(ARC) Review: Something Strange and Deadly - Susan Dennard

Release Date: July 24th, 2012
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen


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 haven't had so much fun with a novel for quite some time now. Something Strange and Deadly was a dark, funny, romantic and even sad novel and I enjoyed EVERY single minute of reading it! The thing that I enjoyed most about Dennard's novel was that nothing is superfluous in this novel: there is the exact amount of romance so that it's not the most important thing and the suspense and action scenes always fit the moment perfectly.


The plot: There was a bit of a mystery surrounding the creator of the zombies but it was unfortunately a bit predictable. Yet Something Strange and Deadly was a most enjoyable read and I certainly found some twists in the story to be completely unexpected! The author certainly knows how to write a heart-breaking scene! The novel ends in a really sad note but I utterly enjoyed it and I wouldn't have this novel ending any other way.


The characters: Now, the characters were my favorite thing about this book. Eleanor certainly makes my list of favorite heroines ever! She was strong, determined, curious and, well, just plain amazing! The romance wasn't overdone. The relationship between Eleanor and Daniel develops rather slowly and sweetly, just how I like it. And I can't even start on Daniel, he was just so swoon-worthy but I would love to know more about him and his past in the next installment. The other characters really complemented the story and I can't see the novel being this awesome without Joseph and Jie. 


To emphasize: I'm dying to get my hands on the sequel, literally. I can't wait to read more about the Spirit-Hunters and how Eleanor will fit in their future adventures. Most of all, I can't wait to see how Daniel and Eleanor's relationship will develop (this will make even more sense to you after you read this novel!). Something Strange and Deadly was just plain unputdownable and I had to pull an all-nighter to finish it. And after finishing it, my mind still wandered to Eleanor and her friends. I recommend this novel to Steampunk lovers and paranormal, specially zombie, fans! Actually, everybody should buy pre-order it now!

Thanks to HarperTeen for providing me with a copy via Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review

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! Website / Twitter / Something Strange and Deadly's Website (check out this beautiful website!)