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wildfaeriecaps's review
4.0
This series is completely addicting. The push and pull with Eleanor, Daniel, and Oliver is great. I love that it's not a traditional love triangle. I spend a lot of time wanting to smack Joseph, but that could be the "don't tell me what to do" part of me lashing out!
I am sleep deprived and have not had any coffee today. The book is good. Read it (after the first book, obviously).
I am sleep deprived and have not had any coffee today. The book is good. Read it (after the first book, obviously).
christajls's review
5.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
At the end of Something Strange and Deadly, Eleanor is left in a pretty dismal state. Sure the walking dead they battled have been banished, but her brother is dead, her mother is slightly insane and the Spirit Hunters have left her behind. When A Darkness Strange and Lovely opens, we find things haven’t improved too much for her. She’s had to sell most of their belongings to pay for her mother’s medical care, she’s still very much alone and worst of all she thinks Marcus has returned. What’s a girl to do? Go to Paris and find Daniel The Spirit Hunters of course!
Can I start off by saying that I love that this book takes place in Paris. Not that there was anything wrong with Philadelphia by any means – but it’s PARIS. Who doesn’t love a novel set in Paris? Especially old-timey Paris with carriages and hot air balloons and people getting all dressed up for parties and dinners. Susan Dennard does such a fantastic job with the descriptions. I really felt like I was there. So much so, that when I was done the book I started casually looking at flights to Paris because I wanted to go “back” so badly.
I was also really happy to see that Eleanor hasn’t really changed. She has been through hell and back but she is just as tough, and brave and head strong as she was before. It’s going to sound weird but she kind of reminds me of Barbara Gordon (a.k.a Batgirl/Oracle). They both fight for what they believe is right, they both struggle with something darker and they both to cope with certain physical handicaps. Eleanor in this book is a lot more lonely and she’s a lot more tempted by necromancy but at her core she is still the same person and I appreciated that Dennard kept her so true to character. Also I loved all the food! Eleanor is a girl after my own heart. There’s a scene where the other woman at the table only has half a pastry, whereas Eleanor’s plate is full. Her thought process here is something that I have experienced exactly and I loved it.
When Eleanor departs for Paris, she makes the acquaintance of a new young man – Oliver, who claims to have known her brother. As soon as he appeared the love triangle alarm started blaring in my head, but I am happy to report that it was a false alarm. There is NO LOVE TRIANGLE!! And based on certain hints that were dropped, there won’t be in the next book either - at least not between Eleanor-Daniel-Oliver. And speaking of Daniel – *swoons* – he’s back and just as frustrating and gorgeous as ever. I loved that their relationship took a back burner to the main action, but the tension was always there. It kept you on edge and cheering for them, but didn’t get in the way of the story. (I would have liked a little more kissing though!)
Recommendation: Once again Susan Dennard has written a book that I absolutely loved reading a devoured in a single sitting. She writes great (and diverse) characters, beautiful settings and well woven plots. A Darkness Strange and Lovely is a sequel that delivers. The whole Something Strange and Deadly series is a must read to get your steampunk, zombie fix – and trust me you need that fix!
At the end of Something Strange and Deadly, Eleanor is left in a pretty dismal state. Sure the walking dead they battled have been banished, but her brother is dead, her mother is slightly insane and the Spirit Hunters have left her behind. When A Darkness Strange and Lovely opens, we find things haven’t improved too much for her. She’s had to sell most of their belongings to pay for her mother’s medical care, she’s still very much alone and worst of all she thinks Marcus has returned. What’s a girl to do? Go to Paris and find Daniel The Spirit Hunters of course!
Can I start off by saying that I love that this book takes place in Paris. Not that there was anything wrong with Philadelphia by any means – but it’s PARIS. Who doesn’t love a novel set in Paris? Especially old-timey Paris with carriages and hot air balloons and people getting all dressed up for parties and dinners. Susan Dennard does such a fantastic job with the descriptions. I really felt like I was there. So much so, that when I was done the book I started casually looking at flights to Paris because I wanted to go “back” so badly.
I was also really happy to see that Eleanor hasn’t really changed. She has been through hell and back but she is just as tough, and brave and head strong as she was before. It’s going to sound weird but she kind of reminds me of Barbara Gordon (a.k.a Batgirl/Oracle). They both fight for what they believe is right, they both struggle with something darker and they both to cope with certain physical handicaps. Eleanor in this book is a lot more lonely and she’s a lot more tempted by necromancy but at her core she is still the same person and I appreciated that Dennard kept her so true to character. Also I loved all the food! Eleanor is a girl after my own heart. There’s a scene where the other woman at the table only has half a pastry, whereas Eleanor’s plate is full. Her thought process here is something that I have experienced exactly and I loved it.
