Review: The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson 

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades— the city's secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late.
In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Review: 

After reading and loving The Name of the Star, I could not wait to get into this one. Unfortunately, I didn't like it nearly as much as I did the prequel. For me, part of what made the first book was the Jack the Ripper mystery and how creatively Johnson wove that into the story. I love anything historical related and I learned so much about the Ripper Murders. I felt the first book would have been perfect as a standalone, but, alas, it is going to be a trilogy. I still love the characters and enjoyed the mystery of The Madness Underneath, but it did not have the same spark for me that The Name of the Star did. 

This addition to the series picked up soon after the first one left off and we are once again immersed in Rory's world. I was quite into the book at first and really enjoyed the mystery, but things got a little too weird for my liking. Still, Maureen Johnson is not afraid to take risks and she knows how to create a riveting mystery. 

I love the setting for these books and seeing all of the sights of London through Rory's eyes. Rory is a great protagonist and I love her sense of humor and adventurous side. Even when no one would believe her, Rory stood up for what she believed in and made some risky decisions to protect her friends and family. But, one big decision of hers felt rather stupid and un-Rory-like to me.We also got a lot more information about the various members of the squad and how it came to be. I love the characters of Boo, Newman, and Stephen. Each of them was so well developed and I enjoy all of their scenes together. Rory's school friends took a back seat in this addition to the series, which I was happy about because I never really saw their connection with Rory. 

As I mentioned before, the mystery became a tad strange the farther into the novel I got. I found things to be a bit predictable, but the last few chapters were twisted and intense and reminiscent of the first book in the series. Plus, the cliffhanger at the end left me extremely eager to see where things will go in book three! I feel that parts of this book fell into the sequel slump, but I'm still looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy and seeing what will happen to the various characters. 

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars

February 26, 2013/Putnam Juvenile/304 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two 

Source: Publisher (ARC) 

Other books in the series: The Name of the Star 
Links: Author Website/Goodreads 

** I'm also giving away an ARC of the book here!

Giveaway: The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

I have an ARC of THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH by Maureen Johnson to giveaway to one lucky winner thanks to the kind people at Penguin! This is the intense sequel to THE NAME OF THE STAR! Here is some more information about the book:

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades—the city's secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late.
In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

- The giveaway is for US residents only.
-It ends February 25, 2013
- please note this is an advanced reader's copy of the book and not a finished copy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Also, if you are interested in pre-ordering the book, Maureen Johnson has a fantastic giveaway on her site. Everyone who pre-orders the book from a selection of independent bookstores before the release date will receive a signed book plate and exclusive gift. Check out this awesome opportunity here: http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com/bulletins/

Review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

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.

Review:

Ever since I first read 13 Little Blue Envelopes a few years back, I have been eager to read more by Maureen Johnson, but somehow never got around to it. I remember rushing out to buy this book the day it came out and then it sat on my shelf for a long time, until I received an ARC of the sequel in the mail and decided it was high time I had read this. Luckily, it surpassed my expectations and was a delightfully funny, creepy, and adventurous read that secured Maureen Johnson's spot on my favorite authors list.

Although I consider myself a bit of a history buff, I did not know much about Jack the Ripper before picking up The Name of the Star. It was clear Johnson had done her research and I learned more about Jack the Ripper by reading this book than I ever could have from a history textbook. Maureen Johnson took the Jack the Ripper mystery and truly made it her own. I was often on the edge of my seat and I can say this is one of the few books that actually freaked me out! Johnson did not shy away from giving necessary details and this made the book all the more intense and intriguing. 

Rory was a fantastic protagonist. I immediately knew I would like her because when she found out her parents would be teaching for a year in England, she jumped at the chance to study abroad her senior year. I've often read young adult books where the main character gets an amazing chance to go abroad and just complains until they get there and realize how wrong they were. In the case of Rory, she was the complete opposite and I loved how adventurous and outgoing she was. Rory was funny and energetic and even a little awkward; she was completely real. 

The plot was very complex and developed and the mystery was very well done. The Name of the Star is kind of a mash-up of genres (historical, paranormal, mystery, etc) and it worked so well. I was so caught up in Rory's stories and the mysteries that I finished the book in one day. 

The secondary characters were well done too and I especially liked Jazza and Boo. Each person had a unique role in the story and there were no flat or unnecessary characters. The only thing I didn't completely love was the romance, mostly because I never truly saw the spark. But, I did like that The Name of the Star did not focus on the romance very much and was more dedicated to Rory and everything that was happening in London, because it would have seemed too forced otherwise. Still, I'm interested in seeing where Johnson will take things for them in the sequel. 

