Title: Something Strange and Deadly
Author: Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication date: July 24, 2012
How I got the copy: From publisher in exchange for an honest review (Thank you HarperTeen and Eidelweiss!)
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 to 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.
þ Set in Philadelphia during time period of corsets and chaperoned dates.
þ Zombies (The Dead) that will rip your flesh right off your arm who are being controlled by a necromancer!
þ Complex characters--you won't know who to trust!
When I saw there was going to be a blog tour for this much anticipated novel I was so excited to sign up for a guest post from Susan. I was even more excited when Edelweiss approved me for an arc! So thank you Susan, Edelweiss, and Shane from Itching for Books for hosting the tour.
I can honestly say Susan Dunnard has one of the most fun imaginations I have ever experienced. Maybe it's because I've never read a historical fiction or a zombie story, but the two together were a very entertaining combo.
The book starts off right away with action. I think this is the first book I've read where the first page is completely action packed. I was instantly hooked. Unfortunately the action is stop and go. The parts that weren't very action packed lost my attention a little bit, but then the action would start up again and I'd be hanging on every word. I think this may be because I don't read historical fiction so I didn't like that she had to be really reserved with her crush(es). Not like in contemporary novels where things can actually get heated. You all know I'm a sucker for romance so the scenes in between the action were just her talking a lot.
Eleanor is a fun character because she's not very ladylike in a time period when that's all that mattered. She has a mind of her own, cares for her family, and is very brave. I'm not sure I'd be able to fight off disgusting rotting zombies like her. And she does it in style using her parasol as a weapon. She should get her own Rosie the Riveter poster lol. She meets the Spirit-Hunters who are a very eccentric group. Joseph was instantly like-abe and the respected leader of the pack. Daniel is pretty cute, but when we start learning about his past it's hard to know if we can trust him. Jie was easily one of my favorite characters. I love when she tells Eleanor that she always has a choice in life. A choice to be happy even if what you want to do doesn't fit the mold society has set for you. She helped Eleanor change for the better.
I had a hard time rating this story. During the slow parts I wanted to give it two stars. During the action parts I wanted to give it four or five stars. I settled on three because it's right in the middle and still a good grade. If you like historical fiction, zombies, strong female heroines, and mystery I definitely recommend this one. There's going to be a second book for this series coming out in 2013 so make sure you read this one soon!
Something Strange and Deadly is in stores today!
Don't forget to stop back for a guest post from Susan Dunnard Sunday July 29, 2012!
Click picture for other blog tour stops!