Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly Trilogy)

Originally posted on The Canon! {[...]

Eleanor Fitt's 1876 Philadelphia is unlike anything I have seen in history books. The most unusual part of it all? The Dead alarm that warns of their coming. When I read the blurb, I couldn't wait to read this The Walking Dead meets Pride and Prejudice circa 1876.

Eleanor was a bit of a mixed box for me. On one side, I completely understood her fears for her brother and her family which grew into her motivations for meeting the Spirit Hunters. I admired her determination and her slight rebelliousness against the society of the times. On the other side, I wish that there had been a little more development when it came to her character. It didn't feel like she had grown all that much with the story - she was steadfast in her refusal to get married, in her determination to find her brother, and to help the Spirit Hunters, all of which were fun to read. There was no evolving, no great discovery about herself, which would have made me devour the book like a Reese candy.

I really fell in love with Dennard's world. She made it believable despite the strong paranormal overtones. It made it easy to fall into her story because the entire world was already caught up on the mythology she created for the Dead, and the novel required no background. Her writing is engaging and gripping, especially in the fight scenes. Once I reached the halfway point in the book, it was impossible to put down!

I loved the romance in this novel. It was a slow, sweet dance, one that reminds me of the classics like Pride and Prejudice and Titanic. Truly, this was my favorite part of the entire novel. Eleanor's feelings for Daniel, weighed down by society and class, were the highlight of Something Strange and Deadly.

My only real disappointment with this novel is that I predicted a plot element about a hundred pages before it was revealed. Although this particular plot element was twisted around again, it took away some of the magic of the story for me. I guess I'm a little particular - I loved to be surprised, especially when it comes to paranormal YA.

Final Thoughts: It probably doesn't look like it, but I did like this book. It has a lot of the elements that I love: romance, mystery, suspense, and the paranormal. I loved they were weaved so seamlessly together, using the characters to solidify each. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series, and hopefully the little qualms that have been bothering me can be settled.

I really enjoyed reading this. I’m normally not much into zombies, but it was a paranormal historical and I liked the title. I liked the characters, and I’m curious to see what happens to them. I love that there was resolution with the possibility of more—I hate cliffhangers. I also really liked the trope that it’s the ones who are trying to help who get blamed for everything, but they continue to help anyway. I thought Jie as a character was awesome.

My attention usually perks up when someone mentions zombies. Throw 1876, the post-Civil War era into the mix and you have me as a reader hook line and sinker. Something Strange And Deadly by Susan Dennard adds a unique spin to the paranormal zombie genre via setting. Further, it is an example of strong characterization. Something Strange And Deadly does not take a turn for gimmicky, but instead is a genuinely good book and unique story.

The walking Dead are plaguing Philadelphia. As if Eleanor Fitt didn't have enough to worry about, what with being her formerly wealthy family's last hope in achieving prestige again, she now has to worry about if the Dead have her brother Elijah. Eleanor must turn to the Spirit Hunters for help -- speaking of which she's totally attracted to one of the Spirit Hunters, Daniel, the problem is he is below her class. Meanwhile, her mother is trying to foist her off on Clarence Wilcox, one of Philadelphia's most wealthy bachelors. As you can see, Eleanor has a lot deal with. Luckily, she's quite the plucky heroine.

Eleanor is headstrong and brave for her time period. She does not simper or wait for others to take action. Instead, Eleanor is the sort of female who takes the bull right by the horns. She's very loyal to her brother and also does her familial duty despite not exactly loving it. PLUS! When the walking Dead show up she doesn't cower in fear or faint, but instead thinks with a clear and logical head. She is a pleasure to read about.

Something Strange And Deadly does an excellent job providing readers with a sense of place and time. In the book, Philadelphia is holding an international exhibition and so many tourists are in the city taking in the new sights and technology. The exhibition also brings the spirit hunters to Philadelphia. Dennard does fabulous work in making the technology of 1876 seem new and wondrous. Beyond the machinery of the age, Dennard also incorporates the constructs of social structure. Class divisions are illustrated in the dialogue -- for example Clarence Wilcox, who is one of Eleanor's rich and wealthy suitors, speaks using formal speech patterns. In contrast with Clarence is Daniel, one of the spirit hunters, Daniel is working class and thus employs a lot of slang and contractions in his speech. I thought this was an interesting way to show that people of various classes spoke differently.

For a long book, clocking in at 388 pages, Something Strange And Deadly by Susan Dennard is rather engaging. There are not very many dull moments. Instead, the book has an interesting plot, plus there is an air of mystery as to the identity of the necromancer raising the dead. The dialogue is not clunky or weird or out of place -- even with the class divisions. I also found the characters to be quite likable.

The romance within Something Strange And Deadly is subtle. It's not quite in your face. Eleanor doesn't spend the entire book pining or fantasizing about a certain character. She does entertain notions of kissing the character, but it's not something that happens on the first page. Instead she gets to know her love interest and through working with him and assisting him, she then decides that she's into him. It's quite the slow burn and very swoon worthy when she realizes she has feelings for him and he for her. I will say, this book is light on physical interaction between the two characters. It's not a kissing fest by any means.

Susan Dennard's Something Strange And Deadly was an unexpectedly good read. It has a unique concept. It's got such a cool setting. There's a romance that is neither instant nor overwhelming. The main character is someone to cheer for. The stakes feel real. If you're looking for a young adult paranormal book where the girl doesn't fall in love with the zombie, check out Something Strange And Deadly, it is well worth your time

Susan Dennard has created an incredibly unique book that I will fondly look back on time and time again. With its paranormal aspects and lovely steampunk imagery, this story grabbed my attention from the start and held it until the very end.

Though the dead rising is becoming a little more common at this time and place, there's no way that our heroine, Eleanor, can ever get used to the sight and smells of a rotting being shuffling among the living. For some reason, her brother hasn't been able to make it home again, and she has reason to believe that he's being held hostage by the necromancer that started it all. Eleanor seeks help from a motley crew of Spirit-Hunters in order to get to the bottom of it and slowly uncovers the truth, maybe even before it's too late.

This entire story is packed with important events and information, which will keep you turning the pages. Eleanor is one tough cookie, and the determination within her is beyond belief. It's easy to say that she truly cares for her family, and she'll go to great lengths to make sure that they're taken care of. Another strong and oddly charming character is Daniel, one of the Spirit-Hunters that arrive in town just days after the dead have risen. The relationship that develops between the two is enough to satisfy my need for romance, but not enough to overpower the actual plot.

Something Strange and Deadly is full of excitement, pleasing visuals, imaginative inventions and characters that stand out from the rest. It's even turned me onto a new genre that I was a little hesitant to jump into. The author did an amazing job with describing the Eleanor's world. It's so packed full of action, which makes the entire story move at the perfect pace. Though the end of the story doesn't leave the reader hanging, I'm anticipating the release of its sequel, just because I loved these characters and the stories each of them had to tell.

Review from The Hollow Cupboards- (thehollowcupboards.blogspot.com)

Originally posted on my blog: The Bibliophile's Corner

Cover Talk: Oh my geez, this cover is gorgeous. I really wish that this dress would have made an appearance in the novel, but it doesn't. Also, there are gears in the background! Hence, "light" steampunk.

First Impressions: With the combination of the cover and the synopsis, I knew I had to read it. I have always liked the idea of "zombies" as created by necromancers.

First Few Chapters: I was definitely impressed by the first chapter. The Dead alarms ring in the train station and Eleanor is completely thrust into this world of Dead, rot, and magic. I really liked seeing her progress from there.

Characters: Eleanor is a really impressive character. The Eleanor from the first page and The Eleanor from the last page are not the same person. She grows from a spoiled, dainty Victorian lady into a strong, determined woman. While her crying got really annoyingI cannot wait to see what she is like in the second novel.

Eleanor's mom drove me batty. Every second Eleanor turned around it was marriage this and don't do that. I understand that this is Victorian era and 16 year olds needed to get married, but oh my word. And semi-spoiler, Eleanor goes through a lot of crap at the end of this book, she gets very badly hurt and when she wakes up, her mom tells her that she has lost the only bachelor with interest in her. Yeah, I don't like her.

Elijah, Eleanor's brother, we meet and experience mostly through letters. Eleanor is searching for him and determined to save him during the entire book. I really ended up liking Elijah at the end and felt so bad for him.

Clarence is a rich, handsome bachelor who, due to Eleanor finding him in a compromising conversation, has been "courting" her. I really couldn't decide how I felt about him as I was reading this book, but by the end, I did like him. I also felt incredibly bad for him. He and Elijah both suffer from self-imposed duties of honoring their dead father's.

Joseph, Daniel, and Jie are all part of the Spirit-Hunters, hired to take care of the Dead. I really enjoyed Eleanor's relationship with all of them. Joseph was almost an older mentor and I really see him picking up that role in the sequel. I also love Daniel and I better see more of their romantic interests in the second one. And then we have Jie. She is Chinese woman who disguises herself as male so that she can get away with more in society. It is Jie who ultimately opens Eleanor's eyes to show her that she is more than a corset and nice words.

Plot: This book was very impressive. I really loved the world building, the steampunk elements, and the characters. I have always loved the late 19th century era almost as much as I don't like it. The constrictive rules placed on women were very well done in this novel. The corsets, the manners, the marriage talk.

I know some die-hard zombie fans were not too impressed with the Dead in this novel, but I loved it. Instead of bites spreading to create more zombies, these "zombies" were raised by a necromancer. I really enjoyed how just when the characters thought they were getting somewhere with defeating the Dead, they show up and attack.

The only thing that kept me from giving this a five star rating, was because it was pretty predictable. It did not take away my enjoyment by any means, but I do wish that I would have been surprised instead.

Final Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I absolutely cannot wait to read the sequel. I can imagine where they're going with it and I can't wait to read it!

I picked up Something Strange and Deadly because of the Epic Reads Book Club. I was really into the idea of reading a book with zombies set in the 1870s. However, while I enjoyed the book, I felt there was something missing.

The Premise/Plot

In my own words... Something Strange and Deadly`s plot focuses on a zombie uprising that's currently threatening the population of Philadelphia. Our lead character, Eleanor Fitt, first encounters these zombies while waiting for her brother to arrive from New York. When he doesn't arrive, and a zombie hands her a note saying he was delayed, she immediately thinks the worst has happened, and goes to the Spirit-Hunters for help. Her desire to find her brother ends up being directly tied to the Spirit-Hunter's goals in stopping the undead and finding the Necromancer that controls them. Working together (willingly or unwilling in some cases) they figure out what's going on and keep the undead from killing all of Philly.

Ultimately I found my level of interest in the plot wavering throughout the entire read. There were times where I flew through the text... but other times I found it very easy to put down the book. Granted, obviously I picked it back up and finished it... but that was more because of the characters, not the story.

In the end there were a few surprises along the way that kept me going, but I was able to predict a few things leaving some details less surprising than they might be for most readers. However, the way it ultimately ended (which did surprise me-had an interesting twist, lots of fun action, and lots of zombies) left me wanting to go on and read the next book.

The Characters

Our main character was Eleanor. I really loved her strong and defiant personality. I loved that she was a strong female character, though I suppose we all have our weaknesses (and characters without flaws are boring). There were definitely times where her strength would cave in, and she'd turn into a mess of sorts. This was mostly evident when it came to her brother, Elijah. She's very strong in every other aspect of her life, but when it comes to him her blind faith in his goodness makes her overlook a lot of details that may have helped her out a lot along the way. At times her naiveté with her brother bothered me... but it also made her who she was.

Elijah was a fascinating character all on his own. I don't want to go too in-depth because so much of the plot revolves around his disappearance, and I don't want to blatantly give anything away. I wish I had gotten to read his story, and know more about him, opposed to seeing him just through Eleanor's eyes. It would have been a very interesting to see how he perceived things, and to see his thought processes regarding certain choices.

As for other characters, I enjoyed Daniel. He was abrasive and I loved it. I liked that he challenged Eleanor, and that they didn't have an insta-love. I like romances that take more than a few pages to exist (attraction, fine, love, not so fine). And, again, he was another character I would have loved to see more of. Similarly, I actually really loved Clarence. I thought that I'd end up disliking Clarence at some point... however I never did, and I'm actually really glad for that.

Overall the characters were great. I loved their personalities and what they brought to the table. They're what drew me in when I felt the plot was lacking.

In the end...

...I enjoyed this novel, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for everyone. If someone was looking for a zombie fix, or perhaps a paranormal historical fiction with a dash of steampunk, I'd direct them this way. I think there was a lot of good in Something Strange and Deadly that hopefully created a solid jumping board for the second book in the series (which I plan on picking up).

Something Strange and Deadly was an exciting thrill ride with a bit of something for everyone. I haven't jumped on the zombie-craze bandwagon yet, but from the moment I heard about this book - and saw its unbelievably beautiful cover - I was intrigued and knew I had to read it.

