Synopses & Reviews
For Cleo Berry, the people dying of the Spanish Influenza in cities like New York and Philadelphia may as well be in another country—that's how far away they feel from the safety of Portland, Oregon. And then cases start being reported in the Pacific Northwest. Schools, churches, and theaters shut down. The entire city is thrust into survival mode—and into a panic. Headstrong and foolish, seventeen-year-old Cleo is determined to ride out the pandemic in the comfort of her own home, rather than in her quarantined boarding school dorms. But when the Red Cross pleads for volunteers, she can't ignore the call. As Cleo struggles to navigate the world around her, she is surprised by how much she finds herself caring about near-strangers. Strangers like Edmund, a handsome medical student and war vet. Strangers who could be gone tomorrow. And as the bodies begin to pile up, Cleo can't help but wonder: when will her own luck run out?
Riveting and well-researched, A Death-Struck Year is based on the real-life pandemic considered the most devastating in recorded world history. Readers will be captured by the suspenseful storytelling and the lingering questions of: what would I do for a neighbor? At what risk to myself?
An afterword explains the Spanish flu phenomenon, placing it within the historical context of the early 20th century. Source notes are extensive and interesting.
A Spring 2014 Indies Introduce New Voices selection
Review
FROM
KIRKUS REVIEWS:
“Creepy, clever and ambiguous second volume in the Shades of London series . . . As always, Johnson wields words with a supple facility that keeps those pages turning. The London minutiae are utterly engaging, the villains satisfyingly weird and numerous. And there is kissing.”
FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
“Rorys internal monologue sparkles with the wit that Johnsons fans (and most of Twitter) will recognize, which is plenty entertaining. The second half will satisfy readers craving for what they came for—Rorys investigation of Londons latest ghost crimes—while laying tragic groundwork for the next book.”
Review
* “Harper is as quippy as you please, with a sass born of a sharp intellect….as surprising as it is delicious.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
"Plenty of merriment, even for Yankees."—Kirkus Reviews
“Fun with a twist of supernatural and Southern charm.”—VOYA
“The romance, coming-of-age aspects, and a well-drawn heroine with a crackling wit will lure in readers.”—Booklist
“Hawkins strikes a pleasing balance between humor and drama, giving the ‘chosen one narrative a welcome dusting of irony and a glowing Southern setting.”—Publishers Weekly
Review
"Readers will be swept up in the story as Cleo builds friendships and manages to find hope amid disease and death."
—Kirkus "Highly sympathetic characters, a solid sense of place, and the transformation of a city under siege by an invisible assailant result in a powerful and disturbing reading experience."
—Publishers Weekly
"Lucier has done her research, creating a compelling work of historical fiction alongside a more timeless journey of self-discovery."—Bulletin
* "The novel's strong voice intimately places readers directly into the dramatic plot right up to climactic ending. . . . Lucier's novel deserves a place in all high school collections."
—School Library Journal, starred review
"Lucier's debut details Cleo's loss of innocence, as she deals with gruesome deaths and emergency surgeries...supplying readers with a broad understanding of the era and the epidemic via a spirited and easy-to-relate-to protagonist."
—Booklist
"A rare window into another time and place, one that invites readers to draw parallels to their own lives in contemporary times."
—Horn Book Magazine
Review
Praise for THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH (Book Two in the Shades of London series):
A New York Times Bestseller!
FROM KIRKUS REVIEWS:
“Creepy, clever and ambiguous second volume in the Shades of London series . . . As always, Johnson wields words with a supple facility that keeps those pages turning. The London minutiae are utterly engaging, the villains satisfyingly weird and numerous. And there is kissing.”
FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
“Rorys internal monologue sparkles with the wit that Johnsons fans (and most of Twitter) will recognize, which is plenty entertaining. The second half will satisfy readers craving for what they came for—Rorys investigation of Londons latest ghost crimes—while laying tragic groundwork for the next book.”
FROM SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
“Johnsons sharp wit is ever-present, and her heroine is the perfect blend of snark and teen anxiety.”
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Praise for THE NAME OF THE STAR (Book One in the Shades of London series):
Nominated for the Edgar Award!
“A gorgeously written, chilling, atmospheric thriller. The streets of London have never been so sinister or so romantic.”
—CASSANDRA CLARE, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Infernal Devices and The Mortal Instruments series
“This book made me want to give up everything, move to London, and fight ghosts.”
—HOLLY BLACK, New York Times bestselling author of the Curse Workers series
“An unputdownable thrill ride that will leave you gasping, laughing and dreaming of London.”
—ALLY CARTER, New York Times bestselling author of the Gallagher Girls series and Heist Society
FROM SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:
“Johnson uses a deft hand, applying the right amount of romance and teen snarkiness to relieve the story's building tension. Departing from her previous works, she turns paranormal on its head, mocking vampires and werewolves while creating ghosts that are both realistic and creepy. A real page-turner.”
FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:
“Readers looking for nonstop fun, action, and a little gore have come to the right place.”
FROM KIRKUS REVIEWS:
“Johnson fearlessly takes readers from . . . a cool innocent-abroad-with-iPod story to supernatural thriller. The tension ramps up exquisitely among cups of tea, library visits and the London Underground. The explosive ending is genuinely terrifying but never loses the wit, verve and humor that Rory carries with her throughout.”
Review
Praise for Maureen Johnsons The Shadow Cabinet:
“Creepy, tense and wonderful: Don't expect to put this down once it's begun—but be sure to begin with The Name of the Star.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“The plot…is among Johnsons finest and incorporates creepy bits of backstory, fascinating historical asides, and truly ghoulish side characters.”—Booklist
Synopsis
New York Times bestseller Maureen Johnson takes on Jack the Ripper in this captivating paranormal thriller!
The day that Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London to start a new life at boarding school is also the day a series of brutal murders breaks out over the city, killings mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper spree 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--the only one who can see him. And now Rory has 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.
Synopsis
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 in the autumn of 1888.
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 now believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was 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.
Synopsis
Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.
Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.
With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.
Synopsis
A deadly pandemic, a budding romance, and the heartache of loss make for a stunning coming-of-age teen debut about the struggle to survive during the 1918 flu.
Synopsis
Don't miss this New York Times bestselling sequel to the Edgar Award-nominated THE NAME OF THE STAR!
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 to get back to her friends. But Rorys brush with the Ripper touched her more than she thought possible: shes become a human terminus, with the power to eliminate ghosts on contact. She soon finds out that the Shadesthe citys secret ghost-fighting policeare 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 its 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.
Synopsis
The thrilling third installment to the Edgar-nominated, bestselling series
Rory and her friends are reeling from a series of sudden and tragic events. While racked with grief, Rory tries to determine if she acted in time to save a member of the squad. If she did, how do you find a ghost? Also, Rorys classmate Charlotte has been kidnapped by Jane and her nefarious organization. Evidence is uncovered of a forty-year-old cult, ten missing teenagers, and a likely mass murder. Everything indicates that Charlottes in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much more terrible is coming.
Time is running out as Rory fights to find her friends and the ghost squad struggles to stop Jane from unleashing her spectral nightmare on the entire city. In the process, theyll discover the existence of an organization that underpins London itselfand Rory will learn that someone she trusts has been keeping a tremendous secret.
About the Author
Makiia Lucier has a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oregon and a Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she studied literature for children. She lives in Moscow, Idaho, with her family. A Death-Struck Year is her first novel.