Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Early Review / ARC Giveaway: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard





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


Expected publication: July 24th 2012 by HarperTeen
ISBN:0062083260 (ISBN13: 9780062083265)
Arc copy provided by Harper Teen
YA, Strong heroine, Victorian era, walking dead, action, steampunk







                                                                           



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.




Review:

A story that puts you back in time and feels very realistic, although the walking dead are featured in this book, there is no true horrific scenes.


Eleanor is living her life where woman wear dresses and must act like a lady, although Eleanor is far beyond acting or doing anything anyone says. She comes across as strong-willed and cunning.
We begin our adventure at a train depo, where Eleanor, wise beyond her years is waiting for her brother to arrive from the big city. The alarm rings for the walking dead and we learn right away how people live, running and hiding from these creatures, whom are zombies. Eleanor runs straight inside the depot trying to find a message to where her brothers whereabouts are, when a zombie comes close enough and drops a crumbled letter to the ground, the same letter she was waiting for -a message from her brother.

From then on this book is a mystery, filled with action, and suspense with Eleanor trying to find out where her brother is and why he still hasn't come home. She tries to enlist help from the Spirit-Hunters a three-person group who travel and follow these dead walking and try to assist the cities in which they are invading. The Spirit Hunters are looked down upon by society, but that won't stop Eleanor, nope she's headstrong and determined as she goes headfirst into assisting the Hunters, and soon they agree to help her. A slight romance seems to be building between Eleanor and one of the Spirit Hunters, Daniel, although they seem to lock horns at first, he does care for her. Maybe in the next book their love will blossom into something stronger.
When the mystery deepens and more humans are found
dead, and those dead happen to be in the same circles of her brother, things suddenly turn from bad to worse for Eleanor.


 I really enjoyed Susan's writing style and how she wrote the book with essence to being transported back to 1847, and living the lifestyle of this era. I also loved the light Steampunk aspect to this book, with great gadgets sprung from Susan's imagination.
Great depiction to the time period and the Centennial Exhibition, which was the first World’s Fair in the United States.
4/5 stars
                                              
                                                 

Susan Dennard
Meet the author!








Alright, now for the giveaway
-1 Winner of an ARC copy of Something Strange and Deadly
-US /Canada only
-Must fill out Rafflecopter form below
-Open to all ages
-Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48hrs to respond failure to do so will result in choosing another winner
-Giveaway open 7/10-7/24
-GOOD LUCK!


 a Rafflecopter giveaway

31 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway. I have been wanting to read this book for sometime. :)

    - Beckie @ Bittersweet Enchantment

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  2. I love the trailer. I think it's amazing that it takes place in 1876. The 1800s is my favorite time period. Thank you for the giveaway.
    kassandralopez32@yahoo.com

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  3. Thanks for the giveaway! I am super excited!

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  4. Thanks for the giveaway! I love the title of this book.

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  5. Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  6. Thank you! And the link to your Facebook page is broken. It says it doesn't exist.

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  7. This looks like a super fun book. I haven't gotten onto the zombie train yet. Thanks for the giveaway chance. :)

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  8. Thanks for the great post and giveaway! This books sounds awesome :)

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  9. Thanks for the giveaway. An other great book I really want to read.

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  10. I have been eyeing this book!
    Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  11. Thanks for the giveaway! I can't wait to read this :)

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  12. That cover is gorgeous! I've been waiting so long. I'm going to have to get it the first day its out if I can't win it!

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  13. This books sounds awesome & what a great trailer! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  14. Ooooh I hope something more blossoms between Eleanor and Daniel too! They are just perfect for each other!

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  15. This is the first I've heard about Something Strange and Deadly. It sounds like a fantastic story and I'm looking forward to reading it.

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  16. Stinking gorgeous cover!! I like the trailer too! I think we;ll feature it on Book Trailer Thursday in the near future! I'm loving this whole paranormal/historical genre that's going on right now!

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  17. I love the sound of this book, I can't wait to read it. Great review :)

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  18. Thanks for this chance, this book sounds awesome!!!

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  19. I really want to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!

    --Markella

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  20. I have been wanting to read this!! The cover is so pretty. Thanks for the giveaway :D

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  21. Thanks for the great giveaway and the chance to win!

    Jolene A

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  22. I love your review! I wish there was more romance to this one but it's kind of cool that there isn't; that it's more of a mystery. Nice giveaway, too!!!

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  23. Love your review and I really want to read this now!

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  24. Oooo what a nifty trailer! Thanks for the giveaway! :D

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  25. I already could not wait to read this and your review just makes me want to read it that much more : )

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  26. I know the photographer that took that picture! :) Yay!

    I can't wait to read this book. It sounds so great!

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  27. Dude, I am such a fan of anything historical, and I love the link you provided to info on the Centennial Exhibition, thank you! That right there makes me want to read this book:)

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  28. I can't wait to read this one!!!!!!! I am so excited!! Pick me, pick me! :-)

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  29. Nice post and totally awesome giveaway.

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  30. Thanks for the giveaway. I can't wait to read this.

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