Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Title:Something Strange and Deadly
Series: Something Strange and Deadly #1
Author: Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date:July 24th 2012
Pages: Hardcover, 388 pages
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:
There's something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia...

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family as fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walkers 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. An now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Review

Since the last book in the series recently came out, I decided to start the series.  I was hesitant knowing it was a book about zombies; super gore-y zombies are not my thing yet I did really enjoy The Forest of Hands and Teeth so I figured I would give this one a chance.

The main complaint I had was the pacing, I felt that the story could drag at times; I could easily get distracted while reading, it just was not always capturing my attention.  I definitely recommend reading it in larger chunks or at once.  My reading experience improved when I really immersed myself and had the time to get into the story for more than half an hour.  My last issue, while it is not a huge complaint, the story was entertaining yet it left no resonating sentiment or lasting feelings.

On the flip side, I loved the steampunk aspects of the story; the unique technology mixed with a creepy paranormal Philadelphia was incredibly easy to visualize.  The romance took a backseat for  most of the story and never overshadowed the action and mystery. Eleanor and Daniel have some fantastic banter and a building tension.  Along with the romance, I applauded the characters building; each character had a their own personality and back story. Eleanor comes from an elite family that is on its way out of the high society circle, while Daniel and the team of Spirit Hunters has a colorful background fulled with lies, crimes, and necromancy.  I look forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing what the Spirit Hunters have to battle.  

Bottom Line

Something Strange and Deadly is a zombie filled, dark and spooky steam punk story that blends mystery, the paranormal, and high society drama.  I recommend it if you are looking for a different kind of zombie book with an interesting team of characters, descriptive gothic setting and  a strong female lead.  

ARC REVIEW: Mortality (The Hitchhiker Strain #1) by Kellie Sheridan

Title: Mortality
Series: The Hitchhiker Strain #1
Author: Kellie Sheridan
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Release Date: March 19th 2013
Pages: Paperback, 271 pages
Source: ARC obtain from Author through NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads:
After surviving a deadly plague outbreak, sixteen-year-old Savannah thought she had lived through the very worst of human history. There was no way to know that the miracle vaccine would put everyone at risk for a fate worse than un-death.

Now, two very different kinds of infected walk the Earth, intent on nothing but feeding and destroying what little remains of civilization. When the inoculated are bitten, infection means watching on in silent horror as self-control disappears and the idea of feasting on loved ones becomes increasingly hard to ignore.

Starving and forced to live inside of the abandoned high school, all Savannah wants is the chance to fight back. When a strange boy arrives with a plan to set everything right, she gets her chance. Meeting Cole changes everything. Mere survival will never be enough.

This is my second zombie book/series, my first being the Forest of Hands and Teeth series. Mortality’s dual POVs and action filled plot made Mortality quite a fast read. Mortality reminded me a lot of The 5th Wave but with zombies. The way the zombies took over the world reminded me a lot of the movie, The Crazies. Combine the two and you have Mortality!

There are a lot of parallels to be made to various alien invasion stories and infectious disease spreading stories. The plot was fast paced and definitely full of action. One of my only reservations is the originality of certain plot points. Sheridan did add a new twist on the zombie infection that was a nice addition but there was still a lot of stereotypical zombie apocalypse plot points. For example, there is a rouge army that is trying to re-build and restore some order to society.  When the first zombie cure came out it was only given to those with money and prestige (which then backfired).  Makes sense but it is a common thread in other stories too.

I also commend the way the two POVs intertwined with each other and kept the story moving. The first person point of views made it easy to feel the emotions the characters were feeling, grow attached to them, and root for their success through their journeys.

The two story lines progress at different rates, one story line gives more background on how the world came to be in their current state while the other story line explains more of the current status of various survivors. Between both story lines, the background and history is clearly described while explaining the current situation both girls face. We are left with a bit of a cliff hanger but it is not a cliff hanger to complain about!

I would recommend Mortality if you enjoyed the style and overall mood of The 5th Wave and if you love zombies. It may not be to most original zombie story but it was a well written, well developed edge-of-the-seat read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!