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Sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt’s brother is missing. And when she discovers that the Dead are rising in Philadelphia and wreaking havoc throughout the city, she knows that her brother is involved.
So Eleanor enlists the help of the Spirit-Hunters. This motley crew, hired to protect the city from supernatural forces, is after the necromancer who has been reanimating corpses. Their skills can save her brother. But as Eleanor spends time with the Spirit-Hunters, and their handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. Now not only is her reputation at risk, but her very life may hang in the balance.
In Something Strange and Deadly, the first book in a trilogy, Susan Dennard weaves together vividly imagined scenes of action, adventure, and gorgeous Victorian fashion to create an entertaining steampunk tapestry of humor, horror, and romance. Readers who love Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices series will be intrigued from the start.
A wonderfully brisk pace sweeps readers into an intriguing mystery. Eleanor serves as a highly entertaining guide and readers will find themselves settling in among the undead just fine.
A beautifully written story set in Victorian-Era Philly with ZOMBIES!!
I received an Advance Reader's Edition of this book from Epic Reads. Thank you guys soo much!
Eleanor Fitt is an extremely strong-minded heroine, which is quite refreshing considering the time period. She tells the story and oh! what a story it is! The scenes are so vividly imagined that this reviewer felt as if she was actually walking through the streets with Eleanor. The world building in this novel left reviewer speechless at times, it was that good! The mystery of finding out what happened to Eleanor's brother brings us to a world of necromancers, zombies, and the elusive spirit hunters. Daniel (who is a member of the little rag-tag group called the spirit hunters who are trying to stop the zombies from attacking Philadelphia) and Eleanor's often-times frustrating relationship will leave readers cheering for them to "just kiss already"! Readers will be hanging on to every beautifully descriptive word as they race to figure out just what really is going on in Philly, and who is behind it. This enchanting mix of zombies, mystery, magic, forbidden love, and good old-fashioned girl power is NOT TO BE MISSED!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard is not a "zombie book". Sure, there are zombies in it, but it's more steampunk than horror. While reading, I couldn't help but be reminded of The Girl in the Steel Corset by Cady Cross and Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey. Both books had similar elements to Something Strange and Deadly. I think anyone who enjoyed either of those book will definitely enjoy Something Strange and Deadly, and vice versa.
Eleanor is such a smart character. Most kick-butt female characters are tough or mouthy, but Eleanor uses her brains to solve her issues, not her fists. She might be the most curious character I've ever read about. And she actually puts all of the clues she discovers together, and not in some brilliant epiphany at the last possible second sort of way you see in a lot of books.
The cast of characters in Something Strange and Deadly were wonderful. Joseph, the elegant leader of the Spirit Hunters, inspired respect and loyalty from his friends. Jie, the tough Chinese girl pretending to be a boy, was such a fantastic influence on Eleanor. She showed her that you always have a choice, no matter if you're a girl, boy, rich, poor. It doesn't matter. You make your own decisions in life. And the best part was that Eleanor understood this advice and took it to heart!
I liked Daniel right from the get-go. He jumps in with an attitude and a smug smile and that was all it took for me to fall for him. Luckily, it took Eleanor a little longer or this could've been a pretty boring romance. I enjoyed their banter and interactions so much more because they didn't get along at first.
The ending Dennard left us with has me anticipating the future of the Spirit Hunters and Eleanor's possible role within their ranks. Not to mention some more creepy necromancer action! I recommend Something Strange an Deadly to fans of paranormal romance and steampunk.
