¿Habéis visto qué bellezón de portadas? Creo que he marcado un
record personal al leer una trilogía del tirón. ¿Es algo que soléis
hacer? Estaba empezando el primero, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, de Susan
Dennard, cuando me aceptaron en el tour del tercero, así que fue el destino que
intervino en mi favor ;o)
La primera portada corresponde a un relato y el resto a la
trilogía. Aunque la modelo no se parece ni en una peca a la protagonista, los impresionantes
vestidos sí que reflejan la época y son un reclamo indecentemente efectivo. ¿Alguien
puede resistirse a ellos y a esos títulos tan mórbidos?
1- SOMETHING
STRANGE AND DEADLY (Algo extraño y mortal)
2- A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY (Una extraña y encantadora
oscuridad)
3- STRANGE
AND EVER AFTER (Extraño por siempre jamás)
No puedo hacer justicia a esta fabulosa trilogía con mis
balbuceos. Lo siento, pero es así. Me ha fascinado y sorprendido y dejado con
la cabeza loca. Dicen que un primer libro es bueno, el segundo suele flojear y
del tercero se espera, con los dedos cruzados, que remonte. Para mí, ha sido
todo lo contrario. Me encantó el primero, el segundo explotó todas mis
expectativas y abrió el apetito para el tercero... wow. Estoy hecha una
gelatina de emociones destrozadas. Ha sido un viaje de pura adrenalina con un
final inaudito con el que sigo peleándome.
Os cuento de qué va, ¿no? Jajajaja. Son novelas góticas con
un fuerte elemento de terror y romanticismo en las que destaca el carácter de
la protagonista.
La heroína
Eleanor es una joven dama victoriana, vive en Filadelfia y
está gordita. Su cintura no es lo único que ha desaparecido, ya que su hermano
Elijah no vuelve a casa como se esperaba. Aparte de esa preocupación, su madre
casi las arruina intentando aparentar que todo es perfecto desde la muerte del
padre y, además, quiere casarla a toda costa.
¿Qué locuras increíbles pasan?
Nuestra heroína se embarca en una investigación para
descubrir el paradero de su hermano mientras la ciudad está a punto de ser
arrasada por una horda zombie. Conoce a los Spirit Hunters (cazadores de
espíritus) durante la Exposición sobre tecnología, a los que pide ayuda a pesar
de las restricciones sociales. Están especializados en combatir a los muertos
vivientes y el peligro de la nigromancia con armas de estilo steampunk y con
magia basada en la electricidad.
Esta chica es lista, fuerte y decidida. No se amilana ante
las presiones de la época y su lealtad hacia su hermano es digna de admiración.
Con ello, se ganará el difícil apoyo de los cazadores, junto a quienes se
enfrenta a un terrible nigromante y a las hordas de zombies que amenazan la
ciudad.
Lo mejor
El estilo narrativo de la autora es potente. Produce un
torrente de emociones en aumento a medida que progresa la historia en el arco
de los tres libros. No os imagináis la cantidad de elementos que combina para
producir una trama compleja, delirante, apasionada y original. Acción a
raudales a través de la magia y los combates, terror, romance imposible, decisiones
arriesgadas, amistad puesta a prueba, un malo imbatible, aventuras por tierra y
aire, y sacrificios que nunca terminan.
Mediante escenas que cambian sin parar, diálogos tremendos,
personajes que sufren física y emocionalmente, y una heroína que pasa de
damisela inteligente a luchadora con poderes mágicos, la autora construye una
historia absorbente que mejora con cada libro.
La aventura continúa
Tras enfrentarse a la horda zombie en Filadelfia y sufrir unas
pérdidas abominables, Eleanor se traslada a Francia tras la pista de los
cazadores. El caballero con poderes Joseph, la guerrera Jie, y el inventor
Daniel, del que se ha enamorado sin ser correspondida. En este segundo libro,
Eleanor desarrolla poderes nigrománticos que la pondrán entre la espada y la
pared de la moralidad. Además, se agencia de un demonio, Oliver, del que me he
enamorado yo perdidamente. Mi personaje favorito, sin dudarlo.
París, conspiraciones, catacumbas, poderes y luchas y una
aeronave al más estilo steampunk y romance peleón. Todo esto convierte este
libro es una aventura que se disfruta al máximo. Lo relacionado con la magia,
con los espíritus, el demonio y la ciudad de París es muy original.
