Book Review: The Name of the Star by: Maureen Johnson.

Title: The Name of the Star

Author: Maureen Johnson

Release Date: September 29 2011

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile 

Page Count: 372

Source: Bought

Rating: ★★★ 

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 -GoodReads 

Call me a freak, call me morbid but I’m am super interested in Jack the Ripper. I think what interests me the most is the fact that they never caught him or even had any idea who he was. I stumbled upon this book when I was in a rut and looking for something good to read. I picked it up for three reasons: 1. Jack the Ripper! 2. I loved the 13 Little Blue Envelope books from Maureen Johnson. 3. I studied in London one summer when I was in college and everyone that knows me will tell you I am obsessed with it.

I thought this book was ok. I did not hate it by any means but it was not my favorite book I have picked up so far this year. I think my expectations were really high. I loved the concept of the book and I think if it had been shorter and a little more action packed that I would have enjoyed it more. There was a lot of down time, where not a lot happened.  The book had some great characters though and they’re what kept me reading. I’m intrigued to find out how this is going to go on to a sequel.

Book Review: The S Word by Chelsea Pitcher

Title: The S Word
Author: Chelsea Pitcher
Release Date: May 7th, 2013
Publisher: Gallery Books
Page Count: 302
Source: eBook via NetGalley
Rating: ★★★

First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker.

But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie's looping scrawl.

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she's caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie's own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.
 - GoodReads 

The one thing I came out with after reading this book was that it made me feel a lot of things. The characters were interesting and well thought out for the most part. I would have liked more insight into Angelina, I felt like even thougth she was the main character I still don't know very much about her. Lizzie is a different story.

Pitcher really thought about who she wanted Lizzie to be. She multiple layers and it was interesting and disheartening to get to know her through her diary entries. Lizzie was definitely more than what you saw at face value, even though she'd be the last person to tell you that.

All in all I thought the book was very intense and dark but I knew what I was getting into before I started. I don't quite agree with other readers that there were too many characters. I think the amount of characters was just right and I loved Angelina's gum-shooing, but I felt like Pitcher tried to deal with too many issues at once. This book could have a been a series, a very depressing series but a series none the less.

I enjoyed the writing style of this new author and will definitely be checking out whatever she publishes next.