Ripper Book Review

Author: Amy Carol Reeves. Release date: 2012. Publisher:  Flux. ISBN: 9780738730721.

Annotation: After her mother’s death, seventeen-year-old Arabella “Abbie” Sharp leaves her home in Dublin to live with her wealthy grandmother, Lady Westfield, in the Kensington neighborhood of London. In an effort to get her granddaughter to appreciate her new life of privilege, Lady Westfield volunteers Abbie to work at the women’s hospital in Whitechapel. Abbie finds that she enjoys tending to the poverty stricken residents of the East End, but her new found love of medicine is cut short when Jack the Ripper begins terrorizing the dark streets surrounding the hospital.  

Personal thoughts: As I have said before, I am always ready to pounce on any novels that feature the brutal if intriguing Jack the Ripper case, so when I heard about Ripper I had to pick it up. I am also a fan of historical fiction, so I was able to enjoy Amy Carol Reeves’ story from both angles. Her knowledge and love of the time period is clear, and I definitely found some subtle and not-so-subtle references to classic novels that, hopefully, teen readers can pick up on as well. Although I found the supernatural components as well as the requisite love-triangle to somewhat detract from what I was really interested in, I think most teen readers will enjoy these aspects of the story, especially since so many young adult novels include them. I would easily recommend this book to a reader who wants historical fiction with a twist. I look forward to reading Renegade when it is released in 2013.

Plot summary: After her mother’s sudden death from dysentery, seventeen-year-old Arabella “Abbie” Sharp leaves the gritty streets of 1888 Dublin to live with her wealthy grandmother, Lady Westfield, in the well-to-do London neighborhood of Kensington. Before she was born, Lady Westfield disowned Abbie’s mother for eloping with a poor Frenchman, but now that Abbie has returned to her mother’s former privileged life, her grandmother is determined to ensure that Abbie doesn’t follow in her mother’s footsteps. In an effort to make her granddaughter appreciate her luxurious if dull new surroundings, Lady Westfield volunteers Abbie to work with family friend Dr. Bartlett at the women’s hospital in the impoverished Whitechapel neighborhood. Soon after beginning her work there, Abbie discovers a natural love of medicine and a genuine enjoyment of helping the poverty-stricken women of the East End. Her love of working in the hospital is brief, however, when Jack the Ripper begins his brutal killing spree, murdering women who were recently discharged from the hospital’s care. Like everyone, Abbie is terrified by the savage nature of the crimes, but she soon realizes that she and the Ripper have a connection: strange visions that show the Ripper’s victims just before their deaths. What is the link between Abbie, the Ripper and the Whitechapel Hospital, and can she discover it in time to save her own life?

Review: In her debut novel, author and 19^th century British literature expert Amy Carol Reeves brings one of history’s most terrifying figures to life in Ripper. Although not the first young adult novel in recent years to feature Jack the Ripper, Abbie Sharp’s story is one of many layers in which the infamous murderer is just another component of a larger mystery. Abbie herself is a very likable character, trying to reconcile her new life of corsets and tea parties with the knife throwing skills and street smarts she picked up in Dublin. Her devotion and compassion for the patients she finds herself caring for at the Whitechapel Hospital is very believable, and will hopefully prompt readers to research more into what life was like for women living in poverty in the 19^th century. Ripper fans will find some familiar faces, as Abbie meets and befriends several victims before they are brutally slain. The paranormal aspects of the story, from Abbie’s psychic visions to the increasingly obvious supernatural nature of the crimes, will also appeal to readers who want something more than just a simple historical fiction novel. As with all young adult novels, it seems, there is also a romance in the form of a love triangle between Abbie and two young physicians at the hospital. Since Ripper is the first book in a series, the love triangle will undoubtedly continue in the second installment, Renegade, which is set to be released in April 2013. Overall, Ripper proves to be an entertaining historical fiction novel that both Jack the Ripper fans and those not well acquainted with the killer can enjoy.

