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Something Strange and Deadly #3
Strange and Ever After
In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.
With supernatural forces, epic romance, and a mysterious Egyptian city, Eleanor and her team are set for an adventure they will never forget.
It has been a tumultuous time for Eleanor Fitt since life as she knew it in Philadelphia came abruptly to an end. Although the Spirit-Hunters Joseph, Jie, and Daniel have helped her survive, Eleanor has lost just about everything.
And now, Jie is missing taken by the evil necromancer Marcus. Eleanor is determined not only to get her back but to finally end this nightmare. To do so, she must navigate the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt amid the rising Dead, her unresolved feelings for Daniel, and her volatile relationships with Joseph and Oliver, her demon. And it won't be easy. Because Allison, her friend from Philadelphia, has tagged along, becoming strangely entangled in Eleanor's mission.
It will take all of Eleanor's powers of black magic, and all of Daniel's and Joseph's trust, to succeed. But there will be a price.
With supernatural forces, epic romance, and a mysterious Egyptian city, Eleanor and her team are set for an adventure they will never forget.
It has been a tumultuous time for Eleanor Fitt since life as she knew it in Philadelphia came abruptly to an end. Although the Spirit-Hunters Joseph, Jie, and Daniel have helped her survive, Eleanor has lost just about everything.
And now, Jie is missing taken by the evil necromancer Marcus. Eleanor is determined not only to get her back but to finally end this nightmare. To do so, she must navigate the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt amid the rising Dead, her unresolved feelings for Daniel, and her volatile relationships with Joseph and Oliver, her demon. And it won't be easy. Because Allison, her friend from Philadelphia, has tagged along, becoming strangely entangled in Eleanor's mission.
It will take all of Eleanor's powers of black magic, and all of Daniel's and Joseph's trust, to succeed. But there will be a price.
392 pages, Hardcover
First published July 22, 2014
62 people are currently reading
7695 people want to read
About the author
Susan Dennard
24 books9,375 followersSusan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series (now in development for TV from the Jim Henson Company), and the Something Strange and Deadly series, in addition to various other fiction published online.
Before becoming an author, she got to travel the world with her M.Sc. in marine biology. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.
You can learn more about Susan on her website, blog, newsletter, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Before becoming an author, she got to travel the world with her M.Sc. in marine biology. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.
You can learn more about Susan on her website, blog, newsletter, Twitter, or Pinterest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 556 reviews
May 2, 2015
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY THAT ENDING WHYYYYYYYYYYY
It was absolutely beautiful, but goddammit WHYYYYY. I WAS SOBBING.
I just cannot express how much I straight-up clicked with this series. The characters were all absolutely wonderful, and goddammit, Susan Dennard knows how to fucking write, man. I was never bored for a second. The amount of action was satisfying and none of the books ever dragged during the slow moments.
Operation finish-a-trilogy-in-one-week complete. And man, what a delightful week it's been. This series is an absolute joy, anddespite it literally obliterating the broken pieces of my heart at the very end, it was a wonderful wonderful ride.
It was absolutely beautiful, but goddammit WHYYYYY. I WAS SOBBING.
I just cannot express how much I straight-up clicked with this series. The characters were all absolutely wonderful, and goddammit, Susan Dennard knows how to fucking write, man. I was never bored for a second. The amount of action was satisfying and none of the books ever dragged during the slow moments.
Operation finish-a-trilogy-in-one-week complete. And man, what a delightful week it's been. This series is an absolute joy, and
August 6, 2014
Well, kids. This is the first book I have ever cried at. The feels are overwhelming and I won't say another word about it.
Thank you, Sooz, for this amazing journey.
Thank you, Sooz, for this amazing journey.
March 2, 2018
I've had a great run with this series and as much fun as I had I will miss these characters. The ending of this book has left me feeling both very proud of the characters and extremely heartbroken. I have grown to love these characters and I really enjoyed seeing how these characters have evolved and grown over the span of these 3 books.
All 3 books follow the main concept of necromancy, the undead, and the spirit hunters. This book starts off with our characters boarding the Airship to find Marcus and finish this story once and for all. Unexpectedly, Allison Wilcox also accompanies them on this journey even as she has no connection to anything thats going on.
I binge read all 3 of these books and I really enjoyed them. The world definitely grows on you and all three books throw light on the prejudices of the late 1800s , and also the vain expectations from women and society not only in the matter of clothing but also behavior and mannerism. It also elucidates the clear lines of distinction between classes in society and the economic differentiation.
I loved these books stand for and I loved the characters' personality arcs. The protagonist is not one of my favorite people but reading from her perspective was quite entertaining. I liked reading about a paranormal world set in the late 1800s and overall I think Susan Dennard did a great job in writing these books.
All 3 books follow the main concept of necromancy, the undead, and the spirit hunters. This book starts off with our characters boarding the Airship to find Marcus and finish this story once and for all. Unexpectedly, Allison Wilcox also accompanies them on this journey even as she has no connection to anything thats going on.
I binge read all 3 of these books and I really enjoyed them. The world definitely grows on you and all three books throw light on the prejudices of the late 1800s , and also the vain expectations from women and society not only in the matter of clothing but also behavior and mannerism. It also elucidates the clear lines of distinction between classes in society and the economic differentiation.
I loved these books stand for and I loved the characters' personality arcs. The protagonist is not one of my favorite people but reading from her perspective was quite entertaining. I liked reading about a paranormal world set in the late 1800s and overall I think Susan Dennard did a great job in writing these books.
February 9, 2014
Rating: 3.5 Stars
From the first moment we met parasol-wielding Eleanor in Something Strange and Deadly, I've been a fan of this series. While A Darkness Strange and Lovely clearly suffered from Middle Book Syndrome, Strange and Ever After most definitely did not. Out of all the conclusions I've read lately, this installment feels the most conclusive. Dennard not only notches up the pace of this final novel, but she also heightens the risk and danger. As such, Strange and Ever After is a non-stop, page-flipping adventure, incorporating elements from the previous two novels into an explosive finale that may not necessarily satisfy, but definitely will not be forgotten.
Strange and Ever After starts out in Paris, quickly moves to Marseille, and finally ends up in Egypt. When the novel opens, Allison has just arrived from Philadelphia, bearing the unfortunate news that Eleanor's mother has passed away. Stuck on Daniel's hot-air balloon with nothing but her grief, worry for her best friend Jie, and anger at Marcus, Eleanor slowly begins pushing everyone away. Yet, there is hardly time to dwell on emotions for Marcus is becoming more and more powerful by the minute and if Eleanor ever wants the hope of a normal life, she will have to stop him...before he stops her.
While Eleanor's motives and personality in A Darkness Strange and Lovely remained obscure and changed, in Strange and Ever After I was finally able to understand her agency. Eleanor's relationships don't start out in a very strong place and, more often than not, she is readily testy. Not only has Eleanor lost the trust of Ollie, her demon, but her relationship with Daniel is fragile and uncertain for he dislikes her abilities as a necromancer. With Allison on board, Eleanor's situation is no easier and her heart, mind, and emotions pull her in different directions. One of the best aspects of this novel, though, lies in the fact that Eleanor grows to open up to those around her and carry meaningful conversations with them. While she still struggles to control her abilities, she is determined not to succumb to darkness and maintain the relationships she shares with others - which she does.
While Eleanor and Daniel's romance truly took off in this installment, with plenty of swoon-worthy moments and touching dialogues, the relationship at the forefront was that between Ollie and Eleanor. I couldn't get a grasp Ollie's character in A Darkness Strange and Lovely as I was unsure whether or not to trust him. Even in this installment, he is exasperating, pushing Eleanor to her breaking point at times. But as we grow to understand Ollie, to see life from his perspective, the friendship between him and Eleanor becomes ever-stronger. I grew to love his character by the end and, in some ways; he even eclipses Daniel (but never in my heart).
With such a large host of characters and emotional ties, Strange and Ever After never falters in its plot. The Spirit Hunters are constantly on the move, uncovering pieces of information about Marcus and the Old Man in a timely fashion. Moreover, I really enjoyed the change of setting from one novel to the next. Dennard has mastered the art of world-building and the richness of the reality she has created, as well as the mythological references that cropped up, made this story such a delight. Even the final showdown with Marcus is brilliantly written, proving that every victory has its sacrifices. We've seen Eleanor up against Marcus before and though she is stronger, he is still a formidable opponent. It is only with the help of others that she is truly able to put an end to his evil once and for all.
Where this story faltered for me, though, is in the unexpected death of a main character. I anticipate and look forward to character deaths in a concluding novel because of the emotional upheaval they bring. With this death, though, I felt blindsided and surprised. It's a death I struggled to rationalize and cope with because it was so unfair and while I have qualms about it - particularly regarding its necessity and the fact that it represents that the character in question never saw themselves as worthwhile - it also makes for a bittersweet, albeit surprising, conclusion. I'm not sure how I expected this series to end, but I'm glad it's done. Dennard's debut trilogy has had its ups and downs and while I wouldn't recommend against it, I'm not sure I'd shove it upon a friend either. Nevertheless, I look forward to whatever Dennard has up her sleeve next. I may harbor mixed feelings towards this series as a whole, but towards her writing? None at all.
From the first moment we met parasol-wielding Eleanor in Something Strange and Deadly, I've been a fan of this series. While A Darkness Strange and Lovely clearly suffered from Middle Book Syndrome, Strange and Ever After most definitely did not. Out of all the conclusions I've read lately, this installment feels the most conclusive. Dennard not only notches up the pace of this final novel, but she also heightens the risk and danger. As such, Strange and Ever After is a non-stop, page-flipping adventure, incorporating elements from the previous two novels into an explosive finale that may not necessarily satisfy, but definitely will not be forgotten.
Strange and Ever After starts out in Paris, quickly moves to Marseille, and finally ends up in Egypt. When the novel opens, Allison has just arrived from Philadelphia, bearing the unfortunate news that Eleanor's mother has passed away. Stuck on Daniel's hot-air balloon with nothing but her grief, worry for her best friend Jie, and anger at Marcus, Eleanor slowly begins pushing everyone away. Yet, there is hardly time to dwell on emotions for Marcus is becoming more and more powerful by the minute and if Eleanor ever wants the hope of a normal life, she will have to stop him...before he stops her.
While Eleanor's motives and personality in A Darkness Strange and Lovely remained obscure and changed, in Strange and Ever After I was finally able to understand her agency. Eleanor's relationships don't start out in a very strong place and, more often than not, she is readily testy. Not only has Eleanor lost the trust of Ollie, her demon, but her relationship with Daniel is fragile and uncertain for he dislikes her abilities as a necromancer. With Allison on board, Eleanor's situation is no easier and her heart, mind, and emotions pull her in different directions. One of the best aspects of this novel, though, lies in the fact that Eleanor grows to open up to those around her and carry meaningful conversations with them. While she still struggles to control her abilities, she is determined not to succumb to darkness and maintain the relationships she shares with others - which she does.
While Eleanor and Daniel's romance truly took off in this installment, with plenty of swoon-worthy moments and touching dialogues, the relationship at the forefront was that between Ollie and Eleanor. I couldn't get a grasp Ollie's character in A Darkness Strange and Lovely as I was unsure whether or not to trust him. Even in this installment, he is exasperating, pushing Eleanor to her breaking point at times. But as we grow to understand Ollie, to see life from his perspective, the friendship between him and Eleanor becomes ever-stronger. I grew to love his character by the end and, in some ways; he even eclipses Daniel (but never in my heart).