Luego pasamos al tercero. Oh, dioses. ¡Nos vamos a Egipto! En
una misión de rescate, Eleanor y los cazadores persiguen al malvado nigromante
para darle fin. Parece un suicidio pero deben salvar a uno de los cazadores y
destruir las hordas de zombies que se levantan a su paso.
En este desbordante y trepidante final, las relaciones entre
Eleanor y su amado Daniel, y entre ella y su demonio Oliver que sólo quiere la
libertad para volver a su mundo, son apasionadísimas. Hay escenas de gran
dulzura y escenas de violencia verbal inolvidables. Resulta impresionante el
alcance del poder mágico de Eleanor, así como su capacidad de sacrificio y su
resistencia al desaliento. Los combates contra los zombies llenan páginas de
adictiva acción.
Aunque ese final... es una película épica de exotismo, magia
y terribles consecuencias. Ojalá hubiera un cuarto libro. Qué pena más grande,
qué bueno, pero qué pena.
STRANGE AND EVER AFTER
(Something Strange and Deadly #3)
by Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 22nd 2014
Rate: AMAZING
(Something Strange and Deadly #3)
by Susan Dennard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: July 22nd 2014
Rate: AMAZING
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.
MY OPINION OF THE
SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY TRILOGY
A Victorian
lady fending off petticoats and zombies? I'm happily hooked!
This trilogy
made me swoon over the covers, but I want to shout and scream to the world that
it goes wildly beyond superficial beauty.
Rules to love
this trilogy:
- A fluid and
clever writing style that turns into frenzied and emotional action.
- A
mysterious, detailed and explosive plot that never ceases to surprise.
- A rich
period setting
- A brave
heroine who thinks, feels and acts on her own
-
Entertaining details that spark with Gothic and Steampunk flair
-A romance
that proves to be as difficult to attain as beautiful it turns out to be when
it's fulfilled
All these
things and many more make a great adventure that got better with each book.
Hurray for this crafty writer. Dear Susan, I know you suffered through your
writing, but let me tell you. It was worth everything 'cause you got one hell
of a story there.
The author
weaves a fast-paced tale of mystery, honor and dark magic set against a
surprising Victorian background. I was fascinated by the plot unfolding into an
investigation. In the first book, Philadelphia is drowning in a sea of corpses
that are barely contained in the city's cemetery, but the authorities are
trying to avoid too much scandal. After all, they want to preserve some
stability due to the Exhibition and all the powerful, rich people visiting its
technological wonders. Zombies are a
threatening plague, but there are so many other things going on! Among tea
parties, social gossip and motherly pressure, Eleanor strives to solve her
brother's disappearance before the city is run over by the Dead or her mother
suffocates her in rules.
I admire
Eleanor as a main character. She's not overly pretty, which is fine by me. With
wit and determination, she keeps digging and uncovers many dirty secrets that
lurk in the shadows of society and connect with the past. Clever, brave and
unstoppable, Eleanor is still a girl who makes mistakes and misses her brother
and falls in love with an impossible suitor. Whether she's fighting off zombies
by the dozen or cracking puzzles, she's a cook character. Love you, girl!
The plot
never wavers as it's full of mystery, action, and secrets to be discovered
about 19th century customs or devices, the city of Philadelphia, the
Exhibition... Lots and lots of events keep happening. The zombie part also
spins a new angle to the topic and connects well with an era that was keen on
séances and new technology that somehow
combines modern and steampunk notions.
Amidst the
crazy conspiracies, monster invasion and society pressure, there is also a
heartening pinch of romance. Nevertheless, it never smothers the importance of
the plot and it's the kind that is hard to come by.
At the end,
it all comes to an explosion of action, horror and sacrifice. It is
bittersweet, but also holds much promise for the future.
2
In very
dire circumstances, Eleanor has to face so many new challenges that I can't
imagine how she goes on. She does, and that makes for an incredibly exciting
second book.
- She's got
an exhilarating but worrying new power that weirdly makes up for something she
lost last time
- That power
will put her to the test morally and physically, and her loyalties too, both to
and from her friends
- She can't
trust anybody as family and friends desert and doubt her, and enemies pursue
her in the most horrifying and not always obvious ways
- The horror
gothic elements are ever present and get more and more intriguing
- She travels
on a ship and the interactions with the characters there start an amazing plot
line
- A
surprising and charismatic young man who brings up more mysteries to delight
the reader: Oliver, ah, Oliver.
