Author: Susan Dennard
Series: (Something Strange and Deadly #1)
Expected publication: July 24th 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Categories: Historical Fiction, Paranormal
 

I received an eARC from Harper Teen via Edelweiss. Thank you.

What did I expect from Something Strange and Deadly? Maybe some gowns. And corsets. Maybe a conversation over a cup of tea. Or those deadly parasols (same league as Ms. Tarabotti?). And yes, the influx of zombies. Oh boy did I get those from this novel. And more! And I’m one satisfied reader.

Although I keep saying that historical fiction doesn’t always work for me (my least favorite genre) but when it does it always fascinates me. Something Strange and Deadly did not blow my mind but I admit it has a very distinctive blend of paranormal, mystery and romance. It has some familiar element to it but it sure does have some unique bits to offer. And I liked those new things it has.

Eleanor Fitt has problems to deal with, like her mom forcing her to marry anyone who is rich at her age. Furthermore, they need money badly (hence the marriage) but what occupies her thoughts is her brother’s safety. There’s uproar in town courtesy of the Dead. She was glad that his brother hadn’t come home and thought it probably much safer where he is. But oddly enough, a Dead left behind a piece of paper and it’s a note. A note from her brother telling her that he couldn’t come home. She doesn’t know what to think of it because there’s no way her brother can control a corpse (or could he?). So she seek the spirit hunters for answers.

I already have my suspicions of his brother and I hit it right off the bat. But it didn’t make me think of it less. Not really. In fact and quite frankly, what intrigues me the most was the whys. Why did his brother do all these? While I do get her brother’s motivation and why he pulled all these stunts, it still didn’t do it for me. It didn’t justify what he did. Admittedly, it sort of lack conviction, although I liked that he is not completely evil. You know, shades of gray.

For the other guy, Marcus…I sort of don’t know how I felt for his character. He’s bit flat and the reason I saw why he was what he was (bad) because he became selfish; greedy for power. And I needed a more solid reason than that. It’s too cliché for me.

I know I’m going to like Daniel, this cocky guy (but not annoying, surprisingly) knows how to work his charms because it did work for me (and Eleanor obviously). I liked that there’s a little fine-line-between-love-and-hate going between Eleanor and Daniel. But what made me happy is that the romance was well played out. It wasn’t sickening, over the top…just the right amount. And I commended Eleanor for keeping herself together after Daniel told her that he wasn’t in love with her (and we’re pretty sure that’s not really the case). She at least tried, like she said better to know than to wonder . Keeping her cool and moving forward. I liked her resolution in the end: meet new people and experience everything. Heartbreak did not stop her.

It wasn’t really a flawless reading for me. There were ups and there were downs. Some of it bored me, but some were fun. And when it was fun, it was really fun. Aside from me self needs some more of Daniel. I’m intrigue to know what’s next for Eleanor. The ending told me of a brand new Eleanor. So let’s see about that. 😉