Welcome to my stop on the Strange and Ever After blog tour! Today I'm sharing my review of the book with you - and don't forget to go to the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway and follow the rest of the tour!
Strange and Ever After (Something Strange and Deadly #3)Author: Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 22, 2014
Rate: 5 Stars
Synopsis:
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.
I have seriously loved every single thing about this trilogy from the very beginning. The author made the alternate history that the books are set in enchantingly realistic. The world building was phenomenal - and that doesn't change when the setting shifts to Egypt. I've never been to Egypt before, let alone one from an alternate past, but I was able to shut my eyes and envision myself alongside the characters throughout the novel. All the details in the book - from the intricate settings to the minute details of the surroundings and the characters - were so vivid and precise that I easily immersed myself into the book almost from the very first sentence, and I didn't come back out of it until the last word. The fact that a setting from the past with foreign countries, magic, and zombies could feel so realistic is a true marker of the author's talent.
With this book being the last in the trilogy - and a series that I truly love - I went into reading
it with high hopes. I am so glad that I wasn't disappointed. It lived up to the previous books and then flew past any expectations I might have had. In this installment, Eleanor - along with her assortment of friends, including Daniel, Joseph, Oliver, and even her old friend from Philadelphia, Allison - travel to ancient Egypt. The evil necromancer Marcus, who has been causing Eleanor nothing but grief, has taken her close friend Jie - and it's up to her and the gang to make sure Marcus is dealt with - permanently. On top of the mess with Jie, Eleanor is still trying to figure out her feelings for Daniel and how to control the growing power she has inside of her. Will Eleanor give in to the same black magic that took over her brother's life? Will she and her friends be able to stop Marcus in time to save the city and Jie?
I have seriously loved every single thing about this trilogy from the very beginning. The author made the alternate history that the books are set in enchantingly realistic. The world building was phenomenal - and that doesn't change when the setting shifts to Egypt. I've never been to Egypt before, let alone one from an alternate past, but I was able to shut my eyes and envision myself alongside the characters throughout the novel. All the details in the book - from the intricate settings to the minute details of the surroundings and the characters - were so vivid and precise that I easily immersed myself into the book almost from the very first sentence, and I didn't come back out of it until the last word. The fact that a setting from the past with foreign countries, magic, and zombies could feel so realistic is a true marker of the author's talent.
By this final book, I've come to love each of the characters. They are all well written with their unique quirks and flaws - and their own personalities that made it easy to identify with them right from the start. I loved watching each of them change in their own ways - how they all matured and gained more self-confidence - as well as how their relationships with each other grew; whether it was friendship, trust, or romance, I enjoyed watching them all. I feel like I know these characters on a personal level, which was hard while reading the book due to some parts of the plot. I won't say anything else about this - but those of you who have read the book understand what I mean.
Honestly, I can't praise the writing of this book enough. It was very well written and fast-paced, but with the exact right amount of tension and setting. The character and world building were superb. Sadly, most series seem to go downhill with each book. This trilogy didn't have that issue at all - the last book was just as phenomenal - maybe even more so - than the first. I could go on fangirling for a really long time, but I'll stop now. This is a fantastic final book in one of the most unique and mesmerizing trilogies that I've ever read. It begs to be devoured - and should be - and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you're a fan of YA fantasy, science fiction paranormal, zombies - whatever - READ THIS SERIES. I promise you won't regret it! The only issue I have is that now the series is over - but I don't want it to end. It's bittersweet - and the only thing I can do now is stalk the author and wait for her next release in the fall. :)
Honestly, I can't praise the writing of this book enough. It was very well written and fast-paced, but with the exact right amount of tension and setting. The character and world building were superb. Sadly, most series seem to go downhill with each book. This trilogy didn't have that issue at all - the last book was just as phenomenal - maybe even more so - than the first. I could go on fangirling for a really long time, but I'll stop now. This is a fantastic final book in one of the most unique and mesmerizing trilogies that I've ever read. It begs to be devoured - and should be - and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you're a fan of YA fantasy, science fiction paranormal, zombies - whatever - READ THIS SERIES. I promise you won't regret it! The only issue I have is that now the series is over - but I don't want it to end. It's bittersweet - and the only thing I can do now is stalk the author and wait for her next release in the fall. :)
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I am a writer, reader, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I reallylike swoon-worthy rogues).
I live in the Midwest with my husband and two dogs (Asimov and Princess Leia), and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on my blog or twitter.
My debut, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY is now available from HarperTeen along with the prequel, A DAWN MOST WICKED, and the sequel A DARKNESS STRANGE & LOVELY.
Look for STRANGE & EVER AFTER in summer 2014 and TRUTHWITCH in fall 2015!
Note: I am on Goodreads to READ. So, if you want to discuss books and the joys of literature, add me as a friend!
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