Thursday, July 10, 2014

Review: Strange Ever After by Susan Dennard

Title: Strange Ever After
Author: Susan Dennard
Series: Book Three in the Something Strange Trilogy
Published By: HarperTeen (July 22, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
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.









It never easy saying good bye to beloved characters. Over the course of a series they some how become a part of you, ingrained into your very soul. They become dear friends and you worry for them, you fear for them and you love them. No matter how much they may have aggravated you in the past or even hurt you, you still want what is best for them. You still want them to have that happily ever after we all seek in the end and our only hope, our only wish, is for them to get it.

Eleanor, Daniel, Jie, Joseph and even Oliver have become these people to me, these friends that I care so very much for. These characters that I want to be happy, to get their happily ever after.

I have loved Eleanor from the very beginning, what is not to love about a strong heroine set in a time when woman were suppose to be meek and subservient, not feisty and headstrong?  And even though she has taken some steps back in her growth, she ultimately has grown a lot. Has come into her own not only in her powers but in herself as well. In her relationship with others and in her place in her world. 

Dennard managed to create a story so complex and so richly and beautifully detailed that it was hard not to be enthralled by it. Not to soak up all that she gave us and still, with our stomachs bursting, not want more.

There was so much emotion in this story, way more than I had anticipated. Sadness, anger, joy, sorrow, brief moments of happiness. It all came down to this last fight for their lives. This last chance to finally defeat Marcus and make the world right again. It all came down to this.

I knew there would be casualties and I knew there might even be deaths and I just knew this would be a hard read but I don't think I was mentally prepared for the up and downs my emotions would take as I went on this roller coaster of a ride that Dennard had created for me, for us, in this last installment. 

All I can say is...wow. Just wow. It was every bit as magical as the last books and ever bit as frustrating and as heartbreaking. I truly felt sad at times and even teary eyed at others. 

This was a wonderful conclusion to the series if not a sad one. It was an ending full of hopes and dreams and promises and really, that is all that I could have asked for. So maybe not the ending I was expecting or even hoping for, but a good solid one nonetheless. 





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

34 comments:

  1. Sounds like an awesome book. And I love that green dress!

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    1. The covers on all of these are just fabulous!

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  2. I've read the first book in the series and I loved it, but it's another one that I never continued with. I think I have issues with series commitment, lol.

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    1. LOL! We all have that once in a while. This really is a unique series though and I do love it.

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  3. I dowloaded the book from EW and sneaked a peek at the ending and I was devastated by the character death. I'm unfortunately not a non-HEA kind of reader, especially when it comes to YA trilogies, so I think I'm not going to read it. It's making me sad though because your review is just so enthusiastic and praising.
    I'm so glad that you were so emotionally invested in it.
    Lovely review!

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  4. I know what happens at the end of this one Ali (because I'm a cheater) and unfortunately I won't be able to deal with it. I know, I fail. I just can't deal with certain things, and what happens and the end of this one is one one of those things. I'm so glad you loved it overall though Ali!!!! I so enjoyed the first two books:)

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    1. I hear you Jenny, it wasn't easy to read about it, trust me but it was so well done and it did fit with the story towards the end. ;)

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  5. I've heard certain things about the ending to this one and like Nick, I am not a non-HEA kind of reader so in spite of all the praise I've heard, I'm probably going to stay away from this one .-.

    I am really glad to hear that this didn't let you down. The final books in trilogies can always be tricky and with so many expectations, they may end up letting you down and I am glad this wasn't the case here!

    Great review, Ali!!! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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  6. Oh Kindlemom I know how you feel, I often wish trilogies would suddenly become long running series.
    Thanks for the great review
    deb

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    1. I know what you mean, sometimes it is hard to say goodbye after only three books.

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  7. Oh I'm so excited to start this series! I have the first book and I'm super anxious to fit it in!

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  8. I dropped the ball on this series and have no idea why. I enjoyed book one. I am so glad to hear this had a strong ending. Looks like I need to pick up the ball and run with it!

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  9. I'm always so anxious for last book but it sounds like this conclusion was perfect so I'm happy for you. I haven't tried this series but the cover is gorgeous!

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  10. I have the first book of this series and can't wait for the last one to come out so I can marathon the trilogy!!

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  11. I wasn't very impressed with the first one, it said Steampunk but there wasn't much. I think I need to reassess my expectations so I can enjoy it more. I hate false marketing, it messes up my Type A brain!

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    1. Yeah it isn't very steampunk, just a few things here and there but it was a pretty unique read overall and worth it. I hope you do decide to give it another go.

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  12. Awwww, I'm so happy your beloved series ended satisfactorily. I could feel your emotions here behind the computer screen! For some reason, bittersweet, heart-breaking, yet also happy endings are my favorites. I think they leave a more lasting mark on you because until the end, you still feel for the characters, like "Man, that was good, but I still wish he deserved better" or something like that. In any case, awesome review love!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  13. I'm so glad you liked it. I still haven't read the 2nd one. I keep putting them off because I just don't feel in the mood for them. I want to read when I'm in the mood because I know they'll be good. Soon.

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    1. You do need to be in the right mind frame to read these ones to really get into them.

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  14. I just love that you liked this. I cannot wait to read the series :)

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  15. This sounds really great and is yet another series that I have yet to start! My TBR is seriously never ending now.

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  16. I'm on the tour for this one (not a review stop) but haven't had a chance to review it yet or even the whole series. I've been planning on reading the books for forever, so I'm hoping this summer I'll read the whole series in one swoop. I'm looking forward to it!

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  17. Glad you enjoyed this. This is a series I've not started yet, but I am adding it to my never-ending list. Wonderful review.

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    1. Thanks Ellen and I am glad you will be adding it.

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