Prepare to
enjoy a wild ride through the vibrant city of Paris, hungry Les Morts, an
intricate mystery, power-seeking enemies, horrifying magic, disorienting
temptations, a reunion with the fantastic trio of Spirit-Hunters, a Zeppelin
and fabulous French food. I gobbled this book up in a day. It's an amazing
combination of Eleanor's fall into dark powers, the search for an enigma hidden
in her brother's letters, and an impossible romance with inventor Daniel
Sheridan.
Though I have
to confess that my favourite character, besides valiant Eleanor, is Oliver. I
love his flippancy, his nature, his tragedy, his wit, his
far-from-subservient-yielding to commands.
The ending is
superb; an electrifying confrontation with the Dead, a blood-thirsty villain,
dark magic and sacrifices for loved ones. I am truly amazed at how good this
sequel is!
3
Nothing can
compare to the feeling of each book in a trilogy/series getting better than the
previous ones (even if they were so good to begin with). Pure bliss. I loved
every page of Strange and Ever After because it's brimming with rich and
unstoppable action, characters driven by strong emotions and connections, and a
plot that gets more textured, meaningful and deeper with every scene.
Such
startling beginning. Eleanor is still losing precious things in her life full
of sacrifice. I recoiled at the harshness that's exchanged between Oliver and
she. Their relationship is becoming dangerously painful. After they reach their
destination by airship (exciting Egypt!), the whole team embarks on a rescue
mission. Secrets that will help them in their quest are unearthed here, but at
an immense cost of magic and peril. There is an impressive and powerful
confrontation that left me breathless!
Even on the
third adventure, it still astounds me how tough things are for Eleanor. She's
challenged every step of the way. Not only must she face hordes of Dead and
countless dangers, but she's constantly questioned because of the dubious
nature of her powers. This is definitely not your standard damsel in distress.
She's fierce but flawed, she's in love but also independent.
My dears,
love blossoms at last. And it was as exhilarating as I'd hoped, as hard-earned
and deserving as a Shakespearean drama, but oh so bittersweet as well. Why, oh,
why Eleanor? And at the end... why, Susan?
The level of
action is unbelievable here and the torrential prose of the author just makes
it epic. The past literally wakes to pass knowledge to Eleanor. Everything
magical in this trilogy is so original and powerful. The addition of Egyptian
lore takes this adventure to a cinematic, legendary level.
I feel
captivated by the intimate, platonic, sad, violent passion that bonds Eleanor
and her demon Oliver. Really, sometimes I just wished Daniel wasn't in the
picture. Though their sweet moments of romance are incredibly beautiful too.
When they share dreams of a future in the darkest moments, for example. Still,
I love the romance in the story, but not Daniel himself.
I'm afraid I
have no words that will do justice to the powerful imagery the author conjures
with her talent. She creates raw emotions that break and make characters,
thrilling adventures, masterful depictions of magic and the inner workings of
the soul. She takes places and their cultures (Philadelphia, Paris, Egypt) and
mold them as allies to the plot in the most fantastic and exciting way.
And as it
should be, as it deserves, this book and this trilogy have the strangest and
most heart-wrenching end that I would have never envisioned. Oh, so terrible,
beautiful and sad. So much everything!
Unique. If
nothing else, and I assure you a hundred times over this story is
unconventional to no end, it is full of drama, action and emotion. I loved, and
suffered, and sighed with longing at that unfair ending. A fourth book, maybe?
A novella to soothe the pain? One can hope.
A
well-plotted, cleverly written trilogy about an unlikely heroine who rises to a
monstrous challenge and loses one thing after another while the Victorian world
she lives in falls under a Gothic, magical, necromantic, zombie-infested
mayhem. A boredom-killer for sure.
Perfect for fans of:-historical flavour mixed with paranormal and horror-lots and lots of surprises, action, and passionate dialogues- a kick-ass, clever heroine
Follow the FFBC Strange And Ever After Blog Tour
and don't miss anything!
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!
Win (1) hardback copy of Strange and Ever After (US Only)
Win (1) E-book of Strange and Ever After (INT)
Babel probándose un corsé.
