Review: Something Strange and Deadly

Something Strange and Deadly

(Something Strange and Deadly #1)
by Susan Dennard
Published July 24th 2012
by HarperTeen

Summary 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.

Thoughts:
I did not expect to love this book since zombies are not really my thing. But I love steampunk so I decided to give it a try and thoroughly enjoyed it in the end. Aside from the strenuous detailing of how torturous it is to wear a corset, I found the world building very refreshing.

I feel so sorry and sometimes exasperated with the main character. Desperately avoiding unsatisfactory marriage prospect, searching for her missing brother and also keeping her family from starving, Eleanor certainly have a lot in her hands. Her persistence in pursuing the group simply known as the Spirit-Hunters in her quest to locate her brother just show how stubborn she is. I love the camaraderie between the Spirit-Hunters and how they slowly accepted Eleanor into their group.

Towards the end, the book certainly took a more sinister and darker turn as the group battle the undead brought alive by a mysterious necromancer hell bent on destroying Philadelphia. It just gives me chills that a slew of zombies from some cemetery can attack humans like that and I just can't help but compare it to the book Sabriel by Garth Nix. Scary! I had actually foreseen the supposedly big twist in the end but still I cannot wait for the next book to read more of Eleanor and the Spirit Hunters.

Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Debut Author Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Review: Team Human

Team Human
by Justine Larbalestier, Sarah Rees Brennan
Published July 3rd 2012
by HarperTeen

Summary from Goodreads:

Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she says in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

Thoughts:
When I found out that this book is a parody of sorts to a certain vampire romance, I was immediately intrigued. It sure is funny as hell and I was surprised as to how much I grew to like it.

I feel so happy that there's finally some authors out there that know how to create a vampire romance without the usual love triangle, clichés and sappy heroines. Although there's instances of instant love, the romance between Cathy and Francis took some time to blossom.

For me the main draw of the book is certainly Mel. She's sassy, sarcastic, and a very loyal friend to Cathy and Anna. And I just love that she's also Asian. Although Mel tends to stick her nose in her friends' affairs, I do think she has the best intention. Her dialogues are so funny and I must say among all of the characters, she has the best lines. Mel is constantly in a dilemma over her friends. Cathy who seemed eager to leave everything behind for the vampire Francis and Anna who hated vampires for what they did to her family.

It's hard for me to describe the book without giving away some major spoilers, but let me just say the story has it's surprising and touching moments especially concerning Anna's search for her dad who everyone assumed had run off with a beautiful vampire. And although Cathy's relationship with Francis feature prominently in the book, Mel's growing attraction to Kit (a human boy raised by Francis family) is rather sweet.

I'm not sure whether this will turn out to be a series, but as a stand alone it really put a smile on my face. I love it!

Verdict: 5 stars.

Review: A Witch in Love

A Witch in Love (Winter Trilogy #2) 
by Ruth Warburton
Published July 5th 2012

by Hodder Children's Books

Summary from Goodreads:

Anna still finds it hard to believe that Seth loves her and has vowed to suppress her powers, no matter what.

But magic – like love – is uncontrollable. It spills out with terrible consequences, and soon, Anna is being hunted.

Thoughts:
Let me warned you that this review will be full of spoilers if you haven't read the first book. I already reviewed the first book and immediately after finishing it, I started reading this one. And guess what? I just love, love, love this book!

It has romance, danger, adventure and it's a lot more exciting than the first book. In the second book, Seth and Anna has already became an item much to the horror of Seth's grandfather;Bran who despised witches. But Anna is having problem controlling her powers and the harder she tried not using it, it will manifest unexpectedly. It is so funny when Emmaline referred to Anna's sudden outburst of power as leakages. And I'm still a fan of her wry best friend; Emmaline and also Abe who in my opinion is much more suitable to Anna compared to bad boy Seth.

Anna also discovered some truths relating to her missing mother and she finally get to meet her maternal grandmother who turned out to be a member of the Eadwiltan. Besides the whole mysterious group of humans known as Malleus Maleficarum terrorizing Anna for being a witch, I just love that there's more insights to her magical lineage. We have muggles in Harry Potter and in this series they are referred to as outwith. As in the first book, the magical battles are very explosive and there's a hint of a possible love triangle in the future that I'm really hoping for.

If you're a fan of witches then this is indeed a series to look out for!

Verdict: 5 stars.In my Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon

Lazy Days of Summer Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop of the Lazy Days of Summer Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Colorimetry.

Rules:

1. One winner will get a book of their choice up to $15 USD from The Book Depository/Amazon.

2. As usual it's open to International followers as long as The Book Depository ships to you.

3. Fill in the rafflecopter and that's it.

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