Jaime's Review of Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly Trilogy #1)

Susan Dennard

Hardcover: 400 pages

Release Date: July 24, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0062083260

Source: ARC from the Sacramento/San Francisco Book Review

Rating: Obsessed!!!!

From Goodreads.

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia… 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.

Holy crap I loved this book! I mean really, really loved it! I read it in a day and a half. I would have read it straight through if I hadn’t started it so late. Susan Dennard has created a world in historical Philadelphia where zombies walk the streets Necromancer’s lurk behind the scenes, and a girl bred from high upbringings longs for a life of adventure and a little bit of danger. This story has it all romance, mystery, danger, comedy, and gorgeous boys! Seriously y’all when this one hits the bookstores go and get it!!

I absolutely loved Eleanor she was an amazing MC! She didn’t put up with anyone’s lip well except for her mother who was a royal pain. She was willing do anything to find her missing brother Elijah even if it means going to someone below her class like the Shadow Hunters. I fell in love with Daniel one of the hunters almost immediately! I loved his quick wit and sharp tongue but most of all I loved his immense protectiveness over Eleanor even if she did fight him every step of the way. I also loved Jie she was quite a character a Chinese girl dressing as a boy who could kick some major ass.

I loved how the story bounced back and forth between Eleanor’s time with the Shadow Hunters and then her time with the people society or her mother deemed appropriate. You could always tell she never wanted to be with those people and that she had the heart of a Shadow Hunter and a scholar. I will admit there were a few things that I did  figure out early but that didn’t stop me from reading I was so involved in this story and this world that I didn’t want it to end! I am already dying for book 2!!! So again I loved this book and I will be telling everyone I know that they must read it!!!!

Before my passage I wanted to share a little bit that made me literally snort I was laughing so hard. Susan during some research found this absolutely ludicrous position that ladies during that time period stood in it’s called a Grecian Bend. I’ll post a picture below ;)

Mama wanted me to remember my Grecian bend. It was the most popular stance for ladies these days: bottom thrust back and high, chest pushed forward and low. Supposedly, it was an enticing pose to the modern man. I couldn’t imagine why since it made us look like a camel who expected at any moment to be ridden by our masters.

I’ve chosen a passage between Eleanor and Daniel because the two of them made me laugh and 

swoon J

“Varmint!” I spat out the first word I could find and prayed he couldn't see my scarlet flush. “You rude low-class varmint! Don’t you ever touch me again.”

He gripped his elbow to his stomach, massaging the joint and muttering under his breath.

“What’s that?” I demanded. “What are you grumbling about?”

His lips curved into a frown. “I said I ain’t a varmint, and I ain’t gonna hurt you.”

“Aw,” I simpered, pouting my lower lip dramatically and trying to hide my own discomfort. “Did I hurt your feelings? Well, you shouldn’t take it personally, Mr. Sheridan. No one cares about my opinion.”

Daniel’s frown vanished, and the angles of his jaw eased into a gentle sadness. “Maybe I care.”

His words astounded me, and a strange flutter whirled through my chest. Had he just complimented me?

For several moments I was too flustered to speak, and the air was thick with our silence---as if the words I wanted to say were there, but invisible. Daniel shifted his weight, his eyes still on mine.

At last he flashed a grin, and the strange moment passed. He gave a mocking bow, but he was too near me to go far. When he lifted his head back up, his face was somber once more.

Oh and here’s the Grecian Bend picture as promised don’t laugh too hard ;)

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