The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London #3)

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The Shadow Cabinet (Shades of London #3)

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Author(s)

Maureen Johnson

Publisher

Putnam Juvenile

Genre(s)

Age Range

13+

Release Date

February 10, 2015

ISBN

9780399256622

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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, Rory’s 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 Charlotte’s in danger, and it seems that something much bigger and much more terrible is coming.

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2 reviews

Cults in London

March 01, 2015

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4.7

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Rory is devastated by Stephen's death, but still believes that he is going to come back-- she just needs to find him. For now, though, Charlotte's disappearance at the hands of Jane Quaint takes precedence. With the assistance of Thorpe, Jerome, and some new comers (that she has to decide whether or not to trust), Rory finds out information about Jane's extremely warped cult. Back in the 1970s, twins Sid and Sadie became interested in trying to escape death, and got involved in very gruesome death mysteries, and Jane is still hiding their secrets. Some of these secrets may be useful to Rory in trying to bring Stephen back, however, so she gets entangled with the group. The part of the stone that got blasted into Rory and made her a terminus is crucial to these mysteries, as is a stone called the Oswulf stone. If Jane can find it, things might go poorly. Can Rory and her group defeat Jane and hers, and what about the group that Rory realizes Stephen is part of? Can they be trusted? Plenty of room for a fourth book.

Rory is an engaging character, and her reaction to Stephen's death is quite understandable. She is grieving, but also feels that she can actually bring him back. I really liked the information about Sid and Sadie, and their group in the 1970s. London was such a vibrant and edgy place at the time, that it's nice to see that brought into fiction. The magical elements all work out and seem realistic. The inclusion of London landmarks tied to death and spiritualism was interesting.

There are parts of this that are REALLY gruesome and a bit uncalled for, so this is not for the sensitive soul.

Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 2014 reviews

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I'm So Happy That I FINALLY Got to Read This

April 05, 2015

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4.0

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MY THOUGHTS
I read an ARC copy of The Madness Underneath back in late 2012. Imagine the pain when I finished that book and came across one of the worst cliffhangers! Of course, it became even worse when the next book, this book, didn't come out until 2015. That felt like ages away to me! I was insanely happy to be able to finally pick up this book and get my answers!

This book takes place right after The Madness Underneath left off. Stephen has been pronounced dead and the entire team is searching everywhere for his ghost. Though, at the same time, they are trying to search for Charlotte, Rory's classmate, who has been kidnapped by Jane. Then, they begin to uncover secrets about a cult from forty years ago that included the disappearance and possible murder of many, and Jane was involved. The group has to find Stephen, Charlotte, and figure out what Jane is planning.

This book is definitely my favorite so far! I had issues in the beginning, as I realized that I really didn't remember anything about the previous book. I can vividly recall the ending, but other than that? Nope. Thankfully, I wasn't confused very long and a recap of the previous events was sprinkled in to help me!

The main reason why I love this book so much more than the others is probably because I felt like everything was finally becoming together! Also, so much happens in this book! I'm sorry if I'm being vague about this, but I really don't know how to explain everything that happens without spoiling things! But the entire book was very fast-paced and full of so many surprising!

As far as romance, there isn't much romance in this book, which isn't surprising. I kind of wish there was kissing, which is odd considering I usually think the opposite, but I actually was kind of disappointed by this. Oh well!

As for the ending, there is no horrible horrible cliffhanger! There is a bit of 'I need to know more!', but there is no cliffhanger like the last one! Yay!

IN CONCLUSION
I am so happy that I finally got a chance to read this and it has turned out to be my favorite in the series! This book was full of so many twists and it was so fast-paced, I really can't wait for the next book!