I loved Eleanor. She was a misfit in her own life - she was unlike the other girls her age, she was stifled under her mother's harsh and watchful eye, and she didn't care about fashion and appearances and all the other things girls of her station were supposed to care about. She was innocent and protected in a lot of ways, but she was also spirited and more forward-thinking than a lot of the people around her. It made for a really interesting balance within her character, and I enjoyed watching her develop and learn.

The secondary characters added life and intrigue to the story. Eleanor's mother, while I do believe she loved her daughter in her own strange way, was selfish and obsessed with appearances, and she used Eleanor in ways that made my blood boil. Then there was Clarence, the brother of one of Eleanor's `friends' and the young man Mrs. Fitt hoped Eleanor would marry because he came from a good family and could be their salvation from financial ruin. I have to admit, there was something about Clarence that drew me in - he was mysterious and sometimes irritating, and the tense interactions between him and Eleanor were often amusing. My favourite characters other than Eleanor were the trio of Spirit-Hunters (a group tracking a powerful necromancer who was controlling the Dead) - Daniel, Joseph, and Jie. They were each special in their own way, and they each had scenes with Eleanor that made me love them. They added such diversity to the story with their own talents and distinct personalities, and I especially enjoyed the interactions between Eleanor and Daniel. They hated each other at first, but it slowly developed into something more - grudging respect and admiration, a desire to protect each other, and maybe a little something more.

Something Strange and Deadly was thrilling, gruesome, and exciting. The plot itself was tightly woven with moments of humour and romance, but always an underlying sense of tension and danger. I was both terrified and fascinated at the notion of Dead, along with the malevolent spirit and the necromancer. The writing was absolutely beautiful, and Eleanor's voice, along with the setting, felt very authentic. When I read an historic novel, I like to be transported to that time and place, and that was definitely the case with this book. The dialogue, Eleanor's inner commentary, and the descriptions of everything felt bang on, and I have to give Ms Dennard major kudos for that.

Overall, Something Strange and Deadly was a beautifully written story with diverse characters, a plot that thrills and chills, a mystery that will keep you guessing, a hint of romance and humour, and enough action to make your heart race. With a bittersweet ending that left me heartbroken because of innocence lost and painful lessons learned, this must-read book has me yearning for its sequel to find out what will happen to Eleanor next.

Eleanor Fitt has problems. Her beloved brother, Elijah, is missing; her mother keeps throwing Eleanor at every rich bachelor she can find; and the walking dead have suddenly made an appearance on the streets of Philadelphia. Plus, because it's 1876, Eleanor also has to deal with petticoats, parasols, and corsets while dealing with all these problems.

To be honest, it took me a while to get into this book and start liking it. I don't know about anyone else, but when I start reading a novel, I expect to be swept away, to be immersed in the story and the characters. In the best books, I get so involved with the words on the page that I'm able to ignore completely the world around me, to block out everything but those characters and that story. Yet with Something Strange and Deadly, for the longest time, what I was reading was just words on a page, people moving and talking and doing stuff, but without any emotional involvement from me. I often found myself... not quite bored, not quite bewildered, but in a strange state of expectancy, waiting for the characters to develop into more than just names on the page, waiting for the story to take off and actually start going somewhere. Though it took a while (to the point that I was almost ready to give up on the book), that all changed and the story and characters finally managed to grab hold of my imagination.

I think part of my problem had to do with Eleanor. Though she tried to be a proper Victorian maiden, she rebelled, often in small ways, but still she fought. For that, I should've liked her, but there was just something about her voice, her attitude, which grated on me. She often came across as whiny, self-indulgent, and imperious. Her nickname, "Empress," given to her by another character, Daniel, was justly deserved, at least at the beginning of the novel. Thankfully, she grew as a character, losing some of that imperiousness along the the way and gaining a bit more humility. (Oh, and towards the end of the book, because she's called Miss Fitt, as is proper, there's a lot of 'misfit' jokes as her rebellious nature comes out in full force, which grow tiresome after a while.)

There's a mystery at the heart of the book, revolving around the man, the necromancer, who has caused the dead to rise, and as a mystery, it's easy to solve: You know who the necromancer is within a short amount of time. It's watching the others figure out the man's identity which propels the action. Speaking of which, there's a lot of that, from the very first chapter, and once the story coalesces the action picks up speed as well. Zombies, martial arts, pulse bombs, Spirit-Hunters. Now, with everything that's going on, you might be forgiven for thinking that this is a steampunk novel, but it's not; it's more of an alternative history with a few neat gizmos and gadgets thrown in.

There's also romance running through the novel, with two suitors vying for Eleanor's hand, and here's where Dennard got creative. As the story progresses, you think you see where that romance is going, but Dennard throws a curveball and switches things up (am I mixing my metaphors here?), keeping you on your toes. It was a nice change of pace.

In the end, I have to say, though I wasn't expecting it, I found myself completely wrapped up in the story, so that when the end came I was almost angry that the book was over. However, because of the way that ending was set-up (there's an obvious sequel in the works), I find myself eagerly awaiting the next adventure of the intrepid Miss Eleanor Fitt and the Spirit-Hunters.

I'm a zombie fan. Mostly gross, sloppy zombies, but I like them all, really. So zombies, the ultimate unrestrained horror creature, within the restrained Victorian setting is fascinating.

We follow Eleanor Fitt (of the Philadelphia Fitts, thank you!) as she becomes embroiled in the ever growing scourge of Philadelphia, the walking dead. On the day her beloved brother, Elijah, is to return to town, a message is delivered to her, in the hands of a zombie, telling her that he has been taken hostage by the necromancer controlling the dead and that she should stop looking for him. As a fine lady of society, Eleanor should do as the note says, and worry about Elijah from the comfort of her sitting room. BUT, Eleanor is not your typical proper lady. Instead, she takes up with the Spirit-Hunters, a questionable group in town to help them be rid of the zombies, and ends up getting caught right in the middle of the action, also catching the eye of their resident inventor, Daniel, a most unsuitable match.

Like I've said, Eleanor is not much like the girls of the time. All for the sake of her brother she ruins several dresses, bashes in a few zombie legs, and even dresses up like a man on a few occasions. She's a go getter and really just does what needs to be done without really relying on anyone else, let alone a man, to help her.

I did call the big twists rather early on in the book, something I'm never too happy about doing, but that didn't really detract from my enjoyment, especially in the end when EVERYTHING IS GOING DOWN. I like endings like that. :) You're on the edge of your seat, just waiting for the next big thing to happen. (It always so happens that someone calls me or I have to do something right at that moment. Boo.)

Aside from the non-gruesome zombies and the decently easy to pick apart plot, I really enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly. Eleanor and all of her supporting characters were fascinating (especially Jie! More of her please!) I'm definitely looking forward to the follow up.

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard
ARC received by Harper Collins via Edelweiss
Release Date: 7-24-2012
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Macabre, Menacing, and Menacing
Originally on YA Sisterhood Blog

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book because I had never read any other zombie book. Truthfully, I am still wavering on my final judgment.

I really enjoyed most of the book--it was refreshing and dramatic. Susan's world leapt off the page, and her stunning prose made me feel like I was right there with Eleanor as she worried for her brother, fought her incorrigible mother, and distressed over her feelings for Daniel and Clarence. Eleanor is snarky (even though its 1896) and she doesn't back down from a fight. She struggles to find her place in society and amongst her friends, and I really felt for her as she dug herself deeper and deeper into the macabre world of the spirit hunters. Eleanor was a great heroine--strong and capable, but not stupid. There were times when you could feel her terror, and I respected her because she tried to overcomes her fears. I really admired how Susan presented Eleanor's strengths and weaknesses--all of which built a great heroine.

Now...the 2 guys: Daniel and Clarence. They are complete opposites. Clarence is the smart, handsome, and rich family friend that is exactly the kind of man Eleanor should want to marry--only Clarence has a few secrets that Eleanor is determined to unmask before she believes any of his affections. Clarence is veiled in a mask of secrecy and learning his past is one of the most interesting parts of the book. And then there's Daniel, the ruggedly handsome lower class spirit hunter that is considered to be "filthy" by Eleanor's mother--only Eleanor finds herself dismissing her mother's concerns and developing some sort of feelings for the rugged man. However, just like Clarence, he is harboring secrets of his own. Who can Eleanor trust? Can she trust either of these two handsome devils?

Susan creates dynamic and irresitible characters that you just can help but feel tied to.

So why am I wavering?

I hate to say this, but I did not like the ending. I'm not going to say any more because it would be way too spoilery. I think many people will enjoy the ending, and maybe this is just the way zombie books are--but I just found myself saying, "What? Why???"

Now with that...let me answer a few questions:

Am I glad I read it? Yes. I needed to be introduced to the zombie sub-genre, and I really did enjoy the book right up until the end.

Will I read the sequel? Yes, although it won't be one that I rush to the store at midnight to purchase.

Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes because I think quite a few people will enjoy that Susan Dennard has no hesitations in smacking your expectations in the face.

What would I change? Even though it's 1896 and there are reasons for it--I wanted more romance!!!!! Eleanor thrusts her fist as society in every other way--why not add a little more steam?

So...I will leave you with this. Read it and see for yourself--if anything, you will see a world that's new and different. And I'm hoping the sequel will end with me saying, "Yeah!" instead of "What?"

Probably one of the first things I felt after discovering Something Strange and Deadly was charmed. There was a scavenger hunt to promote the book, and as I went through it and learned about the story, I found myself becoming more and more excited. A steampunk Victorian story about a group of folks who hunt zombies? A heroine whose weapon is a parasol? "Aim for the knees" as a slogan? So much fun! So when I realized my sister had an ARC of the book, I quickly confiscated it and dove in. While I had a couple of issues with the book for a while, I came away -- once again -- completely charmed.

Eleanor Fitt has got to be one of my favorite female protagonists in YA. Her subtle (yet blatant) rebellion against societal expectations had me laughing and scheming right along with her. What I loved most about her was that she genuinely cared about each person she interacted with, no matter how nasty they might have been toward her. But she never wavered from her own convictions. Though she was often pushed into situations by others, she still found a way to seize each moment as hers. Full of energy, wit, concern, and gumption, Miss Fitt was especially charming.

Many of the other characters came to life in a lovely, subtle way. Each of the Spirit-Hunters has a unique charm that I quickly came to adore. Even the zombies had such character that I was able to envision them clearly while reading. I don't know if it was the author's intention, but yes, the Dead even came across as amusing and not exactly scary!

The story was a lot of fun to read, but I spent about 200 pages being utterly annoyed (while simultaneously enjoying the story). Very early into the book, I saw the plot twists so obviously that I was outraged when Eleanor -- or at the very least, Joseph -- didn't see them, too! So I read, and fumed each time one of the plot twists became more and more clear. Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed in the Spirit-Hunters for not realizing one of the twists, because it was their job to do so. (That is, unless they DID realize it, but were just keeping it secret from Eleanor?) HOWEVER... by the time these plot twists came into the open, I was enjoying just watching how they unfolded. My annoyance had dissipated and I was as enchanted with the story as ever.

And the ending, you guys? THE ENDING. So... so good. So perfect. I absolutely love Susan Dennard for ending it the way she did. I love Eleanor and Daniel. They are so effing adorable. I cannot wait for book two. Something Strange and Deadly is the most charming book I've read this year. Go read it, as soon as you get the chance!

After her father's death several years earlier, sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt, her brother, Elijah, and their mother were left with next to nothing. Eleanor knows that it is up to her to improve their fortunes by marrying well, something her mother reminds her of daily. After her brother mysteriously disappears, however, and the Dead begin to rise in her hometown of Philadelphia, Eleanor has a lot more than marriage to a wealthy bachelor on her mind. It seems that a necromancer is operating in the city, raising the Dead to do his bidding. Sons of well-to-do families in Philadelphia society are being murdered and Eleanor fears that Elijah, who she believes is being held captive by the necromancer, might be next. To help save her brother, Eleanor turns to a team of Spirit-Hunters operating out of a lab out of Philadelphia's Centennial Exhibition. The Spirit-Hunters, consisting of a man named Joseph who can sense the supernatural, a handsome scientist named Daniel, and a young but fierce Chinese woman named Jie, are on the hunt for the necromancer themselves. Can Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters save Elijah and end the reign of the necromancer and his army of the Dead before it's too late?

