Part two in Maureen Johnson’s Shades of London series (find my review of the first book in the series, The Name of the Star, here), the book picks up where the last one left off. Rory Deveaux is recovering from her traumatic encounter with an angry ghost who re-created Jack the Ripper’s murders one by one – leading to one final attack on Rory herself.
This book finds Rory in Bristol, practically under house arrest and watched every moment of the day by nervous parents. What she wants more than anything in the world is to go back to her life at Wexford – and to talk to her friends – the trio of secret service members who, like Rory, have special talents. They can see ghosts. So can Rory. But she can’t talk about it – not to anyone. And not only because everyone else would think she was crazy, but because according to the Official Secrets Act she signed, she’d be breaking the law.
When she does finally get her wish, however, her life goes from complicated to complicated-er. (Yeah, I know that’s not a real word). This time, however, Rory’s the dangerous one. Her encounter left her with supernatural abilities even scarier the ability to see the dead.
In part two of Rory’s story, life gets crazy all over again, this time complicated by the living. The book builds to a heart-stopping finale that comes straight out of left field and leaves you going, “Wait. Whaaaa????” and dying for part 3.
(Incidentally Maureen, if you’re reading, when can we expect to get our eager little hands on part three of this series? Cos I’m not sure I can wait much longer.) A must-read. Oh, and don’t forget to follow @maureenjohnson on Twitter.
I know, right?? I just sat there holding the book with my mouth hanging unattractively open for a ridiculous amount of time when I finished it. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next one… I came down on the side of not super crazy about the development to this point, but will very much depend on how she plays it from here on out. Definitely a page-turner though, eh?
I know, right?? I just sat there holding the book with my mouth hanging unattractively open for a ridiculous amount of time when I finished it. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next one… I came down on the side of not super crazy about the development to this point, but will very much depend on how she plays it from here on out. Definitely a page-turner though, eh?
I just finished this one today! It definitely ends on a “Wait, What!” moment. I didn't know that book three wasn't out yet! Dang it! This book had a much different feel then book one and I've been pondering all day whether I liked it or not. I think I liked it but will need to let it sink in a bit.
I just finished this one today! It definitely ends on a “Wait, What!” moment. I didn't know that book three wasn't out yet! Dang it! This book had a much different feel then book one and I've been pondering all day whether I liked it or not. I think I liked it but will need to let it sink in a bit.