Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard | Book Review #68

‘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 the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.‘

When I saw Something Strange and Deadly on tumblr I said to myself, I must have this in my hands. Then I saw that the Library had it! I then requested Something Strange and Deadly. I borrowed the book from the library purely because of the cover. I didn’t read the synopsis at all. I feel like the synopsis doesn’t do the book justice. You know? The book is so much more.

I don’t really know what to think of this book to be honest. While I did enjoy it; surprisingly, because the book is a historical fiction. And I don’t usually go for history books at all. History just isn’t for me.. There’s an steam-punk element to the story, and of course, the supernatural themes. And there are zombies in this novel. I didn’t really see them this way, but if you know me, then you know I hate zombies. While the zombies are the main factor in this novel, it’s the other supernatural elements that kept me reading.

However there are some parts that I could just see coming from a mile away. At the same time, while the book was predictable, the way that the story is written had me second guessing the predictions that I had made. And there is an unfortunate love triangle, that doesn’t get resolved quickly. I don’t like the love interest she first meets. I much more prefer the second guy she meets.

Eleanor is a girl ahead of her times. She is badass. She just doesn’t know it yet. She itches to be free of the confines of society, and the responsibilities that her own mother has given her. Just a side fact, I really don’t like her mom. Eleanor’s mother is immature in more than one way. Anyway.. Eleanor craves to be free of what holds her down. I was happy to see that over the course of the book Eleanor did new things, and that she particularly enjoyed the things she did. So there’s a lot of personal growth that Eleanor has in Something Strange and Deadly. Another side note: Eleanor, bless her, she has balls, dude. She does more for herself, and others in this story, than a lot of men of her time. Eleanor is so freaking courageous.

I don’t know if there’s more to tell, to be honest. Something Strange and Deadly is a story that I didn’t know what to expect from. What I read though, is a story that had me gripped. I love the fact that this girl who had everything, then lost everything, was given responsibilities that she shouldn’t have at 16. Yet she managed to not only save those she cares about but herself as well? Would I recommend this book? Yes. While Something Strange and Deadly may not be my favourite book, I still enjoyed reading Eleanor’s story.

Something Strange and Deadly IS the first part of a trilogy. I believe though that you can read this first book as a standalone if you wished to!

Have you read Something Strange and Deadly? What did you think? The cover has a link that will lead you to GoodReads. I hope you hall have a wonderful day or night! Thank you so, so much for reading!

Until next time friends,
Adele