The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Summary:
The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I've come to love Maureen Johnson and all her books, so my expectations were high when I started The Name of the Star. And luckily for me, they were mostly fulfilled. I thought that this book was a great addition to the fantasy genre.

There were certain elements of the plot that I knew I would love: the boarding school setting in London (double points there) and the Jack the Ripper references. Oddly enough, even though I love both history and horror, I really didn't know much about Jack the Ripper. So I was very happy that the book went into detail about that because I felt like I learned something new. Obvsiously, the Ripper was a serial killer and he murdered his victims in gruesome ways, which made the story a whole lot creepier. I was actually a little freaked out while reading The Name of the Star, so you if you like that kind of thing, I would definitely check this out.

The book also delves into the paranormal because there are ghosts involved and Rory has a special ability when it comes to ghosts. I liked that side of the story, because it actually made the story scarier. What do you do if you can't see something dangerous? That can be quite the problem.

As always, I loved Maureen Johnson's writing style and Rory had a great voice. I really enjoyed The Name of the Star and am curious to read the sequel.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from library.

2011/Putnam Juvenile/372 pages.

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Summary:
When Ginny Blackstone lost the last little blue envelope in Greece, along with the twelve other letters, she accepted that she would never find out what her aunt had to tell her in that last letter. But when someone calls to say that he found her backpack with all the letters, Ginny finds herself heading to England again for another adventure. The boy who found the letter, Oliver, wants to help Ginny, but only if he is allowed to accompany her and take away half the profit from one of Aunt Peg's paintings. Ginny relunctantly agrees and she finds herself travelling Europe with not just Oliver, but her old friend Keith and his new girlfriend Ellis. If this trip is like last summer, Ginny is in for the treat of a lifetime.

Review:
I was really excited to read The Last Little Blue Envelope because it is the newly released sequel to a really great book, 13 Little Blue Envelopes. In the first book, Ginny loses the last envelope, and accepts the fact that she might never know what her aunt had to say. But luckily for us, The Last Little Blue Envelope provides some closure with Ginny receiving the last letter in a rather unorthodox manner.

Oliver, the boy who found the letter, seems very manipulative, because he will only give Ginny the letter if she allows him to take away half the profits from one of Aunt Peg's paintings. As the story progresses, we learn more about Oliver and start to like him more. It actually took me to the very end to start liking Oliver, but I did feel bad for him because Keith gives Oliver a really hard time.

I loved seeing Keith again, but I didn't like him as much in this book. One, for teasing Oliver mercilessly and two, for not telling Ginny he had a girlfriend. Another favorite, Richard, Ginny's uncle, was back and I was glad to see him.

All in all, The Last Little Blue Envelope was full of humor, adventure, and even some romance and is the perfect sequel to a great book. There's not much to really say except that I enjoyed the read and was glad to get some closure to Ginny's story.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: received from Flamingnet Book reviews.

2011/HarperTeen/280 pages.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Margaret Johnson

Summary:
Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.

In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.

The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: find a starving artist.

Because of envelope 4, Ginny and her artist, a playwright/thief/bloke-about-town called Keith, go to Scotland together,with somewhat disastrous - though utterly romantic - results. Ginny isn't sure she'll see Keith again, and definitely doesn't know what to think about him.

Could the answer be in the envelopes?

Ginny doesn't know it, but adventures in Rome and Paris are in envelopes 6 and 8. The rules are that she has to open one at a time, in order, so perhaps it isn't surprising that she discovers things about her life and love one by one. Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes. (from book jacket)

Review:
13 Little Blue Envelopes is a book that I've seen around a lot. I know a lot of people have read it, and I used to see it in the library all the time, but for some reason I never picked it up. But I am so glad I did now, because I really enjoyed 13 Little Blue Envelopes and thought it was a terrifc read.

I love to travel and go on adventures, so I loved the fact that Ginny was following the instructions in letters her aunt wrote, and that these letters were sending her to another continent. I would really love to visit all of Europe, so I felt that I was living vicariously through Ginny when she went to Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and Greece. I have already been to London and Edinburgh, so it was neat to read about Ginny visiting places I have been to also. Ginny is pretty brave, though, to travel everywhere by herself, with only one backpack and no electronics. There is no way I wouldn't bring a cell phone or camera, but Ginny was able to follow all of her aunt's directions.

