Publisher: HarperTeen, 416 pages
Publication Date: July 23, 2013
From Goodreads:
Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath. But there’s more trouble ahead—the evil necromancer Marcus has returned, and his diabolical advances have Eleanor escaping to Paris to seek the help of Joseph, Jie, and the infuriatingly handsome Daniel once again. When she arrives, however, she finds a whole new darkness lurking in this City of Light. As harrowing events unfold, Eleanor is forced to make a deadly decision that will mean life or death for everyone.
Review (*Spoilers from Something Strange and Deadly*):
I loved this book, I think it was even better than the first! It starts about three months after the Spirit Hunters left Eleanor in Philadelphia. Things are not good for Eleanor. She's alone (her mother is in a mental health facility) and without a right hand (which becomes a really important part of the story). She is still reeling from losing her brother and Clarence. And she cannot forget that Daniel told her that he didn't love her. (Although I was always wondering about that, he did say it was complicated, but then she said it was a yes or no question and then he said no). Anyway...Marcus is back so Eleanor flees to meet the Spirit Hunters in Paris so they can help her and defeat Marcus.
This book is dark and frustrated me to death, but in a good way. I just wanted to scream at everyone. Just talk to each other! Tell each other what is going on! Gah! But no one listened to me, which I guess is good because it would have been a pretty boring book if that had been the case.
The Spirit Hunters actually don't make an appearance until about a third of the way into the book, and Daniel doesn't show up until about half way through, so know that going in. I wanted more of all of them together, but there is not a whole lot of that.
There is a new character, Oliver, and I have mixed feelings about him. Daniel...I was so frustrated by the events in this book revolving around Daniel and Eleanor. There are moments between them, but not a lot. And I wanted to smack both of them most of the time. Still no love triangle, though--yay! But what Daniel was trying to do, with his new clothes, speaking, the "empty" box--so cute!
Jie--needed more Jie!
And Eleanor is dealing with her necromancy powers, and I'm afraid of where that is heading. It is so not looking good.
The book ends in the middle, so be prepared for that. I still loved it, but I can't believe I'll have to wait however long to get resolution. Still, awesome book!
Posted by: Pam
I just bought the first book a week or two ago, so I couldn't read the review, but I did bookmark it :)
ReplyDeleteIt was too hard to write without including spoilers from the first book, so definitely don't read it yet! ~Pam
DeleteOoh, I can't wait to get started on this one! I really want to smack Daniel, though, because seriously, can't he just tell Eleanor he loves her, kiss her, make out a little, and get on with life?
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
I know, the ending was just too much for me. I still don't know why he said he didn't love her, without any other explanation. The second book will make you wan to smack them both, it's very frustrating! ~Pam
DeleteI didn't read all of your review - I skipped when there seemed to be spoilers in the beginning. I did remember what you'd written about Daniel, and it sounds a bit disappointing that you didn't get to see them much together, or resolve what happened at the end. The lack of the love triangle, Eleanor dealings with her powers, plentiful enemies, lots of awesome characters - it seems like I really, really, really do need to get reading this series ASAP. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one and hope the third book lives up to your expectations!
ReplyDeleteI should have made the *spoilers" part bigger than I did. It was hard to write the review for the second book without discussing some important things from the first book. The book is great except for the ending in the middle (which means lack of resolution about a lot of things). You should definitely read it! ~Pam
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