Review: Something Strange and Deadly

Title: Something Strange and Deadly
Author: Susan Dennard
Rating:  ★★★★★
Genre: Paranormal Historical
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 24th, 2012

Review:

When I realized this book was about zombies, I freaked out. I am NOT a zombie fan. I have friends that have endlessly tried to get me to watch The Walking Dead and I will not. I have nightmares even if I THINK about watching a thriller or horror movie/show. Nothing could ever convince me to watch anything to do with zombies. Until I read Something Strange and Deadly.

Something Strange and Deadly definitely keeps the reader in suspense. I spent the entire book wanting to help Eleanore figure out the mystery of her missing brother and whether or not it was connected to the nacromancer in town controlling the walking dead. When the book first introduces the reader to the walking dead (which is in the first chapter) I was convinced I wouldn’t be able to continue with the book. The descriptions are pretty grusome but I’m also a pansy so I’ll let you be the judge.  There isn’t much characterization, throughout the whole book I never felt like I really got a grasp of who Eleanor REALLY is but that being said, the drama of trying to find out who is controlling the walking dead, what they want, and what happened to Eleanor’s brother all definitely make up for it.  I highly recommend this book if you’re into all of that supernatural zombie hype and if not, I recommend it even more because it will get you there. Kudos to Susan Dennard to writing a book about zombies for anti-zombie readers. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Visit the Something Strange and Deadly website to pre-order the book or purchase it in stores on July 24th. You can also view the book trailer below.

Synopsis:

There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…
The year is 1876 and Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—
The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.
And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.
Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.