Something Strange and Deadly

This book was amazing. It was well-written but it disappointed me at the same time. The story itself was so very unique while the characters I partly liked. The characters I wished was different and the time period.


Theme: Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Theme: If you have knowledge, use it to help others.

Theme: Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you: you must acquire it.

I don’t read many zombie books… Okay, that’s out in the open! I am the first to admit that I love The Walking Dead, I mean that show is just badass, but somehow I’ve never been really interested in reading zombie-ish books… Boy have I been missing out!

The characters in this book—especially Eleanor—were top-notch. Of course they have their flaws, but aside from that they were strong, extremely likable and (yes I am throwing this word out there) amazing. I realised right of the bat that I would like Eleanor. She’s strong, witty, extremely stubborn and she grows so much through the course of the story! She’s not afraid to go for what she wants -as is proved by her drive to save her brother.

Then we have Daniel -Eleanors love-interest- and he’s, there just are no words to describe that guy, but I can tell you that I developed a serious crush that’s considered serious competition to my crush on Mr. Darcy! That’s says a lot! I loved how they didn’t fall in love right of the bat. It takes time and slowly it develops into something. In the book club, we discussed their relationship in Week 3, if you wish to read it, just click on the link above!

The ending of the book is perfection! That scene also perfectly describes why I love Daniel so much! From ‘the’ nickname to the unique relationship Daniel and Eleanor share.

Aside from all of this, I think what I loved most was the tons of themes that appeared while reading Something Strange and Deadly. This book takes place during the Victorian Era, which makes all those themes so much more meaningful. Zombies, romance, having choices, ignorance, duties and so much more!

This book is a must read! If you haven’t read it yet, I highly encourage you to do so. In a short time, it became on of my favourite reads!

-Oh! and don’t forget to aim for the knees!

This is a fantastic read, and I'd recommend it to just about anyone. If you're not sure whether or not you'll like this, go for it and try it out. I can almost promise you that you won't be disappointed.

I am ashamed to say I left this sitting on my shelf for over a year. I always knew I wanted to read it, but I just kept getting slammed with my TBR pile and it kept getting pushed back. And then the second book came out and I knew I messed up. If it took me this long to read the first one, how was I ever going to get to the next in the series?! But then I saw that Epic Reads was reading this for their book club and I knew it was the perfect time for me to get started on it!
The reason I let this sit unread on my shelf is I'm not a huge fan of zombies. I'm also not a huge historical fiction fan, so you can see where my doubt lied. I honestly just bought it because I thought the cover was intriguing. After reading this I wanted to hit myself. Both of those things (along with a fast moving plot) made this an amazing debut from Dennard.
It honestly was refreshing not to read about things that are so common in the fantasy genre. Well I say that because I don't read that many zombie books OR that many fantasy for that matter lol I loved seeing the imagination that Dennard put into the zombies to make them so frightening. That's what I love abut fantasy. There's no limits. The authors have free reign to make the world and its characters how ever they want. The more descriptive the better.
As for the historical fiction part, I got it, but it wasn't totally understood. For example, I KNOW what year it was and why they were treating Eleanor that way, but what about some mentions of how the building looked? Or things that were happening around them? Even things that were happening around the city.
I really enjoyed the characters the most though. Eleanor was feisty and reminded me of me a little. I could definitely understand doing anything to help someone I love. Especially family! Even if it meant putting myself in danger. Then there was Daniel. I LOVED him. He was so smart but also had some "bad boy" qualities in him. Totally my style. Then there is Jie. One of my fave secondary characters ever. Smart, strong, and a fighter? What more can you ask for?!
Unfortunately, the romance in this one isn't really prevalent, but there is a big reason for it. The entire novel Eleanor and her mother are arguing about who will ask for her hand and why its such a big deal that someone with stature asks her to be his wife. Eleanor on the other hand doesn't care to fall for whom her mother wants her to be with and she is falling for someone else... Someone who says they aren't in love with her. Hopefully they can get that together in book two, because I really want that to happen. Like I'm already shipping them lol
In short, I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. A huge thanks to HarperTeen (Epic Reads) for giving me the "epic" push that I needed into this frightening world of the "walking dead."

