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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.
betharanova's review
2.0
This didn't really do it for me. The characters didn't seem to have a lot of life to them, ironically. The protagonist was difficult to pin down and her priorities seemed pretty inconsistent. Everyone else was interesting, but they were barely there beyond a couple of traits each. Like my unruly seventh-period science class in junior year, this cast had no chemistry.
By the end I was affronted at the number of times I had to read that so-and-so "flashed their eyebrows."
By the end I was affronted at the number of times I had to read that so-and-so "flashed their eyebrows."
nitzanschwarz's review against another edition
4.0
I can definitely see where all the love for this series comes from - a very well balanced story with good, rounded characters, a plot that is engaging but is not always action none stop, and just a hint of shipping to keep us satisfied. The only downside is that it's very predictable, and I had hoped it would prove me wrong.
celjla212's review
4.0
So, this was my first Victorian/steampunk horror novel. It was definitely an interesting genre for me, as I'm used to reading books with fierce, warrior-like heroines who would never dream of fighting the supernatural while also having to wear a corset and layers of frilly skirts. But, I did come to at least partially like Eleanor. I just had a hard time seeing her worry about her reputation and pleasing her mother so much. She is only 16, and I have to remember that 1876 was a very different time from 2012. During the course of the book, she changes a great deal and I found her stronger by the end.
While I went into this novel thinking it would be more of a zombie attack book, it was not like that at all. The zombies are an important part of the novel, but they are not really the zombies most of us love in literature. These walking dead are more like controlled drones than flesh eating beasts. But that's OK with me...as the story progressed I came to enjoy the necromancer plot and how it all tied together in the end.
There was a very delicate thread of romance woven into the story. Eleanor nearly finds herself in two romances, actually. One she doesn't want because her mother is trying to puch her into it, and one she never expected but still wants even though she knows she shouldn't. That was another aspect of the book I liked--times were different in the way relationships progressed as well. There is none of the dreaded insta-love in this book, and that is a breath of fresh air.
I did have some problems with the pacing, though. The first 100 or so pages were very slow for me. Then some action would happen, then lots of exposition in between important plot points. But all in all the action interspersed was enough to keep be reading steadily.
This was a very different and intriguing novel for me, and I LOVED that there was not a perfect fairy tale ending. The end was sort of left open for a sequel, although I feel this could almost be a stand alone book. I could see myself reading more from this genre, and from this writer.
While I went into this novel thinking it would be more of a zombie attack book, it was not like that at all. The zombies are an important part of the novel, but they are not really the zombies most of us love in literature. These walking dead are more like controlled drones than flesh eating beasts. But that's OK with me...as the story progressed I came to enjoy the necromancer plot and how it all tied together in the end.
There was a very delicate thread of romance woven into the story. Eleanor nearly finds herself in two romances, actually. One she doesn't want because her mother is trying to puch her into it, and one she never expected but still wants even though she knows she shouldn't. That was another aspect of the book I liked--times were different in the way relationships progressed as well. There is none of the dreaded insta-love in this book, and that is a breath of fresh air.
I did have some problems with the pacing, though. The first 100 or so pages were very slow for me. Then some action would happen, then lots of exposition in between important plot points. But all in all the action interspersed was enough to keep be reading steadily.
This was a very different and intriguing novel for me, and I LOVED that there was not a perfect fairy tale ending. The end was sort of left open for a sequel, although I feel this could almost be a stand alone book. I could see myself reading more from this genre, and from this writer.
aliceboule's review
3.0
As much as I adore Dennard's Witchlands series, this one left me feeling very meh. It's not bad, but it's not amazing either (and after reading Witchlands, I was expecting more). We easily recognize Dennard's style (namely the use of in medias res), but her worldbuilding is pretty poor -- we never really get an explanation of why the Dead are rising, and how long that's been going on.
I will finish the series because I don't like leaving things unfinished (and maybe the other installments will surprise me).
I will finish the series because I don't like leaving things unfinished (and maybe the other installments will surprise me).
bookishmadness's review
5.0
Eleanor Fitt is alone. Her brother has disappeared and she fears he has been taken by whoever is controlling the Dead. Her mother only cares about marrying her off to any rich man that will have her and save their families' name. She goes to the Spirit-Hunters for help and gets drawn into their world, fighting the Dead.
I really loved this book! People are calling it a 'zombie' book, but I don't really think of it that way. Corpses are walking, yes, but it's magic that makes it happen. That's the way I viewed it. Magical.
Eleanor is a great character. She isn't scared and puts up a fight when necessary. Except when it's her mother. That annoyed me, but I suppose it makes sense for that time period. Daniel. Oh Daniel, my heart does swoon for thee! What a nerdy but lovable character. Plus a bit of a bad boy? Perfect! As for Joseph and Jie, the other Spirit-Hunters, they both had spunk. I want to be a Spirit-Hunter too, and be part of that cool club!
The plot line, while sometimes predictable, was full of action and fun. There was some romance, just to take you away from the thought of the Dead. I was enthralled from the very beginning, desperately flying through pages to find out what happened next. I can't wait to read the sequel and continue my amazing journey.
Team Daniel, FTW! <3
I really loved this book! People are calling it a 'zombie' book, but I don't really think of it that way. Corpses are walking, yes, but it's magic that makes it happen. That's the way I viewed it. Magical.
Eleanor is a great character. She isn't scared and puts up a fight when necessary. Except when it's her mother. That annoyed me, but I suppose it makes sense for that time period. Daniel. Oh Daniel, my heart does swoon for thee! What a nerdy but lovable character. Plus a bit of a bad boy? Perfect! As for Joseph and Jie, the other Spirit-Hunters, they both had spunk. I want to be a Spirit-Hunter too, and be part of that cool club!
The plot line, while sometimes predictable, was full of action and fun. There was some romance, just to take you away from the thought of the Dead. I was enthralled from the very beginning, desperately flying through pages to find out what happened next. I can't wait to read the sequel and continue my amazing journey.
Team Daniel, FTW! <3