With such a large host of characters and emotional ties, Strange and Ever After never falters in its plot. The Spirit Hunters are constantly on the move, uncovering pieces of information about Marcus and the Old Man in a timely fashion. Moreover, I really enjoyed the change of setting from one novel to the next. Dennard has mastered the art of world-building and the richness of the reality she has created, as well as the mythological references that cropped up, made this story such a delight. Even the final showdown with Marcus is brilliantly written, proving that every victory has its sacrifices. We've seen Eleanor up against Marcus before and though she is stronger, he is still a formidable opponent. It is only with the help of others that she is truly able to put an end to his evil once and for all.
Where this story faltered for me, though, is in the unexpected death of a main character. I anticipate and look forward to character deaths in a concluding novel because of the emotional upheaval they bring. With this death, though, I felt blindsided and surprised. It's a death I struggled to rationalize and cope with because it was so unfair and while I have qualms about it - particularly regarding its necessity and the fact that it represents that the character in question never saw themselves as worthwhile - it also makes for a bittersweet, albeit surprising, conclusion. I'm not sure how I expected this series to end, but I'm glad it's done. Dennard's debut trilogy has had its ups and downs and while I wouldn't recommend against it, I'm not sure I'd shove it upon a friend either. Nevertheless, I look forward to whatever Dennard has up her sleeve next. I may harbor mixed feelings towards this series as a whole, but towards her writing? None at all.
July 29, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard
Book Three of the Something Strange and Deadly series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 22, 2014
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.
He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.
With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.
Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.
What I Liked:
I literally just finished this book, so it's still very fresh and raw in my mind. I'm very upset right now, to be honest. This book - and series - was so disappointing. The series started off really well, and picked up speed... in the wrong direction. The second book was a dud, and this book? Disappointing, to say the least. I love historical fiction, I love uniqueness of the series, but I'm not at all pleased with this third book, or series.
In this final novel, Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters must leave France travel to Egypt to stop Marcus from gaining control of the Black Pullet and immortality, or something (I'm honestly not very sure, haven't been from the beginning). Marcus must pay, revenge is nigh, blah blah blah.
I'm drawing a blank at what I actually liked in this book... hmmm. I LOVED the new setting. Egypt is literally perfect (and a little cliche) for a zombie-related book. All the mummies! I thought that was cool. The imagery is very rich and potent - I could practically see the murals and corridors and expanses of dust and pyramids.
Oh! I really liked Oliver. Like in the second book, I enjoyed his personality, his humor, even his brooding temper. I loved his relationship with Eleanor - it wasn't always easy, but it seemed like they were friends. They shared a very deep bond, and not just because of magic.
I'm grasping at straws. Moving on.
What I Did Not Like:
From the beginning of this book, I had a feeling that I wouldn't enjoy the book. I just *knew* that it wouldn't work for me. I knew that two bloggers I followed LOVED this book. They raved about how good a conclusion novel this was, that the ending of this book was excellent. Honestly, the ending was one thing, but it was by no means the only thing I did NOT like. No, from the beginning, I had problems with this book.
I seriously do NOT like Eleanor, at all. I liked her in book one, not so much in book two, not at all, anymore, after this book. She's whiny, selfish, thoughtless, and this is basically consistent throughout the series. Less in book one. Maybe consistent as soon as she realizes that she has magic. But I really wanted to strange Eleanor more than one time throughout this book - and that's not a good sign.
I didn't like how Eleanor pushed everyone away. I didn't like that in book two, and I hated it in book three. Literally she could not STOP getting mad at Joseph or Daniel or Jie or even Oliver. It was so infuriating, that she couldn't see their side of things, why they wouldn't trust Oliver or even her. It was pathetic how she expected them to love her and coddle her though.
Don't even get me started on Eleanor's relationship with Daniel. It was so on-and-off, back-and-forth, hot and cold. It was the EXACT SAME THING as in book two. I HATE that indecisiveness, the inability to make one's own decisions, to go with something and stick with it. I couldn't stand how Eleanor twists Daniel and bends him to her will, without actually doing anything. She hurts him so much, she doesn't deserve him.
I feel like in general, the second and third books in this series were missing something. The magic of book one was lost in the next two books of the series. I didn't find Eleanor to be as likable, I didn't find the romance tasteful at all, the zombie thing didn't seem as interesting or pertinent... books two and three could have been condensed into one book. They were basically the same book anyone, just in different countries. Please tell me someone else thought this?
The overall series plot is so pointless. Revenge revenge revenge, punish Marcus, stop Marcus. It's so cliche, that Marcus would be looking for something that would make him immortal. Can we be a little more original, please? And the WHOLE SERIES is all about killing Marcus and getting revenge. To me, this particular plot is soooooo boooorrrrrrrrrrrrringggg. Again, books two and three could be condensed into one book, because all the characters are doing is trying to stop Marcus. Book two doesn't set up for an epic showdown, it just sort of drags out the final showdown. Yawn.
And the deal with magic - Joseph's magic, Eleanor's magic, Elijah's magic - I don't understand that at all. I was hoping it would be more explained in books two and/or three, but it never really was. Why do they have magic? Why electricity? Explain things to me, please!
Anddddd the thing I've been avoiding: the ending. Like I said before, I already had a feeling, upon starting this book, that I probably wouldn't like it (this was mostly due to Eleanor's antics alone). I hadn't heard any spoilers or any positive or negative things about the ending. But let me tell you... I HATED the ending. It was so unnecessary. I can't believe that's how the author wanted that particular part of the story to be executed. I can't say anything specific, but dang. If I didn't already dislike the series in general, the ending would have ruined it for me. Straight up.
Would I Recommend It:
If you've read the first two books in the series, READ THIS ONE. Finish the series. Get your closure. Most reviews I've seen for this one are positive. You might read this book and love Eleanor and the plot and the ending and be fine.
If you haven't started the series at all, don't. Save yourself the heartbreak and irritation and wasted feelings.
Rating:
2 stars. This one hurt. And not in a good way. What an awful way to end a perfectly great and original series. I AM SO SAD AND IRRITATED. Hugs and chocolate needed.
Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard
Book Three of the Something Strange and Deadly series
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 22, 2014
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.
He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.
With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.
Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.
What I Liked:
I literally just finished this book, so it's still very fresh and raw in my mind. I'm very upset right now, to be honest. This book - and series - was so disappointing. The series started off really well, and picked up speed... in the wrong direction. The second book was a dud, and this book? Disappointing, to say the least. I love historical fiction, I love uniqueness of the series, but I'm not at all pleased with this third book, or series.
In this final novel, Eleanor and the Spirit-Hunters must leave France travel to Egypt to stop Marcus from gaining control of the Black Pullet and immortality, or something (I'm honestly not very sure, haven't been from the beginning). Marcus must pay, revenge is nigh, blah blah blah.
I'm drawing a blank at what I actually liked in this book... hmmm. I LOVED the new setting. Egypt is literally perfect (and a little cliche) for a zombie-related book. All the mummies! I thought that was cool. The imagery is very rich and potent - I could practically see the murals and corridors and expanses of dust and pyramids.
Oh! I really liked Oliver. Like in the second book, I enjoyed his personality, his humor, even his brooding temper. I loved his relationship with Eleanor - it wasn't always easy, but it seemed like they were friends. They shared a very deep bond, and not just because of magic.
I'm grasping at straws. Moving on.
What I Did Not Like:
From the beginning of this book, I had a feeling that I wouldn't enjoy the book. I just *knew* that it wouldn't work for me. I knew that two bloggers I followed LOVED this book. They raved about how good a conclusion novel this was, that the ending of this book was excellent. Honestly, the ending was one thing, but it was by no means the only thing I did NOT like. No, from the beginning, I had problems with this book.
I seriously do NOT like Eleanor, at all. I liked her in book one, not so much in book two, not at all, anymore, after this book. She's whiny, selfish, thoughtless, and this is basically consistent throughout the series. Less in book one. Maybe consistent as soon as she realizes that she has magic. But I really wanted to strange Eleanor more than one time throughout this book - and that's not a good sign.
I didn't like how Eleanor pushed everyone away. I didn't like that in book two, and I hated it in book three. Literally she could not STOP getting mad at Joseph or Daniel or Jie or even Oliver. It was so infuriating, that she couldn't see their side of things, why they wouldn't trust Oliver or even her. It was pathetic how she expected them to love her and coddle her though.
Don't even get me started on Eleanor's relationship with Daniel. It was so on-and-off, back-and-forth, hot and cold. It was the EXACT SAME THING as in book two. I HATE that indecisiveness, the inability to make one's own decisions, to go with something and stick with it. I couldn't stand how Eleanor twists Daniel and bends him to her will, without actually doing anything. She hurts him so much, she doesn't deserve him.
I feel like in general, the second and third books in this series were missing something. The magic of book one was lost in the next two books of the series. I didn't find Eleanor to be as likable, I didn't find the romance tasteful at all, the zombie thing didn't seem as interesting or pertinent... books two and three could have been condensed into one book. They were basically the same book anyone, just in different countries. Please tell me someone else thought this?
The overall series plot is so pointless. Revenge revenge revenge, punish Marcus, stop Marcus. It's so cliche, that Marcus would be looking for something that would make him immortal. Can we be a little more original, please? And the WHOLE SERIES is all about killing Marcus and getting revenge. To me, this particular plot is soooooo boooorrrrrrrrrrrrringggg. Again, books two and three could be condensed into one book, because all the characters are doing is trying to stop Marcus. Book two doesn't set up for an epic showdown, it just sort of drags out the final showdown. Yawn.
And the deal with magic - Joseph's magic, Eleanor's magic, Elijah's magic - I don't understand that at all. I was hoping it would be more explained in books two and/or three, but it never really was. Why do they have magic? Why electricity? Explain things to me, please!
Anddddd the thing I've been avoiding: the ending. Like I said before, I already had a feeling, upon starting this book, that I probably wouldn't like it (this was mostly due to Eleanor's antics alone). I hadn't heard any spoilers or any positive or negative things about the ending. But let me tell you... I HATED the ending. It was so unnecessary. I can't believe that's how the author wanted that particular part of the story to be executed. I can't say anything specific, but dang. If I didn't already dislike the series in general, the ending would have ruined it for me. Straight up.
Would I Recommend It:
If you've read the first two books in the series, READ THIS ONE. Finish the series. Get your closure. Most reviews I've seen for this one are positive. You might read this book and love Eleanor and the plot and the ending and be fine.
If you haven't started the series at all, don't. Save yourself the heartbreak and irritation and wasted feelings.
Rating:
2 stars. This one hurt. And not in a good way. What an awful way to end a perfectly great and original series. I AM SO SAD AND IRRITATED. Hugs and chocolate needed.
July 23, 2015
I AM SO UPSET.
5 stars because honestly, this was a splendid book and I'm so sad that it's over.
The characters in this book grew a lot, especially Eleanor. I'm glad of that. Though it's not the ending I would have wanted, I felt as if there were no unanswered questions left behind. Everything fit.
—
edit.
oh good lord that cover is beyond gorgeous and deserves 5 stars just for that alone.
—
now Egypt. oh my gosh why must I wait a full year?
oh, dear Eleanor and Daniel.
