The Name of the Star Review

Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!




The Name of the Star
Shades of London #1

Author: Maureen Johnson
Paperback
Pages:400
Published: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Speak


Overview:
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.


My Take:
I finally got around to this book! The entire book was quite an interesting read. The way the images just flew off the page was very vivid and great. I could see and feel what was going on. The story kept on going at a great pace. It was interesting to get to know the characters a bit here! A few reasons I grabbed this book was it was a young adult paranormal, takes place in England, Jack the Ripper, and ghosts! Who could not resist those reasons?

The main character is Rory who goes off to school to London. It takes her a while to adjust to the school and roommate. Once all settled in, the The Ripper mania continues to explode. The Cops are on the lookout of what is going to happen next? Can they solve this mystery?

Rory thinks she saw something related to the "Ripper" mania and reports it to the cops. Somehow the cops who get involved with Rory are rather unique cops and the next you know Rory is thrown into the world of ghosts! This was a lot for her to take in. Will Rory be the next victim? Will Rory figure out who it is? What will happen?

There were a few lines in the book that I enjoyed such as: "You told him I had period fever" I replied. "There's no such thing as period fever." This made me laugh. I loved it!

Another line is: "Fear can't hurt you," she said. "When it washes over you, give it no power. It's a snake with no venom. Remember that. That knowledge can save you." This made me think of power. Knowledge is power!

Go ahead and pick up this read today! I will be getting book two soon! I need to see what happens to Rory!



Story: B
Cover: A


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Slated Review

Disclaimer: I bought this book to read to give it an honest opinion!




Slated (Slated #1)
Author: Terri Terry
Format: Paperback
Pages: 448
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: May 3, 2012

Overview
Kyla’s memory has been erased, her personality wiped blank, her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?


My Take
The cover jumped out at me because it stares at you giving you a curious wonder of what was it all about! Once I read the summary,I had to buy it. I started to read this book and could not put it down. I finished the book in two days.

The main character is named Kyla and her memory was erased so she had to relearn everything again of things. She was put into a new home with a mum and father along with a sister named Amy who was also been slated. Slated means that their memories were erased.

Once Kyla adjusts to living with the family, she slowly gets to go to school and she meets all kinds of people. She is curious of things and keeps getting told to be good and not break the rules. Anyone who gets slated have levo's. Levo's show their moods. If their moods go to 3's or lower, they can blackout. They have to wear levo's until the are twenty one. Basically they are controlled which I thought was kind of weird. Fear seems to be there and here for control.

Why are certain people slated? This makes Kyla wonder. Some are usually slated for a second chance from doing bad things. With all these questions going around in her head, Kyla starts to remember things. Even her nightmares seem to trigger memories as well. I loved how Kyla is different and she figures out the she is different. She does not give up! Determination is there for her and she knows it.

Kyla and hottie Ben are a cute and sweet romance, but I think it needed a bit more sparks there. I liked how Ben and Kyla bounced ideas off of each other and how they ran together too. Their relationship seemed more like friends than romance. Maybe the romance will come more alive in book two? Ben is also kind of like Kyla bit.

When friends and teachers get taken and go missing. Kyla's questions seem to pour out more and more determination hits her. Will she get what she wants to know? The truth? Kyla learns of right and wrong and among others.

There's tons of tension and suspense in this book. The book seemed to focus on Kyla in the matter of figuring out who she is and the past. The ending was amazing and really makes me want book number 2: Fractured to come out soon as possible so I can see what happens next with Kyla.

A great science fiction, thriller story for you all to read!


Cover Rating: A
Story Rating: A

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