being said, I liked Stephen a lot too.


I'm not going to say much on the ghosts as I wouldn't want to spoil anything. There is a lot of mysteries around the ghosts and those who can see ghosts and it was extremely interesting to read about!


I love history. I find it extremely interesting and I loved how Johnson wove in interesting facts about Jack the Ripper. It was done so subtly that it didn't feel like a historical fiction, in the sense of it taking over the whole novel. It was a perfect amount of fact and fiction. 


I did, however, feel a little lag in the middle which slowed my reading. It wasn't hugely significant though it did effect my enjoyment slightly. The POW-WOW ending completely made up for this though. All in all, a fabulous read. Definitely recommend!

Weekly Update (2)

I've been a little behind this week so I haven't read as much as I would like.

Read:

Airhead by Meg Cabot 

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

Past Perfect by Leila Sales

Currently Reading:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusa

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Reviews:

Brother/Sister by Sean Olin

Fury by Elizabeth Mile

Flawless by Lara Chapman

Memes:

In My Mailbox

TBR Pile - September

Waiting On Wednesday

Im My Mailbox - Birthday Edition

Gifted


We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins (preorder)


What did you get in your mailbox?

September TBR Pile

I am a little behind on my 100 book challenge this year so I am trying to catch up this month. I am planning on reading:

Bright Young Things by Anna Godberson

Beautiful Days by Anna Godberson

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

Runaway by Meg Cabot

Passion by Lauren Kate

Deception by Lee Nichols

Betrayl by Lee Nichols

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood

Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie

Sister, Missing by Sophie McKenzie

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

What are you hoping to read this month?

Review; Brother/Sister by Sean Olin

     

Title: Brother/Sister
Author: Sean Olin

Series: Standalone
Pages: 242

Publisher: RazorBill Penguin
Release Date: August 4th 2011 (UK)
Source: For review
Rating: 3 stars

Will and Asheley have a troubled past. Their father left them when they were little, and their mother has just been carted off to an alcohol treatment center. Now, they have the house to themselves, and an endless California summer stretching out before them. Through alternating perspectives, they tell the story of how and why their lives spun violently out of control—right up to the impossibly shocking conclusion you'll have to read for yourself to believe. 

Brother/Sister is a disturbing, heart wrenching story about a brother and sister who have gone through life with only each other to depend on. It shows the transition of a brother and sister from best friends to something terrifying over an action slowly revealed in the novel.


The characters, I felt, were a little two dimensional. While I pitied both characters I can't say I liked too much about them. As the novel progressed the actions of both characters changed the way I viewed them, but in different lights. Asheley's actions were understandable to a certain extent, yet completely outrageous. Will's actions, which could never really be accepted nor understood really, just spiralled out of control. It was horrifying yet memorising to read about.


It was unlike anything I've read. Twisted, dark and heartbreaking. A huge issue I have with this novel is the ending. I don't understand it. It think it is me. A lot of people get it (and if you do, please explain it to me). I feel that something clever was being done but I'm a little lost. That lost a star for me. 


There were many things about the book that made it intriguing, though I can't really say enjoyable. If you like mystery and some disturbing relationships, I'm sure you would enjoy this.

Alice's Birthday Bash & RAK - September

For those of you that don't know it is my 18th Birthday on the fourth of September so this month I am hosting Alice's Birthday Bash which will be a collection of giveaways to celebrate my birthday :) The first giveaway is for a copy of Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan. All you have to do is fill out the form below. You must live in the UK and you must be a GFC follower.

Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

      

Title: Fury

Author: Elizabeth Miles
Series: The Fury Trilogy #1

Pages: 352

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: September 1st 2011 (UK)

Source: For review

Rating: 4 stars

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems... 

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend. 
On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed. 
In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay. 

Em and Chase have been chosen.

There is a huge Greek mythology trend in YA at the moment and I must say that I love it. I don't know too much about Greek mythology therefore I cannot tell how accurate it is in books. It could be completely wrong and I would love it anyway (but the more accurate he better, obviously).

The synopsis of Fury really captured my attention. The idea about Karma and punishing people for wrongdoings is a curious subject matter and throw in some love triangles and this mysterious boy and I am so in. The vague synopsis really allowed me to enjoy Fury as I went in without any expectations.

I found it to be a really good start to a series. It was full of sexy and forbidden actions and I just got sucked in. Whilst there was a lot of naughtiness going on I didn't feel like they were being condoned yet at the same time there was an underlying question about the severity of the actions that go on in the novel and what a suitable punishment would be for them.  

The book was written using dual narration from Em and Chase, the main characters. They weren't overly likeable characters, nor were they meant to be. It almost felt like their actions and who they were weren't the focus. Yes, what they did and how the furies chose to respond is a key feature the underlying tone was about any wrongdoing, not specifically Em and Chase's. The question Fury left me wondering about was who has the right to judge us? Our peers, our parents, the law, our friends?

Em, I felt, grew as a character more than Chase did. I could never condone cheating, especially not with your best friend's boyfriend but I think it was really interesting to see the situation from her perspective and how easily she was able to make the situation suit her.

The secondary characters took quite a prominent role. Gabby, despite not being present in most of the book really dominated. I loved her character and felt like I could really relate to her. Em's neighbour and friend JD was lovely. I just adored him. Instead of taking a back seat these characters were really involved and I loved that. Zac....let's not talk about him. You decide for yourself what you think of him.

Now, onto the furies. I think they were written well. As I said earlier, accuracy isn't something I can comment on but I thought they wee extremely powerful and dominating characters. They are so compelling and their power is quite horrifying at times. They added the darker side to the story.

At times the plot gets a little slow but the ending is just s full of action that I didn't really mind. There is the slight issue of the marketing perhaps as it is portrayed as very paranormal but for the most part it felt very contemporary though this didn't bother me.

Fury is a compelling, engaging read; full of mystery, sexiness and a whole lot of bad behaviour. The ending just leaves you wanting more and I can't stop thinking about how the next book is going to go! It is definitely recommended.