GET TOGETHER ALREADY!! AND, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE STAY TOGETHER!
5 stars because honestly, this was a splendid book and I'm so sad that it's over.
The characters in this book grew a lot, especially Eleanor. I'm glad of that. Though it's not the ending I would have wanted, I felt as if there were no unanswered questions left behind. Everything fit.
—
edit.
oh good lord that cover is beyond gorgeous and deserves 5 stars just for that alone.
—
now Egypt. oh my gosh why must I wait a full year?
oh, dear Eleanor and Daniel.
GET TOGETHER ALREADY!! AND, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE STAY TOGETHER!
July 25, 2014
This is all I can provide right now....
Ok – anyone who knows me knows of my love for the Something Strange and Deadly series. Ever since I finished book two, I have been patiently waiting for the final book of the series and imagine my extreme reaction when my lovely friend @book_junkee says “Hey, I just happen to have a copy…do you want to read it?” (I am paraphrasing here but it went something like that.) Anyway….OF COURSE I wanted to read it and dropped everything the second it came in the mail. Sadly, I have to give it back so….I do have to write my review. I will leave you with my images and spoiler tag the rest of it as it doesn’t come out until July and I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone. Please know that if you do unhide this review, you might read something that gives something away. Consider yourself warned.
Ok, ok…I don’t think I really gave anything away but hopefully this review also doesn't come across as too vague. Just trust me when I say, if you have not started this series you should probably do that now. This one has everything – zombies, swoony boys, action, demons….I could go on and on here. You can bet that no matter what Susan Dennard writes next, it will be on my to read shelf immediately and I applaud her on a wonderful close to this series. There were so many feels and I’m not ashamed to admit it…a few tears but I loved it and wish I could continue reading about these characters and their stories. I will leave you with this as I feel it sums everything up perfectly for me.
Ok – anyone who knows me knows of my love for the Something Strange and Deadly series. Ever since I finished book two, I have been patiently waiting for the final book of the series and imagine my extreme reaction when my lovely friend @book_junkee says “Hey, I just happen to have a copy…do you want to read it?” (I am paraphrasing here but it went something like that.) Anyway….OF COURSE I wanted to read it and dropped everything the second it came in the mail. Sadly, I have to give it back so….I do have to write my review. I will leave you with my images and spoiler tag the rest of it as it doesn’t come out until July and I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone. Please know that if you do unhide this review, you might read something that gives something away. Consider yourself warned.
Ok, ok…I don’t think I really gave anything away but hopefully this review also doesn't come across as too vague. Just trust me when I say, if you have not started this series you should probably do that now. This one has everything – zombies, swoony boys, action, demons….I could go on and on here. You can bet that no matter what Susan Dennard writes next, it will be on my to read shelf immediately and I applaud her on a wonderful close to this series. There were so many feels and I’m not ashamed to admit it…a few tears but I loved it and wish I could continue reading about these characters and their stories. I will leave you with this as I feel it sums everything up perfectly for me.
August 8, 2019
This book was everything I wanted in the finale to this series. I wanted to savour the book so much, and one of the things I remember the most while reading this was how much I didn't want the book to end, but I knew I needed to get to the ending, and my god, did that ending kill me!
In Strange and Ever After, our gang of heroes are still searching for the Necromancer at the heart of the zombie uprising, Marcus. Jie has been kidnapped, and they are heading to Egypt to stop Marcus from gaining even more power. Eleanor is struggling with her abilities, and is trying to control them because she knows how important they will be when it comes to defeating Marcus. The other Spirit Hunters disagree, especially Daniel who wants to protect Eleanor as much as possible. They relationship definitely develops, for the better, and I just love these two together. From the first meeting in Something Strange and Deadly, I wanted them together, because the chemistry was just off the charts.
Eleanor really comes into her own in this final instalment. A character I've always loved, she now has come to terms with her 'strangeness' and is using it, rather than hiding away from her power. She uses her snark and her intelligence to help her get out of sticky situations, though sometimes I wanted to throttle her for getting into those situations to begin with. She's much more mature than the naive Miss Fitt we met on the first pages of Something Strange and Deadly.
Again, the change of scenery and secondary characters showed the amount of planning and research Sooz did while writing these books, and I've never been to Egypt, but this has made me want to go even more. Everything was done for a reason, and the plot was definitely tying everything up for the ending. Like I said, the ending killed me, and I don't want to give anything away, but I think it was the right thing, with hindsight. At the time, I was angry, but nothing was done in this book that wasn't necessary, and definitely not that. Sooz is such an amazing author, and I'm eternally grateful I discover these books - I just now wish there were UK publishers for them.
In Strange and Ever After, our gang of heroes are still searching for the Necromancer at the heart of the zombie uprising, Marcus. Jie has been kidnapped, and they are heading to Egypt to stop Marcus from gaining even more power. Eleanor is struggling with her abilities, and is trying to control them because she knows how important they will be when it comes to defeating Marcus. The other Spirit Hunters disagree, especially Daniel who wants to protect Eleanor as much as possible. They relationship definitely develops, for the better, and I just love these two together. From the first meeting in Something Strange and Deadly, I wanted them together, because the chemistry was just off the charts.
Eleanor really comes into her own in this final instalment. A character I've always loved, she now has come to terms with her 'strangeness' and is using it, rather than hiding away from her power. She uses her snark and her intelligence to help her get out of sticky situations, though sometimes I wanted to throttle her for getting into those situations to begin with. She's much more mature than the naive Miss Fitt we met on the first pages of Something Strange and Deadly.
Again, the change of scenery and secondary characters showed the amount of planning and research Sooz did while writing these books, and I've never been to Egypt, but this has made me want to go even more. Everything was done for a reason, and the plot was definitely tying everything up for the ending. Like I said, the ending killed me, and I don't want to give anything away, but I think it was the right thing, with hindsight. At the time, I was angry, but nothing was done in this book that wasn't necessary, and definitely not that. Sooz is such an amazing author, and I'm eternally grateful I discover these books - I just now wish there were UK publishers for them.
February 24, 2020
What the heck happened to this series?
I quite enjoyed Book 1. It was a tight story -- close location, small cast of normal-ish characters with identifiable problems, & an overhanging conflict that demanded immediate action in a believable context (or as believable as zombies get). I didn't even mind the tinge of electrical magic hooking into the zombie problem, as the explanation -- i.e., ties to voodoo -- seemed natural enough, given the understated steampunkish fantasy of the story.
Even though I wasn't wild about Book 2, I had reasonable hopes that Book 3 would clean up the problems inherent with such a drastic shift in focus, or at least fill in the gaps I had trouble visualizing. But no. Book 3 got even worse. Suddenly we're being inundated with Swoops of Power(tm), demons, Hell Hounds, crossing veils between worlds, soul-magic & necromancer abilities that were never adequately explained (despite the heroine's descriptions of colors blasting behind her eyes & gathering the earth's power through her fingers & baring souls to each other in the literal sense -- what does that even mean?), people stealing souls & adding souls & ripping souls into pieces -- honestly, I lost count of all the soul crap. Then more bizarre necromancy & EGYPTIAN GODS were thrown into the mix, for cryin' out loud -- complete with mummified armies that were ripped from The Mummy movies** & a magical dragon...WHAT THE HELL.
It's as if the author decided she didn't want to write about zombies anymore & instead started focusing on incomprehensible demon magic. With Egyptian gods. And mummies. Nevermind the way it ruined the tight storyline, the reliable characters, & understated fantasy -- the author was determined to force it down our throats, & I can't figure out why. Because as much as I love the idea of an army of reanimated mummified dogs (seriously, that was the only part of the book I enjoyed), it has nothing to do with zombies. Where was the day-to-day living with a world where the dead can walk? Eh, who cares. Basic everyday life & everyday problems? Pfft, mere filler! Who needs it? Everything becomes focused on chasing down the Big Bad Villain through ever more complicated situations (that still managed to feel the same each time), then narrowly missing him over and over with the same survivor's guilt*** & "let's find this-artifact-or-other!" conversations every other chapter. The result? Endless trotting around that bogged down a repetitive plot & left precisely nothing keep the reader tethered to the supposed 'human aspect' of the story.****
Honestly, how does a series about the undead suddenly make the undead secondary to the plot? -____- What a waste of a promising start.
2020 EDIT, re: wasting a promising start, endless trotting around, & making zombies secondary to a repetitive plot that never goes anywhere...I spoke too soon, because that's precisely what happened to THE WALKING DEAD. Sweet mother of pearl, but that show became so fucking boring. I've given it chance after chance, but I need to accept that the magic of the first 4 seasons is gone & will never return -- hence, I will no longer be watching it spiral into a mess of bullshit.
...Much like my refusal to read more YA. A gal's gotta know her limits, right?
**The royal guards...running on all fours. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either.
***That was a really cheap way to force Disappearing Parent Syndrome. One of the best things about Eleanor in Book 1 was that she had a family to take into account when she was considering how much to involve herself.
****I've reached a point in my life where I'm supremely unsympathetic to heroines who refuse to listen to people who might actually know something about the powers they're trying to use, let alone the "I'm so alone even though I've got friends in the next room! Boohoo, only I can save the world the right way!" routine. Spare me.
I quite enjoyed Book 1. It was a tight story -- close location, small cast of normal-ish characters with identifiable problems, & an overhanging conflict that demanded immediate action in a believable context (or as believable as zombies get). I didn't even mind the tinge of electrical magic hooking into the zombie problem, as the explanation -- i.e., ties to voodoo -- seemed natural enough, given the understated steampunkish fantasy of the story.
Even though I wasn't wild about Book 2, I had reasonable hopes that Book 3 would clean up the problems inherent with such a drastic shift in focus, or at least fill in the gaps I had trouble visualizing. But no. Book 3 got even worse. Suddenly we're being inundated with Swoops of Power(tm), demons, Hell Hounds, crossing veils between worlds, soul-magic & necromancer abilities that were never adequately explained (despite the heroine's descriptions of colors blasting behind her eyes & gathering the earth's power through her fingers & baring souls to each other in the literal sense -- what does that even mean?), people stealing souls & adding souls & ripping souls into pieces -- honestly, I lost count of all the soul crap. Then more bizarre necromancy & EGYPTIAN GODS were thrown into the mix, for cryin' out loud -- complete with mummified armies that were ripped from The Mummy movies** & a magical dragon...WHAT THE HELL.
It's as if the author decided she didn't want to write about zombies anymore & instead started focusing on incomprehensible demon magic. With Egyptian gods. And mummies. Nevermind the way it ruined the tight storyline, the reliable characters, & understated fantasy -- the author was determined to force it down our throats, & I can't figure out why. Because as much as I love the idea of an army of reanimated mummified dogs (seriously, that was the only part of the book I enjoyed), it has nothing to do with zombies. Where was the day-to-day living with a world where the dead can walk? Eh, who cares. Basic everyday life & everyday problems? Pfft, mere filler! Who needs it? Everything becomes focused on chasing down the Big Bad Villain through ever more complicated situations (that still managed to feel the same each time), then narrowly missing him over and over with the same survivor's guilt*** & "let's find this-artifact-or-other!" conversations every other chapter. The result? Endless trotting around that bogged down a repetitive plot & left precisely nothing keep the reader tethered to the supposed 'human aspect' of the story.****
Honestly, how does a series about the undead suddenly make the undead secondary to the plot? -____- What a waste of a promising start.
