Review - A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

by Susan Dennard
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 23, 2013
format: ebook
pages: 406
source: library
series: Something Strange and Deadly #2
buy it: A Darkness Strange and Lovely

From Goodreads:

Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.

Oh, man.  That was my initial reaction upon finishing A Darkness Strange and Lovely.  I really didn't see this book coming.  After Something Strange and Deadly, I expected more of the same plucky Eleanor, only with missing things she would have to learn to do without.  While that was partly true, what I found was a new, dark side to Eleanor that made her a frustrating yet even more interesting character.

Eleanor was so infuriating throughout A Darkness Strange and Lovely, but you know what?  It worked.  Characters don't always have to be on their best behavior and Eleanor is proof of that.  She finds herself in a very dark situation with few options and she takes the path that, while difficult and against what she originally determined against, seems the best option in order to save her life.  What ensues is a harrowing ordeal with magical addiction that leaves her making decisions with a much less sound judgment than before.  It all made her a much more dynamic character with so many facets.  I still got mad at her but it was truly an interesting reading experience.

Paris always makes for such an amazing setting in books.  There is so much character in the ways the city can be depicted that it always seems to come alive in a way.  Eleanor's time in Paris is nothing short of intriguing.  The mysteries at play are eerie and menacing in such away that an element of horror is brought into the story.  There were some truly horrific moments throughout that made my hair stand on end.  It was tense.  It was alarming.  It was thrilling.  I couldn't get enough of it and wound up finishing the book when I had only planned on reading a few chapters.

A Darkness Strange and Lovely turned out to be an impressive story that has left me so excited for book 3 in the series.  You had best believe I will be reading it soon.  With an ever-changing main character, terrifying moments, and a lot of mystery, A Darkness Strange and Lovely brings a lot to the table.  If you enjoy flawed characters, check this out.  That coupled with the darkness at hand make this such an engaging, exciting read.  If you enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly, you'll should give A Darkness Strange and Lovely a chance.  It really kicks things into second gear and takes on an entirely new level of amazing.

Review - Something Strange and Deadly

by Susan Dennard
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 400
source: from the publisher for review
rating: 4.5 out of 5

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.

I'm starting to become quite fond of zombie-centered story lines set in the Victorian era.  When Something Strange and Deadly arrived, I was more than excited to dive right in.  I was ready for zombies, parasols, and bizarre machines.  Something Strange and Deadly has all of those (and more) in spades!  The horror, mystery, and romance were very well contrived and made for a fairly smooth read.  It definitely stood out during a week of marathon reading.

Eleanor puts up with a lot as the only child living at home.  Left to deal with her frivolous mother whilst her older brother studies abroad, Eleanor deals with a lot of frustration.  To add insult to injury, her brother goes missing during a time when zombie hordes run rampant through Philadelphia.  What's a girl to do?  Eleanor takes action.  She sets out to find answers as to her brother's whereabouts and well-being with a sisterly devotion that is admirable.  Sometimes, however, it seemed as though she was too complacent where Clarence, the young man her mother wanted her to marry, was concerned.  There were several points during which, though I felt sorry for him, I really wanted Eleanor to tell him to stuff it!  Maybe that's just me, though, since I'm not a fan of wishy-washiness, which Clarence seemed to be guilty of.  Daniel was much more appealing, even with his gruff manner.  He never underestimated Eleanor once he got to know her, which is just great.

The settings were so much fun to read about.  From Eleanor's house to Centennial Exposition, there's so much literary landscape to enjoy.  With an abundance of scenarios such as seances and zombie battles, there's a lot of intrigue and action, as well.  The cemetery gates proved to be the most foreboding site in the book.  You can really feel the tension and spookiness thanks to Susan Dennard's vivid descriptions.  All in all, I simply adored this particular aspect of the book.

Something Strange and Deadly is an imaginative take on a zombie infestation (dare I say a zombie apocalypse?).  With a plot that grips you and an ending that will leave you in shock, there is so much to enjoy in this book.  It wasn't anywhere near what I was expecting as I read it, which, in my book, is beyond awesome.  If you enjoy zombie stories and Victorian fashion, as well as a steampunk flair, you should definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly.  With pointers such as "Go for the knees," how could you miss?

Buy Something Strange and Deadly at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review. 

Owl's Eye View #3 - Meet Susan Dennard!