This book takes place in what can be considered an "alternate 19th century" where there are...well... zombies (known as The Dead).
When Eleanor Fitt's brother, Elijah, doesn't come home at the scheduled time and instead sends a mysterious letter... Eleanor fears that he has been taken by the undead.
And she has a good reason to think that.
With men showing up Dead and headless and The Dead becoming bolder and bolder, the town has brought in the Spirit-Hunters who are supposed to get rid of The Dead.
So what does Eleanor do?
She asks the Spirit-Hunters for help, and ends up getting caught up with more than she ever imagined.

I have a confession to make...
I may have a minor obsession with zombies. So when I saw this online I HAD TO HAVE IT!!! But of course it took awhile since it wasn't out yet (and I never get ARCs) but anyway...
Yes, this book didn't have enough zombie-ness as I hoped but it did feed my zombie craving! It was an AMAZING book!!
I am definitely looking forward to the next book!!!!

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
ARC received by Harper Collins via Edelweiss
Release Date: 7-24-2012
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Macabre, Menacing, and Menacing

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book because I had never read any other zombie book. Truthfully, I am still wavering on my final judgment.

I really enjoyed most of the book--it was refreshing and dramatic. Susan's world leapt off the page, and her stunning prose made me feel like I was right there with Eleanor as she worried for her brother, fought her incorrigible mother, and distressed over her feelings for Daniel and Clarence. Eleanor is snarky (even though its 1896) and she doesn't back down from a fight. She struggles to find her place in society and amongst her friends, and I really felt for her as she dug herself deeper and deeper into the macabre world of the spirit hunters. Eleanor was a great heroine--strong and capable, but not stupid. There were times when you could feel her terror, and I respected her because she tried to overcomes her fears. I really admired how Susan presented Eleanor's strengths and weaknesses--all of which built a great heroine.

Now...the 2 guys: Daniel and Clarence. They are complete opposites. Clarence is the smart, handsome, and rich family friend that is exactly the kind of man Eleanor should want to marry--only Clarence has a few secrets that Eleanor is determined to unmask before she believes any of his affections. Clarence is veiled in a mask of secrecy and learning his past is one of the most interesting parts of the book. And then there's Daniel, the ruggedly handsome lower class spirit hunter that is considered to be "filthy" by Eleanor's mother--only Eleanor finds herself dismissing her mother's concerns and developing some sort of feelings for the rugged man. However, just like Clarence, he is harboring secrets of his own. Who can Eleanor trust? Can she trust either of these two handsome devils?

Susan creates dynamic and irresitible characters that you just can help but feel tied to.

So why am I wavering?

I hate to say this, but I did not like the ending. I'm not going to say any more because it would be way too spoilery. I think many people will enjoy the ending, and maybe this is just the way zombie books are--but I just found myself saying, "What? Why???"

Now with that...let me answer a few questions:

Am I glad I read it? Yes. I needed to be introduced to the zombie sub-genre, and I really did enjoy the book right up until the end.

Will I read the sequel? Yes, although it won't be one that I rush to the store at midnight to purchase.

Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes because I think quite a few people will enjoy that Susan Dennard has no hesitations in smacking your expectations in the face.

What would I change? Even though it's 1896 and there are reasons for it--I wanted more romance!!!!! Eleanor thrusts her fist as society in every other way--why not add a little more steam?

So...I will leave you with this. Read it and see for yourself--if anything, you will see a world that's new and different. And I'm hoping the sequel will end with me saying, "Yeah!" instead of "What?"

Probably one of the first things I felt after discovering Something Strange and Deadly was charmed. There was a scavenger hunt to promote the book, and as I went through it and learned about the story, I found myself becoming more and more excited. A steampunk Victorian story about a group of folks who hunt zombies? A heroine whose weapon is a parasol? “Aim for the knees” as a slogan? So much fun! So when I realized my sister had an ARC of the book, I quickly confiscated it and dove in. While I had a couple of issues with the book for a while, I came away — once again — completely charmed.

Eleanor Fitt has got to be one of my favorite female protagonists in YA. Her subtle (yet blatant) rebellion against societal expectations had me laughing and scheming right along with her. What I loved most about her was that she genuinely cared about each person she interacted with, no matter how nasty they might have been toward her. But she never wavered from her own convictions. Though she was often pushed into situations by others, she still found a way to seize each moment as hers. Full of energy, wit, concern, and gumption, Miss Fitt was especially charming.