2020 EDIT, re: wasting a promising start, endless trotting around, & making zombies secondary to a repetitive plot that never goes anywhere...I spoke too soon, because that's precisely what happened to THE WALKING DEAD. Sweet mother of pearl, but that show became so fucking boring. I've given it chance after chance, but I need to accept that the magic of the first 4 seasons is gone & will never return -- hence, I will no longer be watching it spiral into a mess of bullshit.
...Much like my refusal to read more YA. A gal's gotta know her limits, right?
**The royal guards...running on all fours. Yeah, I couldn't believe it either.
***That was a really cheap way to force Disappearing Parent Syndrome. One of the best things about Eleanor in Book 1 was that she had a family to take into account when she was considering how much to involve herself.
****I've reached a point in my life where I'm supremely unsympathetic to heroines who refuse to listen to people who might actually know something about the powers they're trying to use, let alone the "I'm so alone even though I've got friends in the next room! Boohoo, only I can save the world the right way!" routine. Spare me.
Read
August 18, 2021Really well done ending to the series. I could barely put this down.
December 26, 2016
Review to come!
January 14, 2019
Don't hate me but I didn't love this as much as the other books. Maybe I was just ready for it to be over or there was just too much going on... whatever it was, it didn't grab me like the others.
I am glad I have finished this series. :)
I am glad I have finished this series. :)
January 14, 2022
eleanor started annoying me in book two and it continued till the first half of book 3. she was being selfish, ungrateful, unsympathetic and bratty. she had a mindset that she wasn't in the fault, and that everyone else were pushing her into a corner. as if she had no part in play in where she was heading to. but her character development was gradual and fulfilling. when eleanor started to view in other people's perspectives, understand where they were coming from and acknowledging that she was the one making herself the way that she was, everything became better. she stopped being a coward and stood on her own. she realised she was being selfish and made difficult decisions to let things go. instead of merely accepting her future, she changed for the better. i really enjoyed her character in the later half of the book.
throughout the entire time, i couldn't decide if oliver was a good guy or not. not just because he was a demon, but it felt that he had his own agenda other than wanting to leave for his spiritual world. daniel, joseph and jie played important roles in the finale book. they were integral parts of eleanor's life but they weren't the focus.
susan dennard managed to set the pacing well. there's always something going on and even when things slow down, it wasn't boring and unentertaining. i read the book within a day because her writing was so easy to read. i loved the egyptian setting and its myths and legends. it's always something that interested me. susan dennard set the scene wonderfully with her words and i had a hell of a ride at the end during the fight with marcus. which might i say, absolutely rocked my world with emotions. i wasn't expecting that conclusion which made me feel utterly bittersweet.
overall, i enjoyed the series. eleanor's character development was great. susan dennard peaked my interest throughout the books and each characters have their own uniqueness who added different flavors into the story. i had loads of fun! never thought i would read a zombie-related book but this was amazing.
"I can still make a fist, and breath still burns in my chest. So look at my face. Look at my mortal soul, and remember it. You did not crush me, and you will have the rest of eternity to think on it."
books in the series:
1. something strange and deadly: ✰✰✰✰
2. a darkness strange and lovely: ✰✰✰½
3. strange and ever after: ✰✰✰✰
throughout the entire time, i couldn't decide if oliver was a good guy or not. not just because he was a demon, but it felt that he had his own agenda other than wanting to leave for his spiritual world. daniel, joseph and jie played important roles in the finale book. they were integral parts of eleanor's life but they weren't the focus.
susan dennard managed to set the pacing well. there's always something going on and even when things slow down, it wasn't boring and unentertaining. i read the book within a day because her writing was so easy to read. i loved the egyptian setting and its myths and legends. it's always something that interested me. susan dennard set the scene wonderfully with her words and i had a hell of a ride at the end during the fight with marcus. which might i say, absolutely rocked my world with emotions. i wasn't expecting that conclusion which made me feel utterly bittersweet.
overall, i enjoyed the series. eleanor's character development was great. susan dennard peaked my interest throughout the books and each characters have their own uniqueness who added different flavors into the story. i had loads of fun! never thought i would read a zombie-related book but this was amazing.
"I can still make a fist, and breath still burns in my chest. So look at my face. Look at my mortal soul, and remember it. You did not crush me, and you will have the rest of eternity to think on it."
books in the series:
1. something strange and deadly: ✰✰✰✰
2. a darkness strange and lovely: ✰✰✰½
3. strange and ever after: ✰✰✰✰
Read
January 3, 2014Santa sent me an ARC of this, and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. In full disclosure, I am good friends and critique partners with Susan, but I promise you my love for this story is genuine. I'd read the first two thirds of this book in word doc form, and loved it. I read the ending in bound ARC form and cried happy, bittersweet tears.
There is so much to love about this book. Pyramids! Necromancy! Mummies and magic and flying airships! Susan brought 1876 Philadelphia and Paris to life effortless in the previous installments, and she succeeds again in S&EA with Egypt. The scenery is rich and the plot thrilling (think Indiana Jones meets The Mummy). And the ending! This is one of my favorite trilogy conclusions. Everyone is changed. Everyone has grown, especially Eleanor, and no one gets there without sacrifice. The final chapter was as beautiful and moving and as close to perfect as an author can get. Miss Fitt will always hold a dear place in my heart.
NOTE: This review is based on an ARC.
Originally reviewed here.
There is so much to love about this book. Pyramids! Necromancy! Mummies and magic and flying airships! Susan brought 1876 Philadelphia and Paris to life effortless in the previous installments, and she succeeds again in S&EA with Egypt. The scenery is rich and the plot thrilling (think Indiana Jones meets The Mummy). And the ending! This is one of my favorite trilogy conclusions. Everyone is changed. Everyone has grown, especially Eleanor, and no one gets there without sacrifice. The final chapter was as beautiful and moving and as close to perfect as an author can get. Miss Fitt will always hold a dear place in my heart.
NOTE: This review is based on an ARC.
Originally reviewed here.
September 2, 2017
So... that happened. For all that this has its fair share of action and surprises... it was a fairly boring and unnecessarily convoluted trip to get to the end. I'm sad that a series that started with such fun and potential ended with a lackluster third novel.
October 4, 2014
4.5 Stars. Okay let's be serious...5 stars!!
** I received an advanced copy from HarperTeen via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.**
First Impression
Something Strange and Deadly was a series I'd hear people talk about often but in all honesty I really had no idea that they were talking about. So I finally did my research, read the synopsis and I knew this would be a good series!! How often do you come across the combination of zombies in an historical setting? Never. While I did really want to read the books I never had the motivation to start them until I came across the blog tour. I went out and bought the previous books and dove head first into this world, and boy I'm happy I did!
Opening Lines
The Good
Sometimes books can be predictable, okay most times, but especially when a series comes to an end. When I started Something Strange and Deadly I didn't know what to expect, neither with A Darkness Strange and Lovely. Although I have to admit I feel like A Darkness Strange and Lovely suffered a bit from middle book syndrome. But when it came to Strange and Ever After I thought I had it all mapped out. I didn't think there would be any MORE surprises and I was beyond wrong. The thing that I loved the most about this book was the character development, through the past books we see Eleanor trying to come to terms with all that is right and wrong and I feel that as a final book she finally blossomed! Now Oliver and Daniel, I wasn't sure what path she would take with these two characters and you won't be able to either.
Now for the heartbreaking part: the ending. While I was getting closer and closer to finishing Strange and Ever After I started to realize where Susan was going. I screamed "NO!" at my book because I couldn't believe she would actually do it, but she did! She gives you an ending you don't really see coming, and although I hate it, it was the perfect and most fitting ending I could ask for. Lastly, I found that as each book was written Susan just kept on improving. Not to say that the previous books were written poorly, they weren't, it was just that she was so descriptive in the final installment and I went through so many different feelings! I'll leave you with two quotes that I loved and are the only ones that won't really spoil anything. While this review can seem vague I just don't won't to spoil ANYTHING for anybody, because this book was beautiful as much as it was perfect and one I think everyone needs read.
The Bad
- The fact that it had to come to an END!!! But really there is nothing I would consider bad.
The In-Between
- Still haven't come across anything.
Lasting Impression
Overall, Strange and Ever After is a beautifully written conclusion to this trilogy. I can't express how much I want everyone to pick up this book! If you haven't read this book yet, get it! If you haven't read the previous books, go pick them up! Strange and Ever After won’t be released until July 22nd, so you have time! I’m so excited and looking forward to Susan’s next series Truthwitch that is expected to release sometime in 2015, let the waiting game begin.
** I received an advanced copy from HarperTeen via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.**
First Impression
Something Strange and Deadly was a series I'd hear people talk about often but in all honesty I really had no idea that they were talking about. So I finally did my research, read the synopsis and I knew this would be a good series!! How often do you come across the combination of zombies in an historical setting? Never. While I did really want to read the books I never had the motivation to start them until I came across the blog tour. I went out and bought the previous books and dove head first into this world, and boy I'm happy I did!
Opening Lines
I was not suppose to be here. Oliver would be furious. Joseph even more so. This dock was the no-man's-land between realms. It was a place for ghosts."
The Good
Sometimes books can be predictable, okay most times, but especially when a series comes to an end. When I started Something Strange and Deadly I didn't know what to expect, neither with A Darkness Strange and Lovely. Although I have to admit I feel like A Darkness Strange and Lovely suffered a bit from middle book syndrome. But when it came to Strange and Ever After I thought I had it all mapped out. I didn't think there would be any MORE surprises and I was beyond wrong. The thing that I loved the most about this book was the character development, through the past books we see Eleanor trying to come to terms with all that is right and wrong and I feel that as a final book she finally blossomed! Now Oliver and Daniel, I wasn't sure what path she would take with these two characters and you won't be able to either.
Now for the heartbreaking part: the ending. While I was getting closer and closer to finishing Strange and Ever After I started to realize where Susan was going. I screamed "NO!" at my book because I couldn't believe she would actually do it, but she did! She gives you an ending you don't really see coming, and although I hate it, it was the perfect and most fitting ending I could ask for. Lastly, I found that as each book was written Susan just kept on improving. Not to say that the previous books were written poorly, they weren't, it was just that she was so descriptive in the final installment and I went through so many different feelings! I'll leave you with two quotes that I loved and are the only ones that won't really spoil anything. While this review can seem vague I just don't won't to spoil ANYTHING for anybody, because this book was beautiful as much as it was perfect and one I think everyone needs read.
"...because I could not have my good-bye. My final "I love you". There would be nothing."
"Tears ran down my cheeks, but I didn't mind. They were as common as spring rain these days-and I hoped just as cleansing.
The Bad
- The fact that it had to come to an END!!! But really there is nothing I would consider bad.
The In-Between
- Still haven't come across anything.
Lasting Impression
Overall, Strange and Ever After is a beautifully written conclusion to this trilogy. I can't express how much I want everyone to pick up this book! If you haven't read this book yet, get it! If you haven't read the previous books, go pick them up! Strange and Ever After won’t be released until July 22nd, so you have time! I’m so excited and looking forward to Susan’s next series Truthwitch that is expected to release sometime in 2015, let the waiting game begin.
August 22, 2014
For more reviews, Cover Snark and more, visit A Reader of Fictions.
