Reviews

The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson

booksabrewin's review against another edition

3.0

I reviewed “The Name of the Star” some time ago and I was not very impressed with it. As an avid Ripper follower I thought I would have gotten into the story rather quickly, but alas all I saw were problems, uninteresting characters, and an evil that made me think of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers (you know, wants to be evil but is really just comical?). When I picked up “The Madness Underneath” it was just because I was determined to continue the series whether I liked it or not. I am a stickler for finishing what I start and this was no exception.

First thing is first, I absolutely love the redesign and matching covers of the two books. It makes the cover whore in me smile. I found this cover to be intriguing and I loved the purple coloring. Next, I noticed that it was not as thick as “The Name of the Star” which I appreciated. Johnson took some of the useless details that she had used in the first novel out and was better at delivering the plot of the story. Finally, the characters seemed more personable in this book than the last. I have no clue what happened that changed Rory from irritating ditz to relatable girl but whatever magic Johnson weaved, it worked. I found Rory to be delightful in this. Possibly because she was not the constant victim in this book. She fought back a lot more which made for a nod of pride from me as a reader.

Most of this book was Rory confronting the aftermath of her brush with The Ripper in the first book. It delved into her psychology, which as a psychology major made me extremely happy. I was glad that the budding romance between Stephen and Rory was explored a little more and found myself actually swooning for two characters to finally make a go of things that originally I had detested to the highest regard.

In this book, Rory finds out that not just her psychological stability is shaken from her explosive climax with The Ripper. Apparently the occurrence may have been so traumatic that it also stirred up the long buried ghosts that reside under the foundation of London. It was interesting to watch Rory actually do detective work for herself instead of just following the lead of the Shades. The terminus state of her body made her feel stronger and more confident which led her to be almost stubborn in her determination to be involved with the ghost hunting police squad. Who doesn’t like a girl who won’t take no for an answer? I love empowered female leads and seeing Rory turn into that from the sniveling weakling she seemed in the first book was a welcome change.

In conclusion, this book blew my expectations out of the water. I highly expected to cast this book aside just like the first with a snort and a roll of the eyes. Instead I found myself intrigued, perplexed, and generally happy with the way the book turned out. It is always nice when a series doesn’t continue the way you thought it was going to and turns into a book you enjoyed.

The book was not perfect, but what book is really. Only a select few in my opinion. This one straddled the line between being okay and being impressive. If there were a way to skip over the first book and read this book alone, I would suggest it, but, alas, you must slog through the first to get to the this book otherwise you’d have no clue what is occurring between the characters.

savetheoctopus's review against another edition

4.0

We love maureen johnson in this household and this book is no exception. I love boo so much I can't even explain it. I love aurora and her nonsensical narration. I love this book, and I particularly loved the two top secret twists at the end that I will not mention at all.

freesien's review against another edition

4.0

Ich fliege durch diese Bücher einfach so durch! Ich konnte einfach nicht das Buch aus der Hand legen.
Aber das Ende ist ja mal mies! Steeepheeen!!!
Mir ist es ehrlich gesagt egal, ob sie mit Jerome oder

Spoiler

Stephen

zusammen ist; obwohl, jetzt, da

Spoiler

Stephen LEIDER tot ist

, wird da auch nix mehr draus. Ich meine, wie denn bitte schön?

kricketa's review against another edition

3.0

one of my favorite parts about book one was the wexford setting, so this one wasn't quite as fun for me. still very suspenseful and well done, and quite a cliffhanger at the end there. i'm really looking forward to #3. (when does it come out? when? whennnnnn??!)

mehsi's review against another edition

5.0

Finally had a chance to read this book in one go. It was kind of difficult to get in to, and it felt at times that it missed the action of the first book. Luckily it soon recovers and we are throw in a whole new story and a whole new turn.

Rory, well she was nice, but I felt like she lacked a bit. Sure I can imagine having a murderous ghost after you is scary, getting killed too, but well... she just went to school and did nothing? Ok, she grabbed and tried to get through her books a few times but that is that.

