Something Strange and Deadly by Susan DennardExpected Publication Date: July 24th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 400 pages
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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* I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…I haven't had a lot of luck with zombie books in the past, but I've always been a huge fan of historical fiction which really drew me to Something Strange and Deadly in the first place. The inclusion of steampunk elements also had me highly intrigue. I have to say, Something Strange and Deadly is not your average zombie book at all. The way the zombies are brought to life is an awesome idea and something I haven't really read about before. While the zombies are completely disgusting, the people the people who fight them are just amazing. I loved the horrifying world that Susan Dennard created, combining the living dead with ghosts and steampunk elements, Something Strange and Deadly is one you do not want to miss!
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.
The characters are all really fantasti and I just wanted to be part of their zombie fighting team. Eleanor is a high society girl who's lost her brother to evil forces and enlists the spirit-hunters to help her find him Not only is Eleanor strong-willed, independent, fierce, and incredibly smart. I loved Eleanor because she's such a great female protagonist who can take care of herself and doesn't need the help of men around her! Daniel, the challenging, brave, and pasisonate boy who builds machines for the spirit hunters is such a great love interest. I really fell for him, and the romance between him and Eleanor develops so slowly and realistically, I definitely swooned more than once! I also loved Eleanor's propriety! She wears a corset!! It's really not something you see in contemporary YA and the idea of having a chaperone while you're on a walk with a man is just so old school! All of the side characters are also great in their own way, whether I hated them or loved them!
The writing in Something, Strange, and Deadly really blew me away. It's so elegant and accurate! I really felt like I was stuck in 1876 Philadelphia with not only the language, but the descriptions as well. The character's voices are all incredibly unique and I could easily tell each person apart from another. Each character also had a separate "accent" which was very distinct and easy to identify. Joseph is from New Orleans and has a creole accent, and occasionally he will use creole words which really helped me see him in my mind. The story itself is really fast-paced and gory so if you're not into the blood and guts thing you probably shouldn't pick this one up. Or any zombie book.... Although some plot lines did seem overly predictable by the time I had finished reading, I actually didn't figure out anything until it was revealed right in front of my face! So thumbs up to you Dennard!
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly! It was a fast-paced, horrifying tale of survival in the time of a zombie apocalypse. This is definitely a different take on the zombie horrors, combing steampunk elements as well as witches and ghosts! Fans of zombie stories will definitely love the gore of this one, and paranormal addicts will enjoy all of the different creatures rolled into one. If you haven't added Something Strange and Deadly to your TBR yet, you definitely need to get on it!!