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman, Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber, Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey, Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury.

Themes:  Jack the Ripper, murder, mystery, conspiracy, secret societies, orphans, London, Victorian era.     

Awards/Reviews:  Positive review from VOYA, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal.

Series Information: First novel in Ripper series, second novel, Renegade, set to be released April 2013.       

Discussion questions:

-        Were you familiar with Jack the Ripper before reading the novel? What did you learn about him?

-        Why do you think Abbie has such a hard time adjusting to life in Kensington?

-         Would you want to work at the Whitechapel Hospital? Why or why not?

-       How would you explain Abbie’s visions?

-      Who was your favorite character in the novel? Why?

-       What would you like to see happen in the sequel, Renegade?

The Name of the Star Book Review

 Author: Maureen Johnson. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Putnam Juvenile. ISBN: 9780399256608.

Annotation: Rory Deveaux is excited to begin school at Wexford, a boarding school in London, after her parents are assigned to teach at a University in nearby Bristol. Although her Louisiana upbringing has made her somewhat familiar with the supernatural and superstitious, Rory is unprepared when she finds herself at the center of a string of mysterious murders emulating Jack the Ripper.  

Personal thoughts: The Jack the Ripper case has always intrigued me, so when I saw that a novel about it had been written for a young adult audience I couldn’t wait to pick it up. I found that The Name of the Star managed to capture the creepiness of Jack the Ripper without overloading on the gruesomeness that made the case so famous. The twists and turns in the novel also made it fresh and interesting, and it didn’t rely very much at all on the draw of Jack the Ripper being a major part of the plot. I am excited to see where the author takes this series and think it has a lot of potential.   

Plot summary: Aurora “Rory” Deveaux isn’t sure what to expect when she begins school at Wexford, a boarding school in London. Her parents, both law professors in New Orleans, were recently assigned to teach at a university in Bristol, and Rory, wanting to experience the big-city life, opted to attend school in the hustle and bustle of London’s Whitechapel district. At first, Rory finds herself adapting nicely to life in England. Her roommate, Jazza, is nice and introduces her to Jerome, a handsome prefect that Rory thinks might turn out to be more than a friend. A string of grisly and bizarre murders in the neighborhood, however, change everything. In 1888, the Whitechapel district was the hunting grounds of Jack the Ripper: a brutal madman who savagely murdered five prostitutes but was never caught. Now, a copycat killer is murdering women in the same locations, on the same days, at the same times, and Wexford seems to be at the center of Rippermania. As more is revealed about these new murders, Rory finds herself as the inexplicable target of the killer and at the center of an investigation by a mysterious group known as the Shades. Will Rory survive, or suffer the same dark fate as the Ripper victims in 1888 Whitechapel?

Review:  From veteran young adult author, Maureen Johnson, comes an intriguing new series for teens that is an entertaining combination of history, lore, and adventure. Although the author herself is a Philadelphia native, the London setting of The Name of the Star is expertly described, putting the reader right in the heart of the Whitechapel district of today. Also successfully presented are the facts, locations and legend surrounding the Jack the Ripper murders of 1888. It is clear that the author did a great deal of research in writing this novel, and it pays off in a story that combines the past and present in a way that will interest young adult readers. Rory is a fun and spunky leading lady who’s Louisiana background contrasts nicely with her new English friends. There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments in the story as well, making for a break from the darkness surrounding the Ripper copycat murders. Overall, Maureen Johnson has created another fun and interesting novel that makes for a very successful start to her new Shades of London series. The second novel in the series, The Madness Underneath, is set to be released on January 2, 2013.

Genre: Fiction/Mystery

Reading level: Grade 8+

Similar titles: Hourglass by Myra McEntire, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach.

Themes:  London, Jack the Ripper, murder, ghosts, boarding school.   

Awards/Reviews:  Positive reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.    

Series Information: First installment in Shades of London series. Second installment, The Madness Underneath, set to be released January 2, 2013.  

