A Darkness Strange and Lovely: Something Strange and Deadly, Book 2
By Julie A. Carlson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Thrilling sequel puts zombies in Victorian-era Paris.
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What's the Story?
In her last adventure, chronicled in Something Strange and Deadly, Eleanor Fitt battled the rising dead in her hometown of Philadelphia. Eleanor also believed her troubles with a dangerous necromancer, who caused the chaos were over ... or at least held at bay. But Eleanor's troubles are just beginning in A Darkness Strange and Lovely. Through her ragtag group of friends, the Spirit-Hunters, she learns that the Dead are rising in Paris. Eleanor fears the worst -- the necomancer or a new one has returned. Traveling from Paris to Philadelphia to assist her friends, Eleanor discovers that several Parisians are being murdered by a dark sacrifical power. On board the ship to Paris, Eleanor meets a charming but strange young man named Oliver. Oliver was friends with her brother, and through manipulation shows Eleanor her own true power as a necromancer. Eleanor loves the feeling that magic gives her, but struggles with its temptation by either embracing the black magic or putting everyone and everything she knows at risk.
Is It Any Good?
A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY is a thrilling second novel from Susan Dennard. Just like with her first book, readers will enjoy the characters, quickly turn the pages to figure out the mystery, and delight in the romantic spark between Eleanor and Daniel. However, it's not until halfway through the book that readers finally see Daniel. Hurray! The story slogs a bit aboard ship, and readers will look forward to when Eleanor is once again on dry land. Dennard's research and knowledge of Philadelphia and Paris clearly shows. A Darkness Strange and Lovely even begins to have a more steampunk edge with airships and cool gadgets. The action-packed ending will leave readers eager for the third installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the series. How do you think the sequel compares with the first book, Something Strange and Deadly?
Do you like that Susan Dennard set the story in Paris this time rather than Philadelphia? How important is setting in a fantasy novel?
Does Eleanor make the right or wrong choices when it comes to handling her addiction to magic? What are your thoughts on addiction and how people struggle with it?
Book Details
- Author: Susan Dennard
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Arts and Dance, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires, Science and Nature
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperTeen
- Publication date: July 23, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 18
- Number of pages: 416
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 5, 2022
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