Renegade (A Ripper Novel) - Softcover

Reeves, Amy Carol

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738732621 ISBN 13: 9780738732626

Publisher: Flux, 2013

Synopsis

“She hungered again as she had not in twenty years. For blood.’’

The Conclave―a secret group with twisted ideals and freakish practices―has been wiped out, thanks to Arabella Sharp. But Abbie has no time to rest. Terrifying visions of a sea beast plague her, and strange encounters lurk around every turn. She only knows one thing for certain: there’s a new malevolence afoot.

Meanwhile, fishermen are being killed, their partially devoured bodies washing up on the shores of Scotland. Is the Ripper responsible? Or have the Conclave’s horrible experiments left behind something more monstrous? Drawn reluctantly into the mystery, Abbie fears the worst when her beloved Dr. William Siddal vanishes. To save the man she loves, Abbie must journey to the Orkney Isles before time runs out―putting her own life in danger as she confronts the Conclave’s sinister past.

Praise for Ripper:
“Reeves’s debut is a chilling reimagining of London in 1888, haunted by Jack the Ripper.”―Publishers Weekly

“Well written, Ripper will appeal to teen readers, especially fans of Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices series. Reeves cleverly uses one of the most heinous figures from history to tell a gothic tale with a paranormal twist.”―VOYA

 

About this title

About the Author

Amy Carol Reeves has a PhD in 19^th century British Literature and a master’s degree in British Literature from the University of South Carolina. She became entranced by the idea for Ripper, her debut novel, after meeting Donald Rumbelow, a world-recognized expert on Jack the Ripper. Reeves is currently an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina, and lives with her husband and two children in Columbia, S.C. For more information, visit her online at: AmyCarolReeves.com.

Reviews

Gr 7-10-This follow-up to Ripper (Flux, 2012) is best understood by readers of the first book. Arabella Sharp has survived the Conclave, but not without consequences, and is left with the knowledge that she is now a murderess, albeit for a justifiable reason. She is positive that the madness is behind her and that she can focus on becoming a doctor, not an easy task for a woman in Victorian England, and perhaps even think about a relationship with Dr. William Siddal. Then another series of mysterious murders begins, Arabella is drawn into the nightmare of the Conclave, and her beloved is kidnapped. Can she figure out the evil plan and save him? Reeves strikes a good balance between Victorian sensibilities and a strong female protagonist. Some of the more supernatural elements are a little far-fetched, and they are explained away by vague "scientific experiments." Buy where the predecessor is popular.-Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Picking up where Ripper (2012) ended, this finds 17-year-old Arabella still trying to make sense of her run-in with the Conclave (which ended with most of its members dead, murdered by Arabella). It also finds her still working at the Whitechapel Hospital and still in love with William, though another doctor, Simon, seems more suitable. But where the previous book had one foot in reality, this moves more distinctly into fantasy as Arabella’s psychic visions grow stronger, and a Conclave collaborator—a taloned, scaly lamia—waits alone on an Orkney island, nursing a grudge against the girl. The story at times is scattershot, and Arabella’s habit of walking around London at night (even as everyone keeps telling her not to) is creaky as a plot device. But whenever the action shifts to the island, the narrative becomes deeper and more involving. Certainly, the last few chapters will keep readers on edge, and the final line points to even more shivery, horrible goings-on in the future. Grades 9-12. --Ilene Cooper

Edition details

• Publisher: Flux
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0738732621
• ISBN 13: 9780738732626
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 360