Discussion questions: 

-       What did you know about Jack the Ripper prior to reading The Name of the Star? Did you learn anything about the case while reading this book?

-     Why do you think Jack the Ripper has remained so popular, even though the crimes he committed were over 120 years ago?

-      Who was your favorite character? Why?

-     Were you surprised to learn the truth about Alistair? Why or why not?

-       How do you think the terminus works?

-     What do you think will happen in the sequel, The Madness Underneath?

The Poisoned House Book Review

 Author: Michael Ford. Release date: 2011. Publisher:  Albert Whitman & Company. ISBN: 9780807565896.

Annotation:  Abi Tamper is a scullery maid in 1850s London who wants nothing more than to escape her life of hardship and abuse. When she suspects her ghost has started to haunt Greave Hall, however, Abi won’t stop until she uncovers the truth about her mother’s death a year earlier.

Personal thoughts:  I have to admit that the cover of this novel was really what drew me in to reading it. As a huge fan of both historical fiction and ghost stories, however, I was just as pleased with what I found in the pages. Ford did a wonderful job of crafting a very succinct but enjoyable novel with a well thought out plot and characters. I also enjoyed the story being from the perspective of the servants, which isn’t as often the case in young adult historical fiction novels. I look forward to seeing what else Ford comes up with.

Plot summary: Fourteen-year-old Abigail “Abi” Tamper wants nothing more than to escape the hardship she lives through every day as a scullery maid in 1850s London. Orphaned after her mother’s death a year earlier, Abi suffers constant abuse from Mrs. Cotton, Greave Hall’s housekeeper and sister-in-law to Lord Greave. Some of the small consolations in Abi’s life include Lizzy, her best friend and fellow scullery maid, Adam, the kind coal delivery boy, and Sammy, Lord Greave’s only son who has been like a brother to her for most of her life. Abi’s mundane existence is turned upside-down, however, when a ghostly presence begins to make itself known in the dark rooms of Greave Hall. Mysterious handprints, strange noises, and missing objects are just a few of the strange happenings that plague Abi and the rest of the staff. Abi is convinced that the ghost of her mother is haunting the mansion, trying to warn her that she is in danger. What secrets will Abi uncover as she tries to discover the truth about her mother’s death?

Review:  This fast-paced story makes for a quick read that manages to be enjoyable both as a historical fiction and horror novel. Despite its small size, The Poisoned House dives deeply into the hardships of life as a servant in 19^th-century London, which is as important to the plot as the ghost story elements. Abi, an easily likable protagonist, is subjected to constant physical, mental and emotional abuse at the hands of Mrs. Cotton, the cruel and sadistic housekeeper. Mrs. Cotton’s antics are often difficult to read (from beating Abigail, to drowning kittens), but are, in all likelihood, an accurate portrayal of how the downtrodden would have taken advantage of any opportunity to demonstrate their power over the weak. The supernatural presence in Greaves Hall serves as a way for Abi to not only discover the truth about her mother’s death, but to escape the toil of her everyday life. The conclusion of the novel is quite satisfying as both an end to a creepy ghost story and to Abi’s constant abuse. Overall, The Poisoned House is as easily enjoyable for both teen and adult history buffs or horror fans.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Horror

Reading level: Grade 7+

Similar titles: Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury.

Themes:  Ghosts, 19^th century, London, servants, murder, oppression, abuse.  

Awards/Reviews:  Starred review from School Library Journal.

Series Information: N/A

Discussion questions:

- Do you think that Abi’s life as a scullery maid is an accurate depiction of what it was like to be a servant in 19^th century England? Why or why not?

- Why do you think Mrs. Cotton was so cruel to Abi? What, in your opinion, was the worst thing she did to Abi?

- What do you think the significance was of each of the ghostly occurrences (i.e. the ripped scarf, the upturned room, etc.)?

- Were you happy with what happened at the end of the novel? Why or why not?