Part historical fiction, part zombie thriller, Something Strange and Deadly, the first installment in a series for teens by debut author Susan Dennard, is a decent selection for readers who like supernatural novels with a bit of a twist. Set in 1876 Philadelphia, much of the story focuses on the plight of leading lady, sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt, in securing a marriage to save her family's hemorrhaging finances. The rest of the novel deals with the supernatural elements, like zombies, ghosts and necromancers and the mystery surrounding exactly what is causing the Dead to rise. While many will enjoy this combination of history, mystery and horror, readers who want something that is only historical fiction or just about zombies and the supernatural might find themselves disappointed that the novel solidly identifies itself in one genre. Not enough focus is given to any element in the story to make it really appealing to fans of a specific type of book, so only readers who are interested in a combination of themes will enjoy reading the novel. Eleanor is a likable enough protagonist, but not enough depth is given to the support characters to really engage the reader in her interactions with them. A small romance does blossom, but not really in any way that feels organic. The story does have some promise, however, so hopefully the author can strengthen the characters and plot in the next installment, A Darkness Strange and Lovely, set to be released July 23, 2013.

I had a difficult time deciding whether I liked this novel or not. It was a bit schizophrenic for me, almost as if the author wanted the story to be many different things that there wasn't one thing that was done really superbly. The zombie element kind of came and went in importance, Eleanor's plight to find a good marriage wasn't really executed fully, and the support characters weren't as developed as they could have been. I think the author definitely has the makings for a good series, but some editing and focusing of where the story is going and what the main themes are would help the reader to stay more engaged.

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Eleanor waits at the telegram office desperately waiting for word from her brother, Elijah who is due home. Ringing bells sets off a panic....The dead are coming. Eleanor huddles terrified, but unwilling to leave the depot. A putrid smell assaults her senses right before she hears the sound of bone grinding upon bone, one of the corpses is outside the window. A decayed fist thrusts through the glass dropping a crumpled, foul smelling piece of paper. Then they are gone....Eleanor frantically searches through the piles of messages looking for a telegram from her brother. Nothing. She grabs the balled up bit of paper that the dead dropped. It is a note from Elijah! Her spirit buoyed with the contact, soon falter as she reads that he is not coming home. Eleanor dashes home, dismayed by the news. Her brother has been away for three years. Things are becoming dire for Eleanor and her mother. Their money is running out, and The Dead are invading Philadelphia, and now her brother is not coming home to save them. Desperate, Eleanor turns to the mysterious spirit hunters who have recently arrived in town to hopefully rid the city of these foul and unnatural creatures. Can Eleanor recover her brother?
What I Liked:
*Something Strange and Deadly was a surprisingly fun read. This debut book blends steampunk with zombies and spirits, and a mystery for an entertaining book. I especially loved the historical setting of Philadelphia in 1876. The steam punk elements are a bit subtle but still lots of fun. I also liked the inclusion of the shambling dead and the spirits.
*Eleanor is a character that ended up surprising me. She is a young lady caught in the constricting bindings of the upper class society. In the beginning, she comes off as a privileged young lady, but as the book progresses the reader learns there is more to Eleanor than meets the eye. She is far from the polished and perfect lady of the era (she longs to eat to her heart's content and even occasionally curses). She is adventurous, brave, inquisitive and determined. I loved how she was constantly defying her mother and shaking off the demands of society. I laughed at the numerous references to her being a little plump. By the end, she evolves and grows and becomes a capable young woman. I absolutely loved the way she shakes free of all the expectations, follows her heart and makes some painful decisions. At the end, the Eleanor we are left with is far different than the one we met early on.
*This book does not feature a heavy romance. Instead there is a small attraction that blooms into a relationship full of antagonism and then into something a bit more. Yet, the romance doesn't completely unfurl. I liked that the romance wasn't the main focus. It is subtle and just right. I especially liked that the romance was on slow burn, once I learned all the expectations for a young woman's conduct with men during this era. Eleanor at sixteen had never even witnessed a kiss. In the end, there are some tiny tendrils laid down for what will hopefully bloom into a full fledged romance; one that flourishes despite class and societal expectations.
*I thoroughly loved the historical setting. Ms. Dennard definitely did her research and she brings us the Philadelphia of the late nineteenth century. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book.
*Aside from Eleanor, there are some great secondary characters as well. My favorite was Jie, the Chinese girl. She broke free of her cultural demands and lives a free life. She is a stealthy fighter and just as capable as a man. It is refreshing to see a Chinese girl be something different.

And The Not So Much:
*The Dead play a prominent role in this book, but they aren't clearly defined. The Dead have been plaguing and terrorizing for some years, but the reader never receives a thorough explanation on how they all came to be. Were there numerous Necromancers throughout the world raising the corpses? Was there any means to protect the city? *How did a corpse become one of The Hungry? Why weren't they cremating bodies to prevent them from rising? I needed more information on The Dead.
*The book presents a mystery, but unfortunately it is very clear early on who is behind the recent outbreaks of The Dead in Philadelphia. Even though it was obvious, I still enjoyed seeing all the pieces snap into place.
*Don't go into this one expecting to find brain munching zombies. The Dead just make random appearances and they aren't very frightening. If you are expecting this to be a scary, zombie book, it is not. I actually wished that The Dead played a bigger role.
*The pacing of this one was a bit slow in the beginning, but then once it gets going it moves at a quick pace, sometimes too quick, as details get glossed over a bit. In the end, it reaches a satisfying conclusion without a cliffhanger, but certainly leaves story lines to develop in the next book.

Something Strange and Deadly is a well written and entertaining debut novel. It marries steampunk with mysteries and zombies. It is a fast, fun race to discover the mind behind the strange and deadly occurrences that plague Philadelphia. This one is receiving a lot of buzz, and I can say that it is well worth the read.

Favorite Quotations:
"I'd prefer if eligible young men learned my faults after meeting me."
"For once my legs and skirts worked in concert, and I didn't trip over hems or lace. I just ran."
"Mama tugged the laces of my corset as tight as they would go. She grunted and I groaned, and we sounded like the giant hogs I'd seen at the zoo---except that, rather than play in the mud and eat to my heart's content, I was forced to sit daintily in the parlor without lunch."
"Why is it that no matter how realistic or rehearsed a lie is, it always rings false in the teller's ears?"
"Life still needed living even if there was something strange and deadly going on in Philadelphia."
"She poked at my bodice. "Why would I ever want to put this on? Squeeze my guts and deform my ribs? It's not natural."
"For all that Daniel hated me, maybe he liked me a little too."
"Women in pastel gowns shimmered under streetlamps, and their dragging skirts whispered like a symphony of moth's wings."
"I saw his soul. It sparkled like the sun on the river, and warmth washed over me. It was the smile after the storm."

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and I did not receive any compensation for this review. All quotations are taken from the ARC and they may differ from the final copy.

First, I must comment on the cover. Although this cover is stunning and I do think it accurately portrays the feel of the book, I wish the model used wasn't so thin. Eleanor is described as having a little more cushion than the average girl. I like that she isn't a barbie character. I think the book would get a broader audience if the Spirit-Hunters were some way included on the cover.

Dennerd did an excellent job creating a unique world within a real time period. I loved her use of Victorian era clothes, devices, and such. The one big difference is that, possibly once or twice a year, a few Dead rise from their graves. The novel takes place during a time when the Dead are becoming more common and greater in numbers.

My favorite characters were the Spirit-Hunters. They are like the Ghostbusters of the late 1800s. I like how Dennard integrated diversity into a time period where it wasn't common. I can only assume a Cajun black man and a Chinese girl dressed as a boy were not a common sight in Philadelphia during the late 19th century. The Spirit-Hunters all have unique personalities as well.

Dennard's take on high society Victorian culture was very interesting. I liked how Eleanor defied her place in society as the story progressed. I also really liked the Centennial Exhibition. It reminded me of The Carousel of Progress in Disney.

I've seen a lot of reviews of this novel that didn't like the way zombies were portrayed, but I loved it! I enjoy the traditional voodoo controlled zombies more than the more recently popular crazy flesh-eating virus. I loved the way the Necromancer controlled them, but if he lost control they became Hungry. I also liked the way Dennard incorporated a seance and a Spirit.

There was a little bit of a love triangle, but the story was more powerful. In the next novel I want to learn more about how the Spirit got in during the seance. I would also like to see the Spirit-Hunters challenged by some more paranormal beings. I think I remember a tweet between Marissa Meyer and Dennard talking about a Parisian landmark.

I give this novel a 5/5! One of my favorite debuts of the past year.

When I first requested SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Zombies aren't normally my thing, but there was something about the summary that piqued my interest. For me, the big draw was the promise of a mystery - a missing brother - set against the historic backdrop of the 1876 Centennial Exposition, or Philadelphia World's Fair. Once I started reading, it was the creepy atmosphere that kept me quickly turning pages (or clicking the arrow on my Kindle), even though I was fairly certain I had some of the plot figured out well beforehand. It didn't hurt that the main character, Miss Eleanor Fitt, was an absolutely feisty heroine. Between her and the setting, I found this book very difficult to put down.

The book starts off with a bang - or rather, a clang - when the Dead alarms go off, and Eleanor comes face-to-face with a member of the Dead (i.e. zombies), who happens to be delivering a letter from her brother, Elijah. Eleanor is convinced that Elijah is being held against his will by the Necromancer, and contacts the Spirit-Hunters for help. Through a bit of start and stopping, she finally convinces them to assist her in finding her brother. It was at this point that the book really took off, because the danger of the Dead, not to mention the bits of intrigue surrounding her father's death that are being dropped piece by piece into the story, really drive the stakes up.

Throughout the ensuing run-ins with the Dead, we really get to see Eleanor become a very strong, capable woman who gets sick of always doing what society deems proper, and finally doing what she feels is right. This includes confronting her suitor, the dashing and very rich Clarence Wilcox, about his odd behavior, and cutting out on a date with said suitor to cross-dress and help the Spirit-Hunters with a task. Add to that the slow-burning romance between Eleanor and Daniel, one of the Spirit-Hunters with his own painful backstory, and I was completely taken in by the story.

While I figured out much of the mystery early on, it didn't end up mattering because I found Eleanor's character to be so well-written and developed, and couldn't help cheering her on. And there was enough twist at the end to make sure I hadn't figured out everything, as well as an achy-breaky ending that left my heart hurting a bit. There's definitely some set-up for the second book, but I was very satisfied with the way things ended here.

All in all, I found SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY to be a thoroughly engrossing, utterly engaging read, with a fabulous main character and wonderful historical flourishes. Fans of steampunk and zombies will enjoy the atmosphere, while fans of everything else will love Eleanor and the characters that surround her (this has a really first-rate cast of supporting characters), with the one exception of her mother, who is really something else.

I have the utmost respect and love for Susan Dennard. Not only does she write insanely insightful blog posts about writing and publishing, but it was through Susan's online writing sprints that I met a group of writers who have become very important to me and I will always be grateful to Susan for bringing us together. So of course I was going to read her debut book!

The Dead are awake in Philadelphia in 1876 and Eleanor Fitt is worried they've taken her missing brother. When she enlists the help of the "spirit-hunters" who are trying to stop the Dead, she ends up on a wild ride fighting not only an army of zombies but a malevolent spirit who just won't go away.

Eleanor is completely the best part of the book. She is so fun and spirited and feisty and someone I would love to have as a best friend. I love that she fights against the system, which in that time is her mother and social customs. Her love for her brother Elijah is a strong motivator for her and she fearlessly jumps into the battle to find out what has happened to him and who is controlling the Dead in her city. The secondary characters are also excellent, especially Daniel Sheridan, a spirit-hunter with a tainted past, and Jie, a mysterious Chinese girl. There is a delicate, slow burn happening between Daniel and Eleanor and I am dying to know what's coming next for them.

The world Dennard has created is really interesting. This was my first steam punk book and also my first zombie book. I can't say that I actually enjoyed the zombies, but I liked the mix of historical elements with technology a lot and felt it worked really well with the conflict of getting rid of the Dead. We're left with one conflict resolved - for now - and another up in the air for the next installment, which comes out in July.

Fantastic characters, a fascinating setting and plot, and just a lot of fun - I would recommend this to anyone!

4/5

P.S. - does anyone else think the cover model looks just like Martie Maguire from the Dixie Chicks??

The reviews I've read of SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY have been mixed, but I absolutely loved it. It's the Centennial in Philadelphia and the Dead are walking the streets. Eleanor Fitt paid the newspaper stories little mind until one of the Dead gives her a letter from her brother. Determined to help Elijah, she goes to the Spirit-Hunters. Turns out Eleanor has a talent for kneecapping the Dead with her ever-present parasol. (She is, after all, a Victorian lady.)

For all that SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY is a story about zombies, the setting has a lot of life in it. Eleanor ignores many of the rules she's supposed to follow, and she's often very aware that she's risking her reputation. But there are some things she considers more important than her reputation, and she's broke anyways. It's not like she had many choices before her brother was kidnapped by a necromancer.

The romance is light but sweet. There's a brief moment when SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY looks like it's heading for a love triangle, but fortunately that's averted. (I did like Clarence, Eleanor's never-had-a-chance suitor, but it's just so nice not to have a love triangle.) Daniel, resident inventor for the Spirit-Hunters, has great chemistry with Eleanor. Their banter is pretty amusing.