THIS is how you end a trilogy, my friends. Like a freaking BAMF. Seriously, I had my doubts going in after a favorite trilogy went down in a fiery mess of plotberg, but Dennard’s ending is more than I could have dreamed. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful and sassy and perfection. Also, Dennard is a recap queen. I’m going to be honest and say that I didn’t remember book two super well, but Dennard got me up to speed in no time and I was rolling. All of this is to say that you should run, not shamble, to read this book because it’s freaking amazing.
I’ll admit that I struggled a bit with A Darkness Strange and Lovely. Eleanor hid so much for so little reason and I was endlessly frustrated with that. In Strange and Ever After, Dennard addresses this and Eleanor has to look at the choices she’s been making and why. Eleanor really has to face her demons, figurative and literal. I realize too that part of why I was so frustrated with Eleanor in book two is that we have so much in common, which is why it hurt to see her pushing away the people who care about her; I hate it because I know it’s something I would do too. In Strange and Ever After Eleanor does a lot of growing. She has an amazing character arc and the part of this book that most makes me want to cry is how far she’s come by the end.
The big problem in a lot of trilogies is that the stakes are high and terrifying but that the author goes too hard for that HEA. Everything needs to wrap up in a big shiny bow at the end, so the plot ends up resolving really conveniently in such a way as to leave all the people the reader cares about alive and the romance happily afloat. There are no lasting consequences and the suffering is limited in scope. Personally, I don’t like this. Defeating a great evil is not going to be easy. In Strange and Ever After, it’s not. I won’t tell you what does happen, but I will say that the group works hard for every single bit of it.
Obviously, romance is important to me, but it wasn’t my primary focus in this particular book. The plot really took the front seat and it was so badass. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say that I really love the way it was handled, though some may not. The ending’s definitely bittersweet, but it’s lovely and dark and strange and precisely what it needed to be. I’ll actually be really interested to see what people make of this ending.
There’s also action galore. There are fights against all sorts of zombies, of course. Then there’s the Indiana Jones style jaunts through the pyramids. The pacing is fast fast fast. Though Strange and Ever After is long, it’s a page turner that I didn’t want to put down. How many times can I tell you guys that you need to read this series? A LOT OF TIMES. It’s dark and funny and a bit romantic and full of action and magic. WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE?
Guys, I have mad respect for the way that Dennard ended this trilogy. Just so much respect. A lot of people are going to weep, though I didn’t. On a reread, I might even cry. AND THERE WILL BE REREADS. I give this trilogy my highest series recommendation. Go forth and read.
THIS is how you end a trilogy, my friends. Like a freaking BAMF. Seriously, I had my doubts going in after a favorite trilogy went down in a fiery mess of plotberg, but Dennard’s ending is more than I could have dreamed. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful and sassy and perfection. Also, Dennard is a recap queen. I’m going to be honest and say that I didn’t remember book two super well, but Dennard got me up to speed in no time and I was rolling. All of this is to say that you should run, not shamble, to read this book because it’s freaking amazing.
I’ll admit that I struggled a bit with A Darkness Strange and Lovely. Eleanor hid so much for so little reason and I was endlessly frustrated with that. In Strange and Ever After, Dennard addresses this and Eleanor has to look at the choices she’s been making and why. Eleanor really has to face her demons, figurative and literal. I realize too that part of why I was so frustrated with Eleanor in book two is that we have so much in common, which is why it hurt to see her pushing away the people who care about her; I hate it because I know it’s something I would do too. In Strange and Ever After Eleanor does a lot of growing. She has an amazing character arc and the part of this book that most makes me want to cry is how far she’s come by the end.
The big problem in a lot of trilogies is that the stakes are high and terrifying but that the author goes too hard for that HEA. Everything needs to wrap up in a big shiny bow at the end, so the plot ends up resolving really conveniently in such a way as to leave all the people the reader cares about alive and the romance happily afloat. There are no lasting consequences and the suffering is limited in scope. Personally, I don’t like this. Defeating a great evil is not going to be easy. In Strange and Ever After, it’s not. I won’t tell you what does happen, but I will say that the group works hard for every single bit of it.
Obviously, romance is important to me, but it wasn’t my primary focus in this particular book. The plot really took the front seat and it was so badass. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say that I really love the way it was handled, though some may not. The ending’s definitely bittersweet, but it’s lovely and dark and strange and precisely what it needed to be. I’ll actually be really interested to see what people make of this ending.
There’s also action galore. There are fights against all sorts of zombies, of course. Then there’s the Indiana Jones style jaunts through the pyramids. The pacing is fast fast fast. Though Strange and Ever After is long, it’s a page turner that I didn’t want to put down. How many times can I tell you guys that you need to read this series? A LOT OF TIMES. It’s dark and funny and a bit romantic and full of action and magic. WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE?
Guys, I have mad respect for the way that Dennard ended this trilogy. Just so much respect. A lot of people are going to weep, though I didn’t. On a reread, I might even cry. AND THERE WILL BE REREADS. I give this trilogy my highest series recommendation. Go forth and read.
September 1, 2015
Amazing.
One of the best conclusions I've ever read. EVER.
Review to come.
One of the best conclusions I've ever read. EVER.
Review to come.
January 19, 2016
Oh, the heartbreak. THE HEARTBREAK!!!
March 2, 2015
review to come.
November 21, 2022
FIRST THOUGHTS:
Well, you've gone and done it now, Susan. You've written a series ender that tugged at all my heart strings, reunited me with characters I love AND added an Egyptian spin to it all. LOVED. LOVED.
REVIEW:
(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
Honestly, I’m still struggling to find the words to properly convey how I felt after finishing Strange and Ever After. My emotions are really all jumbled up just thinking about this story, which is by far my favorite of the entire Something Strange and Deadly series.
Readers are invited to join Eleanor, Daniel, and the rest of the Spirit Hunters for this final chapter of their adventure. And what a journey it is! There are moments thrilling and sentimental, happy and sad, shocking and revelatory. Susan Dennard has managed to hone her writing into a fine-tipped arrow that pierced my heart in the dead center! Honestly, there was no way I could put this novel down once I’d started it, so I neglected all my daily routines, and pushed through emotional upset, just to stay with everyone till the very end.
In Strange and Ever After, it seems like Eleanor Fitt has finally begun to find her footing in her new reality. She’s embraced her necromancer side, fully fascinated by the power that she wields. But what’s important to note is that she’s still struggling about where to draw the line, when it comes to her abilities and her actions. Her struggle is made difficult by the relationships that ring her, from her connection to the Spirit Hunters, her demon Oliver and her romance with Daniel. Susan successfully managed to flesh out this internal conflict, and culminate with a series of choices that feel true to who Eleanor is. Plus, I love that Eleanor might need the help of other people, but she’s definitely badass all on her own!
Of course, this novel would be incomplete without the rest of our beloved characters – Daniel, Jie, Joseph and even Oliver. With each passing book, I’ve grown very attached to everyone, faults and all. The trials they face in the race to beat Marcus to the end goal (which involves a play for power, obviously) are so hard to read, only because I care so deeply for everyone! Each person in the group has their own motivations, weaknesses, strengths, and Susan handles the complexity of each individual very well. Here’s a short summary of each of these people:
- Daniel – Love of my Eleanor’s life, a nerd and tinkerer who comes up with crazy, awesome and useful inventions. He’s motivated by his desire to right the wrongs he’s committed in his lifetime, his love for his family of Spirit Hunters and, of course, his romantic feelings for Eleanor. His strengths are quick thinking, loyalty and the ability to create, obviously.
- Jie – One of Eleanor’s best friends, who happens to be a kick-ass fighter. Her motivations lie deeply in revenge against Marcus for the way he managed to turn her subservient, and a desire to protect her family. Her strengths are physical strength, agility and fighting skills.
- Joseph – Leader of the Spirit Hunters, who is also able to work magic like Eleanor (though he’s not overly fond of it). His motivation is to right the grievous wrongs his former friend Marcus is committing, and protect the world. He’s a born leader, as well as being skilled in magic and making sure the team works together.
- Oliver – Eleanor’s demon, who technically was her brother Elijah’s demon before his death. He’s motivated by a desire to return to where he belongs, to be released from his position. His strengths are many, as he’s capable of working feats that nobody else can (not even Eleanor). He also provides strength and extra magic for her.
This ragtag bunch of misfits make sense together, and the high stakes journey they go on in Strange and Ever After cements their familial bond for life. They might never fully belong anywhere else, but they do belong to/with each other. Because I cared so much for each of them, I was seriously on their side and rooting for them to make it out of every tight spot, every difficult moment (and there were definitely a lot of those)! Susan really put them all through the wringer, which makes a lot of sense in the context of everything they have at stake – their lives, each other, the world.
Before I end this review, I have to mention how fantastic it is that this novel is set in Egypt and features Egyptian mythology very prominently. It’s a personal fascination for me, and the subtle elegance with which Susan features it in Strange and Ever After is praise-worthy. So yes, I was totally in love with the setting and mythology too, apart from the story and these characters!
All in all, Strange and Ever After was riveting and beautifully told. Eleanor, Daniel, Jie, Joseph, Oliver – these characters certainly have cemented the impressions they’ve left on my heart with their roles in this part of their story, and I will fondly return to them time and again. Though it was hard to see all my beloved characters going through such trials, I also feel like there was no other way for them to go through this journey. Susan has definitely written the best ending for her series, rousing her readers into cheers, sobs or fits of rage as called for.
If you’re a fan of this series, I’m expecting you to either have pre-ordered it or to be making plans to go get your copy at your favorite bookstore. You must join these characters for the last leg of their story! And if you’ve not started this series… What are you waiting for? No time like the present!
{If you liked this review, check out Alexa Loves Books for more!}
Well, you've gone and done it now, Susan. You've written a series ender that tugged at all my heart strings, reunited me with characters I love AND added an Egyptian spin to it all. LOVED. LOVED.
REVIEW:
(Originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
Honestly, I’m still struggling to find the words to properly convey how I felt after finishing Strange and Ever After. My emotions are really all jumbled up just thinking about this story, which is by far my favorite of the entire Something Strange and Deadly series.
Readers are invited to join Eleanor, Daniel, and the rest of the Spirit Hunters for this final chapter of their adventure. And what a journey it is! There are moments thrilling and sentimental, happy and sad, shocking and revelatory. Susan Dennard has managed to hone her writing into a fine-tipped arrow that pierced my heart in the dead center! Honestly, there was no way I could put this novel down once I’d started it, so I neglected all my daily routines, and pushed through emotional upset, just to stay with everyone till the very end.
In Strange and Ever After, it seems like Eleanor Fitt has finally begun to find her footing in her new reality. She’s embraced her necromancer side, fully fascinated by the power that she wields. But what’s important to note is that she’s still struggling about where to draw the line, when it comes to her abilities and her actions. Her struggle is made difficult by the relationships that ring her, from her connection to the Spirit Hunters, her demon Oliver and her romance with Daniel. Susan successfully managed to flesh out this internal conflict, and culminate with a series of choices that feel true to who Eleanor is. Plus, I love that Eleanor might need the help of other people, but she’s definitely badass all on her own!