P.S. OMG THAT COVER!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ScornfulScarlet
Posted September 28, 2012
The book- I adored it. I enjoyed it so much. The plot was so strong, the characters all so diverse, and I just loved so many things about it. I cannot pinpoint exact parts, but I will just say I loved Daniel and Eleanor. The only reason I hate to give 4 stars is the ending, albeit a nicely wrapped up ending, I did not really like it, it is going to make me think and be a little down for a day or two. Otherwise a greatly constructed, different book to me.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Something strange & deadly is happening in Philadelphia. The dead are rising. The main protagonist, Eleanor Fitt, is only excited about getting her brother back. One day, while she goes to the train station to pick him up, he's late. Eleanor waits, and then an attack from the dead happens, and a zombie actually gives a letter to Eleanor, and leaves. The idea till now was very interesting, because when Eleanor see's the letter, it's from her very own brother, Elijah. It was cool to try to figure out where Elijah was right now, and see how Eleanor was going to find out. While Eleanor is trying to find out where her brother is, her mother is only worried about marrying off Eleanor to a rich family. The Fitts were one of the "rich", but after Eleanor's father died, they started facing difficulties.
The story so far sounded interesting, but I am sorry to say that the flow of the book was something I really did not enjoy. I felt like everything went by too slow, and there were too many unnecessary parts that shouldn't have been there. Something Strange & Deadly wasn't one of those book that had me turning pages, but I actually felt like I never wanted to read. Eleanor, the main protagonist, is an interesting character. She's strong willed, and determined to find her missing brother. Her mother annoyed me because she was too obsessive about looking for a rich man, it started to sound ridiculous. Eleanor found the Spirit-Hunters, a group of people that know how to find or kill the dead. There was Daniel, the very rude and sometimes annoying person, and there was Joseph, the very polite one whom I liked more. Despite Daniel's attitude towards Eleanor, she started liking him. That sounded very unrealistic, because I can't say much about his character for Eleanor to actually start liking him. Along with that, the fighting was confusing for me. Sometimes I felt like it was too detailed, I found myself skimming through the words. As for Elijah, I didn't know what to feel towards him because he was already missing from the beginning of the book, but considering how much Eleanor loves him, I'd assume he was a good brother to her.
Overall, I'm sorry to say that Something Strange & Deadly was not the book for me. Part of it was because of the historical details, that I really do not like reading, and the other part was how the story was constructed. This is obviously my personal opinion, and not everyones. I know that many people did enjoy this book, and many did not enjoy it, like me. Even though I might have been one of those who didn't enjoy it, you might be one of those who do. So give Something Strange & Deadly a try!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.MarissaA
Posted July 31, 2012
Let me just say first, this was really well written! It felt like I was in the story, through the language, setting, described clothing, props/items; all of it gave me a glimpse of what it would be like to be in the 19th Century, the year 1876. The story itself was very creative and unpredictable, so you just never know where this story is going to turn. I really liked this story, the zombies; having it set in Philadelphia, in 1876; the mystery aspect, the characters, and a questionable Romance. Eleanor Fitt seems like a strong minded character and reading from her POV was just great; I liked that a lot, as we go along this uncertain journey with her. Other characters in the novel, including the mysterious Daniel Sheridan, was lovely to read, and he is one to watch out for :)
Throughout the story, there are unexpected turns of events, especially towards the end, oh my, towards the end! You will be shocked at what happens. Shocked. The ending immediately made me want to read the next book in this series, so I look forward to it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 31, 2012
I just finished reading the book last night, and I must say that I was sad that it had ended. The story has lots of " twists and turns" that I didn't see coming and kept me guessing on what was going to happen next. The book seemed well written and it kept me pulled into the story from the first chapter to the last chapter. I'll just have to wait till the next book is released............for the rest of the story!! I can't wait. Thanks Susan for the wonderful story.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KristaKP
Posted July 26, 2012
Just received my book in the mail yesterday and am on chapter 18. I couldn't wait to get home and start reading. I read until about 11 p.m. and then decided to get ready for bed only to get back up about 3 a.m. to read a little more. This is a book you just can't put down. You just can't stop reading. I just had to know what would happen next. I can't wait to get home tonight so i can continue where i left off. The only sad part will be when i am finished and i have to wait on the next release. This is a must have for anyone that loves the strange, the dead or just loves to read a good book that will take you away from everyday life into a world of the undead. This book is so intense, the characters so real. Thank you for a wonderful book.. Please keep them comming.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Something Strange and Deadly is one of those intense novels that kept me on the edge of my seat. I should have started this novel earlier in the day because I refused to put it down before I finished it. This resulted in a lost night's sleep, but it was so worth it! From the first zombie attack, which happened within the first few pages, I was hooked. The characters are well-developed, flawed, likable, and realistic. I couldn't help but sympathize with everyone (other than Eleanor's mother), even the bad guys. The plot is unique and engrossing. I also loved the setting. Most novels that are set in the Victorian Era are set in England and are steampunk. This isn't a steampunk book. There is not one overly advanced piece of technology. There are some strange inventions, but those inventions are still very much within the realm of possibility for the late 19th century. Dennard offers an interesting look into what Victorian Philadelphia would have been like if there had been a zombie invasion.
