Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

 The day that Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London to start a new life at boarding school is also the day a series of brutal murders breaks out over the city, killings mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper spree 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--the only one who can see him. And now Rory has 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.

This was the first book written by Maureen Johnson that I’ve read and I’m glad to say that I loved it very much and can’t wait for the sequel. Mysteries aren’t exactly my favorite, but I love a good Jack the Ripper tale and the combine supernatural element helped me get into the book along with the corky main character.

Rory transfers to a school in London because of her parents work and while she’s there, Jack the Ripper murders begin to happen and Rory is one of the only people who can solve the case. Aurora was one of those characters who I connected to immediately. She was really down to Earth and an all around friendly person. I liked reading about her family in Louisiana and her relationship to her family seemed real.

I think that this was one of the first books in awhile that I needed to finish immediately. Usually, it takes me a week or so to finish a 350 page novel because I’m in school, but this book had me turning its pages like crazy to find out what would happen and I finished it in about three days. The writing was genius and there was a lot of real history in the book.

There wasn’t really anything I disliked about The Name of the Star except that I wanted more. I need the next book in my hands now and I’m going to hate waiting until next year for it. Go buy/check out this book now if you haven’t already! 5 Stars!