Celebrating Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

23 July 2012

This is a big week. Tomorrow, my good friend Susan Dennard‘s debut novel, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, hits shelves. (Please pardon me while I flail for a moment!!) I read an early version of this novel on my iPad months ago, and fell in love almost instantly. It was hard not to, given the plot, characters, and setting! Here’s what I said in a mini-review awhile back:

Let me just say upfront that this book surprised me in the best way possible. I knew very little going in, and the cover lead me to believe the book would be filled with glitz and glamor and pretty dresses; a quieter type of read. There were plenty of corsets and parasols, but oh my goodness is this book packed with action! And when I say action I mean the Dead, and escapes, and chases, and spirits, and scandals! Eleanor is such a fabulous protagonist—she is determined and stubborn but incredibly passionate–and the Spirit Hunters are so very epic (they remind me of Ghost Busters of the past, with a bit of steampunk thrown in). My favorite part of this novel though was the setting. Dennard brings a historic Philadelphia to life effortlessly, and this alternate history, walking Dead thriller, is a total romp. I am thoroughly looking forward to the sequel!

Still not convinced? Check out the amazing book trailer:

You can visit somethingstrangeanddeadly.com for more information and extra content, and order your copy at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository (for free international shipping), or through your local indie.

I know I’m gushing a lot, and since I’ve clearly stated that Susan is a good friend, you’re probably thinking our friendship has influenced my opinion of her book. But let it be known that while Susan is a very good friend to me now, she was merely one of the lovely, gracious hard-working authors of Pub(lishing) Crawl–which I had just agreed to join–when I first read SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY. Book love came first. Friendship, second ;)

So in honor of SS&D’s release, the lovely Sarah Maas and I decided to surprise Susan by hosting a week-long celebration, aptly coined…

Starting today and continuing through Tuesday of next week, be sure to follow the #SSaDOutbreak hashtag on twitter. Various authors–who all love Susan and SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY just as much as the two of us–will be blogging about the novel and giving away a variety of diverse and amazing prizes!

Here’s the schedule:

Today: Erin shares the #SSaDOutbreak lineup and Sarah Maas unveils the grand prize
Tuesday 7/23: Sarah Maas celebrates SS&D’s official release on Pub(lishing) Crawl
Wednesday 7/25: Kat Zhang discusses SS&D and the theme of identity
Thursday 7/26: Leigh Bardugo dishes about SS&D and setting
Friday 7/27: Amie Kaufman chats about SS&D and love interests
Monday 7/30: Marie Lu takes a look at SS&D and action
Tuesday 7/31: Susan Dennard announces the grand prize winner!

Each post will have a giveaway attached, but they will only last until midnight EST each day, so you’ll want to enter fast!

I’m kicking things off by giving away a digital copy of SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY, plus an ARC of UNRAVEL ME by Tahereh Mafi! SS&D will be delivered to the winner’s Kindle/Nook/iPad, and the ARC will ship to US addresses only. Enter by using the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

But wait! That’s not all.

Did I mention the grand-prize? Also known as the mega-amazing pack of epicness you can enter to win all week long? Well, Sarah has all the details! Be sure to head to her blog to see what you can win and how you can enter! (Trust me, you want to win this bad boy. Click through!)

—

And lastly, to Sooz, if you’re reading this: Please know that the mere thought of walking into a bookstore tomorrow and seeing SS&D on the shelves is making me tear up. I am so, so, soooo happy for you. And proud! And excited/thrilled/elated to add this wonderful novel to my personal collection. Congrats, girl! I <3 you.

Posted in Epic Fun and tagged with books, giveaway, Something Strange and Deadly, Susan Denndard

Yuanting

I am generally averse to the zombie genre because I haven’t found anything that I really like.. but I am hoping Something Strange and Deadly will cure me of that! :) That being said, if Meg Cabot’s Mediator series counts, then maybe that’s my favourite. :)
lyricalraven

I finished reading This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers not to long ago and LOVED it. It really blew me away. I also really like the movie Zombieland. I’m excited for Something Strange and Deadly. The cover is gorgeous and it just sounds like it’ll be a good read. Thanks for the giveaway! :)
http://twitter.com/AmieKaufman Amie Kaufman

Love it NEARLY as much? I object, Bowman! I adoooooore that book and love it with a fiery passion!
- http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman
  
  Oh god. You are so right. I don’t even know WHY that was my word choice. Updating immediately. (Seriously. Thank you for calling me out on this) ;)
Oh! Paper Pages

I really enjoyed the film Zombieland. It’s funny, and I really like the way it was filmed. Thanks for the giveaway! I have my fingers crossed for Unravel Me!
http://susandennard.com Susan Dennard

I just…I can’t believe you guys have done all this. For me. For SS&D. I…honestly, you have made me so happy. What a blubbery and wonderful way to start my Monday. You all are THE best friends a gal could ever, ever have. I love you, and I am so very blessed you came into my life. Hero Squad Unite!!