Eleanor is no simpering miss, and because of this, she does not fit in during her time period. She's aware of this. She's too free-thinking for the Victorian Era. Therefore, she always feels like a misfit, which is a play on her name "Miss Fitt." Eleanor is a strong lead character who is willing to fight for what she believes in. She also isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and can take care of herself. She makes mistakes throughout this novel, but she grows immensely as a character. I can't wait to see what the sequel brings for her.
Another character that I found extremely interesting was Jie. However, I don't want to spoil the surprise with who Jie is, so I'm not going to analyze this character any further. Daniel is also a great leading man. He's tortured (of course) and has done some awful things. However, deep down, he's good, and he's willing to try to make amends. There are a lot of characters in this novel who want to make amends for their mistakes, and there are also some who are unrepentant. That seems to be the defining way to tell who is good and who is not - if they want to make up for the pain they've caused others, or if they want to continue to hurt others. There are no strong messages against class or oppression or anything like that, but I don't think taking a stand against Victorian Era society would be applicable to our contemporary society. Therefore, it would be rather pointless to make any statements to that effect.
The plot is intense, and there is a mystery going on throughout the course of the novel. I figured it out pretty early on, but it wasn't obvious. I just made a guess based and was correct. There are tiny hints, but nothing that gives it away until the big reveal. Also, the plot is an emotional roller coaster. I was laughing at a lot of parts, and I cried at the end. Because of my ability to relate to all of the characters, I was extremely emotionally invested in this novel. Furthermore, the pacing is perfect. The story flew by even though the book is 400 pages long. Nothing felt rushed, though. I know I was white-knuckling my Kindle during the last 20% or so of the book. The intensity of the plot grows as the story continues, which basically forced me to finish this book in one sitting.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves zombie stories, mysteries, books set in the Victorian Era, or supernatural/paranormal books.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Something Strange and Deadly is the first novel in Susan Dennard’s Something Strange and Deadly series. The tale takes place in Philadelphia, PA in the year 1876. I loved this steampunk zombie novel, featuring the feisty, sleuth protagonist Eleanor Fitt. I easily finished this novel in two evenings and look forward to reading more. We are immediately immersed in the tale as Eleanor waits at the train station for her beloved brother, Elijah to arrive. When he doesn't arrive she heads to the telegram counter for news. The dead alarms begin to ring. This signals that zombies are in the station. Chaos breaks loose as people scramble to escape. Eleanor dives into the telegram booth and hides. When the window shatters and a zombie appears she just about faints. Instead of attacking her, it drops a telegram on her lap. Too frightened to read it she rushes home. Here she reads the message and discovers he won’t be returning. Eleanor begins to believe that the zombies have him. When she sees an article about Spirit Hunters, she sets off to get answers and hopefully some help. The tale that unfolds has moments of suspense, mystery, humor and a smidgeon of romance. The dead are rising from Laurel Hill Cemetery and a necromancer is controlling them. I became completely immersed in the tale as Eleanor tries to stop the dead and save her brother. Eleanor Fitt is sixteen and lives with her overbearing mother and maid. Her brother Elijah has been away for over two years. The families finances are crumbling and her mother is constantly spending money trying to impress others. I liked Eleanor; she is witty, inquisitive and brave. Her need for answers causes her to be reckless and her free spirit creates tension with her mother. Daniel is an inventor and member of the Spirit Hunters. He is cute, stubborn and quick to temper. He is also protective when it