Along with becoming very worldly, Ginny learns a lot about herself and leaves her comfort zone by doing the things that Aunt Peg asks, like asking a cute boy out for cake in Rome and staying with people she had never met before. I liked to see Ginny become more confident and learn more about her aunt, who was always somewhat of a mystery to Ginny.

So if you like travel, Europe, a little romance, and humor, 13 Little Blue Envelopes will be perfect for you! This is such a cute book and I can't wait to read the sequel.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from my library.

2006/HarperTeen/336 pages.

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

Summary:

Ever since Mrs. Amberson, the former-aspiring-actress-turned-agent, entered Scarlett Martin's life, nothing has been the same.

She's still in charge of the Empire Suite in her family's hotel, but she's now also Mrs. Amberson's assistant, running around town for her star client, Chelsea - a Broadway star Scarlett's age with a knack for making her feel insignificant.

Scarlett's also trying to juggle sophomore year classes, her lab partner who is being just a little TOO nice, and getting over the boy who broke her heart.
In the midst of all this, her parents drop a bombshell that threatens to change her New York life forever... (from GoodReads)

Review:

When I read Suite Scarlett about a year and a half ago, I fell in love with Scarlett, her crazy brother, and their somewhat dilapidated but still homey hotel. The Scarlett trilogy features a whole cast of interesting characters that is not limited to all of Scarlett's family, her friends, and Mrs. Amberson, the highly sophisticated older woman that comes to live at Hopewell and whom Scarlett starts working for. Scarlett Fever begins right where Suite Scarlett leaves off, so the reader doesn't miss anything.

What I love about Scarlett Fever is the humor. Scarlett always seems to get herself into questionable situations, mostly brought on by her older brother Spencer, who is an actor/comedian who prides himself on his skill of physical humor. It also doesn't help that Scarlett lives and helps out around an old hotel called Hopewell, which her family runs. There is always something going on at a hotel, it seems. But even though Scarlett is adept at finding trouble, she is a really likable character. She seems like a genuinely nice person who isn't afraid to trade insults with the best of them. I love sarcasm and wit, which thankfully Scarlett Fever is full of.

The plot of Scarlett Fever is really fast-paced and honestly there is never a dull moment. It's one thing after another - either something for Mrs. Amberson, or Scarlett sees her old sort-of boyfriend, or she's helping Spencer with his auditions, or there's craziness with her family. Speaking of family, have I mentioned how much I love them all? Even Scarlett's annoying little sister Marlene has a special place in my heart. Scarlett is really close with her brother and it makes me kind of jealous that I'm not as close with my siblings. Oh well.

I really did love this book and its predecessor - and I truly believe Scarlett Fever is contemporary at its finest. If you're looking for something cute and funny, this is your book.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

FTC: borrowed from a friend.

2010/Scholastic Point/332 pages.

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Scarlett Martin has grown up in a most unusual way. Her family own the Hopewell, a small Art Deco hotel in the heart of New York City. When each of the Martins turns fifteen, they are expected to take care of a suite. For Scarlett's fifteenth birthday, she gets both a room called the Empire Suite and a permanent guest named Mrs. Amberson. Scarlett doesn't quite know what to make of this C-list starlet and world traveler. And when she meets Eric, an astonishingly gorgeous actor who has just moved to the city, her summer takes a second unexpected turn. Before the summer is over, Scarlett will have to survive a whirlwind of thievery and romantic missteps. But in the city where anything can happen, she might be able to pull it off. (Taken from back cover)

I loved Suite Scarlett! I think it was one of the best books I've read in awhile. The characters were extremely likable, especially Scarlett and her older brother Spencer. And speaking of Spencer, he is hilarious! Every other word that came out of his mouth was some funny, sarcastic remark. The only character I didn't really like was Marlene, Scarlett's incredibly spoiled younger sister. But Marlene comes around, which is good. I like character development. What I also like was the originality of the story. First, Scarlett lives in a hotel, which is probably the coolest thing ever. And then I loved the theater and acting subplot, especially since Spencer and his acting troupe were putting on the play Hamlet. I'm so glad that I had to read that in tenth grade because it seems to be very popular for contemporary literature (see also: Eyes Like Stars). I also liked that the romance wasn't predictable, and turned out differently than I imagined. So if you're looking for a cute, witty, and unique book, Suite Scarlett is a perfect choice!

9 out of 10.