A review by allison_ck
Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

4.0

When I picked up Something Strange and Deadly, I didn't really know what to expect. I had never read a zombie book before, but I figured a book about Victorian steampunk zombies might be a good place to start. The cover promised me that fans of Clockwork Angel would enjoy this book, and while I did see some similarities between the two books: Victorian setting, although one is in America and the other is set in London; a beloved brother who may or may not be tied to a shadowy organization; a girl trying to better her lot in life, a sarcastic love interest who is hiding a troubled past, characters of minorities not usually seen in YA fiction--I can safely say that Something Strange and Deadly is an original book all its own. I really identified with the character of Eleanor, but I loved all the characters equally. The take on zombies was unique as well--not too gory or hokey, and just believable enough to totally immerse me in the world. I saw a few of the plot twists coming, but the one at the very end regarding Eleanor's physical condition completely blindsided me and I'm looking forward to see how that is addressed in the sequel. All in all, Something Strange and Deadly was a fantastic "historical" zombie book, perfect for Halloween!