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A review by reyap30
A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard
3.0
After the release of Something Strange and Deadly, I was completely in love with Susan Dennard's writing and this story. I knew we were in for an exciting and adventurous tale with Eleanor and the Spirit Hunters. However, I was disappointed with this book. After carefully thinking about it, I'm not going to say I didn't like the book. I did. It just didn't live up to the expectations I had for it.
The story starts about two months after the previous book with the Spirit Hunters in France. Certain events force Eleanor to travel there and seek out the help of Joseph, Jie and Daniel. Along the way Eleanor creates new companions that serve as supporting characters: Oliver and Laure. This also means Eleanor gets involved in things she shouldn't, especially with Oliver. (But it's not of the romantic sort, don't worry)
A major complaint I have about this book is Eleanor herself. I absolutely adored her in the first book but she doesn't develop much a character in this one. In fact, I'd say it's the opposite. Eleanor acts immaturely and without compassion. She doesn't think before she acts. She becomes easily manipulated. In the fashion of a typical teenager, just because she did something dangerous once, she thinks she can handle anything without dying. I really don't want to dislike her and I'm sure she will be redeemed in the next book, but for now I would deem her character as unpleasant.
Another complaint I have is the the lack of important characters. Most of the book is Eleanor interacting with Oliver or trying to solve a mystery without really trying and gaining no success. I fell in love with the friendship that Eleanor had with the Spirit Hunters. I wanted to see some of that again but sadly it didn't play out that way.
Now for all that I did like, because even though I've ranted there were major brownie points for this book. Firstly, I love Susan Dennard's writing! She's able to tell the story while leaving clues for the final resolution. Also, she writes in first person, but in a way that I personally feel like we get a look at Eleanor's perspective but we're not consumed by it. I could tell when something was wrong even if Eleanor couldn't.
And Daniel. *sigh* I felt like he was regretting the choice he made at the end of book one. The way he acted was very sweet. As if everything did and made himself become was for her. But Eleanor didn't really see that throughout the book, and didn't let him have a chance to correct his mistake. I only hope he gets the courage to do what he wants in the next book.
I also loved the additional characters. Oliver... my hearts breaks for him.
So I'm not giving up an these books. I got hooked with the first book and liked the second one enough. I cannot wait to see what Susan Dennard's got coming up next to end the story. I will be anxiously waiting!
The story starts about two months after the previous book with the Spirit Hunters in France. Certain events force Eleanor to travel there and seek out the help of Joseph, Jie and Daniel. Along the way Eleanor creates new companions that serve as supporting characters: Oliver and Laure. This also means Eleanor gets involved in things she shouldn't, especially with Oliver. (But it's not of the romantic sort, don't worry)
A major complaint I have about this book is Eleanor herself. I absolutely adored her in the first book but she doesn't develop much a character in this one. In fact, I'd say it's the opposite. Eleanor acts immaturely and without compassion. She doesn't think before she acts. She becomes easily manipulated. In the fashion of a typical teenager, just because she did something dangerous once, she thinks she can handle anything without dying. I really don't want to dislike her and I'm sure she will be redeemed in the next book, but for now I would deem her character as unpleasant.
Another complaint I have is the the lack of important characters. Most of the book is Eleanor interacting with Oliver or trying to solve a mystery without really trying and gaining no success. I fell in love with the friendship that Eleanor had with the Spirit Hunters. I wanted to see some of that again but sadly it didn't play out that way.
Now for all that I did like, because even though I've ranted there were major brownie points for this book. Firstly, I love Susan Dennard's writing! She's able to tell the story while leaving clues for the final resolution. Also, she writes in first person, but in a way that I personally feel like we get a look at Eleanor's perspective but we're not consumed by it. I could tell when something was wrong even if Eleanor couldn't.
And Daniel. *sigh* I felt like he was regretting the choice he made at the end of book one. The way he acted was very sweet. As if everything did and made himself become was for her. But Eleanor didn't really see that throughout the book, and didn't let him have a chance to correct his mistake. I only hope he gets the courage to do what he wants in the next book.
I also loved the additional characters. Oliver... my hearts breaks for him.
So I'm not giving up an these books. I got hooked with the first book and liked the second one enough. I cannot wait to see what Susan Dennard's got coming up next to end the story. I will be anxiously waiting!