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carlisajc's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one! Necromancy + zombies + Victorian era in Pennsylvania. Very unique with strong characters and a nice arc. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
heathercottledillon's review
3.0
I thought I'd like this book more than I did. I think I was disappointed because I recently read Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel, and this is very similar. Both have the following: a steampunk vibe; a missing brother and a sister on a mission to save him; a dashing, mysterious love interest; and similar conclusions. It all made this one feel predictable, which may or may not be fair but there it is. That said, I did enjoy a lot of this story. I love the fiery, feisty Eleanor and how she refuses to step aside and let the boys do all the work/have all the fun. Also, it's a fast-paced, fun read with lots of action. Although it wasn't my favorite zombie story, it was definitely worth reading and I plan to read the rest of series. (Thanks for the advance copy, Sarah!!)
sirensaria's review
3.0
I liked the book for the most part. The book was up and down, I would really like one part, and the next would be boring or annoying. I liked the main character well enough, but she was supposed to be somewhat independent, as she was looking after the family money which was pretty much non-existent, and yet she never went against her mother, or at least not openly. It was also rather annoying how things weren't explained very well, or in some cases not at all. I didn't quite like how things ended between Daniel and Eleanor. Not quite sure if I want to read the sequel.
ec_newman's review
2.0
Read this as a manuscript for a lit scout. It was called The Spirit-Hunters then, so who knows what else might have changed. Great idea, but less excited about the execution. Fabulous cover though.
saigealiya's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to picking up the sequel! Honestly maybe a 4.5/5 because it reminded me a lot of other books I've read, but it was an interesting read and I would definitely recommend it!
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
Sloppy review incoming. It's the end of a long day, I'm tired and don't have much to say about this novel.
More zombies, please?
Marie Lu called this a delicious sandwich of harmonious flavors.
I agree with her to a certain extent.
Something strange and deadly is part steampunk, part zombie invasion and part historical drama.
To separate it into percentages, it looks like this:
20% zombie madness/paranormal elements.
20% steampunk.
60% family drama.
This was a pleasant, well-paced read, but it had too many messy moments and plot lines for me to really enjoy it. The different themes first appeared to be destined for greatness, but each of them had too little time to shine.
Nothing to hate, nothing to love (although the main character acted like a poorly portrayed damsel in distress).
Susan Dennard's debut novel is reminiscent of a diamond that needs polishing. I wanted more of everything and am not sure that the story is strong enough for a trilogy. The zombies lacked creepiness and detailed descriptions for them to be convincing, the characters were too uninteresting for it to work as a drama, and the steampunk gadgets didn't add anything to the story.
The pacing is even throughout the course of the book, but the middle was significantly stronger than the beginning and end.
3 stars for enjoyment.
Marie Lu called this a delicious sandwich of harmonious flavors.
I agree with her to a certain extent.
Something strange and deadly is part steampunk, part zombie invasion and part historical drama.
To separate it into percentages, it looks like this:
20% zombie madness/paranormal elements.
20% steampunk.
60% family drama.
This was a pleasant, well-paced read, but it had too many messy moments and plot lines for me to really enjoy it. The different themes first appeared to be destined for greatness, but each of them had too little time to shine.
Nothing to hate, nothing to love (although the main character acted like a poorly portrayed damsel in distress).
Susan Dennard's debut novel is reminiscent of a diamond that needs polishing. I wanted more of everything and am not sure that the story is strong enough for a trilogy. The zombies lacked creepiness and detailed descriptions for them to be convincing, the characters were too uninteresting for it to work as a drama, and the steampunk gadgets didn't add anything to the story.
The pacing is even throughout the course of the book, but the middle was significantly stronger than the beginning and end.
3 stars for enjoyment.
halynah's review
5.0
Fresh, unusual, well-written book with a great main heroine, interesting characters and exciting plot. I am not a fan of walking dead genre, but this book was really awesome. Those who love Infernal Devices by C.Clare will like this book for sure. Highly recommended!
renuked's review
4.0
What initially attracted me to this book was the title and cover: "Something Strange and Deadly." I mean wow, it sounded so intriguing. And then looking at the cover closely, I realized it's actually gorgeous. So yes, I judged on appearance and I didn't even pay attention to what it was about. A while later, when I actually read the summary, I realized it was steampunk. In Philadelphia. With zombies. And then I knew I needed this book badly. I only hoped it was as good on the inside as it was on the outside.