It's the first Monday in July, so you know what that means.  It's time for another installment of Owl's Eye View!  This month, I am thrilled to be able to welcome Susan Dennard, author of the forthcoming Something Strange and Deadly (available July 24th wherever books are sold).  Set in post-Civil War Philadelphia, Something Strange and Deadly is a book about zombies, necromancers, inventions, and parasols, and that's just the simplified description!  I hope you all will join me in welcoming....

Susan Dennard

Marla: First question: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Susan: Always daydreaming big.

Marla: What inspired you to write Something Strange and Deadly?

Susan: As silly as I know it always sounds, SS&D came from a dream. I had this vivid dream about a girl whose brother went missing and the only people who could help her were a ragtag team of outcasts. This dream haunted me for days until I finally sat down and fleshed it out into the story it is now!

Marla: What authors have been your biggest influences?

Susan: Ursula K. LeGuin, Lloyd Alexander, Tamora Pierce, Anne McCaffrey, Garth Nix, E.M. Forster--all the authors I adored as a kid are the ones that still stick with me the most. They inspired me to read and to dream, and that led me to where I am today.

Marla:  How long have you been writing?

Susan: I started writing in private and for fun when I was around 13, but I never took it seriously until 2009. That was when I finally sat down and started to learn about the craft behind storytelling--all the various tools in a writer's arsenal--as well as how the industry itself worked. 2009 was when I decided to take writing from a mere hobby to a profession.

Marla:  Where is your favorite place to write?

Susan: Interesting question--and not one anyone has ever asked before! Hmmm...I love writing in my office, but sometimes that feels stale and I need a change of scenery to get the brain moving. When that happens, I'll usually sit in my backyard with the dogs and write by hand. There's nothing better than a summer breeze and bright sunshine to make you feel inspired!

Marla:  What was your favorite scene to write in Something Strange and Deadly?

Susan: Chapter 19! It was the first scene I wrote where Daniel and Eleanor were really forced to work together in a high stakes setting, and whenever I write scene with those two characters, the words just seem to flow! Chapter 19--which takes the two of them to a dynamite factory--literally poured from my fingertips. You can actually read the chapter on the official website (http://somethingstrangeanddeadly.com). Don't worry--it doesn't spoil the book!

Marla: Is there a particular character in Something Strange and Deadly that you identify with?

Susan: As odd as it might sound, I most closely identify with Daniel. My past isn't nearly so spotted, but his inability to forgive himself is something I really understand. Every "wrong" I've ever committed since I was a child still haunts me, and it takes a lot of strength and growth to learn to forgive oneself.

Marla: Last question, and I'm sure it's one we would all love to know the answer to: What would you do to if faced with a zombie horde?

Susan: Aim for the knees, of course! :) Honestly, it only takes ~15 pounds of pressure to break a knee, and if you can get the zombie down, then hopefully it can't come after you!

Thanks, Susan!  That's very useful advice to keep in mind for a zombie apocalypse.

If you want to learn more about Susan and her books, keep reading below and visit her websites, which you will find linked up below, as well.

    

About Susan

I’m a 28-year-old reader, writer, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I really like swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in Germany with my French husband and Irish setter, and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on twitter, facebook, or Goodreads.

My debut, Something Strange and Deadly, will be available from HarperCollins on July 24th, and you will never believe how happy this makes me!  (from Susan's website)

About Something Strange and Deadly

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.

Waiting on Wednesday - December 7, 2011

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the image above will take you straight to her post and widget.

I've got another double edition of WoW to share this week.  I'm kind of liking sharing two books rather than one.  I think this may become a regular thing for me, so long as I have two to share from week to week.  Anyway, I have two picks that I am very excited about this week, both from imprints of Harper Collins Publishers.  Let's get started, shall we?

My first pick is another zombie-steampunk novel, this time set in Philadelphia during the 19th century.  I had a lot of fun reading Dearly, Departed, so to see another combination of the two traits, only this time set in the actual Victorian era, had me very excited to read this book.  What is it?  The book is Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, set for release on July 24, 2012 from Harper Teen.

From Goodreads:

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.

My next pick is the beginning of an upcoming urban fantasy trilogy that focuses on werewolves.  Part murder mystery, part romance, Hemlock by Cathleen Peacock sounds like just the ticket for an awesome, action-packed read.  Hemlock hits shelves on May 8, 2012 and comes from Katherine Tegen Books.

From Goodreads:  

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.