def loads(s, **kwargs):
    """Loads JSON object."""

    try:
        return _engine[0](s)

    except _engine[2]:
        # except_clause: 'except' [test ['as' NAME]]  # grammar for py3x
        # except_clause: 'except' [test [('as' | ',') test]] # grammar for py2x
        why = sys.exc_info()[1]
        raise JSONError(why)