Release Date: February 26, 2013
Series: Shades of London #2
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Publisher
IBSN: 9780399256615
Blurb: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.
You guys, I loooved The Name of the Star. Loved. I went into it not expecting much and then I was floored by all the creepiness and quirk. I’ve been anxious for the follow-up ever since then. I was curious how Rory’s story was going to continue since the first book revolved so heavily on a mystery that was solved. What I found in The Madness Underneath was a story lacking the same oomph that its predecessor had.
My initial problem with The Madness Underneath was the pacing. It was slow. I’m kind of distracted and short on reading time these days so I need something to suck me in fast and make me want to sit down and read. This one didn’t do that. It took about half the book for the murder mystery to kick in and even that wasn’t super captivating. Then there was this other weird side story that just seemed out of place to me. Rory was making decisions that just didn’t seem to fit.
Thankfully, the same wit and charm that was in the first book is still present here. That was really what kept me entertained. That and Stephen. I really like Stephen. Honestly, I was pretty disappointed with The Madness Underneath. The ending only validated that opinion. I’m just hoping that this was a case of middle book syndrome or maybe that The Name of the Star was just really hard to follow. I’ll still give the next book a chance. Hopefully it will have that same magic as the first one.
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
13 Little Blue Envelopes & The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Ah too bad itt wasn’t as awesome as the first book. I remember reading tons of reviews about it and everyone seemed to love it. Pacing really can be a problem, and I’m like you I need to be easily sucked in and taken away. When the pacing is so slow, I also easily loose interest..
DannyBookworm recently posted..Losing It by Cora Carmack – New Adult Monday’s
I’m hoping that the next book in the series will make up for it.
I had the same thoughts about pacing. I feel like the first book was almost a standalone and then this second and third book were conceived of together and split awkwardly. I really hope the third book is more action-y to make up for the slowness here.
Bookworm1858 recently posted..The Week to Come: 03FEB13
The first one could have definitely been a standalone. I’m hoping the 3rd one is better too!
I haven’t read the first book yet, and I’m a little reluctant to start it. Slow middle books are the worst, and as you mentioned it sounds like a classic case of middle book syndrome. Sorry to hear it didn’t live up to the promise of Name of the Star.
Lucy @ The Reading Date recently posted..Mailbox Monday #35
I would still highly recommend the 1st book. It could almost stand on its own. Here’s hoping the next one is better.
Oh bummer. I was looking forward to this one too since the first one was such a great mystery with some creepy-ness going on. Still going to try it like you said!
Nice review!
I don’t know if I’d like this book, but I really want to read 13 Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Little Blue Envelope by her. They seem to me books I’m going to love. I’m glad you find this one good. I can’t wait to read 13 little blue envelopes since you said it was incredible ^^
Leela @ My world in English recently posted..It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Love those!
It’s too bad that it wasn’t as good as the first one. I really loved the first one and have been looking forward to this one. I hope that I like it. Great review!
Amy @ Book Loving Mom recently posted..Book Blitz: The Crescent Chronicles by Alyssa Rose Ivy
I hope you like this one, Amy!
I’m really looking forward to this book! I pre-ordered it months ago, though mostly because the pre-order comes with awesome stickers. But really, I’m glad the creepiness is still a part of it, and I’ll have to see if I like the pacing or not when I read it. Great review!
Taylor @ Reading is the Thing recently posted..Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth
I hope you enjoy it and the awesome stickers.
Hmm, I thought Name of the Star was okay so hearing that this is more lacking makes me kind of wary to pick this one up. I’m glad it was entertaining though with wit and charm!
elena recently posted..arts and crafts: unravel me by tahereh mafi wallpapers
If you didn’t love the first one it will be hard to enjoy this one. =/
Good to know this is a book that will take a little more time and patience. Thanks for the review and heads up!
Lisa [is busy nerding] recently posted..Review: The Sky is Everywhere
I have been wanting to read The Name of the Star FOREVER! I own a copy, but still haven’t gotten to it. Hopefully I can get to it soon, so I can read the second book.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted..Project Fairy Tale: East of the Sun and West of the Moon
I hope you do! I loved the first one so much.
Hmm I don’t think I will read this one then. I wasn’t all out in love with the first book and was really hoping the second book would bring more to the table. I guess I was wrong with my assumption.
Thanks for the great review, sorry this book wasn’t as good as the first one was for you.
Alexa recently posted..Turns Up the Heat: Hot Ticket
If you didn’t like the first one then it would be really hard for me to recommend this one to you. So, skipping it is probably a good idea.
Oh no! I loved the first book and hoped the sequel would be just as good! I think I may wait for the third book to come out before I read this… Thanks for the review
Lisa recently posted..Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
It sounded interesting but from your review, it’s quite sad that the pacing was off
I feel like for these type of books, they should immediately grab your attention from the very beginning because of the mystery and suspense. Shame though, it seemed this book had so much potential. Thanks for the great review 
Charlotte @ Gypsy Reviews recently posted..Book Review: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (#08)
I agree, it did seem like the mystery should have started right away, but it didn’t. =/
Oh! I didn’t even realize that there was a book 2 already! I liked book 1, didn’t love it as much as I hoped to, but I liked it. I wish they hadn’t changed the covers though
I’ve been having the same problem with second/third books not quite living up to my expectations set from the first book. I’m sorry to hear that this book doesn’t have the same magic as the first book, though I’m glad to hear that the wit and charm is still there. Hopefully the third book will be better!
Kris (Imaginary Reads) recently posted..Review: The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
That’s what I’m hoping!
I was actually kind of nervous about this one. The Name of the Star was actually the first and only Maureen Johnson book I truly loved, so I do have reservations about this sequel. I consider myself forewarned now though, thanks to your review! Perhaps I’ll save the reading of this book for a later date.
Alexa Y. recently posted..Uses for Boys – Erica Lorraine Scheidt (Review)
I hope you end up loving it, Alexa!
Jen @ YA Romantics recently posted..Guest Review: Kiki Strike: The Darkness Dwellers
I feel exactly the same way about this book. Liked it, but not as much as the first one in the series. I was completely thrown by the ending, too. I do want to read the next book, because I can’t figure out where it’s going at all. I’m giving away both of them on my blog is anyone wants to stop by and enter…:)
http://sarahsyablog.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-madness-underneath-arcthe-name-of.html
(Sorry it’s not a nifty hyperlink…I can’t remember the html code for that right now!
Ohhh I loved the first book too!! I have TMU but haven’t started it yet…so we’ll see
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