The Madness Underneath

by Maureen Johnson
published: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2013
pages: 290

After the attack, Rory finds herself back at Wexford Academy as an experimental transition into normal life.  However, immediately following her return, she begins to learn about new mysterious deaths around campus. With her new power, the Shades need Rory more than ever and she knows it.  But when all the stress of being behind in school and tracking ghosts get to her she turns to a therapist, who may not be all that she says she is.

My main issue with this book is it felt less like it's own cohesive story and more like 290 pages of set up for the next book.  While that isn't necessarily the problem, it becomes one when the plot doesn't really stand well on it's own.  It's spooky and intense and at the same time witty and humorous, but I felt like this book was more character development for Rory than it was story for us.  I wish that it had been a bit more difficult to wrap up the mysteries that were presented to us in the beginning of the book.  But I also have this feeling that they were easy to wrap up because of something that will be explained in the next book.  There were a lot of unanswered questions and suspiciously easy cases in this novel.  My hope is that this next book will relieve my disappointment.

On the character development side of things, it was great.  I loved getting to know more about our witty, smart-ass heroine.  Even though it felt a little self-involved at some points, it's reasonable.  I mean let's be honest, if I were in her shoes I would be self-involved too.  There's also some character and relational development with Stephen, Boo and Callum.  Although, Rory's Wexford friends seem to take a backseat in this novel, the new characters and issues that pop up in this story make up for it.

There is a twist at the end of the book and I did not see coming.  I have not decided yet if I like it.  It didn't seem force, it felt very natural to the story, I just don't know if I personally like it.  Like I said before, it depends on what happens in the third book whether or not this twist is justified.

There's a lot riding on the next book in this series.  I hope it brings me everything, or at least enough of what I want.  Maureen Johnson will never cease to find and expose humor in the most intense situations, and that one of the reasons I love her writing.  I look forward to, hopefully, the most epic of endings.

Stars: 3/5

Praise:

"Creepy, clever and ambiguous second volume in the Shades of London series...As always, Johnson wield words with a supple facility that keeps those pages turning.  The London minutiae are utterly engaging, the villains satisfyingly weird and numerous.  And there is kissing."
     --Kirkus Reviews

"Rory's internal monologue sparkles with the wit that Johnson's fans (and most of Twitter) will recognize, which is plenty entertaining.  The second half will satisfy readers' craving for what they came for - Rory's investigation of London's latest ghost crimes - while laying tragic groundwork for the next book."
     --Publisher's Weekly

"Johnson's sharp wit is ever-present, and her heroine is the perfect blend of snark and teen anxiety."
     --School Library Journal

Legend

by Marie Lu
Published: G.P. Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 305

In what used to be known as the United States, the Republic has taken root and become perpetually at war with it's enemy, the Colonies.  Within the walls of this hierarchy,  two 15-year-olds become very important to the nation.  June is a perfect score government prodigy and Day is the country's most wanted criminal. When their paths cross unexpectedly, it becomes a battle of strength, will, and truth.  It's up to them to decipher what is real and what is a lie; who they trust and who will be right: June or Day.

The thing I found most unique and engaging about this story is the two different perspectives: Day and June.  We see the challenges from these two very different places in this society and gather different sets of information from both characters.  We also get to see each character develop together throughout the story, we see the weight of their own struggles.

I especially enjoy the character development of June and the degree to which she slowly changes, grows into her own.  Even though she's a prodigy, she is imperfect in other ways.  She learns this about herself in startling circumstances.  The further she digs into the mysteries of the Republic, the more she finds out about herself as a person.  

Marie Lu is great at world building.  Even though the book is set in a futuristic LA, the visual of the outer-bank slum areas with flooded buildings and ruined high rises are vivid, especially in contrast with the electric, modern strongholds of the rich government areas.  The obvious differences add to the characters' differences but also provides more impact when they begin to interact.

I was so captivated by this book, I cannot wait to read the sequel!

Stars: 5/5

Praise:

"A romantic thriller set in a post-apocalyptic world where nothing is what it seems - Legend is impossible to put down and even harder to forget."
      --Kami Garci, New York Times Bestselling Co-Author of Beautiful Creatures

"A dripping thriller in dystopic future Los Angeles...this is no didactic near-future warning of present evils, but a cinematic adventure featuring endearing, compelling heroes."
     --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

This is an Eclectic Reader 2013 Challenge book!

The Name of the Star

by Maureen Johnson
Published: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2011
Pages: 370

This is an Eclectic Reader Challenge book!

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect coming into this novel.  I hadn’t read anything about it, but I did know that it was getting recommended left and right.   I love Maureen Johnson’s other books so left at the chance to read a copy of this book.  She has not failed me.  This book is highly entertaining and I was pleasantly surprised that the setting was England.  (I love many things that have to do with the UK.)  Even though, I’ve never been to London, I felt as though I knew my way around after reading this book. 

Rory came all the way from Louisiana to attend school in London.  However, when the murders start to occur, it becomes clear that Rory is not going to have a normal English education.  Even worse, a strange man repeatedly runs into her but no one else seems to remember him.  Her friends start to wonder if she crazy and she starts wonders if she is in danger. 

The characters are absolutely engaging.  Rory and Jazza, her roommate, compliment each other and when Boo gets thrown into the roommate mix, the dynamics changes just enough to keep the characters growing.  Rory’s oddities match her frustration and the way her friends see her.  Her adventurous spirit gets her into all sorts of trouble without even realizing it.  Rory's sharp wit and crazy family stories make her a hilarious character.  Rory is surrounded by a cast of fantastic quirky characters that make this book unforgettable.  

I am glad to report that there is a solid Doctor Who reference and enough witty banter to hold anyone over until the next Maureen Johnson book is published.  Maureen Johnson once again expertly crafts this story with humor, teen angst and romance.  Nothing seems out of balance.  I can even hear the British accents!

This book is the first installment in the supernatural thriller series Shades of London.  Look forward to the next book due out sometime in 2013!

Stars: 4/5

Praise:

"A gorgeously written, chilling, atmospheric thriller. The streets of London have never been so sinister or so romantic."
                    - Cassandra Clare, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Johnson uses a deft hand, applying the right amount of romance and teen snarkiness to relieve the story's building tension. Departing from her previous works, she turns paranormal on its head, mocking vampires and werewolves while creating ghosts that are both realistic and creepy. A real page-turner." 
                 - School Library Journal