Mundie Moms

Monday, February 18, 2013

Book Review / Giveaway: The Madness Underneath (Shades of London #2) by Maureen Johnson


By: Maureen Johnson
Published by: Penguin Teen
To Be Released on: 2/26/13
Series: Shades of London #2
Source: arc from publisher to review
4 Stars: I Enjoyed It!
Pre-Order From: Penguin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

After her near-fatal run-in with the Jack the Ripper copycat, Rory Devereaux has been living in Bristol under the close watch of her parents. So when her therapist suddenly suggests she return to Wexford, Rory jumps at the chance. But Rory's brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: she's become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shades—the city's secret ghost-fighting police—are responsible for her return. The Ripper may be gone, but now there is a string of new inexplicable deaths threatening London. Rory has evidence that the deaths are no coincidence. Something much more sinister is going on, and now she must convince the squad to listen to her before it's too late.

In this follow-up to the Edgar Award-nominated The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson adds another layer of spectacularly gruesome details to the streets of London that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. -quoted from
GoodReads


The dark, haunting twists continue in this thrilling sequel to Maureen Johnson's The Name of the Star. 

I loved The Name of the Star, and have anxiously been awaiting the release of this book. After that ending I needed more, and Maureen definitely gave me more with this sequel. The thing that surprised me the most, and what I loved with this story is Rory. She grew a lot and changed in ways that were fitting and realistic with all that she has gone through and what she's dealing with now. These experiences have made her a more braver, bolder person. But this time around, I felt like I connected with her more emotionally. I loved her sarcastic remarks, I understand her bravery even when it was hard not to be fearful, and most of all I understand her heartbreak, and her feelings of wanting to get revenge. Oh yes, this story ends on a note that made me turn the pages just to make sure there wasn't more. I NEED MORE!

Maureen Johnson introduces new characters, continues to add more twists, and leaves me wondering if my suspicions I have with a few characters are right. From the get go, there is a new character in this book that had me on edge with her. Something was just off, and though and behold the twists only amplified when Rory is in London, and meets a certain someone this other person recommended to her. Sound confusing? Believe me it's not. I'm trying to not giveaway any spoilers. And London. I don't know what it is about this setting, but I'm a sucker for a London setting, and this one definitely fits the bill. I love the ties from Victorian London with modern day London. The ghosts of London's past definitely play a role in this series.

Fans of the Shades of London series need not worry if this sequel will live up to The Name of the Star. It's the perfect, dark, companion to a story I become enchanted with when I first met Rory. Though I loved The Name of the Star a bit more, I still enjoyed the afternoon I spent reading this book. It's one of those thrilling reads that once I started reading it, there was no putting this book down. Be warned, Maureen has become the queen of cliff hangers, and she ends this book with quite the shocking twist I was not excepting. I can not wait another year for book 3! I'd definitely recommend picking this one up. 

Thank you to Penguin Teen, I've got 1 copy of The Madness Underneath to giveaway to one lucky reader! To enter, please fill out this form below:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

49 comments:

  1. Thanks for the opportunity to win your book.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I absolutely believe in ghosts! You can feel spirits all around if you try hard enough.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am a skeptic when it comes to ghosts. Also, I loved in the Name of the Star! the cover for the sequel looks awesome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved The Name of the Star as well! The covers are so fitting for the books.

      Delete
  4. I definitely believe in ghosts! I have had some crazy experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think there are ghosts. Thanks for the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ghosts are one thing that I'm not real sure about. Can't wait to read this ne great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

    ReplyDelete
  7. No, I don't believe in ghosts. I just don't see how they could exist.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I used to believe in ghosts but now I'm less sure. I do think ghosts are a possibility.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I believe there are ghosts in a way. Not the typical ones you "see" in ghost hunting shows, but ones that have this spiritual connection, like believing that a loved one is still present in some way. I can't wait for TMU! Thank you for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I loved The Name of the Star - it was one of my favorite books of 2011. I can't wait to see where MJ takes this one (I'm sure she's got more horror and fabulousness up her sleeve!). Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! The Name of the Star was one of my '11 favs too. I really liked the direction the story went in. I can't wait for book 3.

      Delete
  11. I'm not sure about believing in ghosts - but I've known of a few strange incidents that make me lean towards believing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally agree and have had similar experiences that make lean towards believing.

      Delete
  12. Thank you for all your comments. I'm always fascinated in people's answers about believing in ghosts.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I guess I do believe in ghosts. Haven't had an experience and don't want to, but I can definitely see how sometimes you cant leave for business unfinished. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Christina K. in the rafflecopter

    Definitely believe in ghosts! I lived in a haunted house and it was scary but awesome!!

    Thank you:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I don't believe in ghosts at all.

    But I still LOVE The Name of the Star. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't think I really believe in ghosts. I've never had any encounters or anything like that. I like ghost stories though!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I do believe in ghosts. I didn't for a long time until I had a really scary experience. Now I definitely don't doubt that they exist.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This sounds awesome! I am glad I have it on my Kindle as I am looking forward to seeing what happens to Rory, also I am always and forever a fan of sarcasm, ha ha.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the great post and giveaway! I don't believe in ghosts in real life but I do still enjoy reading about them :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. No, but that doesn't mean I don't still write and read stories about them. ;)

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. No, I don't believe in ghosts but I love watching television shows about them.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I don't know if I believe in ghosts. Sometimes I do, and then other times I don't.

    ReplyDelete
  23. No, I don't believe in ghosts. I think we are able to trick ourselves into thinking there are real ghosts sometimes. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure I could be wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am reading The Name of The Star right now and I can't wait for the next ome!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I think I believe in them in a way. It depends on why they would be appearing I guess

    ReplyDelete
  26. You know, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I guess I just can't make up my mind.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Saw one the other night when I got up to go to the bathroom. Freaked me out.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I very much believe in ghosts! It's a scary thought but who knows what you can't see! Awesome giveaway :)

    Jasmine

    ReplyDelete
  29. I do not believe in ghosts, but I love a good scary movie!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I don't believe in ghost but I like reading about them.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I've always said that I don't believe in ghosts, but I guess I'm not really sure. I believe in souls, so... maybe there are ghosts?

    ReplyDelete
  32. No, I don't believe in ghosts! I'm way too scared to them to actually believe in them.
    Lacey T

    ReplyDelete
  33. No, but i still wouldn't go anywhere near a place someone said was haunted..why chance it?

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am undecided. I don't really believe in ghosts, but I do believe in souls and angels and whatnot... So maybe that's kind of the same thing, in essence?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Not really. I'm more of a seeing is believing type of person, and I just haven't seen any proof yet.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I, just like Maureen Johnson, do not believe in ghosts.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Maybe there could be ghosts! Thanks for this awesome contest.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Do I believe in ghosts? not really, but sometimes, maybe i believe just a little bit that there's something out there...

    ReplyDelete
  39. I don't believe in ghosts.

    On an unrelated note, yay! The Madness Underneath is out!! :)

    ReplyDelete

Labels