Mini Reviews (1): If I Should Die & Something Strange and Deadly

Title: If I Should Die (Die For Me, #3)
Author: Amy Plum
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pub. Date: May 7, 2013

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me? -Goodreads

My Rating: 3 stars

Truthfully? I'm unsure why I continued this series. With the first two books full of cheesy love declarations, an immature plot, and a protagonist that can almost be called a Mary Sue, the last book was bound to be as disappointing as the first two. But, peculiarly, it was not as bad as I thought it would be.

It's obvious Amy Plum has grew as an author. Her writing improved greatly, she expanded on the nature of Revenants, and she added in subplots to make the overall plot more complicated. If you look at book 1 and compare it to book 3, the improvements are astonishing.

But, not everything was answered in this last book. There was no epilogue, leaving the reader feeling a bit unsatisfied due to the lack of closure. However, if you're willing to put yourself through the pain of the first two books to read this somewhat good book, then go ahead. If I'm being honest with myself, it really wasn't worth it.

Title: Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1)
Author: Susan Dennard
Genre: YA Steampunk/ Paranormal

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

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 their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance. -Goodreads

My Rating: 4 stars

Both these books, If I Should Die and Something Strange and Deadly, deal with zombie-like creatures. Undoubtedly, this book handles the topic much better than the former. 

The complicated story-line was confusing at the beginning, but gradually, it became easier to understand. At times I felt that the author was trying to shove too much into one book, though I did enjoy it. The author used the steam-punk setting to her advantage to give the story a very distinct and vivid setting, which is easily my favorite part of the novel. I loved all the characters, namely Eleanor. She's not overly strong, nor too "beautiful", she's flawed and I liked that.

This is probably the most creative paranormal I have read in a while, and it most certainly stands out amidst the abundant cookie-cutter paranormals. It is obvious this novel is setting up for something more coming in future novels, which I can't wait to begin reading.