Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

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

by Susan Dennard

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 the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Reviewed by Amber (The Literary Phoenix) on

3 of 5 stars

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I like Truthwitch well enough, but I don't think Something Strange and Deadly is the most impressive of Susan Dennard's work. This one over-promised on zombies, and over-delivered on blushing and "social decorum be damned!". Miss Fitt, our protagonist, was far and away the least interesting character in the book and I think if this story had been told by any other character, we could have had a jolly good time. Unfortunately, we had Eleanor, who couldn't focus on the issue at hand and had to keep reminding herself to go off and worry about her missing brother.

With that said, this is certainly the right book for the right person. I'm so salty when it comes to romance, and I was here for necromancy and zombies and grimoires. Of *course* I was disappointed when I got an emotionally devoid love triangle. But for those who enjoy paranormal romance and want to see more of it in YA, you're going to like this book. It's just not up my alley.

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  • Started reading
  • 19 June, 2020: Finished reading
  • 19 June, 2020: Reviewed