A very good follow up to the first book in this series. I loved the change of setting and also the character development. I loved the new characters that we met an where the plot went. Excited for the final book in this series.

A very good follow up to the first book in this series. I loved the change of setting and also the character development. I loved the new characters that we met an where the plot went. Excited for the final book in this series.

3.5 stars. I did enjoy this book, however not as much as the first one. Eleanor in this book kept making such stupid decisions I got so annoyed with her. I understand she has this internal struggle she fighting but does she really have to make all these dumb decisions. Oliver's character I was sure if I could trust him at first but then by the end I starting warming up to him. I still don't trust him 100%, I think there may be things he's still hiding but I trust him a little more than I did at the beginning of the book. Like the 1st book, this one is a bit predictable but there is a twist in the end that's interesting and I want to see how it will play out in the 3rd book. For me, some parts in the middle were slow and not interesting but overall the pace wasn't bad. Overall I enjoyed this book but I think the first was better. ( )

Eleanor Fitt. Miss Fitt. Misfit.

Eleanor returns in book 2 of the Something Strange and Deadly series. Her brother is dead. Her mother, who has gone insane, disowns her. The Spirit-Hunters are in Paris. So when Hell Hounds begin pursuing her, Eleanor is alone. Thinking the Necromancer Marcus is after her, she flees to Paris to join the Spirit-Hunters there. On the ship to France, she meets up with a friend of her brother's who has a secret that will completely change Eleanor's life.

I enjoyed this second book. There was a slight change in Eleanor from book 1 that I didn't expect. In book 2, Eleanor seems weak at times. In the first book, she was strong, independent and courageous in the face of danger. In book 2, she seemed weaker and more prone to be overly emotional in situations where quick action was required. I would have liked to have seen more of the strength Eleanor displayed in the first story. But, with Hell Hounds, an insane mother, losing nearly everything she owns, and seeing so much death, I can understand why Eleanor might be weaker. Maybe she had just seen or experienced too much. I hope her strength and determination returns to the forefront in Book 3!

I was a bit surprised that the main villain, Marcus, is mentioned frequently in this book, but never actually shows up. I guess the big show-down is being saved for the final book. I look forward to it! My local library didn't have book 3, so I bought it. I couldn't wait until they have it to find out what happens to Miss Fitt. After I read the book, I'm going to donate it to the library. I'm sure there are other library patrons who want to find out how the story ends as well!

I love the cover art for this series! The model is pretty and the dresses she wears are gorgeous! :)

My Rating: 8/10
Ages 13
( )

I loved Something Strange and Deadly last year. It was one of my favorite books. So, how was it that when A Darkness Strange and Lovely arrived on my doorstep I didn't jump to immediately read it? I guess that somehow in the time between, I forgot just how much I had loved the prior book. I took Something Strange and Deadly to a bubble bath with me. An hour and a half later, I was still sitting there reading even though the water was cold, my bubbles were gone, and my toes looked like raisins. I absolutely loved this book. Eleanor is one of my favorite heroines. I like that although she knows she loves Daniel, she's more than capable of moving on and being by herself and isn't afraid too. Or if she is, she's not afraid to face her fears. She listens to advice from others but still makes her own decisions.

I had hit a bit of a reading slump but as soon as I picked up this book, the slump ended. I'm all excited about reading again. ( )