comes to Eleanor. I enjoyed their witty banter and Eleanor’s attraction to him caused me to giggle. While there is a tiny bit of romance, their story is just beginning. Other characters added suspense and mystery. The world-building while at times predictable kept me entertained. Dennard beautifully captures the era and some of its ridiculous society rules. She does this without overwhelming the reader in details and instead focuses on the characters and plot. The flow of this novel was wonderful. I would have liked more gadgetry but enjoyed the tools the Spirit Hunters used. The characters themselves and mystery kept me turning the pages. Discovering the necromancer and searching for clues was entertaining. The zombies are in the background of this tale, but when they do make appearances the scenes are delightful. While the tale felt complete, Dennard’s ending has hinted at what is to come. While I easily pieced together the clues regarding the necromancer it was fun to discover the reasons. I want to thank Harper Teen and Edelweiss for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The book was ok.. It wasn't a bad read just not the best.. I do not think the book was a waste of a read it just wasn't the IT book for me.. Time is set back in the days of big dresses and guys who left calling cards to escort women out.. It is twisted with darkness and Zombies..
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Posted August 26, 2014
Is it bad to say I was bored stiff with this book? Well, I was. Zombies in post-Civil War Philadelphia, magic, and... a 1930's idiom? Yes, indeed, the fun never stopped, making me wish I had the physical book to burn.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Steampunk and zombies! This may sound like an odd combination, but it is one that works! Petticoats and parasols mixed with steam-powered machines and pulse bombs that kill zombies? Yes, please!
The story is set in the midst of Philadelphia's high society in 1876, the time of chaperoned dates, petticoats, bustles, séances, and burgeoning technology. The Dead have risen, their numbers seemingly increasing every day. The city has hired a group of veritable misfits, The Spirit Hunters, to hunt them down and protect the city. But instead of supporting them, it seems as if they have been brought in mostly for show.
Eleanor and her mother live on the edge of high society, having fallen from favor since her father's business went south and his subsequent death. They are barely hanging on and her eldest brother has seemingly disappeared when they need him most. After receiving a letter from him, delivered by one of the Dead, Eleanor seeks out the Hunters in her desperation to find out what happened to her brother. Her choice changes her life and draws her into a mystery that she never imagined, full of intrigue, surprises, and so many twists and turns.
I loved Eleanor as a main character. In many ways, she reminded me of Arabella Holmes in Boneseeker by Brynn Chapman, which I reviewed here. Both of these characters are very different from most of the women/girls of their time, bucking social norms with their ideas and behavior. I love that rebellious quality in a female protagonist! She is loyal to her family, even to her overbearing and rather icy mother, and she has an extremely strong sense of right and wrong and she refuses to compromise herself. She hated the social classes that dictated so much of her life and yearned for the freedom to live her life how she chose.
The Spirit Hunters truly were a band of misfits in that time. They got no respect from the city leaders, whose city they were trying to save. But this never deterred them from their mission. Joseph was the leader, a black man in a less than tolerant time. Daniel was a convict with a mushy heart of gold. And then there was Jie. There is so much to say about Jie, but it is best left to be discovered!
Things to love...
--The ending. Not exactly a cliffhanger, and not exactly a HEA, it leaves it open nicely for the rest of the series!
--The characters. I loved the different kinds of characters and all of their quirkiness.
My Recommendation: The story is fast-paced and fun, full of unexpected twists and turns. The premise is unlike anything I have read before and I loved that! Steampunk and zombies! I gave it 4.6 mugs!