Of course, this novel would be incomplete without the rest of our beloved characters – Daniel, Jie, Joseph and even Oliver. With each passing book, I’ve grown very attached to everyone, faults and all. The trials they face in the race to beat Marcus to the end goal (which involves a play for power, obviously) are so hard to read, only because I care so deeply for everyone! Each person in the group has their own motivations, weaknesses, strengths, and Susan handles the complexity of each individual very well. Here’s a short summary of each of these people:
- Daniel – Love of my Eleanor’s life, a nerd and tinkerer who comes up with crazy, awesome and useful inventions. He’s motivated by his desire to right the wrongs he’s committed in his lifetime, his love for his family of Spirit Hunters and, of course, his romantic feelings for Eleanor. His strengths are quick thinking, loyalty and the ability to create, obviously.
- Jie – One of Eleanor’s best friends, who happens to be a kick-ass fighter. Her motivations lie deeply in revenge against Marcus for the way he managed to turn her subservient, and a desire to protect her family. Her strengths are physical strength, agility and fighting skills.
- Joseph – Leader of the Spirit Hunters, who is also able to work magic like Eleanor (though he’s not overly fond of it). His motivation is to right the grievous wrongs his former friend Marcus is committing, and protect the world. He’s a born leader, as well as being skilled in magic and making sure the team works together.
- Oliver – Eleanor’s demon, who technically was her brother Elijah’s demon before his death. He’s motivated by a desire to return to where he belongs, to be released from his position. His strengths are many, as he’s capable of working feats that nobody else can (not even Eleanor). He also provides strength and extra magic for her.
This ragtag bunch of misfits make sense together, and the high stakes journey they go on in Strange and Ever After cements their familial bond for life. They might never fully belong anywhere else, but they do belong to/with each other. Because I cared so much for each of them, I was seriously on their side and rooting for them to make it out of every tight spot, every difficult moment (and there were definitely a lot of those)! Susan really put them all through the wringer, which makes a lot of sense in the context of everything they have at stake – their lives, each other, the world.
Before I end this review, I have to mention how fantastic it is that this novel is set in Egypt and features Egyptian mythology very prominently. It’s a personal fascination for me, and the subtle elegance with which Susan features it in Strange and Ever After is praise-worthy. So yes, I was totally in love with the setting and mythology too, apart from the story and these characters!
All in all, Strange and Ever After was riveting and beautifully told. Eleanor, Daniel, Jie, Joseph, Oliver – these characters certainly have cemented the impressions they’ve left on my heart with their roles in this part of their story, and I will fondly return to them time and again. Though it was hard to see all my beloved characters going through such trials, I also feel like there was no other way for them to go through this journey. Susan has definitely written the best ending for her series, rousing her readers into cheers, sobs or fits of rage as called for.
If you’re a fan of this series, I’m expecting you to either have pre-ordered it or to be making plans to go get your copy at your favorite bookstore. You must join these characters for the last leg of their story! And if you’ve not started this series… What are you waiting for? No time like the present!
{If you liked this review, check out Alexa Loves Books for more!}
October 15, 2014
Four stars: A shocking conclusion to an exciting trilogy.
Eleanor and the Spirit Hunters are headed to Marseille, France to hunt down Marcus and recover Jie. As their air ship hovers over the city, the gang realizes that something is terribly wrong. A sea of hungry corpses assault them, and the Spirit Hunters are in the fight for their lives. Once they turn back the undead, and gain the much needed information they need to help destroy Marcus, they head to Egypt. In Egypt they hope to find the key to stopping Marcus once and for all. Eleanor must gain control of her magic, repair relationships and take on a seemingly unstoppable enemy amongst the pyramids of Egypt. Will Eleanor be able to defeat Marcus once and for all?
What I Liked:
*Strange and Ever After spikes up the action and gets the series back on track. I liked that this book was non stop, and that it kept the danger coming at you full speed. The finale especially is brutal with its last stand and deadly turns. I was shocked at the final outcome,but I have to applaud Ms. Dennard for daring to do the unexpected. This is a solid ending to an imaginative series.
*I love the settings of this series. In the first book, we are planted in Philadelphia near the turn of the twentieth century. Book Two, drops us into Paris, while Strange and Ever After takes the reader first to Marseille and then on to Egypt. Egypt was my favorite setting as I loved the way Ms. Dennard incorporated Egyptian lore, the pyramids and chomping mummies into the story.
*I struggled a bit with Eleanor in the second book, but this time out, I was relieved to find that I once again liked her. She is continuing to grow and mature as she begins to control her powers. Eleanor is also learning how to maintain her relationships, and she is finally able to open herself to a romance. Eleanor has her head on straight, and I loved how she rose to the occasion and managed to stand tall during the final battle. I especially enjoyed seeing her continue to break free of societal expectations and become secure in her own skin. By the end, she is comfortable with her misfit status. Overall, I liked seeing her transformation and growth.
*Oliver the demon grew on me in this series, and I ended up liking him after all. In the second book, I wasn't sure as to whether I could trust him or not, but this time his character solidifies and I was able to understand him. I especially liked his sacrifice.
*The romance finally takes hold and there are some lovely moments. I enjoyed seeing the couple finally open up and talk things through after some missteps in the second book.
*I was stunned by some of the final developments, and I certainly didn't see some of the twists coming. There is a big betrayal, a heart wrenching death and a couple of sacrifices before the dust settles. I was certainly surprised with the direction the story took, and I have to admit, Ms. Dennard took a big risk, and not every one is going to be satisfied with the outcome, but I am always pleased to see an author take a story down an unexpected road. The final pages were bittersweet, but I found closure. Still even though this is the last book in the series, Ms. Dennard leaves the door open for a possible spin off down the line.
And The Not So Much:
*Ollie changes and grows in this book, and he and Jie strike up an unexpected friendship, but for whatever reason, this friendship wasn't explored. I was curious to know more about why Jie suddenly trusted the demon. I thought there was something going on with them, but then the whole story line disappears. I wanted more depth and detail with Jie and Ollie.
*Allison comes back in this book, and she plays a pivotal role. At the end, no one is exactly sure as to what her fate was, and I wanted to know what happened to her. Plus, I would have loved more insight on the relationship that she developed that earned her that final fate.
*Even though the loose ends are tied off at the end, I couldn't help but feel like there was something missing. I needed to know how Ollie fared and how Eleanor moved forward. I don't know, it felt a tiny bit open ended to me.
*Despite the big twists in this, I got a little bored with the plot. For two and a half books the Spirit Hunters have been chasing after Marcus for revenge. The whole I am going to kill Marcus plot got old.
Strange and Ever After is a thrilling, emotional and jaw dropping finale to an exciting paranormal/historical series. This trilogy has outstanding world building as well as hungry, chomping corpses. Even though book two faltered a bit, the third book gets the series back on track and ends with a bang. If you want an adventure in Egypt with chomping mummies, grab this book and settle in, and be prepared for a stunning finish.
Favorite Quotations:
"Mistakes make you strong. Love does too, and that is why I am stronger than any of you."
"Vengeance solves nothing."
"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Eleanor and the Spirit Hunters are headed to Marseille, France to hunt down Marcus and recover Jie. As their air ship hovers over the city, the gang realizes that something is terribly wrong. A sea of hungry corpses assault them, and the Spirit Hunters are in the fight for their lives. Once they turn back the undead, and gain the much needed information they need to help destroy Marcus, they head to Egypt. In Egypt they hope to find the key to stopping Marcus once and for all. Eleanor must gain control of her magic, repair relationships and take on a seemingly unstoppable enemy amongst the pyramids of Egypt. Will Eleanor be able to defeat Marcus once and for all?
What I Liked:
*Strange and Ever After spikes up the action and gets the series back on track. I liked that this book was non stop, and that it kept the danger coming at you full speed. The finale especially is brutal with its last stand and deadly turns. I was shocked at the final outcome,but I have to applaud Ms. Dennard for daring to do the unexpected. This is a solid ending to an imaginative series.
*I love the settings of this series. In the first book, we are planted in Philadelphia near the turn of the twentieth century. Book Two, drops us into Paris, while Strange and Ever After takes the reader first to Marseille and then on to Egypt. Egypt was my favorite setting as I loved the way Ms. Dennard incorporated Egyptian lore, the pyramids and chomping mummies into the story.
*I struggled a bit with Eleanor in the second book, but this time out, I was relieved to find that I once again liked her. She is continuing to grow and mature as she begins to control her powers. Eleanor is also learning how to maintain her relationships, and she is finally able to open herself to a romance. Eleanor has her head on straight, and I loved how she rose to the occasion and managed to stand tall during the final battle. I especially enjoyed seeing her continue to break free of societal expectations and become secure in her own skin. By the end, she is comfortable with her misfit status. Overall, I liked seeing her transformation and growth.
*Oliver the demon grew on me in this series, and I ended up liking him after all. In the second book, I wasn't sure as to whether I could trust him or not, but this time his character solidifies and I was able to understand him. I especially liked his sacrifice.
*The romance finally takes hold and there are some lovely moments. I enjoyed seeing the couple finally open up and talk things through after some missteps in the second book.
*I was stunned by some of the final developments, and I certainly didn't see some of the twists coming. There is a big betrayal, a heart wrenching death and a couple of sacrifices before the dust settles. I was certainly surprised with the direction the story took, and I have to admit, Ms. Dennard took a big risk, and not every one is going to be satisfied with the outcome, but I am always pleased to see an author take a story down an unexpected road. The final pages were bittersweet, but I found closure. Still even though this is the last book in the series, Ms. Dennard leaves the door open for a possible spin off down the line.
And The Not So Much:
*Ollie changes and grows in this book, and he and Jie strike up an unexpected friendship, but for whatever reason, this friendship wasn't explored. I was curious to know more about why Jie suddenly trusted the demon. I thought there was something going on with them, but then the whole story line disappears. I wanted more depth and detail with Jie and Ollie.
*Allison comes back in this book, and she plays a pivotal role. At the end, no one is exactly sure as to what her fate was, and I wanted to know what happened to her. Plus, I would have loved more insight on the relationship that she developed that earned her that final fate.
*Even though the loose ends are tied off at the end, I couldn't help but feel like there was something missing. I needed to know how Ollie fared and how Eleanor moved forward. I don't know, it felt a tiny bit open ended to me.
*Despite the big twists in this, I got a little bored with the plot. For two and a half books the Spirit Hunters have been chasing after Marcus for revenge. The whole I am going to kill Marcus plot got old.
Strange and Ever After is a thrilling, emotional and jaw dropping finale to an exciting paranormal/historical series. This trilogy has outstanding world building as well as hungry, chomping corpses. Even though book two faltered a bit, the third book gets the series back on track and ends with a bang. If you want an adventure in Egypt with chomping mummies, grab this book and settle in, and be prepared for a stunning finish.
Favorite Quotations:
"Mistakes make you strong. Love does too, and that is why I am stronger than any of you."
"Vengeance solves nothing."
"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together."
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
May 24, 2014
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This is the third and final book in the ‘Something Strange and Deadly’ series, and picks up where book 2 leaves off.
I really liked the first two books in this series, but this was a disappointment.
Eleanor did what Eleanor wanted in this book, to the detriment of everyone else, and I actually started to get a bit annoyed with her. I didn’t even feel sorry for her over what happened, as she didn’t exactly help matters.
The storyline in this just bored me. I tried so hard to like it and to get into it, but it just didn’t happen. It dragged, and I got bored; I didn’t really care what happened, and just kept wanting to put this one down. Considering that I had looked forward to this book, and saved it especially for my holiday, I was disappointed.