But honestly, there's a pretty easy test to see if you'll like SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY. Do you want to read about zombies running amok in Victorian times? Then yes, you should read this one.

I'm definitely going to be back for the second book in the trilogy. I'm curious about where Susan Dennard will take her heroine next, because SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY functions just fine as a standalone novel. (Big cheer!) I've heard rumors that it's set in Paris, which definitely sounds dandy.

Susan Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly has catapulted itself onto my 2012 list of favorites. With a hint of romance, creepy zombies, voodoo, steampunk inventions, and unique, memorable characters, how could you not fall in love with this book?

One of the most defining aspects of Something Strange and Deadly was the main characters. Eleanor herself is full of spunk and sass, but then we add the three spirit-hunters to the mix and things really start getting interesting. They introduce Eleanor to whole world she wasn't aware existed and it's obvious that she'll never be the same again.

The setting, 1876 Philadelphia, was perfect. Eleanor's adventures occur during the Centennial Exhibition - an exciting time in it's own right, but downright craziness with zombies flash mobbing the exhibits unexpectedly. I never felt that there was a dull moment in this book... Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters were either fighting off zombies or trying to figure out why the zombies were attacking in the first place. There wasn't much time to take tea and relax, they had a city to save.

There is a touch of romance within Something Strange and Deadly's pages as well. It definitely isn't the focal point, but I found myself focusing on it... Daniel and Eleanor are both incredibly stubborn and come from entirely different worlds, so there conversation is never boring and always entertaining. I look forward to seeing if Dennard develops there relationship into something more than friends with possibility of more... I'd be interested in seeing how they handle the more.

This first installment ended on an interesting note, so I'm a bit anxious to get my hands on book two. Eleanor quickly became one of my favorite heroines and I will faithfully follow her into her next adventure... and I wouldn't mind seeing all the Spirit-Hunters again either!

Summary:
Eleanor is growing up in Victorian Philadelphia. Her brother, Elijah (love that name!), has disappeared. Her family is not doing so well and in true Victorian fashion, her mother is attempting to marry her off to rich Clarence (again, love the name). Eleanor goes along like a good little girl, but also tries to find Elijah. In order to do that, Eleanor goes to the Spirit-Hunters. The Spirit-Hunters are a ghost hunting group that use a mixture of technology and magic. Oh, I completely forgot to mention that there is a hoard of very hungry zombies running around. The dead have been raised by a necromancer. What's a sweet Victorian lady to do?

My thoughts:
Honestly, I love when author mix genres up. This was written very well with lovable and quirky characters, but the Victorian atmosphere sold it for me. I think part of it is because the mixture of a demure young lady that kicks behind is so much fun. Eleanor delivers! She plays the perfect young lady while also risking everything for those that she cares about. She also is stubborn and spicy when it comes to the love interest, who is also stubborn and spicy. The relationship is not a fall in love at first sight type of thing, but one in which there is just as much conflict as chemistry. They are just adorable.

This is also a newer twist on zombies. I enjoyed a reason behind the risen dead. The necromancer identity is supposed to be a twist, but it is fairly easy to figure out who it is. I don't think that really takes away from the story though. Since I am used to figuring things out in YA books, this just was par for the course. I think the zombie, Victorian, steampunkish technology is reminiscent of Lia Habel; however, the love story (which I feel is a major part of Habel's Dearly, Departed: A Zombie Novel series) is not even close to similar. I love Bram from Dearly, Departed, but his love story is a love at first sight type thing. I feel like the love story in Something Strange and Deadly is more believable for the characters involved. I also feel like Eleanor is a stronger female lead. Regardless, both books are good companions to one another and I high recommend some History+Zombie reading.

When Eleanor Fitt's brother goes missing, she suspects the worst. The dead have been rising in Philadelphia and a necromancer is on the loose. Eleanor is certain that her brother is danger, so she approaches the Spirit Hunters, hoping to enlist their help in finding her brother. Unfortunately, they've got their hands full in attempting to keep the dead from attacking the city, and their help isn't entirely welcome by the city. But Eleanor isn't giving up easily, and soon she finds herself going against her society mother to help her new friends keep the evil at bay and uncover a plot that might have killed her father.

Something Strange and Deadly is a great start to an inventive, compelling, and dark trilogy. Susan Dennard makes historic Philadelphia tangible and real, even with her imagined zombies invading; everything from the physical settings, mannerisms, and dress is so vivid. Eleanor is not exceptionally beautiful, nor the most slender nor richest girl in Philadelphia, but she has a lot of courage and love for her brother and that makes her quite likable. While she may believe that she is trapped by conventions and her mother's expectations at first, in working with the Spirit Hunters she realistically learns to face her fears and embrace her own strength and individuality. The supporting characters of the Spirit Hunters Joseph, Daniel, and Jie are also very engaging and the chemistry between them and Eleanor is excellent. Dennard writes action scenes with a lot of verve and suspense, and the consequences of the conflict between the Spirit Hunters and the mysterious necromancer match the intensity of the entire novel. Dennard's excellent debut concludes with a satisfying mixture of hope and regret, but you won't want to wait too long to read the sequel, A Darkness Strange and Lovely.

Zombies seem to be replacing the oversaturated vampires and werewolves as the go-to supernatural creature of the moment. Honestly, that is just fine with me.

So it was oddly refreshing to read "Something Strange and Deadly," Susan Dennard's moderately suspenseful debut novel about a plucky Victorian heroine versus the forces of supernatural undeath. There's both romance and ghoulish violence aplenty, as well as a steampunky flair when the Spirit Hunters appear.

Bad things are afoot in Eleanor's life -- first one of the zombiesque Dead hands her a cryptic note from her missing brother Elijah, then a seance her mother conducts goes horribly wrong. Fearing that Elijah is dead (or worse), she sets out to the Centennial Exhibition to enlist the help of the Spirit Hunters -- and learns that a necromancer may be sacrificing people to raise the Dead.

So she begins her own investigation, despite the best efforts of both the Spirit Hunters and the mysterious, wealthy Clarence Wilcox. But the more secrets Eleanor uncovers, the closer the Dead attacks seem to appear -- and she begins to suspect an ugly conspiracy that had something to do with her father's death.

"Something Strange and Deadly" is one of those books that is hard to classify -- lots of rotting zombies and evil ghosts without being horror, a teen romance without being mushy, and some steampunky flair without being proper steampunk. Since it doesn't lean too heavily on any one genre, it feels refreshingly smooth.

Dennard writes in a brisk, crisp style, sometimes with splatters of vivid imagery ("An icy wind blasted through the room, and with it came the smell of dark, moist, ancient soil"), although you won't find much of the Victorian style in this book. And she throws in some clever twists that genuinely derail Eleanor's investigations, such as her discoveries about Daniel's past.

The biggest problem with "Something Strange and Deadly" is that I figured out the necromancer's identity and motives pretty early into the story. But Dennard does make up for that by throwing in an unexpected twist.

Eleanor makes a pretty solid, realistic heroine -- she's determined, frank and smart, but still freaks out when she sees zombies and feels bound by her upper-crust society. The Spirit Hunters make a pretty solid team behind her, but sadly we don't get quite enough background on Jie and Joseph, although Daniel makes a solid potential love interest. Maybe they'll be fleshed out more in the sequel.

"Something Strange and Deadly" is a solid mystery/horror/romance/steampunk adventures, with dollops of rotting flesh and evil magic. A fun read that leaves me wanting more of Eleanor's adventures.

I had a difficult time truly getting into the essence of this book. As I read it, there was a constant, nagging feeling that something was just a bit off, a bit out of place, to make this a much better story. It was the main character Eleanor Fitt.

We're introduced to Eleanor when she goes to the telegraph office hoping for word from her brother, Elijah. In the very first sentence we are introduced to the big problem Eleanor and the people of Philadelphia face - zombies. Eleanor's mother is determined to marry her off to a rich man, even though Eleanor's family has very little money. Their father is dead and due to bad business dealings with other men, the family fortune was lost. And with all this, Elijah is missing. In her quest to find out what has happned to her brother and stay one step ahead of her mother's marriage machinations, Eleanor soon becomes involved with a group called the Spirit Hunters.

The Spirit Hunters have been hired by the city to help with the problem of the rising dead. They work out of a little room at the Centennial Exhibition. Eleanor is determined to find out exactly what they are doing and how they are doing it, all while keeping her petticoats straight. In fact, a good portion of this book is about nothing more than petticoats, bustles, umbrellas, and other Victorian/steam punk fashions of the time period (1880s - 1900 is my thought). When running for your life from a weapon weilding zombie, why on earth would you care if your petticoats are even?

It's rather difficult to summarize this book in a way that makes sense and is also appealing to other possible readers.This is my first foray into steam punk, Victorian era writing. If Eleanor was not so darn...ditzy, I might have found the story more engaging. The story is told through Eleanor's point of view, and her train of thought often runs off the rails. I think it might have been a more compact and complete story had it been told from the third person point of view.

I feel awful that this is a book I cannot easily review. There are so many swirling plots and characters and ideas that are in this book that could easily have been turned into an amazing series. The ending of the book left the possibilities of more adventures with Eleanor and the Spirit Hunters wide open, and I hope to see more. While it was awkward and choppy to read, underneath it all "Something Strange and Deadly" is a crackling adventure with amazing inventions and a little bit of magic and romance. This book is a good read for a dreary weekend afternoon. Following along on this adventure will certainly make your day brighter :)

Another novel in the steampunk genre, Something Strange and Deadly takes place in Victorian Philadelphia circa 1876. The story's main character is Miss Eleanor Fitt - and that's exactly how she feels. A misfit. Eleanor lives alone with her mother (and two servants) after the death of her father (no mention of how he died other than it was related to him going insane when his business went belly up). To keep up appearances despite their financial situation, Eleanor's mother throws lavish parties. Meanwhile, Eleanor (who does the grocery shopping and attempts to handle her mother's finances) is trying to figure out how to keep food on the table.

The book starts off with Eleanor waiting to meet her beloved older brother, Elijah (who has been traveling the world and should've been home already). And then the zombie siren rings.

Say what? Yes, like a fire alarm except for it warns of the undead are invading. For me, the concept was a little confusing. In most books of the zombie genre, the dead are reanimated through a virus or science experiment gone wrong AND anyone bitten will turn into one as well. Deadly has a more classical view of zombies: they are reanimated corpses hungry for human flesh, but they are raised by a necromancer to do his bidding. And, while they are dangerous (they will eat you), victims don't reanimate by being a zombie buffet.

Eleanor ducks into the ticket booth to wait out the invasion. One of the undead comes to the window, but instead of trying to attack her, the rotting corpse drops off a letter from Elijah informing her that his return will be, again, delayed. How the corpse knew Eleanor would be there at that exact time hiding in the booth, I have no idea. Coincidence?

Returning home disappointed from her brother's note, Eleanor has little time to mope. Her mother, who is more concerned about keeping up her status among their social circle, decides to host a séance party (that they can't afford). Unexpectedly, Eleanor catches the eye of Clarence, a handsome and wealthy aspiring politician. And, to her shock, she finds that he isn't completely intolerable. But she becomes suspicious when she watches him sneak outside to meet with some shady strangers.

During the séance, things get even weirder. Normally séances are harmless - faked - with the host trying to contact deceased loved ones and someone rapping on the table all in good fun. But while trying to contact Eleanor's father, something dark manifests.

Seeking an explanation for the séance and worried her brother has been kidnapped by the necromancer, she sneaks away to seek help from the Spirit Hunters stationed in town to combat the zombie outbreak. It's there she meets Daniel (and another guy, who was actually the leader, but I can't recall his name off the top of my head - see, forgettable). Daniel is - for lack of a better word - a paranormal scientist. His life is his work and he doesn't have the time or the social skills to deal with Eleanor, who he assumes is a self-entitled rich girl.

Despite being shrugged off initially, Eleanor is relentless. The Spirit Hunters must find the necromancer and stop him from raising his army of the undead. Eleanor must find and save her brother. And she's convinced they can work together to accomplish both.

Eleanor was an enjoyable character. She's feisty but has a good head on her shoulders. She's determined and refuses to let anything stand in her way even if it means sneaking out of her house and bribing the maid with jewelry to keep quiet. She's perceptive of the characters around her - especially Clarence - and coerces them with wit instead of blatant confrontation.

The budding romance between Daniel and Eleanor wasn't unpredictable, but it was tolerable. It was never gushy or overdramatic. He was the "bad boy" from the other side of the tracks, but that seemed to be by reputation only. As hotheaded and impatient as he seemed at first, he quickly grew out of that.

As for Clarence and that whole love triangle thing? Yeah. I don't get it. Clarence freaked me out a little and, although Eleanor stood up to him when he became aggressive with her, she quickly forgave him or even felt sorry for him as soon as he apologized. I wouldn't think a character like Eleanor would've been so forgiving.

