The Name Of The Star Maureen Johnson Audiobook Review

When I started The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson I was under the assumption that it was a historical fiction murder mystery. That was an incorrect assumption. Yet, I was not disappointed by The Name Of The Star turning out to be a modern day paranormal murder mystery as opposed to historical fiction. Maureen Johnson wove a story that held me rapt during the entire duration of the audiobook.

The Name Of The Star, Maureen Johnson, audiobook cover,

The Name Of The Star

So, the plot of The Name Of The Star is basically as follows: Rory is set to begin her first year at Wexford Academy, a boarding school in London which is pretty far from her native Louisana. Things are going swimmingly. Rory is doing well in school (except for hockey I think it was), getting along well with roommate Jazza, and learning lots in her classes until the worst happens: a spat of murders in London eerily similar to the Jack The Ripper cases. When sneaking out to see Jerome, an English potential hook-up/boyfriend, Rory ends up seeing the potential murder suspect. Problem: No one else can see him, which is quite ghastly. A race against time to prevent the murders, new allies and a mysterious ability are in store for Rory.

Y’all there is nary a dull moment. Seriously, The Name Of The Star is characteristic Maureen Johnson. She puts her spin and wit into The Name Of The Star, which I keep accidentally calling The Name Of The Wind. I know going into a Maureen Johnson book that there is going to be quirk and that I am going to love the characters.

Rory is very likable as a fish in a while new pond at Wexford. And to continue with the water references, she’s also testing the waters of new love-or rather new like. And I love this. I like seeing teenagers act like teenagers in books and not perfect. Sidebar: there’s a character named Boo who is from Manchester and awesome in her disregard of the rules.

I was a huge fan of the London setting. The characters get to do cool things like ride the tube (this coming from me, the girl who was fascinated by a passed out crack head on the sidewalk in NYC) and go to museums and retrace the murders. It’s REALLY fascinating. I felt like I was there, in London, while reading The Name Of The Star.

The audiobook of The Name Of The Star is a perfect rainy day drive listen. I was easily transported into Maureen Johnson’s book by narrator Nicola Barber who sounds like a Disney princess and I mean that in the best possible way. I thought Barber was able to flawlessly switch from a southern drawl to posh English accent without conflating accents. It was awesome. I think The Name Of The Star is a great listen for audio newbies, just like Amy And Roger’s Epic Detour. The audiobook is 9 hours and 52 minutes long and produced by Brilliance Audio.

Disclosure: Audiobook received for review.

Other Reviews of The Name Of The Star by Maureen Johnson:

Bites

Fyrefly’s Book Blog
Tahleen’s Mixed Up Files
Chrisbookarama

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. Oh yay! I’m glad this audiobook was just as good as the book! 🙂

  2. Already put this one on hold at the library! 🙂

  3. I really enjoyed this one when I read it as well. I felt like the author did a wonderful job of drawing me down into the gritty atmosphere of the story and kept me on my toes the entire time. I can’t wait to read the 2nd book!

  4. This is one I definitely want to read! I’ve heard great things about it… not sure if I’m quite ready for an audiobook yet though. Great review!!

    Andrea
    Cozy Up With A Good Read

    • I would say you should try a short audiobook when commuting for work or school, just when you are busy and a captive audience, and then work your way up to a longer audiobook.

  5. I am excited to read this one! I finally bought it last week, but now I’m wishing that I’d gone the audiobook route instead of the paper copy! I love listening to books when I feel like I’m actually there!

  6. I loved this book, and your review of the audio makes me want to experience it again– on CD! I love a good audiobook narrator, and your description of Nicola Barber sounding like a Disney princess is too cute. I may just have to listen!

  7. I read this one instead of listening to it – but I agree, never a dull moment! Such a fun read. I loved the London setting too! I thought it was so perfect. I’m excited to read other ones in this series. I was glad it was a stand alone though.

Trackbacks

  1. […] The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson (Netgalley) – AWWW yeah, I totally screamed when I saw the approval for this. I am so terribly excited for the sequel to THE NAME OF THE STAR. […]

  2. […] Note: This review will contain spoilers for The Name Of The Star. If you don’t want to be spoiled, I would suggest clicking here and reading my review for The Name Of The Star instead. […]