All in all, I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this and I've already begun reading The Madness Underneath, book two in the series. I highly recommend The Name of the Star because it is a book any type of reader will enjoy and I'm eager to see what's next for Rory and the rest of the characters.

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

September 29, 2011/Putnam Juvenile/372 Pages/Young Adult/Book One

Source: Purchased

Other books in this series: The Madness Underneath (February 2013) 

Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

The Last Little Blue Envelope (Little Blue Envelope #2) by Maureen Johnson

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions

Review:

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes has been one of my favorite books for years. When I heard Maureen was writing a sequel I was beyond ecstatic, but also nervous. Could a sequel possibly be as wonderful as the first book? Would I be sorely disappointed? I don't know why I had those worries, because The Last Little Blue Envelope was just as fantastic as the prequel, if not better.

This book opens up a few months after Ginny has returned home and is trying to figure out what to write for her college admissions essay. The final blue envelope is lost somewhere in Europe....or so she thinks! One day, Ginny receives an email from a mysterious lad in England named Oliver, claiming he has found the final envelope. Never one to shy away from adventure, Ginny packs up her bags and flies back to her second home- London. What transpires on this trip is nothing that Ginny could have expected.

I was so happy that many of the characters from the first book were re-introduced. People like Ginny's uncle Richard, plus the guy who stole her heart on her last journey-Keith, and more. We also got to meet some new characters as well. Most importantly, Oliver and Ellis. Oliver was a mysterious guy and I never knew what to expect from him. Ellis was such a fun loving and sweet girl, and a terrific friend to Ginny.

When Ginny sets off on another whirlwind trip around Europe, we meet a lot of new intriguing people and so many new places are mentioned. The setting is my favorite aspect of the book, next to the characters, and I am always anxious to see where Ginny will go next and to try and visualize the sights in my mind. Ginny's adventures are always full of excitement and this one was no exception. From page one, Ginny was sucked into a trip that could rival her first.

The Last Little Blue Envelope's plot was constantly surprising me. I never knew what was going to happen next and how things would turn out for Ginny in the end. Things were not all fun and games, and Ginny had some disappointments by the end.

By the time I turned the last page I was a tiny bit sad, could this be the last of Ginny's adventures? I certainly hope not, because the ending left me wanting a little more. The Last Little Blue Envelope is truly a rival for my favorite out of the two because it was just that good. Maureen Johnson can bring a smile to my face no matter what and I was often laughing at the situations Ginny and the gang got involved in.

If The Last Little Blue Envelope succeeded in doing anything, it made me want to drop everything and take a trip around Europe as soon as possible. If you were a fan of the first book, I highly recommend picking this up, it did not disappoint. And if you haven't read Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes- what are you waiting for?!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

April 26, 2011/HarperTeen/304 Pages/Young Adult/Book Two

Source: Netgalley

Other books in the series: Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes

Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

Review:

I remember reading 13 Little Blue Envelopes in middle school and LOVING it so when I recently bought my own copy I couldn't stop myself from rereading it :)

Upon receiving a package containing thirteen envelopes from her runaway aunt, Ginny sets off for London. When reading this, I was currently on vacation in London myself, so I felt an even bigger connection with Ginny and her trials and triumphs with things like mastering the subway and navigating Harrods. Everywhere Ginny went in London she faced a new adventure and met some very interesting people. Two of my favorite characters in the book are introduced in London- Keith and Richard. Richard was a kind hearted guy and I loved learning more about him as the story went on. Keith really helped Ginny out with solving some of the envelope tasks and I loved how quirky and sweet he was. There are tons more people Ginny meets in her travels through Paris, Rome, Denmark, Greece, and more. Each person had a spot in the story and added a little something to it.

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do, and reading about Ginny's adventures was a lot of fun. She faced a variety of complications, but also had some amazing experiences. The little details in this book just made it that much better. Even if you don't like traveling, you will love experiencing things with Ginny and will laugh and cry by the time you're finished.

The plot was so original and fantastic. I couldn't wait to uncover what each envelope held and to see what mission Ginny would be sent on next. Not only was Ginny finding the places and people her Aunt directed her to, but Ginny was also finding herself.

This is a fun and enjoyable read that never will get old for me. Each page holds a new excitement and the characters in this novel will remain in my head for a long time. Ginny is a fantastic heroine and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the long anticipated sequel- The Last Little Blue Envelope!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

September 1, 2005/HarperTeen/321 Pages/Young Adult/Book One

Source: Bought (Paperback)

Other books in the series: The Last Little Blue Envelope (2011)