Review: SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY by Susan Dennard
Series: Something Strange and Deadly, #1
Author: Susan Dennard
Pages: 400
Release Date: July 24th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rating: 5/5 Owls
Summary
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.
Review
I received a review copy from HarperCollins through Edelweiss. Thank you!
Something Strange and Deadly is one of the most unique YA books I've read in a long while. Jam-packed with Victorian-era banter, missing siblings, and, oh yes, zombies, this book will have you laughing and feeling frightenened within pages of each other.
Dennard did a fantastic job with the Victorian incorporation: the prose felt old-agey and was still humorous without being modern. I will say, the story was a bit slow-moving at first, but it quickly upped the pace and I was enraptured. The mystery had me guessing until it was over, something that doesn't happen too much. Dennard is a master of characterization; every character felt fresh and original. and I wasn't once complaining about a dull character taking the spotlight.
If you haven't checked out Something Strange and Deadly, I recommend doing so right now! You definitely won't regret it. I'm going to be gnawing my fingers off waiting for the next one! (Yes, pun intended.)
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