The ending of the story wasn't exactly a surprise - at least not to me. I thought it from the beginning, but really there was no proof to back up my suspicions. It was just a feeling. As for the action leading up to the ending - it seemed, muddled. There was so much going on that I had a hard time following it. I loved the powerful scene at the warehouse and think it should've been longer. The part with Eleanor running through the museum (or whatever that was) with all the zombies and finding the necromancer - I kept getting lost in it. Where was she? Where were the Spirit Hunters? I couldn't figure out how they were navigating through all of this stuff without getting killed.

And what was the deal with the evil entity that first appeared during the séance and seemed to only show up at inopportune moment? That was really never explained.

I wish they`d skipped straight to the final showdown at the cemetery. Everything that needed to be done could've been done there.

The next book in the series, A Darkness Strange and Lovely (schedule for release sometime in 2013), will pick up where Deadly left off and take Eleanor on an adventure to Paris. It sounds similarly entertaining and I've put it on my to-read shelf, but I'm afraid by the time it comes out I will have forgotten why I put it there.

Check it out if... you want a book that skips right into the action, has its witty moments dashed with a little romance, and includes a strong leading female.

Skip it if...you are looking for a compelling plot and deep characters or like to nitpick over details.

The dead ate walking among them but no one really senses the danger that they can evoke except Eleanor and the spirit hunters. Eleanor's brother has been away and now she fears he has been kidnapped by the dead, with no one willing to help her she has no choice but to turn to the spirit hunters. Joseph, Daniel, and Jie are the outcast of society, the town wanted them there to protect them from the dead but they refuse to offer their support. The dead are coming and the spirit hunters don't know if they will be able to stop so many.

I loved the fact that this was set in a historical setting. With societies ridged customs of the time it made Eleanor's plight all that more real, limiting the expectations placed on her and always putting her at odds with heroin ideals. Eleanor was definitely a character to look up to, her spunk was unusual for the time and her foreword way of thinking made her abilities far surpass those of the people around her.

I wish there's could have been more interactions between Eleanor and Daniel. Daniels character was a bit gruff but it fit in with his past and complimented more of his character. Jie was by far my favorite, totally skirting convention and a natural fighter at that!

I would recommend this book to people that like reading about historical alternative worlds. I can't wait to read the second book and continue their journey.

Full review, including links and formatting, can be viewed on my blog, Now is Gone, a link to which can be found in my profile by clicking on my name.

Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy (Zombies/Necromancers); Steampunk
Reading Level: YA (13+ per publisher)
Recommended for: Fans of YA urban fantasy, esp. featuring zombies
Book Available: Currently available in Hardcover and Kindle; Paperback available 6/25/2013

Disclosure: I received a free paperback ARC galley from the the store Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

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 Thoughts: I've seen this book described as steampunk, but as far as I can tell the only thing remotely steampunk about it is that it is set in the Victorian era - it was my understanding that steampunk usually involves elaborate machine and airships and things like that which are powered by steam. Sure, Daniel has inventions, and he and Joseph are doing the funky, paranormal stuff, but there isn't much focus on it.

The zombies in this book reminded me of the zombies in the earlier Anita Blake books by Laurell K. Hamilton - as long as they were under the control of a necromancer, they were fairly "safe", but as soon as they got loose they were extremely dangerous.

One thing I don't usually comment on is the cover, but in this case, I felt the cover deserved some attention. First of all, this is supposed to be set during the Victorian era - no self-respecting woman would be that undressed, even in the privacy of her own room. She certainly would not be wearing that sort of makeup - if she were made up at all, it would be to whiten her face and rouge her lips and cheeks, not a modern-looking eyeshadow application. This cover does not at all fit in with the story; it instead fits the standard "YA girl in a dress" thing that's become such an annoyance among people who like their covers to reflect what's actually inside the book at least somewhat accurately.

I liked Jie a lot, and Daniel grew on me. Joseph remained a bit of an enigma. I didn't much care for Eleanor at first, but she grew on me after awhile. If you'd asked me about the half-way point, I probably would have predicted a three-star review for this book, but the ending left me with a smile. I liked it. I really ended up liking it. Fans of steampunk will probably join me in their disappointment over the lack of airships and much in the way of mechanisms, and fans of the traditional YA triangle won't find one here, but I think general fans of urban fantasy and traditional zombie fare will probably enjoy it.

There is definitely something both strange and deadly going on in Philly. Dead bodies are rising from their graves and eating anybody that gets in their way. But who is causing them to rise, and why? Why is the necromancer holding her brother captive?

Eleanor lives with her mother and servants in an aging mansion. They are trying hard to hold onto their status as rich ladies, though everyone knows they've been struggling ever since the death of Eleanor's father years ago. Her mom is desperate to marry her off to a rich man, which will cement their standing in Philadelphia's social circles again. But Eleanor doesn't want to marry someone just because he's rich. She just wants her brother to come home. But when a corpse brings her a note from her brother, she becomes convinced the same necromancer that has reanimated the dead bodies is holding her brother captive for the top-secret research he was working on. Her mother is more interested in helping her marry, so Eleanor turns to the Spirit-Hunters, who have recently come to town to help stop the rising dead.

I liked Eleanor's spunkiness and her ability to go out and get things done. She bucked some social expectations and did what she felt was necessary at the time, especially when it came to her brother Elijah. He was a hard character to like because we never got to know him before he disappeared. We were just told that Eleanor loved him and wanted to save him. I didn't understand Daniel as a love interest; he was so caught up in his job and working for Joseph that I didn't think Eleanor really had a chance to get to know him and develop feelings for him. I did like Joseph, though. He was completely focused on his work and trying to save innocent people from being killed by the dead, but he always had time for a kind word to Eleanor, or to comfort her when she was scared. Her mother just pissed me off, with her all-consuming obsession with marrying Eleanor off to the first rich man who walked by.

The plot was interesting overall, though the novel suffered from a lack of action. "The dead" scenes were exciting, but there weren't as many of them as I would have liked. In between, there was a lot of bustle holding and carriage sitting. I quickly tired of the historical references (corsets, walking gowns, chaperones, parasols, etc.) and Eleanor's constant mention of her lack of money. Even with all my personal dislikes, it's easy to recognize that the world-building is impressive, especially for a début author.

The cover is very pretty and the dress theme is certainly on trend, but the bare shoulders don't seem to fit in with the time period and the trends described inside the novel. I really like the creepy background and spindly tree.

This is truly one of those cases where I believe there is nothing wrong with the book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

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?

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.

This review originally appeared on my blog, Starting the Next Chapter, on July 31, 2012.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

That has got to be my favorite sentence in the summary. That's what made me want to read Something Strange and Deadly. Well, that and the fact that there's a maddeningly stubborn and handsome inventor and possibly even the fact that it's set in 1876. But really, that sentence is pretty important. You might want to make a note of that.

Before I started reading Something Strange and Deadly, I thought it was going to be boring. I mean, it's set in 1876. While that gives the protagonist a chance to wear a dress, it doesn't exactly give her a chance to be kick-butt, right? Wrong. I was wrong on so many levels. Not only is Eleanor super kick-butt, the plot itself is full of action and super creative. It's crazy. It weaves all these tiny, seemingly unimportant pieces of information together to create this huge revelation at the end. Not only that, but it makes sense! You find yourself thinking, why didn't I come up with this? Yup, that's how amazing it is. Besides, it's zombies. Zombies almost automatically make a good plot.

As for that kick-butt heroine, let's just say she's really cool. She's stubborn, strong and determined. While she may be extremely likeable, she's also flawed. That's what I like about the characters. Every character is not perfect; they all have a flaw or two that's makes them seem real. Eleanor is a great character and protagonist. I really enjoyed reading about her! She's really blunt and funny, even though you might think otherwise.

I love how the romance between Eleanor and Daniel is not the focus of the story. It's something that adds to it, but it doesn't overwhelm all the zombies and the whole Spirit Hunting business. Plus, it's not love at first sight! It's a hate at first sight! In other words, Eleanor and Daniel start off pretty rocky with each other, but over time their relationship improves. (Well, then again, I don't think they'll ever stop annoying each other....) There might even be some kissing, but nothing really beyond that. Also, at the end, you get some clarification about the romance or the lack of one. Yay for no insta-love!

Daniel is a great character. He's a stubborn, smart, handsome, dashing, charming inventor. I love how he's an inventor! It makes me happy that he can invent things to protect against zombies. Not only that, Daniel has this whole story. He's jaded and broken from what he did in the past, and that just makes me like him even more. He is just so amazing!

Definitely check this book out! It's one of my favorites of 2012!

This review and more at openbooksociety dot com

Reading SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY was something of a whim for me. I had requested it one day on Edelweiss and then came home a few days later to find a paper ARC sitting on my porch. And then after that, it took me several more weeks to decide, "Hmm, I think I'll read this one."

I had a few initial impressions of SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY based on the synopsis and cover - zombies, steampunk, girls in pretty dresses, and boys. And sadly, I was let down on two counts. The zombies in this story are more of necromancer-controlled bodies than anything, and the steampunk was never really fleshed out. Yes, there are girls in pretty dresses, though. And yes, there is something of a love triangle.

Maybe I went into this one with my expectations set too high, or maybe I didn't read the synopsis closely enough, but SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY let me down. The story felt uneven, the characters uneven, the world building uneven. The book was just a rollercoaster between good and poor, leaving me thrown through a loop how the characters could range from highly intelligent to making silly choices over and over again.

The main character of our tale is Eleanor Fitt, a once-wealthy girl living near the turn of the 20th century in Philadelphia. After going to pick up her brother Elijah from the train station, she witnesses the rise of the dead, who attack and pillage anyone and anything they see. Through her desire to find her brother, who she believes is being held by the necromancer (or else already dead), she finds the Spirit-Hunters - traveling experts on the paranormal - and ends up entwined in a battle of good versus evil.

There were parts of SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY I loved. For example, when Eleanor and her Spirit-Hunter love interest Daniel were investigating a factory, I loved the action - up until the point it got silly and the character decisions became ill-planned. Eleanor as a character seemed uneven, ranging from wimp one moment to a kick butt heroine the next to a whiny, spoiled brat the next. And her inability to rationalize the clues made me facepalm often.

And even when certain reveals were made, such as revealing true identities, Eleanor still refused to believe them, even when such identity was made explicitly clear from early on. This entire set up - such as the antagonist, the resolution to the love interests, etc - was made clear from about page five and heavy handed. And the reporter Peger just felt poorly used, referenced only in mention besides one scene when he could have really been a true villain.

Dennard, in her debut, was very ruthless about deaths and amputations and delicious evil. She pulled punches where she needed them where many authors weasel their ways out.

The ending did make me want to read book two. Even though the book felt until about five pages left like a great standalone, the ending suddenly ramped up and paved the way for an entirely new tale. And it's a tale I'd like to read, in hopes that the unevenness is ironed out. A heavier hand with editing and more consistency would definitely have brought this story up a few notches, but as it stands, it felt like attention was paid to certain chapters and others forgotten, abandoned.

And to wrap up, the world building. I have seen various comments on this - amazing and complete versus non-existent. I'll have to put myself into the "needs work" camp. The Philadelphia portrayed felt like any usual city with Philadelphia landmarks applied in name, and the world of magic and necromancy was never clearly explained. How do necromancers get their gifts? Born with them. Where does power come from? Egypt. How does this machine work? It does. It felt incomplete and poorly explained. And the "steampunk" aspect of this was ill-defined.

VERDICT: Suffering from a strong case of the unevens, SOMETHING STRONG AND DEADLY ranges from being a taut mystery to a silly mess from chapter to chapter. But if you can stick through it, Eleanor's resolution as a character is enough to make anyone cheer.

I'm going to start this review with a disclaimer. From the synopsis of this book I had a very different expectation than was the reality. This is not really a book about zombies at all, but more of a steampunk mystery that includes spirit-hunters and necromancers.

Because of that expectation, I didn't really start to enjoy this book until somewhere around the 200 page mark - I found the first half, although it starts with an actioned-packed scene, wasn't really going anywhere. The main character, Eleanor, spent a lot of time investigating and trying to find out where her brother was, whilst trying to avoid the slightly (ok, more than slightly) annoying Clarence.

Eleanor herself was a good main character with a balance of bravery and smart-arsedness, but not of the arrogant kind - more of a slightly rebellious teenager who still wants to do the right and proper thing as much as possible and as the book progressed I liked her more and more. I enjoyed the blossoming romance between Eleanor and Daniel, and he was probably my favorite character of the whole book.

The writing is fairly straightforward, if a little heavy on the exclamation points, and the formality of the dialogue was realistic to the timeframe, if some of the relationships (such as that between Clarence and Eleanor) progressed much faster than would have been normal, or socially acceptable in the 1870s.