Many of the other characters came to life in a lovely, subtle way. Each of the Spirit-Hunters has a unique charm that I quickly came to adore. Even the zombies had such character that I was able to envision them clearly while reading. I don’t know if it was the author’s intention, but yes, the Dead even came across as amusing and not exactly scary!

The story was a lot of fun to read, but I spent about 200 pages being utterly annoyed (while simultaneously enjoying the story). Very early into the book, I saw the plot twists so obviously that I was outraged when Eleanor — or at the very least, Joseph — didn’t see them, too! So I read, and fumed each time one of the plot twists became more and more clear. Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed in the Spirit-Hunters for not realizing one of the twists, because it was their job to do so. (That is, unless they DID realize it, but were just keeping it secret from Eleanor?) HOWEVER… by the time these plot twists came into the open, I was enjoying just watching how they unfolded. My annoyance had dissipated and I was as enchanted with the story as ever.

And the ending, you guys? THE ENDING. So… so good. So perfect. I absolutely love Susan Dennard for ending it the way she did. I love Eleanor and Daniel. They are so effing adorable. I cannot wait for book two. Something Strange and Deadly is the most charming book I’ve read this year. Go read it, as soon as you get the chance!

[NOTE: I read this book as an ARC, borrowed from my sister, who receives many, many awesome things in her mailbox.]

Much as I try to avoid reading reviews, I do generally take a quick glance at friends' reviews. From these, I went into Something Strange and Deadly warned that it might be a bit slow to start, perhaps even taking roughly half the book to get good, and that there wasn't really much zombie mayhem. I'm not sure if it was because I was forearmed or what, but I didn't have a problem with either issue at all. Something Strange and Deadly charmed me immediately, and I thought there was plenty of zombie goodness.

I can see, however, why some might be bored in the opening, so taking that warning to heart certainly can't hurt you. What made this book a perfect fit (pun!) for me from beginning to end was Eleanor Fitt. I just loved her and thought she made an utterly enchanting heroine. She's one of those heroines that I totally get and that I do not see often enough. She's snarky and doesn't feel at home in the uppercrust society to which she and her mother are just barely clinging. Unlike so many heroines, she doesn't turn all heads. She's not astoundingly gorgeous, she's well-padded, and she's outspoken. When people try to keep secrets from her, she pesters them until she learns what she wants to know. Tenacious, stubborn, nosy heroines just rock my socks.

Cementing Eleanor Fitt as one of the fictional characters I am sure I would be total besties with is the fact that, despite being a corset-wearing lady, she is no wilting flower. Early on, she gets attacked by zombies and doesn't run or faint: she attempts to defend herself with her corset. She's not very good at it, but she learns by watching the Chinese member of the Spirit Hunters how best to incapacitate the walking dead. She watches, learns, and fights herself. Throughout the book, she continues to use those skills, and becomes increasingly more hardcore. Seriously, at the end, I defy you to not think she is incredibly kick-butt.

Now, the zombies. They may not be the central point of the book, but they are definitely woven throughout. They are not the big bads; they are merely tools wielded by an evil necromancer attacking Philadelphia for some unknown reason. Despite being essentially attack dogs, there were plenty enough horrifying zombie moments to satisfy zombie enthusiasts. It was also cool seeing the zombies used in some different ways, like as messengers.

Eleanor gets involved in all of this necromancy and walking dead business for two reasons: she suspects her brother has been captured by the necromancer for nefarious purposes AND her mother summoned an evil spirit at an otherwise routine high society seance. For help, Eleanor turns to the Spirit Hunters (Who ya gonna call?), here to help the city with their walking dead problem. Despite the prickly reception from the Spirit Hunter's inventor, Daniel, Eleanor will not be rebuffed.

I loved the Spirit Hunters, and am so completely looking forward to getting to know more about them in the subsequent books. Joseph, for example, I don't feel like I really got to know much of anything about. I could totally know more about Jie and Daniel as well. They're great characters (diverse too!) and have such a great group dynamic.

