Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard REVIEW

Summary:

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she's just read in the newspaper--

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor...from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she'll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her life may hang in the balance.

My Thoughts:

I love the cover and the description--but sadly it's not as good as it sounds.

There's not much steampunk. In fact, the story isn't even that dark. Just about zombies. It doesn't go any further than that. Also, if the author wanted a love triangle she should have actually made it clear that Eleanor and Daniel care for each other. Other than the kiss later on, there's no indication of that. Nor did their "romance" even get resolved. I really should've seen it coming that her brother was the once controlling the zombies. I mean, she gets a letter from a zombie from her brother--and then finds out the zombies are being controlled by a necromancer.

I really want to like this book more, but I don't.

My Rating: 2 stars

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard REVIEW

Summary:

In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble--as two desperate young women know all too well.

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It's a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side, especially amongst the nobility to which Safi was born. So Safi must keep her gift hidden, lest she be used as a pawn in the struggle between empires.

Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her--but she cannot see the bonds that touch her own heart. Her unlikely friendship with Safi has taken her from life as an outcast to one of reckless adventure,  where she is a cool, wary balance to Safiya's hot-headed impulsiveness.

Safiya and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. With the help of the cunning Prince Merik (a Windwitch and ship's captain) and the hindrance of a Bloodwitch bent on revenge, the friends must fight emperors, princes, and mercenaries alike, who will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

My Thoughts:

Well this book was okay.

The beginning was boring, but then it got better. Some of it was kind of confusing. And it said there was romance, but there wasn't until about three-fourths into the book.

Then it got boring again.

And then it ended.

I would read another book, if there is going to be one, but this book was not my favorite.

My Rating: 3 stars