The Shadows of London series, by Maureen Johnson - Sian
“The Name of the Star” starts with Rory’s move from the United States to a boarding school in London, just as a Jack the Ripper copy-cat starts committing murders around the city. It draws a media frenzy to her neighbourhood, and under the most unlikely circumstances, Rory finds herself in the middle of the chaos. The weirdest people start popping up, and danger seems to be as common as cottage pie in the school canteen.
I don’t normally read a lot of fantasy, so this good old fashioned ghost story is the most wonderful palette cleanser when I just want that perfect mix of the familiarity of studying for A Levels in dreary British weather, crossed with the unsettled world of the supernatural, and heart-stopping conflict. And Rory makes the most wonderful protagonist: curious, funny, intelligent, independent, reckless, and just a little bit odd. There is light and dark in every person you meet in this series, and it keeps things unpredictable and gripping the whole way through.
I’ve only described the first book in this series to you: “The Madness Underneath” and “The Shadow Cabinet” are just as thrilling, and prove that Maureen Johnson’s ability to add nuance, depth, and tension in a fantasy story world is, well, fantastic. Rory finds herself in dangerous company, dragged into things far beyond her expectation or comprehension, and we – ourselves –start to wonder where life ends and death begins. The end of the third book leaves us in such a state of high stakes, mystery, and genuine fear, the fact that we are still waiting for the fourth instalment is killing me.
If you’re looking for a quick but compelling series to power through, here is your sign to pick this up. You won’t be disappointed.
Sian