In the end, I did enjoy Something Strange and Deadly, and probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't started out with different expectations. If you enjoy reading historical mysteries with a bit of steampunk and romance thrown in for good measure, I'm sure you would enjoy this one.

Beginning with the dark and elegant cover of Something Strange and Deadly, I was drawn in and interested to start reading. The story starts with a telegram being delivered to our heroine, Eleanor. The twist being that it is delivered by one of the Dead. It's not immediately revealed how the Dead came to deliver this telegram from her brother, Elijah, but Eleanor wastes no time in trying to find out the meaning behind it. Upon receiving that telegram, the norms of society just don't matter to her. She goes straight to the Spirit-Hunters and begs their help in finding her brother.

I loved that the story took place in a classic Victorian setting and of course, Eleanor's feisty, stubborn and inappropriate demeanor. She was beyond her times in this setting, being a young lady who doesn't go with the flow of society or what she "should" and "should not" do. She is convinced her brother is being held by the necromancer that has set the Dead loose in Philadelphia. His safe return home is all that matters to her. The description of the Dead and the battles Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters experience were very detailed and easily envisioned. I definitely took one piece of advice away from the story - In the event of a zombie/dead attack, aim for the knees! Eleanor was fabulous at holding her own and I thoroughly enjoyed her because of it.

The slowly budding, discreet romance that develops between Eleanor and one of the Spirit-Hunters, Daniel, was one of my favorite parts of the story. It may seem strange that from a book about the Dead, I cling to the romance. But the fact that they "should not" be together, according to the standards of the era, just had me hooked. And of course, the anticipation of wondering what would happen between them. The ending gives a glimpse of what's to come in the sequel and I can't wait to see what's next.

As well written as the action and romance was, I did expect more of a zombie-fest than a necromancer that controlled the Dead. My only peeve was that a few parts were a bit predictable. However, the twists and turns of the story made up for it. I am a huge fan of these walking-dead-type stories and would recommend Something Strange and Deadly to anyone that enjoys them. - Amy

Something Strange and Deadly is an action packed zombie novel by debut author Susan Dennard. The book definitely holds true to its title, it's full of lots of strange and deadly things that will keep you hooked to the pages and wanting more!

Sixteen year old Eleanor Fitt is on a mission to find her brother that has mysteriously gone missing. Along with her search, she's also dealing with her mother who is trying to marry her off to any rich man that she can find, and also with the zombies that are rising in her town. With the help of a couple of new friends, they must find the person who is responsible for raising the dead, the same person that may also have kidnapped her brother as well.

Eleanor was a very interesting character. She was not one to sit around and doing nothing, but she took action in her own hands and did what she had to do. She did not let her fear hold her back while she searched for her brother. She is such a great heroine; these kinds are my absolute favorite. The few times we see her rattled is when Daniel, one of the Spirit-Hunters helping her in her search, left her in mess of confusion. The relationship between Eleanor and Daniel was adorable, and I love that it grew over time, and didn't happen right away. They make a great team!

The secondary characters in the book were engrossing as well. Joseph and Jie, who were also Spirit-Hunters, were each interesting in their own unique ways. The one character that constantly left me in a state of confusion was Clarence Wilcox, would be suitor to Eleanor. I just couldn't figure him out, and while I didn't want to like him, I ended up loving him a bit in the end.

The thing I liked most about this book is that there is always something going on in it. I read this in one day, which doesn't happen for me often. I just HAD to know what was going to happen! The world-building was so creative; I loved reading the descriptions of the time period. There was no cliffhanger ending for this book. While there is a build-up for the next novel, the novel was wrapped up nicely, and I definitely had closure at the end.

Overall, if you love a good zombie novel, you should definitely check out Something Strange and Deadly. It will not disappoint! I'm itching to get my hands on the next book in this awesome series.

Happy Reading!

Zombies and the Victorian era. *sigh* A time when chivalry isn't dead, but the dead walk the earth.

The story opens up with excitement and an encounter with the walking dead! Awesome! *high voice* Main character, Eleanor Fitt, is at the telegraph office hoping to have received some sort of notice from her brother, Elijah, whom she hasn't seen in years. But instead of being greeted with a telegram, she comes face to face with a zombie! But wait! What is this? The zombie has personally come to deliver a letter to Eleanor from her brother! Eeeep!

The dead are walking and invading the lives of the citizens of Philadelphia! A Necromancer is on the loose causing chaos and fear in the hearts of everyone. Eleanor fears her brother has been taken by the Necromancer and fears that the same fate of other young men will befall him...decapitation.

Eleanor's mother decides to host a séance at their home in hopes of contacting her deceased husband, Eleanor's father, and to also strengthen the courtship between Eleanor and Clarence, a cocky, good looking, eligible bachelor. Something goes terribly wrong during the séance, and rather than having contacted the ones they love, a dark and sinister spirit is released and out for vengeance. What vengeance and towards whom? You'll have to read the book and find out.

Eleanor decides to take action and start searching for her brother and get some answers. She decides to call on the assistance of the Spirit-Hunters who have been asked by the city council to help in eradicating the walking dead. It is at this encounter that Eleanor meets Joseph, Jie, and Daniel (*sigh Daniel*) and the four of them work together in trying to save everyone and find out who is responsible for all of this.

Something Strange And Deadly was a fun and engrossing read! The world created by Susan Dennard was beautifully done. Corsets, poofy dresses, horse drawn carriages...I could picture it all in my mind. Then to throw in magic, spirits, and zombies in to the mix, and you've got yourself a sure thing!

It was entertaining to read the interactions between all the characters. I loved the back and forth banter between Eleanor and Clarence, as well as the pent up aggression between Eleanor and Daniel. I found the conversations between Eleanor and Clarence's sister, Allison, so hilarious at times and I wish there was more back and forth between these two in the book.

Eleanor is such a brave and strong character, though there were times in the book where, if I could, I would've smacked her silly and told her to chill for a minute. At times, the bravado she portrayed simply annoyed the crap outta me. With that being said, it is obvious that author, Susan Dennard, is a fantastic writer! To be able to draw out different emotions from the readers shows how much personality she has given her characters.

The ending was bittersweet, and was not how I expected it to end...which is a good thing! There were various points throughout the book where I thought I had the mystery solved, only to have a major plot twist thrown in my face. Whoop! Whoop! I was thwarted time and time again, and with each turn I smiled and had to read on to see what was going to happen next. I did find that things started to slow down for me in the middle of the book, and wondered when the excitement would start up again. Luckily, the story exploded at the right moment and my attention was hooked until the end.

I recommend Something Strange and Deadly to fans of mystery, Lia Habel's Dearly Departed, and lovers of all things zombies. I personally can't wait to see if there will be a sequel so that I can see more of Daniel.

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard is not a "zombie book". Sure, there are zombies in it, but it's more steampunk than horror. While reading, I couldn't help but be reminded of The Girl in the Steel Corset by Cady Cross and Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey. Both books had similar elements to Something Strange and Deadly. I think anyone who enjoyed either of those book will definitely enjoy Something Strange and Deadly, and vice versa.

Eleanor is such a smart character. Most kick-butt female characters are tough or mouthy, but Eleanor uses her brains to solve her issues, not her fists. She might be the most curious character I've ever read about. And she actually puts all of the clues she discovers together, and not in some brilliant epiphany at the last possible second sort of way you see in a lot of books.

The cast of characters in Something Strange and Deadly were wonderful. Joseph, the elegant leader of the Spirit Hunters, inspired respect and loyalty from his friends. Jie, the tough Chinese girl pretending to be a boy, was such a fantastic influence on Eleanor. She showed her that you always have a choice, no matter if you're a girl, boy, rich, poor. It doesn't matter. You make your own decisions in life. And the best part was that Eleanor understood this advice and took it to heart!

I liked Daniel right from the get-go. He jumps in with an attitude and a smug smile and that was all it took for me to fall for him. Luckily, it took Eleanor a little longer or this could've been a pretty boring romance. I enjoyed their banter and interactions so much more because they didn't get along at first.

The ending Dennard left us with has me anticipating the future of the Spirit Hunters and Eleanor's possible role within their ranks. Not to mention some more creepy necromancer action! I recommend Something Strange an Deadly to fans of paranormal romance and steampunk.

P.S. OMG THAT COVER!

The dead are moving towards Philadelphia, putting Eleanor Fitt's life into a tail spin. Her missing brother has made contact with her and it's up to Eleanor to save him. Along the way, she joins forces with the Spirit-Hunters, who are determined to keep the evil at bay. When she finds herself falling in love with Daniel, a young Spirit-Hunter, Eleanor's quest will face more peril.

I try to expand my reading horizons with different genres, and since zombies and steampunk are being combined into a new subgenre, there has been a surge in these novels for the YA market. Unfortunately, if you have read one of these novels, chances are you are not getting anything new.

An argument can be made that there are some elements in this book which have not been used before: the occult is the main thing which stuck out to me that I have not read in a zombie related book. Susan Dennard's writing is clear and she creates people and places you can see in your head. But there were traces of Bethany Griffin's Masque of the Red Death and Lia Habel's multi-narrated Dearly Beloved series in this book. No one knows what started the zombie outbreak, a wide-eyed girl who doesn't know much about the world around her is thrust into the middle, unseen love story... been there before.

I am disappointed with the outcome of SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, but I am still keeping my eyes open for any interesting-looking zombie/steampunk novels. This just was not for me.

Eleanor is living her life where woman wear dresses and must act like a lady, although Eleanor is far beyond acting or doing anything anyone says. She comes across as strong-willed and cunning.
We begin our adventure at a train depo, where Eleanor, wise beyond her years is waiting for her brother to arrive from the big city. The alarm rings for the walking dead and we learn right away how people live, running and hiding from these creatures, whom are zombies. Eleanor runs straight inside the depot trying to find a message to where her brothers whereabouts are, when a zombie comes close enough and drops a crumbled letter to the ground, the same letter she was waiting for -a message from her brother.

From then on this book is a mystery, filled with action, and suspense with Eleanor trying to find out where her brother is and why he still hasn't come home. She tries to enlist help from the Spirit-Hunters a three-person group who travel and follow these dead walking and try to assist the cities in which they are invading. The Spirit Hunters are looked down upon by society, but that won't stop Eleanor, nope she's headstrong and determined as she goes headfirst into assisting the Hunters, and soon they agree to help her. A slight romance seems to be building between Eleanor and one of the Spirit Hunters, Daniel, although they seem to lock horns at first, he does care for her. Maybe in the next book their love will blossom into something stronger.
When the mystery deepens and more humans are found
dead, and those dead happen to be in the same circles of her brother, things suddenly turn from bad to worse for Eleanor.

I really enjoyed Susan's writing style and how she wrote the book with essence to being transported back to 1847, and living the lifestyle of this era. I also loved the light Steampunk aspect to this book, with great gadgets sprung from Susan's imagination.
Great depiction to the time period and the Centennial Exhibition, which was the first World's Fair in the United States.

I practically made it my mission to finish this highly addictive book tonight. Anyone who disturbed me while reading this got a piece of my mind. Now that I'm finished I should probably make nice with my family for being rude to them for being rude to me while I was reading this.

The think I liked about this book was that it wasn't a cheesy romance for characters like Daniel and Eleanor. Its obvious they liked each other and I like the fact that it wasn't just an instant thing and not running into each others arm making declarations of love. I do get my share of that reading other books but this book was great without it. More realistic.

I grew to care for the characters and wanted to know what happens next. My favorite characters where obviously Eleanor and Daniel wanting to know more of their relationship.

When I read this it wasn't at all what I was expecting but all the same I enjoyed the book. I thought there would be more zombies, but there wasn't. I liked the fact that where was spirits involved along with zombies, Which isn't much of a mix that I've come across in other books which is one reason this book is unique.

Oh and I have to point out the Cover! Its fantastic! Its the reason I read the book in the first place. This is one of those times where I didn't even read the description I just jumped right in and I wasn't disappointed.

Something Strange And Deadly by Susan Dennard was just as much of a delight to read as I thought it would be. Dennard's writing style is gripping and if I hadn't read this book week to week, I would have easily devoured it. Everything was so well crafted! The characters had such layers, such mystery, such pain. It wasn't their wardrobe weighing them down but their heavy hearts. Getting to take a peak inside those hearts was just as exciting as it was terrifying. The secrets and the shame that hold people down is truly fascinating. This is a story about self discovery, redemption, and doing the right thing among other things and being able to follow these stories was a treat.