There was a little bit of romance, but I wasn’t impressed really.
The ending was not good. While some things were tied up, the death of an important person was just not appreciated, and ruined the ‘happily ever after’.
Overall; disappointed,
4.5 out of 10.
This is the third and final book in the ‘Something Strange and Deadly’ series, and picks up where book 2 leaves off.
I really liked the first two books in this series, but this was a disappointment.
Eleanor did what Eleanor wanted in this book, to the detriment of everyone else, and I actually started to get a bit annoyed with her. I didn’t even feel sorry for her over what happened, as she didn’t exactly help matters.
The storyline in this just bored me. I tried so hard to like it and to get into it, but it just didn’t happen. It dragged, and I got bored; I didn’t really care what happened, and just kept wanting to put this one down. Considering that I had looked forward to this book, and saved it especially for my holiday, I was disappointed.
There was a little bit of romance, but I wasn’t impressed really.
The ending was not good. While some things were tied up, the death of an important person was just not appreciated, and ruined the ‘happily ever after’.
Overall; disappointed,
4.5 out of 10.
May 28, 2015
I'm just... I can't. I'm...sobbing. I feel betrayed. Utterly betrayed. This book's almost perfect. Except the fact that...that...
he
died. I can't.
How could you do this to me, Sooz?
How could you do this to me, Sooz?
February 5, 2017
Why?!
February 13, 2015
(1.5)
(Ranting ahead. You've been warned.)
(And it's probably not what you think it might be (if you've read it).)
***
I liked the first book of this series. I mean, it wasn't mind blowing or anything, but it was a fun little gothic sort of adventure with an anachronistically spunky heroine, which I appreciate.
I forgave many of the foibles of the second book figuring that it was mostly middle book syndrome. Yes, it took an already loosely defined magic and added to it, but not deepening it, and it added a weird sort of triangle thing, but some of the plotting and pacing seemed typical middle book slogginess and I was prepared to forgive it if it came together in the end.
But this book is a hot mess. And worse, it's kinda boring.
The big bad didn't seem nearly as menacing as he should've - or even as he was in the past - especially since he kept making the Bond villain mistake of leaving people alive for no apparent reason.
I sort of enjoyed the Egyptian stuff, because Egypt, but it also adds to the whole "sprawling magical world without ever really being defined or explained" problem. Instead of deepening the magic and stuff in the world, it just kept adding more stuff to it. It seems like the author has "ooh, shiny" syndrome.
The worst thing, though, for me is the characters.
Several people have pointed out how selfish and willful-to-a-fault Eleanor is - unwilling to listen to other people's perspectives and think that maybe those older and wiser may know a thing or two.
But, honestly, *everyone* was completely set in the belief that their way was right, and Joseph was just as unwilling to listen to Eleanor - except when suddenly he needed to, and all of a sudden it was ok.
I couldn't root for the romance between Daniel and Ellie because, oh my god, can we say dysfunctional? Hot and cold doesn't even begin to cover it. Whenever Ellie does something Daniel disagrees with, he just completely withdraws and freezes her out, even after "confessing" his "love" for her. I mean, that would make for a healthy relationship... I love you, I need you, you're my life... but do something I disagree with, and I'll freak the fuck out like a crazy person... because, hey, love.
Then there's the weird pseudo-triangle with Oliver - who was actually, in some ways, the strongest character in books two and three, but he also suffered from the "I'm going to be mad at you for not knowing things that I didn't tell you!" thing. (Going back to book two, because it was carried over into this book and really annoyed me, the whole
But, as it stands, you're pissed off at her for not knowing osmething that you could've just fucking told her!
And I feel like this happened a lot. Between everyone.
This book is all wangst and drama and 95% of it could've been avoided if anyone ever talked to each other! (And listened to each other. The listening part is important, too.)
So, anyway...
Everyone is just really fucking annoying. They're also the shadows of the characters they were in the first book - and could've become. Jie, a strong presence in the first book, is diminished in the second book and barely existence in the third book. Joseph, too, seems much lessened.
Hell, like I said before, even Marcus seemed lessened.
Moving on...
The plot itself...
After the events of the last book, they have to stop Marcus. They encounter him, things go badly but they survive, he gets away, they chase him, they encounter him, things go badly... so on and so forth. The encounters never really felt very tense, and I can't say I was all that bothered by the big shocking ending.
Part of it might be because I accidentally spoiled myself by glimpsing a scene later on in the book when I was flipping through trying to find my place. Part of it is because I just didn't really care at that point, anyway. It didn't help that
***
So you may be wondering why I gave it a 2 instead of a 1. Honestly, at this point, so am I.
I don't remember actively disliking the book when I finished. I was more disappointed and meh about it than anything. It was only as I started writing that I kind of realized how much of it was actively irritating...
But, whatever. I'll leave the 2 star for now... but I guess I'll consider it more a 1.5.
(Ranting ahead. You've been warned.)
(And it's probably not what you think it might be (if you've read it).)
***
I liked the first book of this series. I mean, it wasn't mind blowing or anything, but it was a fun little gothic sort of adventure with an anachronistically spunky heroine, which I appreciate.
I forgave many of the foibles of the second book figuring that it was mostly middle book syndrome. Yes, it took an already loosely defined magic and added to it, but not deepening it, and it added a weird sort of triangle thing, but some of the plotting and pacing seemed typical middle book slogginess and I was prepared to forgive it if it came together in the end.
But this book is a hot mess. And worse, it's kinda boring.
The big bad didn't seem nearly as menacing as he should've - or even as he was in the past - especially since he kept making the Bond villain mistake of leaving people alive for no apparent reason.
I sort of enjoyed the Egyptian stuff, because Egypt, but it also adds to the whole "sprawling magical world without ever really being defined or explained" problem. Instead of deepening the magic and stuff in the world, it just kept adding more stuff to it. It seems like the author has "ooh, shiny" syndrome.
The worst thing, though, for me is the characters.
Several people have pointed out how selfish and willful-to-a-fault Eleanor is - unwilling to listen to other people's perspectives and think that maybe those older and wiser may know a thing or two.
But, honestly, *everyone* was completely set in the belief that their way was right, and Joseph was just as unwilling to listen to Eleanor - except when suddenly he needed to, and all of a sudden it was ok.
I couldn't root for the romance between Daniel and Ellie because, oh my god, can we say dysfunctional? Hot and cold doesn't even begin to cover it. Whenever Ellie does something Daniel disagrees with, he just completely withdraws and freezes her out, even after "confessing" his "love" for her. I mean, that would make for a healthy relationship... I love you, I need you, you're my life... but do something I disagree with, and I'll freak the fuck out like a crazy person... because, hey, love.
Then there's the weird pseudo-triangle with Oliver - who was actually, in some ways, the strongest character in books two and three, but he also suffered from the "I'm going to be mad at you for not knowing things that I didn't tell you!" thing. (Going back to book two, because it was carried over into this book and really annoyed me, the whole
But, as it stands, you're pissed off at her for not knowing osmething that you could've just fucking told her!
And I feel like this happened a lot. Between everyone.
This book is all wangst and drama and 95% of it could've been avoided if anyone ever talked to each other! (And listened to each other. The listening part is important, too.)
So, anyway...
Everyone is just really fucking annoying. They're also the shadows of the characters they were in the first book - and could've become. Jie, a strong presence in the first book, is diminished in the second book and barely existence in the third book. Joseph, too, seems much lessened.
Hell, like I said before, even Marcus seemed lessened.
Moving on...
The plot itself...
After the events of the last book, they have to stop Marcus. They encounter him, things go badly but they survive, he gets away, they chase him, they encounter him, things go badly... so on and so forth. The encounters never really felt very tense, and I can't say I was all that bothered by the big shocking ending.
Part of it might be because I accidentally spoiled myself by glimpsing a scene later on in the book when I was flipping through trying to find my place. Part of it is because I just didn't really care at that point, anyway. It didn't help that
***
So you may be wondering why I gave it a 2 instead of a 1. Honestly, at this point, so am I.
I don't remember actively disliking the book when I finished. I was more disappointed and meh about it than anything. It was only as I started writing that I kind of realized how much of it was actively irritating...
But, whatever. I'll leave the 2 star for now... but I guess I'll consider it more a 1.5.
March 6, 2019
I received a copy of this book via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect the outcome of my opinion in any way.
I have to admit this is one of those series that belongs on that “why haven’t I started this yet” list. So, when I got the opportunity to review Strange & Ever After, I jumped at the chance. I read all four books in three days — I was obsessed and couldn’t do anything else until I had finished reading.
I love the way this series grew — the first book in Philadelphia, the second Paris, and this one in Egypt. Not only did it follow Eleanor’s travel’s but it followed her as she grew from a young lady to a strong and powerful necromancer. I’ve never actually read a book about a necromancer, but this was the perfect introduction into this idea. And the covers perfectly captured each book. They were both beautiful and complimentary to the story.
This final book starts immediately where the second book left off. If you aren’t going to reread the entire second book prior to starting this one, I’d at least read the last few chapters. Things of course are still unstable with all of her relationships and continue to be so throughout the book. This final chapter is about Eleanor coming to terms with herself, who she is, and finding a way to fix those relationships.
This book, if possible, was even more enjoyable than the prior two. I love when a series does that — when I enjoy the stories of the subsequent books even more than the first. The story was absolutely imaginative and left me breathless. I gave up trying to guess what would happen — it wasn’t happening. In the first book, I could easily guess, but by the third I had no idea what would transpire.
If you’ve been on Goodreads, then I’m sure you’re aware how this book has wrecked many bloggers. I was no different. I spent a good half hour staring at the wall trying not to cry at a certain point in the book. It left me a bit of a mess! However, the book was beautiful and bittersweet and gave the series the ending it deserved.
Susan Dennard has a power over words — they draw you in and don’t let go until the final punctuation mark. And with a series and vivid and imaginative as this one, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
This was originally posted on Such a Novel Idea.
------------
First Impressions:
I am a glass case of emotion that has been shattered beyond all recognition.
And yet, that was a really beautiful thing I just experienced. Review soon!
I have to admit this is one of those series that belongs on that “why haven’t I started this yet” list. So, when I got the opportunity to review Strange & Ever After, I jumped at the chance. I read all four books in three days — I was obsessed and couldn’t do anything else until I had finished reading.
I love the way this series grew — the first book in Philadelphia, the second Paris, and this one in Egypt. Not only did it follow Eleanor’s travel’s but it followed her as she grew from a young lady to a strong and powerful necromancer. I’ve never actually read a book about a necromancer, but this was the perfect introduction into this idea. And the covers perfectly captured each book. They were both beautiful and complimentary to the story.
This final book starts immediately where the second book left off. If you aren’t going to reread the entire second book prior to starting this one, I’d at least read the last few chapters. Things of course are still unstable with all of her relationships and continue to be so throughout the book. This final chapter is about Eleanor coming to terms with herself, who she is, and finding a way to fix those relationships.
This book, if possible, was even more enjoyable than the prior two. I love when a series does that — when I enjoy the stories of the subsequent books even more than the first. The story was absolutely imaginative and left me breathless. I gave up trying to guess what would happen — it wasn’t happening. In the first book, I could easily guess, but by the third I had no idea what would transpire.
If you’ve been on Goodreads, then I’m sure you’re aware how this book has wrecked many bloggers. I was no different. I spent a good half hour staring at the wall trying not to cry at a certain point in the book. It left me a bit of a mess! However, the book was beautiful and bittersweet and gave the series the ending it deserved.
