Week 4 (the final week) of the Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard Read Along hosted by Books Addicts Guide is here!
The questions and my answers for Chapters 22-27 are below. My answers are here for week one's Q&A, here for week two's Q&A, and here for week three's Q&A.
Week 4 Q&A:
1. On page 284, Eleanor gives the same advice to Clarence as Jie gave to her: “You always have a choice.” Eleanor has started to evolve in her thinking a little bit and become more independent. How did Clarence take these words of wisdom? How do you think it’s affecting the relationship between Eleanor and Clarence at this point in the novel?
Clarence reacted the way any person in denial about who they really answer to would. Whether he was afraid of making a choice for himself, afraid of disappointing his family, or both... he let the fear of his own power get the best of him. Devotion to others is a good thing until it is not. If he had stayed true to himself when he was in school with Elijah, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
At this point in the novel, there's friction but there's also love, tough love. The two could have really gone somewhere if Clarence had gotten his life together. I was really pulling for Eleanor and Clarence because I saw what Clarence was striving to be not what Clarence was so it was a real shame to discover what became of him in the end. But too little, too late.
2. We finally find out what’s happened to Elijah – and it’s something that puts Eleanor in a very difficult position. Why do you think Elijah chose this path? How do you think Eleanor handled the news? What would you have done in her situation?
I am hoping the letters that Jie gave Eleanor in the hospital explain why Elijah chose this path more thoroughly. It is obvious that Elijah's father (death included) played a major part in his actions but something tells me the crazy seed was planted before that. The death just watered that seed. I can't wait for more revelations in A Darkness Strange And Lovely. The cover was just revealed for book two so click here if you haven't seen it.
Eleanor handled the news well. She tried to save him and then she was smart enough to let go when it was clear that she couldn't. I also want to point out that unlike Elijah, Eleanor was not blinded by selfishness, revenge, or anything of the sort. Therefore she was the one of the two Fitts who did what truly needed to be done, what was best for Elijah whether he saw it or not. I would have done the same thing.
3. The last quarter of this book brings us a LOT of surprises and twists. What would you say was the biggest surprise to you?
The biggest surprise to me was discovering Eleanor's gift. I knew there was something that made Eleanor "special," being our MC and all but I did not see that gift coming, even though it makes sense looking back. I am interested in seeing how this plays a part in book two and if her gift grows into something more. Also, the hand.
4. Now that we’ve finished with the book, what did you think? How did you feel about the book as a whole? Where do you think her story will take us in the next book?
Something Strange And Deadly by Susan Dennard was just as much of a delight to read as I thought it would be. Dennard's writing style is gripping and if I hadn't read this book week to week, I would have easily devoured it. Everything was so well crafted! The characters had such layers, such mystery, such pain. It wasn't their wardrobe weighing them down but their heavy hearts. Getting to take a peak inside those hearts was just as exciting as it was terrifying. The secrets and the shame that hold people down is truly fascinating. This is a story about self discovery, redemption, and doing the right thing among other things and being able to follow these stories was a treat.
Balancing action, romance, family drama, and high society drama, among other aspects is not easy and Dennard does it wonderfully. This was the first book that I read with steampunk and there was just enough of it to keep me intrigued and excited which made my introduction to steampunk pleasant. As a lover of zombies, I was won over from the first page and Dennard did not disappoint. Zombies in 1800s Philadelphia... brilliant! Again though, there's plenty to balance in this book so don't expect zombie action on every other page. Her pacing is perfect. Dennard did her thing! Everything was taken into account and I am patiently waiting for books two and three to find out just what else makes up that everything! We got plenty of answers to our earlier questions but with that came a new set of questions. If Something Strange and Deadly is any indication as to what we can look forward to, I am pumped! As for what to expect for book two, the description here gives us plenty to anticipate! I cannot wait!
Extras
Favorite Quotes:
Page 324
I opened my eyes and watched her. What an empty shell of a woman she was.
Page 332
"I thought you were on the run."
"I am, but I'm not that easy to catch."
Page 348
It's one thing to fear death, but it's another to fear the Dead.
Page 366
Thank God his inventions actually work.
Page 380
So many soldiers came home without legs or fore-arms or fingers, and I'd always thought that was what "broken" meant. Now I knew it wasn't the physical pain that had shattered the soldiers' hearts but everything else.
To buy Something Strange & Deadly by Susan Dennard, click here.
No comments:
Post a Comment