The ending, guys! I am seriously in pain at not having the next book in my hands right now and totally want to discuss it with someone. I saw the twists coming, but that did not detract from the my pleasure in the book, because I still didn't know what would happen AFTER that. Eleanor has a fun, witty way of thinking and her perspective keeps things from feeling all that dark even when they are. This juxtaposition totally shook me at the end, in the very best of ways.

If you like steampunkery, zombie mayhem, spunky heroines, good writing or, well, awesome things, I highly recommend this fantastic debut. This was pretty much everything I hoped it would be and more.

First of all.. I have to thank EpicReads.com for giving me this book the day before it even came out! You have no idea how much it meant to me! Not only was I excited to recieve the Advance Reader's Edition; that is not for sale, but the fact that it took place in the city that I am still growing up in; was the cream cheese icing on my red velvet cake! This made it much easier for me to visualize Eleanor's surroundings! What I really liked was that at the begining I hated Daniel! I know it sounds weird.. Why would anyone like to hate someone? Well.. I liked it because if I would have never known the main male chracter's name (if you know what I mean) from reading the back of the book; I would have never known he would be the one I would eventually fall for! I also loved the concept of how the zombies came to be! And instead of being bitten by a zombie and turning into one yourslef, you die! I don't about you, but if I were bitten by a zombie I would rather die and be layed to rest instead of becoming a grotesque, gory, and lifeless monster that has nothing but the desire to feed off of humans! It's nice to know that these things can be stopped and can't overtake the human race with a couple of bites! Like I said.. It was a fun read! Defintely cannot wait for the next book; A Darkness Strange and Lovely!

I want to say first off that I found this book action-packed and entertaining. I really enjoyed Eleanor, even if she did seem a tad too liberated for 1876. She was fun and feisty and tried her very best to be useful instead of just reporting on what she knew and then waiting for the Big Strong Men to save her. Yes, she probably would have been better off on several occasions if she had let other people handle certain situations, but I admired that she wanted to be helpful and contribute.

I also really enjoyed all of the Spirit-Hunters. They were an interesting and assorted group of personalities, each with their own intriguing backstory that wound up being crucial to the plot. It was nice to have such a varied group of characters in a setting as restrictive as 19th century Philadelphia.

As a bonus, none of the villains (save one) were actually all bad. Each had some redeeming qualities that allowed me to understand them, and even sympathize to a degree, even if I totally disagreed with their actions. I liked that none of the zombie shenanigans was as simple as evil for evil’s sake.

And as far as zombie shenanigans goes, there was plenty. It was exciting and fast-paced, with the requisite amount of grossness that any book dealing with zombies has. It was almost reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, in that it blended the nasty violence of zombies together with the refined etiquette and culture of earlier times.

So those were all the things I liked. Unfortunately, they were counterbalanced by a lot of things I wasn’t so fond of.

The main problem I had in this book was the predictability. By the first chapter, I had figured out the identity of the main villain, and by the fourth, I had also figured out most of the villain’s motivations. It took the entire book to confirm my suspicions, and when it finally did, there weren’t any surprises thrown into the mix. I could pretty much have stopped reading at chapter 4 and still been able to give an accurate synopsis of the entire book. And that was disappointing.

Also, in spite of the fact that I was able to figure everything out really early on, I thought that the characters in the book — especially Eleanor — made some decisions based on giant leaps of conjecture that had huge holes in their logic. Eleanor would suddenly remember something from her childhood, apply it loosely to something that happened recently, and firmly decide that not only were the events related, but that they suddenly explained everything. The fact that she was prone to wild conjecture wasn’t the problem. The problem was that her assumptions almost always proved to be correct, whereas in real life, “logic” like hers normally proves faulty. And meanwhile, while she was Sherlock Holmes-ing her way through a convoluted backstory, she was missing tons of painfully obvious clues right in front of her face. Either the girl is remarkably perceptive and intuitive or she’s not. It seemed really odd for her to be both.

So while I enjoyed the premise of the story, the characters, and the feel of the storytelling, the execution came off a bit clunky to me. It just didn’t gel as cohesively as I wanted it to, especially since this was, underneath all the zombies and supernatural elements, a mystery. I like mysteries to be tight and smart, and this one felt weak.

I still think that fans of zombie stories, especially zombie-historical mashups, will enjoy this book. It’s fun and fast and chock-full of zombie craziness. It just fell flat as the intelligent mystery I wanted it to be.