Susan Dennard has a power over words — they draw you in and don’t let go until the final punctuation mark. And with a series and vivid and imaginative as this one, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
This was originally posted on Such a Novel Idea.
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First Impressions:
I am a glass case of emotion that has been shattered beyond all recognition.
And yet, that was a really beautiful thing I just experienced. Review soon!
July 13, 2014
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Amazing finish to a phenomenal series! While I didn’t love the bittersweet ending, I did enjoy the story overall and would highly recommend this to any YA paranormal fans!
Opening Sentence: I was not supposed to be here.
The Review:
Eleanor Fitts has lost everything; her brother, her mother, and now her best friend, Jie. The person responsible for all her loss is the evil necromancer, Marcus. Now Eleanor is out for revenge and she will stop at nothing until Marcus pays for all that he has done. She will have to travel to the beautiful country of Egypt and search for the Old Man in the pyramid to find the answers she need to defeat her enemy. The Spirit Hunters always seem to be one step behind, but will they come out ahead in the final showdown?
Eleanor’s own powers continue to grow, but the more she deals in black magic the closer she is to losing herself. She will need her magic if she expects to beat Marcus, but what will the price be? The epic final battle is coming and everyone is going to feel the effects of the outcome — weather good or bad! Will Eleanor be able to protect everyone she loves and finally get to live her strange and ever after?
Eleanor has many flaws but I still completely adore her. With her independent spirit, sweet demeanor, and big heart what’s not to love. She doesn’t always make the best decisions but she always tries to protect the people she cares about. I was so glad she opened up more to everyone and actually let people in. It was frustrating at times to see her so closed off in previous books, but luckily that wasn’t the case in this one. She is constantly growing as a character and it is impossible not to love her. I also like that she is smart and she uses her brain to get her out of tough situations. She knows how to take care of herself, but she is also willing to accept help from others which shows her more humble side.
Daniel is just as charming as ever. He is a consistent person that you can always rely on to be there for you. Out of all the characters he is the one that has the purest heart and I find that very sexy. Of course he also has great looks, an adorable accent, and a brilliant mind that makes him irresistible. His relationship with Eleanor continues to develop and I loved them together. They are so perfect for each other and watching them fall in love was beautiful. Daniel was a swoon worthy love interest that I will never forget.
Strange and Ever After is an action packed story filled with passion, heartache, revenge, and adventure. This picks up right after the events that took place in the previous book and there is never a dull moment. It is very fast paced and it kept me interested the whole way through. The romance was beautifully done and all the characters were amazing. I was so glad I got to read all their stories. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t love the ending. I’m not going to go into any detail because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I was a little disappointed. I don’t think that everyone will feel this way, but that’s the beauty of having an opinion. I thought that Dennard did a wonderful job wrapping up all the loose ends and I do think that the ending worked for the series, it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. Did I still enjoy the book? Absolutely! Would I still recommend this series? Without a doubt! Whenever an author ends a series they are never going to please everyone, but I still think that this was very well written and I truly enjoyed reading this wonderful story.
Notable Scene:
The hatch in the cargo hold was open, and Daniel stood on the edge. He glanced back only once, and his eyes met mine.
“No!” I launched myself after him. But I was too slow, too far away.
Daniel jumped.
And that was when I realized—in a half-formed thought that flitted through my mind before I’d gone two steps: he had no parachute.
And I could not let him die.
I skittered back, yanked a parachute off the hook, and then sprinted. Each kick of my legs brought me closer to the open hatch—and just before I reached it, I swung the parachute on.
Then I jumped too.
FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me with a copy of Strange and Ever After. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Amazing finish to a phenomenal series! While I didn’t love the bittersweet ending, I did enjoy the story overall and would highly recommend this to any YA paranormal fans!
Opening Sentence: I was not supposed to be here.
The Review:
Eleanor Fitts has lost everything; her brother, her mother, and now her best friend, Jie. The person responsible for all her loss is the evil necromancer, Marcus. Now Eleanor is out for revenge and she will stop at nothing until Marcus pays for all that he has done. She will have to travel to the beautiful country of Egypt and search for the Old Man in the pyramid to find the answers she need to defeat her enemy. The Spirit Hunters always seem to be one step behind, but will they come out ahead in the final showdown?
Eleanor’s own powers continue to grow, but the more she deals in black magic the closer she is to losing herself. She will need her magic if she expects to beat Marcus, but what will the price be? The epic final battle is coming and everyone is going to feel the effects of the outcome — weather good or bad! Will Eleanor be able to protect everyone she loves and finally get to live her strange and ever after?
Eleanor has many flaws but I still completely adore her. With her independent spirit, sweet demeanor, and big heart what’s not to love. She doesn’t always make the best decisions but she always tries to protect the people she cares about. I was so glad she opened up more to everyone and actually let people in. It was frustrating at times to see her so closed off in previous books, but luckily that wasn’t the case in this one. She is constantly growing as a character and it is impossible not to love her. I also like that she is smart and she uses her brain to get her out of tough situations. She knows how to take care of herself, but she is also willing to accept help from others which shows her more humble side.
Daniel is just as charming as ever. He is a consistent person that you can always rely on to be there for you. Out of all the characters he is the one that has the purest heart and I find that very sexy. Of course he also has great looks, an adorable accent, and a brilliant mind that makes him irresistible. His relationship with Eleanor continues to develop and I loved them together. They are so perfect for each other and watching them fall in love was beautiful. Daniel was a swoon worthy love interest that I will never forget.
Strange and Ever After is an action packed story filled with passion, heartache, revenge, and adventure. This picks up right after the events that took place in the previous book and there is never a dull moment. It is very fast paced and it kept me interested the whole way through. The romance was beautifully done and all the characters were amazing. I was so glad I got to read all their stories. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t love the ending. I’m not going to go into any detail because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I was a little disappointed. I don’t think that everyone will feel this way, but that’s the beauty of having an opinion. I thought that Dennard did a wonderful job wrapping up all the loose ends and I do think that the ending worked for the series, it just wasn’t what I was hoping for. Did I still enjoy the book? Absolutely! Would I still recommend this series? Without a doubt! Whenever an author ends a series they are never going to please everyone, but I still think that this was very well written and I truly enjoyed reading this wonderful story.
Notable Scene:
The hatch in the cargo hold was open, and Daniel stood on the edge. He glanced back only once, and his eyes met mine.
“No!” I launched myself after him. But I was too slow, too far away.
Daniel jumped.
And that was when I realized—in a half-formed thought that flitted through my mind before I’d gone two steps: he had no parachute.
And I could not let him die.
I skittered back, yanked a parachute off the hook, and then sprinted. Each kick of my legs brought me closer to the open hatch—and just before I reached it, I swung the parachute on.
Then I jumped too.
FTC Advisory: Harper Teen provided me with a copy of Strange and Ever After. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
February 13, 2014
What I Thought: Strange and Ever After is a stunning, tragic yet beautiful conclusion to the Something Strange and Deadly series. For three books now, we have grown to love these characters, considering friends and most definitely developing crushes on certain people *ahem* Daniel *ahem* but now it is time to say goodbye.
Strange and Ever After takes from France to Egypt this time and the whirlwind adventure continues. Marcus is still one step ahead, but Eleanor, Joseph, Daniel and Oliver are determined to get Jie back and finish off Marcus once and for all. But of course, it wasn't as easy as they expect, and they have many a long way to go before they can even dream of that. For reals though. Eleanor takes a few more trips to the spirit realm, meets some ancient Egyptian gods, fights with Oliver, makes up with Oliver, fights with Oliver again, fights with Daniel, makes up with Daniel. It's an endless Miss Fitt cycle. But Eleanor is full of secrets, from not only the Spirit-Hunters, but from her Demon too.
Of course there has to be betrayal, even though I really wasn't expecting it - and of course there is romance too. Susan Dennard would not have left us hanging! But all-in-all, be prepared for the onslaught of feels, because once you've started, there is no turning back...
The Good: Nothing was what I expected!
The Bad: Now I weep for it is all over...
Rating: 5 stars
Strange and Ever After takes from France to Egypt this time and the whirlwind adventure continues. Marcus is still one step ahead, but Eleanor, Joseph, Daniel and Oliver are determined to get Jie back and finish off Marcus once and for all. But of course, it wasn't as easy as they expect, and they have many a long way to go before they can even dream of that. For reals though. Eleanor takes a few more trips to the spirit realm, meets some ancient Egyptian gods, fights with Oliver, makes up with Oliver, fights with Oliver again, fights with Daniel, makes up with Daniel. It's an endless Miss Fitt cycle. But Eleanor is full of secrets, from not only the Spirit-Hunters, but from her Demon too.
Of course there has to be betrayal, even though I really wasn't expecting it - and of course there is romance too. Susan Dennard would not have left us hanging! But all-in-all, be prepared for the onslaught of feels, because once you've started, there is no turning back...
The Good: Nothing was what I expected!
The Bad: Now I weep for it is all over...
Rating: 5 stars
September 18, 2020
2019
I cannot believe how much I hated this book.
Where is the Eleanor from the first book? I had problems with her, too, sure. But I didn't have as many with Book 1 Eleanor as I did with Book 2/3 Eleanor. Book 2 was when Eleanor first started to get on my nerves. Once she discovered magic, it was selfish, whiny, pathetic, manipulative Eleanor reporting for duty. She no longer cared about her friends, she just wanted to get what she wanted however she could. I hoped that she would be more tolerable this book but, honestly, if anything I disliked her more.
The series also started to lose its magic, and my interest, in the second book. I really hoped the conclusion novel would turn things around, but it dragged and dragged the story down.
With me, zombies are a win. I used to be able to say that no matter the novel, if it involved zombies, then I was bound to enjoy it. I can no longer say that. I never thought I could be bored my a zombie story! Its zombies! What isn't interesting about zombies? Nothing! Except this story.
And I'm a Happily Ever After girl. So, she really lost me when she killed off a certain character. Although, I had guess that character was going to die when they started talking about starting a school. I was like, "this is a set up for this characters death." And I was right. Which was unfortunate, not only because I liked the character, but also because the author made it so predictable.
I cannot believe how much I hated this book.
Where is the Eleanor from the first book? I had problems with her, too, sure. But I didn't have as many with Book 1 Eleanor as I did with Book 2/3 Eleanor. Book 2 was when Eleanor first started to get on my nerves. Once she discovered magic, it was selfish, whiny, pathetic, manipulative Eleanor reporting for duty. She no longer cared about her friends, she just wanted to get what she wanted however she could. I hoped that she would be more tolerable this book but, honestly, if anything I disliked her more.
The series also started to lose its magic, and my interest, in the second book. I really hoped the conclusion novel would turn things around, but it dragged and dragged the story down.
With me, zombies are a win. I used to be able to say that no matter the novel, if it involved zombies, then I was bound to enjoy it. I can no longer say that. I never thought I could be bored my a zombie story! Its zombies! What isn't interesting about zombies? Nothing! Except this story.
And I'm a Happily Ever After girl. So, she really lost me when she killed off a certain character. Although, I had guess that character was going to die when they started talking about starting a school. I was like, "this is a set up for this characters death." And I was right. Which was unfortunate, not only because I liked the character, but also because the author made it so predictable.
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