Review: A Darkness Strange and Lovely by Susan Dennard

Title: A Darkness Strange and Lovely
Author: Susan Dennard
Series: Book Two in the Something Strange and Deadly Trilogy
Published By: Harper Teen (July 23, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Genre: YA Paranormal/Historical
My rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
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.

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It is so very hard to resist a book set in another time and place. One riddled with rich historic detail while still holding true to a darker gothic steampunkish feel. Throw in some pretty amazing paranormal aspects and you really do have one heck of a read. One that will enthrall you and hold your attention until the very last page, quite simply, you just won't be able to get enough. 

Ms,. Dennard has truly created something of a masterpiece. 

This book picks up months after the first left off and we are once again thrown right back into Eleanor's world as she tries to deal with her brother's death and betrayal, the Spirit Hunters absence and her mother's illness, not to mention the loss of her hand.

Eleanor is...well, I would like to say stronger than before, better than before but that isn't all true. She makes a lot of really horrible mistakes and learns some pretty hard things because of it and while she might sometimes appear to be weak with the magic that flows through her that she still doesn't understand, she isn't. In fact she truly has grown up a lot, has overcome a lot. And has become something fierce if not slightly jaded.

Okay so I wanted to shake her a few times throughout the story and shout at her to wake up and see what was really happening right in front of her but overall, I was proud of who she has become.

This story starts off a little slower than the first, not quite second book syndrome, but close. Or maybe it was the lack of Daniel in the first half of the story that was truly lacking and not the action at all, for things do happen on Eleanor's trip to Paris, significant things, significant mistakes and misunderstandings but not having the Spirit Hunters there with her, by her side, was a little disappointing. 

It is the second half of the book that really picks up, when things really start happening. When questions are answered, tempers flare and disaster is lurking around the corner waiting to pounce on Eleanor and her friends. That is when the real fun begins.

I truly loved this, slow parts and all and look forward to reading the final installment. I have high hopes for it and I know with Dennard's attention to historic detail, her ability to weave a tale and her amazing way of uncovering truths and half truths, it will be quite the bittersweet ride. 

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*