Anonymous
Posted July 17, 2014
Zombies (the social workshop) has all the info.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 30, 2014
I do not often post book reviews, however, I felt for this brilliant novel, I must.
Weather or not you like zombies, this book will leave you in awe.
The female character, Eleanor Fitt, is a strong role model.
There is a compelling love story, yet it does not take over the book.
From early teens to adults, this is a must read!
vleighwrites
Posted June 24, 2014
5/5 stars!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2014
The beging is hard to get into it doesnt seem very interresting
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
Book One of the Something Strange and Deadly series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 24, 2012
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Hardcover copy won from a giveaway
Summary (from Goodreads):
The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…
Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—
The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.
And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.
Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.
What I Liked:
I cannot believe how long I waited to read this book! Like, I feel so stupid. I've had this book for more than a year, and I neglected to read this book. There are so many books that I want to read, like this one, but I never got to it. But I finally got around to it, because I got an Advanced Reader Copy of A Darkness Strange and Lovely.
Eleanor's brother is missing. He hasn't come home from New York, and Eleanor is worried. So, she goes to check and see if a telegraph was sent - and a zombie attack happens. The Dead flock the post office. Sounds like quite the opening scene, right?! I thought so. Immediately, Dennard brings the action, zombies, and craziness. It's a great scene to begin the book, because readers get a feel of the tension and mood of the setting. Not an easy feat, but Dennard did it!
Well, her brother is still missing, and while Eleanor was attacked in the post office, one of the zombies gives a letter to Eleanor - from her brother. This means that the zombies have her brother, or whoever is controlling them has him. Eleanor goes to the Spirit Hunters for help, and our story begins.
I really liked this book! I can't believe I put off reading it for so long. I love historical fiction, and this book is an amazing historical fiction novel. It's set in the 1800s, and readers are constantly reminded of this. The mode of dress, the speech, the somewhat arranged marriages, the regression of women's rights... Dennard keeps bringing about Eleanor's pending engagement and marriage, which is a great way to remind readers that the romance in historic times had many different barriers - some very different from today.
Speaking of romance, we have Eleanor and Daniel. I really like Daniel - he isn't the typical YA hero. I suppose because he is a historical fiction character, and not a contemporary character, there MUST be differences, but I feel like even then, Daniel is different. A good different. I love his mercurial temper - it reminds me of my own. That might not be a good thing though.
Anyway, the plot of this story is very interesting and engaging. I like how Dennard ended this book - it's not a pretty ending, physically or emotionally, but it's a fitting ending. The climax is very exciting and heart-stopping, and the ending is a straight slope down. I like this! Bring on book two!
What I Did Not Like:
At this point, I can't remember anything in particular that I didn't like. Perhaps Eleanor's mother? I think that her character is so terrible and I HATE her, but that just shows how good of a writer Dennard is - she has readers feeling something towards a secondary character.
I can't exactly justify why this one gets four stars instead of five - it just feels like a four-star novel, instead of a five-star novel. That's not a bad thing though!
Would I Recommend It:
I would totally recommend this book! Go zombies! Dennard's version of zombies is sensational and creepy and epic, and I don't care how many zombie books you will read in the future - READ THIS ONE! Anyone who enjoys zombie books, historical fiction, or just reading, will like this book.
Rating:
4 stars. I am so glad that I finally got around to reading this book! Susan Dennard is amazing!
Anonymous
Posted October 19, 2013
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 16, 2013
GET A HOLD OF YOUR SELF!!!!!!!!!!!!JEESH!!!!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Take_Me_AwayPH
Posted August 9, 2013
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.
Overview
Sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt’s brother is missing. And when she discovers that the Dead are rising in Philadelphia and wreaking havoc throughout the city, she knows that her brother is involved.
So Eleanor enlists the help of the Spirit-Hunters. This motley crew, hired to protect the city from supernatural forces, is after the necromancer who has been reanimating corpses. Their skills can save her brother. But as Eleanor spends time with the Spirit-Hunters, and their handsome ...