Balancing action, romance, family drama, and high society drama, among other aspects is not easy and Dennard does it wonderfully. This was the first book that I read with steampunk and there was just enough of it to keep me intrigued and excited which made my introduction to steampunk pleasant. As a lover of zombies, I was won over from the first page and Dennard did not disappoint. Zombies in 1800s Philadelphia... brilliant! Again though, there's plenty to balance in this book so don't expect zombie action on every other page. Her pacing is perfect. Dennard did her thing! Everything was taken into account and I am patiently waiting for books two and three to find out just what else makes up that everything! We got plenty of answers to our earlier questions but with that came a new set of questions. If Something Strange and Deadly is any indication as to what we can look forward to, I am pumped!

Review:
Something Strange and Deadly is the first book I have read that fits into the steampunk genre. In case you have not heard of steampunk, basically it is a story that is set in a time when steam power was still widely used such as the early nineteenth century or Victorian era. Also the story has elements of science fiction/fantasy with the possibility of technological developments/inventions or the story may contain an alternate history of technology. For my first steampunk read, I was not completely disappointed but I did have some issues with the story.

The story revolves around a young woman named Eleanor who lives in an earlier version of Philadelphia. In her world, there are alarms for the people when the dead are close. And by dead, I mean walking dead. Petticoats and zombies. Sounds interesting right? For the most part, it was interesting but if you go into the story thinking the dead will be prominent throughout the story, then you will be disappointed. The majority of the story is the main character trying to solve the mystery of her missing brother who she believes has been captured by whoever is controlling the dead. In an attempt to seek help finding her brother, she seeks the help of a group known as the Spirit-Hunters. This is where is she meets the character Daniel whom she begins having feelings for. On top of the dead walking, there also seems to be an evil spirit following close by.

I thought the story and world building were creative. What I had a problem with was the climax and ending. Some readers may not feel the same, but I had the story figured out early on. I kept hoping maybe there would be some kind of twist in the end but there was not. While the main character seemed brilliant connecting some of the more obscure clues together, she was unable to see some of the more obvious motives and evidence right in front of her face. I realize that shock makes you not want to see the truth sometimes but still I had a problem with this. I am not sure what the author has planned in the next book, as this is the beginning of a series, but I feel this book would have been better as a single book or at least concluded better. I was so disappointed at the end when there was no real closure.

Besides the story being predictable to me, the story itself was not a bad one. There was some nice mystery, romance, action and zombies. Although the whole story did not feature the walking dead, they did have some good moments especially closer to the end. There were also some rather dark elements to the main plot as well as a close up view of the thin line between sane and insane. Even though I was not surprised by the great reveal of the murderer near the end, the author came up with a pretty extreme way of showing his insanity. I liked the darkness in this story and how it reflected the inside of the human mind

Overall, Something Strange and Deadly was an experience worth having. I will check out the next book when it becomes available in hopes of some closure.

Something Strange and Deadly was a fun and exciting read! The author does a great job of combining zombie horror with steampunk elements, victorian sensibilities, and just the right amount of romance. The plot is perfectly paced, drawing you in with non-stop action from the very first page all the way to the very last. It was a bit predictable, but that's the only thing that keeps this very well written adventure from a five star rating.

Eleanor Fitt is a fantastic heroine who is sure to draw much admiration from readers as she uses her uncommon intelligence and quite a bit of "pluck" to save the city of Philadelphia from corrupt politicians and flesh eating zombies. It's a great story, and while some of the clues Eleanor finds are a bit too convenient, I still found myself rooting for her! The supporting cast of characters are as interesting and well developed as our charming Miss Fitt, and they made this story move along at the speed of light.

The zombie action is not as gruesome as I've seen in other YA fare. You still have decapitated bodies and skeletons walking around all gristly with clacking teeth, but this zombie story is so tempered by the bigger mystery involved that it just doesn't seem as intense. For those readers who like some scares along with their petticoats and top hats, this is a perfect choice.

I will also note that while this is the first book of a trilogy, the author was kind enough to provide us with a well thought out ending that doesn't leave the reader hanging off a cliff. I still can't wait to read the next one, but it was nice that this one was a complete story.

This enjoyable romp, set in a steampunkish Victorian Philly, captivated my attention from the start. I've never heard of a young lady of the corset-and-parasol set receiving a letter from a zombie! The author freely uses her imagination to create an alternate timeline where Dead Alarms are a matter of course, and necromancers and walking corpses are less newsworthy than campaign politics. I enjoyed the heroine's appreciation of the fascinating high technologies of steam engines, magnetic lenses, and nitroglycerin.

This isn't a horror novel, or even a zombie story, according to the usual tropes. It's more of a light experience in world building, romance and mystery. It just happens to have zombies around, too. I was reminded of a sort of Victorian Buffy the Vampire Slayer, to be honest. There's a library, a Watcher and the whole Scooby Gang fighting black magic and the undead.

Where I felt the novel fell short was in the climax and denouement. The writer tended to "tell" rather than "show" in her hurry to finish things. You can tell this is a first novel when an author fails to give her big scenes the same world-building care as her setup.

In spite of that, I really enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly. I loved the setting, the characters, and the creativity in developing a less than typical zombie tale. Since this is the first book in a trilogy, I expect the author to only improve as the story develops.

Infused with the romantic period of the 1800's and the apocalypse, Susan Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly is a thrilling read. It's The Forest of Hands and Teeth meets the Victorian era. It's perfect.

Eleanor Fitt of the Philadelphia Fitts is a witty, strong-headed main character readers will love to love. Her sarcastic comebacks and unfailing love for her older brother make her an all-too-relatable protagonist and one readers will root for till the end.

While Eleanor strongly impacts the story, what really defines Something Strange and Deadly is Susan Dennard's plot. The plot winds and weaves. Chills and thrills. You'll hear creaks in your empty house, leave the lights on as long as you can, and still never put it down. Because it's impossible to shut the book until it's done. And even then, the debut will linger in your mind, as concluding as the ending is.

Something Strange and Deadly is unputdownable at its best. It's unpredictable, though I figured out a major plot twist long before Eleanor did. The characters are a dynamic bunch, each with their own set of unique characteristics, and with their own story to tell.

Something Strange and Deadly is a must-read. If there is one novel to look out for, it's Susan Dennard's debut. Trust me. It won't disappoint.

Wow what a way to start a book! Something Strange and Deadly packs the zombie punch that I have been looking for since This is Not a Test. It is creepy with a capitol C!

I am usually not a fan of historical type settings, but I have to say Something Strange and Deadly has made me want to pick up these type of books more. I don't think the book would have been the same if it had been in present time and it was actually very refreshing to read a book set in the 1800's. I think it even helped with the creep factor. The plot itself was pretty engaging. I don't want to give anything away so I am just going to say that it was a very unique plot and if you like zombies you won't want to miss this one. There were a couple of events that took place that in my opinion weren't really needed but I enjoyed them all nonetheless. Dennard is brilliant at what she does because my eyes were glued to her beautiful writing from start to finish.

Eleanor was a very refreshing character too. She was just your normal average girl and I think a heroine like that is needed in todays world. Not every girl is going to be the most popular so I liked this little change up. She proved to have what it took to take care of herself though which made me proud.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

Eleanor is desperately missing her older brother that never showed up from New York. But Eleanor isn't one to sit around and wait for news. She decides to seek out the mysterious Spirit-Hunters for information when she receives a note from her brother directly from a walking Dead. The rising Dead are quickly becoming an out-of-control situation. It seems a Necromancer has come to town for some reason. And Eleanor, despite her high society reputation, will stop at nothing to find and save her brother. Unlike her mother who cares for nothing besides money and marrying Eleanor off to a wealthy man, Eleanor is a bold and adventurous young woman with a good heart and true priorities.

Set in an early America with creepy zombies, Dennard has created an impressive and powerful debut. The setting is striking, Victorian gothic. The characters are vivid and motivating. And the story is surprising and full of mystery, magic, romance, and (of course) zombies. This thrilling and suspenseful fantasy can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. Dark and charming, Something Strange and Deadly is one that I will be recommending to my friends.

--- This review was previously posted on SciFiChick.

I was worried that "Something Strange and Deadly" would be a rip-off of "Dearly, Departed". Fortunately, my worries proved unfounded. "Something Strange and Deadly" has a traditional Victorian setting, and traditional zombies: as in, the zombies are the regular flesh-eating mindless creatures we all know and, uh...know. There is definitely a sense of creepiness throughout the novel, and a gruesome, dark showdown towards the end. The characters were, for the most part, not very likable, except for the heroine and the group who defends the city from zombies. They were awesome. The supporting characters were often cruel, shallow, or petty. Although I enjoyed "Something Strange and Deadly" and read it eagerly, it didn't flow well. Parts of the plot were too obvious, and then some things didn't make sense. The way a character acted or was said to have acted wouldn't tie in with other things they did. There weren't smooth transitions between annoyance and romance, or kindness and cruelty. There was also a political/financial undertone to one of the subplots which I found distasteful.

An interesting story. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I’m still mulling over the story. In some places I wanted more, more detail about some of the characters and their history, as well as maybe more back story. But over all I enjoyed the book and will be reading the next. Some good strong and interesting characters and an intriguing storyline.

Well, lots of corpses, and maybe the same color, but some of them are wearing what's left of Union uniforms. This steampunk zombie young-adult novel set in the latter part of the 18th century is better than the average zombie story. Zombies are still ugly, bad-smelling and no fun at parties, but I rather like the live people, and there are a few mysteries to unravel as well. I like it when I think I have figured out "who done it," and I'm wrong, but I don't feel cheated. Besides, Eleanor, our main character, is a bright, tough teenager who has had it up to her eyeballs with corsets, condescension, and her controlling mother. She's easy to like, but by no means perfect.

This is the first book of a trilogy, and I am looking forward to seeing where she goes with it. The main story has come to a good stopping point in this volume, but there are plenty of things to speculate about, and I can amuse myself in that manner until I get a chance to read the next one.

Based on ARC.

This book brings the walking dead to a whole new level.

Eleanor Fitt is a witty, likeable character whose life has taken a chaotic turn. Her brother is missing. Her family has fallen on hard times, and to make matters worse, her overbearing mother is determined to see her married. Set in high society, the world building takes off with a mix of corsets and parasols. There is a necromancer on the loose who has taken control. The dead are rising.

Eleanor takes a risk and seeks out the Spirit-Hunters, where she meets the head inventor Daniel Sheridan. A golden haired, green eyed, stubborn man. These two had great chemistry together. Their banter kept the novel from being too dreary.

Will Eleanor be able to rescue her brother? Will the Spirit-Hunters defeat the army of dead? A page turner that will keep you guessing. With an ending that leaves room for more, I can only hope there will be a sequel!

Poor Eleanor, not yet out of her teens, is plagued by problems. Her big brother Elijah has gone missing and is assumed in the clutches of the rapacious Dead (yes, zombies in 1800s Philadelphia), her mother is trying to marry her off because the family fortune is rapidly dwindling, and her corset is killing her! What is a girl to do? Why become a heroine of her own story that's what by joining the Spirit-Hunters and getting down to the bottom of the cause of the dead coming back to life. I really liked the plucky Eleanor. Even though she was encumbered by societal rules she chose to leave her comfort zone and take charge. Anyone who likes heroines who will risk life and limb will enjoy Something Strange and Deadly. One of my favorite characters was Jie, a young Chinese woman who dressed like a male and could probably give Bruce Lee in his heyday a memorable fight. Highly recommended.

Something Strange and Deadly is a mash up of horror, romance, historical fiction and steampunk and I found it to be a pretty enjoyable read. It was a fast paced, well written adventure with a sassy heroine and zombies! However, I found the plot to be a little predictable excerpt for a couple surprising twists and I thought the world building to be lacking. There were a couple historical inaccuracies that bugged me a little bit and there wasn't as much steampunk elements that I was hoping for.

Overall, I did really like the characters, the romance and setting. I think this was a promising start to a good series so I will definitely be continuing on with the next book.

The undead are rising during Philadelphia's 1876 Centennial Exposition and the only thing standing between the celebration and mass disaster is a ragtag group of misfits and Eleanor Fitt, a high society teenager whose family has fallen on hard times. Eleanor nicely balances proper manners of the Victorian era with enough wit and will to make things happen. When Eleanor's brother goes missing she scours his letters for clues, so that following the plot closely requires remembering names and references she decided might have significance without having any context for them. On the plus side, the gas-lit setting and era enhance the story, an unlikely romance keeps things interesting, and the quirks and unfolding back-stories of the characters make me want to read the sequel.

This was an extraordinary read and because of the multiple genres it covers I feel author Susan Dennard will gain a large fanatic following. I've never really read any steampunk novels that I know enough to remember, but if you have been interested in the genre this is the pool to dip your toe into. Something Strange and Deadly is a time period thriller that takes you into the late 1800's and throws the threat of zombie attacks, a mysterious Necromancer, and a bit of a Sherlock Holmes like mystery in your face, and sprinkles it with a little budding romance. Now that your jaws have been dropped from all that Susan Dennard has managed to include in her little gem of a series starter you should grab a copy on July 24th...but close your mouth because it isn't very becoming.