When Eleanor departs for Paris, she makes the acquaintance of a new young man – Oliver, who claims to have known her brother. As soon as he appeared the love triangle alarm started blaring in my head, but I am happy to report that it was a false alarm. There is NO LOVE TRIANGLE!! And based on certain hints that were dropped, there won’t be in the next book either - at least not between Eleanor-Daniel-Oliver. And speaking of Daniel – *swoons* – he’s back and just as frustrating and gorgeous as ever. I loved that their relationship took a back burner to the main action, but the tension was always there. It kept you on edge and cheering for them, but didn’t get in the way of the story. (I would have liked a little more kissing though!)
Recommendation: Once again Susan Dennard has written a book that I absolutely loved reading a devoured in a single sitting. She writes great (and diverse) characters, beautiful settings and well woven plots. A Darkness Strange and Lovely is a sequel that delivers. The whole Something Strange and Deadly series is a must read to get your steampunk, zombie fix – and trust me you need that fix!
bertie1903's review
5.0
I did not like this as much as the first one but I don't know what it is about the story or the writing but I am devouring these books!
mfumarolo's review
3.0
Real review coming soon!
An action packed follow-up to Something Strange and Deadly, A Darkness Strange and Lovely puts Eleanor Fitt up against everything she thought she knew about her family, her friends, the Dead, demons, and most of all, herself. If you liked book one, you'll want to pick this one up too!
An action packed follow-up to Something Strange and Deadly, A Darkness Strange and Lovely puts Eleanor Fitt up against everything she thought she knew about her family, her friends, the Dead, demons, and most of all, herself. If you liked book one, you'll want to pick this one up too!
laughlinesandliterature's review
3.0
I expected more from A Darkness Strange and Lovely. The first book drew me in and made me care about Eleanor and her misfit friends. This one was just missing something.
I still liked Eleanor, but in the first book I felt like she was independent. In this installment I felt like she played the victim quite a bit. It’s not that I feel she should’ve let the Hell Hounds eat her, but I wanted her to own it instead of feeling slighted. Of course Joseph and Daniel don’t understand, because they don’t know the situation. So explain it. I felt like that was my biggest problem with her is that she became highly secretive. Not that she was overflowing with trust in the first book, but by this point they are her closest friends. She should have faith that they will stand by her, but they can only do that if they know the truth.
Oliver was a difficult character for me. He’s a demon. But not a bad demon. Like a demon with a soul, which is just incredibly odd. Also, I felt like he manipulated Eleanor. I think he does truly care about her, but that ultimately he has his own interests at heart. I’m far more interested in Oliver, than the main bad guy. Oliver is mysterious, and I think there is much to learn about him.
I kind of figured out the main bad guy fairly early, so that was a little disappointing. However there was a person who was assisting him, who took me by complete surprise. I definitely didn’t see that one coming, and I love being surprised in books. I thought Dennard did a great job creating the settings and mood in this novel. It was difficult because A Darkness Strange and Lovely took place in Philadelphia, Paris, and on a ship. Dennard is always creative, and has a great imagination for plot twists. I always look forward to see what tricks she has in store.
Overall, this book was under-whelming for me. I enjoyed it, but just not on the same level as the first one. Eleanor grew in this book, but I’m not sure that I love the new Eleanor. I also would’ve liked to see more of Daniel and especially Jie. The scenes with Daniel were difficult, and I love that they don’t have an easy romance. Still I would’ve liked to see a little more in that department. Poor Jie got about 5 lines in A Darkness Strange and Lovely; I know it’s set up for the final installment, but she was a favorite from the first book and I would’ve liked to see more.
Overall I would give this book 3 out of 5 stars. As part of a series I think it’s essential to read it. I will be keeping a lookout for the next book, and I expect it to be so amazing that A Darkness Strange and Lovely will go down as a perfect bridge between the first and final novels.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf http://moonlightgleam.com/2013/09/a-darkness-strange-and-lovely-by-susan-dennard.html#comment-7505 *
postitsandpens's review
3.0
If Goodreads allowed half stars, I'd give this one 3.5 stars. I liked it, but I felt like nothing much of consequence really happened. There was a nice bit of action, and I'm intrigued by Oliver (but wanting Eleanor to catch a clue regarding his relationship with her brother - come on, girl), but this was most definitely just a filler book. The plot really wasn't advanced much at all, and the main characters spent a lot of the book at odds with each other, so it wasn't always pleasant to read. That being said, I'm excited for the finale, and ready to see how everything comes together!
rickus90's review against another edition
4.0
Susan Dennard doesn't disappoint. Full review over here: https://rickusbookshelf.wordpress.com/2016/03/06/a-darkness-strange-and-lovely-by-susan-dennard/
katrinrosf's review
4.0
*** 3.75 stars ***