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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard


388 pages, YA Zombie & Steampunk
Something Strange and Deadly #1

Synopsis

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.

My 2 cents

Wow, I loved this book!  I do love both Zombies and Steampunk, and this had both!  I'm still trying to process this book....the author really sucked me into Eleanor's world!

First of all, the whole thing felt like a Victorian novel.  I don't know how she managed this, with all the sci-fi zombies and inventions, but it felt really authentic, like I was reading an old classic that I loved!  The plot and the central mystery was so well done...it took awhile to figure out what was really going on and to solve the case, which I always enjoy!

The characters were amazing!  Well thought out and great development.  I really identified with Eleanor.  She is a more modern girl, if it can be said.  She felt just like a normal heroine in a current setting, but it was easy to imagine her floundering about in the world she lives in.  All the support characters were also perfect.  I could picture and hear each one in my head.

There isn't as much romance, mainly because of the time period the book is set in.  People do not go around kissing each other until after they are engaged.  But there is some hints at it, which I thoroughly enjoyed!  There is plenty of excitement and adventure, though!

The ending was amazing, but left things wide open for the next book, which I cannot wait for!  5 stars for this beauty of a book!

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