Okay so Eleanor is a bit impulsive at times, well okay all the time. This often causes trouble to the people she cares about but you have to have someone like her to create a great story. You have to remember while reading that it takes place in 1876 and they don't know as much about zombie fighting as we do now. She may come off as naïve but I just see her as a realistic heroine, and because she is trying to locate her missing brother she acts with desperation that comes with a sense of legitimacy because of her situation. Eleanor does come from a higher society then the Spirit Hunters she gets involved with but don't let that fool you. She is a character with fire that I cannot wait to read more of in this series.

Daniel is a leading man that I can see on the silver screen. He has this confidence in himself that can be intimidating to Eleanor only because she has never met anyone like him. I love that he is written as an intelligent man who sees the task at hand. He is an inventor of elaborate tools that enable the Spirit Hunters to fight swarms of zombies. The detail involved in describing his inventions by Dennard allows the reader to see them as these beautiful mechanical things that help them prevent more zombie attacks. But don't get the wrong idea about Daniel; he can throw a punch like no one else's business.

After reading Something Strange and Deadly I have officially become a giddy follower. There are so many standout moments in this book. My favorite is the first meeting between Daniel and Eleanor. It's so good that I can envision them in my head and have probably irritated my husband because I can't stop talking about this scene or the book. Oh and the Spirit Hunters are amazingly AWESOME! Joseph, the leader, is a tormented soul that wants to do the right thing and Jie is a character with serious backbone and guts that you don't want to mess with. The actions packed moments of the book are always best when they work together. Also I need to own a parasol like Eleanor because it is also a very important character in the book. If your interest is piqued by this alone, then my work is done.

Even though the story is told from Eleanor's perspective I believe that anyone could get pulled into it. The love story is not the dominant story line but it's still fun to read considering the time period the story takes place in. The zombies don't completely take over the story either, equality amongst the genres are what I loved most about the book. While reading I thought of movies like Sherlock Holmes, The Mummy, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Adventure and Mystery are always in the front seat of Dennard's novel and leave you on the edge of your seat until the end. I highly recommend Something Strange and Deadly and in the words from author Susan Dennard, "Aim for the knees!"

3.5 Stars

Sixteen year-old Eleanor Fitt lives in a time of corsets and petticoats. A time where a lady's behavior is governed by strict rules of decorum. A time when Eleanor's mother is dead set on her finding and marrying a rich man to rescue their family from impeding financial ruin. But this is also a time of the Dead. The Dead are reanimated corpses plaguing the city, and Eleanor is afraid her brother, Elijah, has been captured by the one commanding them, the necromancer. The day Elijah is supposed to return home to Eleanor and her mother, a letter is delivered to her by one the Dead. Elijah explains that as long as he helps a mysterious "him," he should be able to come home. This is very little to go on so Eleanor seeks the help of the Spirit-Hunters. They're group hired by the city to control and get rid of the corpses that walk and terrorize the living. Soon Eleanor is tied up with this small band, looking for and stopping the necromancer, the one she fears is holding her brother. Instead of putting all her efforts into securing the most eligible bachelor, Clarence Wilcox, she's running all over the city uncovering clues and helping devise plots to destroy the necromancer. Whether she's interested or not, however, Clarence seems to be connected to recent murders, and Eleanor has no choice but to get close to him, to find out what secrets he hides.

This story was full of sass, action and gore. Sass on the part of spunky heroine Eleanor and Daniel, one of the brilliant but flippant Spirit-Hunters. Their interactions reminded me of Han Solo and Princess Leia, especially when Daniel would call Eleanor "Empress." I cracked up at this:

*He wagged a warning finger. "Don't think I'll look after you, though--the world would be better off with one less princess." "I'm not a princess," I huffed, beating my brain for some worthy retort.
"A queen then?"
"No! That's not what I meant--"
"Oh, an empress. I see. Pardon me, Your Majesty." He swooped into a crouched bow, and when his torso sprang back up, a smile floated at the edge of his lips.

I liked Eleanor's pluck and courage, and connected with her character right away. However, I had a hard time feeling Eleanor's distress at her missing brother, Elijah. Their relationship is touched on so briefly and superficially that I had a hard time caring that he was missing or in danger. While I had fun overall reading this, I must say that this story sort of dragged for me until I reached the half-way point. It wasn't until then, that the story exploded into non-stop action, and my heart was pounding as I read the pages. Also, at this point the romance finally started to come together, and turned out to be very sweet. However, the ending sort of made my mouth drop, and I hope we have some further development in this area in the next book. So while it took a bit to really get going, I thought it was very promising start to this series. I'll definitely pick up the sequel.

*Quote taken from uncorrected proof and may differ from the final copy.

Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Teen for allowing me to read this.

Something Strange and Deadly is one of those intense novels that kept me on the edge of my seat. I should have started this novel earlier in the day because I refused to put it down before I finished it. This resulted in a lost night's sleep, but it was so worth it! From the first zombie attack, which happened within the first few pages, I was hooked. The characters are well-developed, flawed, likable, and realistic. I couldn't help but sympathize with everyone (other than Eleanor's mother), even the bad guys. The plot is unique and engrossing. I also loved the setting. Most novels that are set in the Victorian Era are set in England and are steampunk. This isn't a steampunk book. There is not one overly advanced piece of technology. There are some strange inventions, but those inventions are still very much within the realm of possibility for the late 19th century. Dennard offers an interesting look into what Victorian Philadelphia would have been like if there had been a zombie invasion.

Eleanor is no simpering miss, and because of this, she does not fit in during her time period. She's aware of this. She's too free-thinking for the Victorian Era. Therefore, she always feels like a misfit, which is a play on her name "Miss Fitt." Eleanor is a strong lead character who is willing to fight for what she believes in. She also isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and can take care of herself. She makes mistakes throughout this novel, but she grows immensely as a character. I can't wait to see what the sequel brings for her.

Another character that I found extremely interesting was Jie. However, I don't want to spoil the surprise with who Jie is, so I'm not going to analyze this character any further. Daniel is also a great leading man. He's tortured (of course) and has done some awful things. However, deep down, he's good, and he's willing to try to make amends. There are a lot of characters in this novel who want to make amends for their mistakes, and there are also some who are unrepentant. That seems to be the defining way to tell who is good and who is not - if they want to make up for the pain they've caused others, or if they want to continue to hurt others. There are no strong messages against class or oppression or anything like that, but I don't think taking a stand against Victorian Era society would be applicable to our contemporary society. Therefore, it would be rather pointless to make any statements to that effect.

The plot is intense, and there is a mystery going on throughout the course of the novel. I figured it out pretty early on, but it wasn't obvious. I just made a guess based and was correct. There are tiny hints, but nothing that gives it away until the big reveal. Also, the plot is an emotional roller coaster. I was laughing at a lot of parts, and I cried at the end. Because of my ability to relate to all of the characters, I was extremely emotionally invested in this novel. Furthermore, the pacing is perfect. The story flew by even though the book is 400 pages long. Nothing felt rushed, though. I know I was white-knuckling my Kindle during the last 20% or so of the book. The intensity of the plot grows as the story continues, which basically forced me to finish this book in one sitting.

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves zombie stories, mysteries, books set in the Victorian Era, or supernatural/paranormal books. Something Strange and Deadly has something for everyone, and it is one novel that you don't want to miss!

Something Strange and Deadly was my second experience with Steampunk, and I admit I'm still not sure if it is my cup of tea. I did enjoy this novel, but not nearly as much as I had anticipated. I was expecting more zombie craziness, but received instead a mystery with a side of romance. The plot moves quickly, but still managed to feel weighed down. There just seemed to be so many characters and so much going on. Main character, Eleanor, was super sassy. This is a trait I always enjoy in a protagonist so that was a definite asset, but I never connected with her like I had hoped to. I'm still on the fence about continuing with this series simply because while I liked Something Strange and Deadly, I just didn't love it.

Something Strange and Deadly was an absolute delight to read and I'm really happy to be sharing this with you today. Right off the bat, I'm going to tell you if you like YA paranormal fiction or YA historical fiction, this is a book for you. So go get it.

Something's brewing in post-Civil War Philadephia. Eleanor's brother has gone missing and meanwhile the dead are rising. Fearing for her brother's safety after a zombie delivers a note from him, Eleanor sets outs with the help of The Spirit-Hunters to find him and to solve this pesky living dead problem once and for all.

The thing that drew me in right away to Something Strange and Deadly was the author's voice. The writing in this novel is simply gorgeous and I kept turning the pages to find charming little phrases like "merciful heavens." In addition, Susan Dennard drew a world that I wanted to experience - well, maybe not the living dead aspect, but certainly a world of fancy gowns, corsets, parasols, and parties with seances. Who wouldn't want to get dressed to the nines and attend a seance? I know I would. How come no one dons gloves to attend the opera anymore? Why don't we have different gowns for riding in carriages, walking, or playing croquet? But I digress...

I loved Eleanor's character a lot, too. First of all, how great is the name Eleanor? Second, I loved her feminist attitude. Even though Eleanor does have to be saved by a male lead a couple times (and even gets a schmancy new parasol out of it) she still is chomping at the bit for some independence by eschewing corsets and by calling people by their first names when she shouldn't be. When Eleanor knows something needs to be done, she may call for the help of others but she's also going to jump in there and get to work herself. She's no delicate flower and that's why we love her.

Five stars! I absolutely adored every bit of this novel, from the historical fiction aspects to the paranormal aspects, which bordered a little on steampunk. This was a fantastic novel, well-written and enchanting; I highly recommend it.

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: This debut is heavy in tension -- if zombies attacked my home I'd be tense too -- and action -- our heroine is a fighter with a touch of steampunk and voodoo mixed into this Victorian world.

Opening Sentence: "Dead!" A woman screamed. "It's the Dead!"

The Review:

Elijah was supposed to be home by now. He was supposed to be saving the family from poverty, and instead all Eleanor has is a telegram that says her brother is in danger, that he has to stay in New York. Someone's hunting for his research. What research, Eleanor doesn't know, and frankly, she has more immediate problems. There's a necromancer in Philadelphia. The Spirit-Hunters, the only group who knows how to fight the Dead, is in town too. They followed the necromancer from New York, hoping to protect the city from the rising the dead of Laurel Hill cemetery.

This necromancer may be powerful, but when the Dead slip away from his grasp they turn rabid. Hungry. And this necromancer is more than just raising Dead. Something evil has crossed over from beyond, something Eleanor thinks is targeting her. Young men from Elijah's old school are turning up dead, their bodies used by the necromancer to gain more power. While grateful Elijah stayed in New York, is it possible the necromancer was following him home? Quickly, Eleanor finds her very life in the balance as she fights with the Spirit-Hunters to un-animate the dead.

Eleanor's character in this debut is a strong, independent heroine who enjoys being left on the fringes of Philadelphia's high society. Her father may have been a Fitt, of the Philadelphia Fitts, and all things rich and wonderful, but with the demise of his business and the collapse of his sanity, the family has spiraled. Not only monetarily, but socially. Her mother is desperate for her to marry -- nevermind she's just sixteen -- for fear of losing the house. And with her brother nowhere to be found and clearly not riding in to rescue her, Clarence Wilcox's courtship is looking increasingly dire. And then there's Daniel, the rude, handsome inventor. To say they don't hit it off is an understatement. Daniel is rude and argumentative, clearly not wanting one of society's princesses traipsing through the Spirit-Hunter's lab. But Eleanor isn't a princess. When zombies attack the Exhibition, she's right there ready to fight. She's scared, of course, but if the necromancer is hunting for her brother, she's not going to let him get away.

There's more going on than the Spirit-Hunters know and it's all tied in with Eleanor's father's death. Why is the necromancer going after the eligible young men of Philadelphian's high society? What are the Dead doing targeting the Exhibition? And how can Eleanor keep her mother's imagination from turning to Clarence's proposal if Elijah is hiding in another state?

Tension will keep you locked to this book, turning pages. Dennard's description of the Dead and a society where walking hordes are almost commonplace will transport you into this world. It's a steampunk-meets-necromancy Victorian era America (that's a mouthful) with characters I can't wait to learn more about. Dennard works hard to fully develop her characters and their world, but in a few cases is forced to fall back on exposition to get the job done. While it wasn't enough to pull me out of the story, it was still too much information at one time.

In the cases she does hold back information, she does it skillfully, adding both mystery and suspense to the novel. One of my favorite aspects was the slow building romance to Daniel and Eleanor. It felt real and helped ground their characters. But romance isn't even a secondary plot to this novel, Eleanor's family drama is. Maybe a tertiary (3rd level) plot. Definitely enough to leave you wanting more in book two. After the way Dennard ended this novel, I think the series is going to take a much different direction than I'd originally thought -- and I am really looking forward to it.

FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me with a copy of Something Strange and Deadly. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.