We got a whole bunch of new characters, new villains, and more.

But gaaaaahhhhhh at the ending.

Spoiler

Finally Stephen and Rory kiss, lots of times and then he just dies? And now we have to wait for the next book???????? No way!!!

But it was a good book, really looking forward to book 3 in this series. I really hope we get more development for the characters and that everything goes ok with everyone.

mamabeweird's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookishnicole's review against another edition

4.0

This book was absolutely maddening. I really enjoyed how great the first book was, it was an original idea, and put a totally new twist on ghosts. I had to wait to actually write this review because I was super frustrated by the ending, and that severely tainted my view of the book.

I really enjoyed getting back into Rory's world. One of the things that I loved about the first book was the totally unique set of characters and how they all interacted. I loved Stephen and Callum and Boo and Jazza, all the crazy named people that wandered in and out of Rory's life. I was glad that she was able to return and call back into the swing of things with everyone including back in with the Shades.

Its actually been very hard for me to write this review. I read it back in February and was so angry when I finished it that I really needed to sit with it and think on how it made me feel, and now that time has indeed passed, I find that I still really enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the third book in the series. This one had so many great twists and turns and even the new story line of the ghosts made it worth while.

I did feel that the big bad in this particular book was a little too easy to pin point. It was obvious from the introduction that this character was up to no good and that added somewhat to my frustration at this book when I finished it, but I have to hand it to Johnson, she isn't catering to what her readers will what to read, she is writing for her characters even if it leads to things that they do not want to happen. Like Boo getting thrown in front of a car in the first book.

Either way, I am eagerly awaiting the third book and cannot wait to get my hands on such a delicious book once again.

mb_booklady's review against another edition

4.0

I have to agree with other reviews I read to some extent. I had read that this book was nowhere as good as the first, but when I began reading it, it was like catching up with old friends. I realize that some new bad guys were needed to keep the story moving, but I agree that the cult was perhaps not the strongest way of doing that. I was not pleased with the ending either. I could see the couple developing and root for the tone together, but don't see how they will continue to grow in their relationship with the new meta-physical barriers in the way. However, I guess that will ensure readers buy the third book.

mojoshivers's review against another edition

4.0

This certainly took an abrupt left turn towards the end of the book. On one hand, it seemed a bit extreme, as if the story were veering into melodrama. But on the other hand, it makes sense from a thematic point-of-view. It was always going to come to this and it had to happen this way.

It makes me want to read the third installment sooner rather than later.

bookladysreviews's review against another edition

4.0

After the events that took place in The Name Of the Star,Rory goes back to Wexford.She can't wait to see her friends again and have some normal things happen to her after the Jack the Ripper incident.But nothing will ever be normal again because she finds out that she has a new ability.She can eliminate ghosts when she touches them.The old problem might be solved but there are more of them waiting.Because a string of murders,or better inexplicable deaths has shocked the area.Rory knows and has evidence that the deaths weren't a coincidence.Something more is going on and she and her ghost hunter friends have to do something before it's too late.

First of all I really enjoyed the writing and I loved Rory's character.I have to admit that it's been a while since I read the first book and I had to kinda reread it but that was okay.I just did it to feel good with myself.This book wasn't only about finding the one responsible for the commotion.It was also about Rory,struggling to get over what happened in The Name of the Star.And that's how almost half of the book or more,is "gone" without us,the readers realizing it.Because I really felt like nothing happened.And that's where we have all those changes thrown at us,to make us feel like something happened.

Nonetheless,I really enjoyed reading The Madness Underneath and I will pick up the third book because...what was that cliffhanger in the end?Seriously.This is the second book I read this month,ending with a freaking cliffhanger.And that's just heartbreaking.But I have to admit that sometimes cliffhangers are good because they make you want to read the next book immediately.And that's even more heartbreaking.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.You can also find this on my blog