Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux is optimistic about beginning her junior year of high school at a London boarding school. For her, the school year marks the beginning of a new life, yet also brings a slew of horrific murders across the city disturbingly resembling those of Jack the Ripper over a century ago. As “Rippermania” spreads across London, Rory is just trying to adjust to her new country and school. She quickly befriends her roommate, Juliette “Jazza” Benton, a kind-hearted and altruistic student at Wexford Sixth Form. Rory learns that Jazza has a passion for swimming, cello, and her two dogs back at home. Another relationship Rory soon establishes is with a prefect at the school, Jerome Croft, who is particularly knowledgeable about anything to do with the Ripper case. As the school year continues, first murder occurs, and police are left with no witnesses. That they know of. Rory believes that she had seen the man who committed the crime, yet is the only one who saw him though Jazza was with her at the time. Rory begins to wonder why she was the only one who could see him, and soon is horrified to discover that she has become his next target. In this page-turning cliffhanger, abundant in humor, thrills, and romance, Rory will discover the truth of a secret ghost police in London, as well as unbelievable abilities she possesses.
The Name of the Star was one of the most unexpected books I have ever read. From any blurbs I had read beforehand, I had assumed that I was going to be reading a classic “whodunit” mystery set in the modern and cosmopolitan London. However, just a mere chapter in, I was swiftly proven wrong. This, surprisingly, was what I most liked about the book. I found that I was more engaged and willing to read when I truly had no idea what the outcome would be. However, I felt that there were some aspects in the book that were abrupt, and could have flowed more easily throughout the plot. Several pivotal characters seemed to appear out of nowhere, with little indication that they would be important later on. Part of me enjoyed this surprise, but I think that these characters should have been more thoroughly introduced first. I think anyone looking for a mystery/ thriller filled with romance, humor, plenty of cliffhangers, and several huge plot twists, would absolutely love The Name of the Star. The book had fantasy characteristics, but there were definitely some aspects that I could relate to, including the main characters move to a new school and her process of acclimating to friends and teachers in this different environment.
Reviewed by Kaeleigh P., 10th