Thank the gods, it was. I mean it really was good. Eleanor is cheeky and hates corsets like most girls in these novels, but I still hugely enjoyed her character. She was actually brave even if she kept fainting every time she thought about her missing, potentially dead brother. Flaws and weaknesses are fine, and her's would definitely be her family. She endures all sorts of ridiculous punishments under her mother's urging and is frantic to find her bother, and yet she still manages to help the mysterious Spirit-Hunters. I mean, she actually swats zombies with her parasol; if that's not fantastic I don't know what is.
Daniel Sheridan was another enjoyable factor. Blond haired, green eyed, usually angry and has a dark past - who can resist that? He was pretty yummy, and rather than being just a big, tough, fighter male lead, he was also intelligent and an avid inventor. The other Spirit-Hunter members were the dedicated Joseph and the energetic Jie. They were lovable and I really hope they turn up more in the second book.
But there was a problem with this. Like I said before, cheeky girls in poofy dresses along with handsome dudes who are usually brooding - that's all been done before. And then there was the Necromancer and the Spirit following her, (which were both creepy), but I managed to guess who both of them were as the story progressed. Clarence too was really obvious. In fact, I practically had the story mapped out in my head as I read it. I really love steampunk and mystery, but this was a little short on the mystery. I think the hints were a little too obvious, and I was almost angry Eleanor herself missed them so many times.
But it doesn't matter, the end was fantastic and the Dead were creepy. There's a lovely cliffhanger, and it'll be interesting to see how Eleanor is going to handle the repercussions. I loved the social intrigue, the secrets and the paranormal elements. "Something Strange and Deadly" was strange, deadly, and exciting.
Thank the gods, it was. I mean it really was good. Eleanor is cheeky and hates corsets like most girls in these novels, but I still hugely enjoyed her character. She was actually brave even if she kept fainting every time she thought about her missing, potentially dead brother. Flaws and weaknesses are fine, and her's would definitely be her family. She endures all sorts of ridiculous punishments under her mother's urging and is frantic to find her bother, and yet she still manages to help the mysterious Spirit-Hunters. I mean, she actually swats zombies with her parasol; if that's not fantastic I don't know what is.
Daniel Sheridan was another enjoyable factor. Blond haired, green eyed, usually angry and has a dark past - who can resist that? He was pretty yummy, and rather than being just a big, tough, fighter male lead, he was also intelligent and an avid inventor. The other Spirit-Hunter members were the dedicated Joseph and the energetic Jie. They were lovable and I really hope they turn up more in the second book.
But there was a problem with this. Like I said before, cheeky girls in poofy dresses along with handsome dudes who are usually brooding - that's all been done before. And then there was the Necromancer and the Spirit following her, (which were both creepy), but I managed to guess who both of them were as the story progressed. Clarence too was really obvious. In fact, I practically had the story mapped out in my head as I read it. I really love steampunk and mystery, but this was a little short on the mystery. I think the hints were a little too obvious, and I was almost angry Eleanor herself missed them so many times.
But it doesn't matter, the end was fantastic and the Dead were creepy. There's a lovely cliffhanger, and it'll be interesting to see how Eleanor is going to handle the repercussions. I loved the social intrigue, the secrets and the paranormal elements. "Something Strange and Deadly" was strange, deadly, and exciting.
mars_aria's review
1.0
I got maybe one and a half chapters in and I couldn't get into it. I felt like things were rushed in the beginning. I didn't like how the heroine narrated the story. The idea of the story itself reminded me of the Clockwork Angel series itself minus the zombies (in the Clockwork Angel it was automatons). I didn't even get to the part where the girl meets the guy, I was going to atleast read that far, but I got too bored. I just didn't feel into the story. Susan Dennard is probably a really good author (if she starts another series I might read it) but Something Strange and Deadly was not for me.