But really. So much love. And so eternally grateful.
- http://embowman.com/ Erin Bowman
  
  Sooz, it was a freaking pleasure to arrange this. Truly. Everyone JUMPED at the chance to join us in the effort, and the reason is obvious: We all heart SS&D, but we all heart you, too. I feel just as blessed that y’all came into my love as well. (Now I’m getting blubbery. *sniffles*)
  
  Anyways…I seriously can not WAIT to head to my bookstore tomorrow. AHHH. So. Exciting. :D
http://twitter.com/bamayankee alicia marie

I really like the Forest of Hands and Teeth series by Carrie Ryan : ) I can’t wait to read Something Strange and Deadly! It sounds so, so good! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sydney

This is AMAZING. I’m so happy for Susan and I think it’s great that you girls are doing all this for her. :)
Ellie Moreton

Walking dead book or movie? Do vampires count? If so, I’d have to say Underworld.
http://twitter.com/EileenLi8 Eileen Li

I really loved Something Strange and Deadly and I’m so happy I got to review it early! :) For my favorite zombie book/movie, I’d have to say Taste by Kate Evangelista because it’s actually the only zombie book/movie I remotely liked other than Something Strange and Deadly ;) I know, I’m horribly behind on zombie books -.-
http://twitter.com/andreadbc Andrea B

Walking Dead book or movie::: probably 28 days later (just because I love the soundtrack)… or Zombieland!

thanks for the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/lenamoster Galena

Book: Forest of Hands and Teeth series or the Blackout trilogy by Mira Grant. Movie: Shaun of the Dead :)
Hwa Sun Kang

Die for Me is the only one I can think of. Thank you for the giveaway and congrats to Susan for her (almost) book release!
Gina

My favorite walking dead book? By far, that’s the Newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant (FEED, DEADLINE, BLACKOUT). Those books showed me that you can do amazing things with words that smack you in the face without resorting to stuck-up prose. That the story has a life of it’s own, and you have no idea where it’s going (like in real life). Also, I’m pretty sure Mira Grant is a robot from the future.
Kari

Going to go with This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers for my fave walking dead book… that book just so gets to you. Its so creepy how it just breaks out like that. Oy.

ANYHOW. Congrats Susan, on the release!! =)
Zeinab

This is so sweet of you guys! Hooray for great friends! :)

I LOVED the first chapters of SSaD and didn’t pre-order one, but TWO copies of the book after finishing reading them! One for me and one copy to loan out to people to read what is sure to be an amazing story! I’m THAT certain I’m going to love it!

I don’t have a favorite zombie novel. Yet. ;) But one I really liked is Hollowland by Amanda Hocking!

Thanks for the giveaway! I’m soooo exctied thihihi!!! :D
http://twitter.com/Dani_Nguyen Dani Nguyen

I love Zombieland SO much. I’ve watched it like 100 times.

Can’t wait to read Something Strange and Deadly! Thanks for the chance to win!
Megan Duff

Ahhh this is so exciting! I feel like I’ve gotten to know Sooz through her blog and twitter and PubCrawl so I am very very happy for her :) YAY!
Megan Duff

Oh, and Zombieland is my favorite :P
Lori M. Lee

Wow, you guys are amazing :) I don’t have any fav zombie movies b/c zombies terrify me. However, I like reading books about them! =P My favorite YA zombie book is Bad Taste in Boys. But the early Anita Blake books are some of my favorite adult books that contain zombie-like elements.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=527873556 Alyssa Hollingsworth

Hadn’t heard of this book two minutes ago, but now I’m really interested. I haven’t bought into zombies that much, but with so much endorsement I’m going to give it a go!
Hannah

The only “walking dead” stuff I’ve ever experienced thus far has been “The Walking Dead” in comic and TV format. I’ve actually been really excited for Susan’s book because I think it’s a trend that hasn’t really been done in YA yet (at least, not excessively, the way vampires are) and I’m excited to see how she writes the Dead! So much potential for awesome!
deadtossedwaves

The newsflesh Trilogy by Mira Grant takes the cake!!
elena

I really enjoyed Zombieland! Who knew zombie films could be so funny?
Jess

Definitely love WWZ the most. But have a feeling Something Strange and Deadly is going to be right up there!
Michelle

I’m fully interested now!
http://twitter.com/fakesteph Steph O’Neil

I’m reading through The Walking Dead graphic novels right now and they are seriously amazing. Love them so much! And I love The Forest of Hands and Teeth, too.
http://twitter.com/BlookGirl Katie Tuccelli

First, congratulations Susan!!! :-) I’ve been anxiously awaiting Something Strange & Deadly and am so excited that the day has finally come! How exciting :-) I hope you enjoy your debut day and all of the days that come after.

I can’t say I’ve read or watched a lot of “walking dead” books/movies, but I did read a great book that featured the walking dead – Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater. I was thoroughly creeped out! o.O

Thanks for the opportunity to win! :-)
Anastasia

I really like the “Walking Dead” tv series :) and to go back to this book, it looks like something I would really enjoy reading!
Krispy

Aww, this is such a cool and fun idea. Congrats to Susan! I can’t wait to read her book; it sounds like such a romp. :)

My favorite zombie movie is probably Sean of the Dead, but I have to admit, I’m not a big watcher of zombie movies. Hah.
Crystal Schubert

I loved Zombieland, and my husband and I just got into watching the Walking Dead–we watched both seasons back to back in a matter of a week or so, haha…

Susan’s book sounds like a fun read! Fingers crossed :)
YABookQueen

My favorite serious “walking dead” show is The Walking Dead (although I’m so ridiculously behind). My favorite silly walking dead movie is Shaun of the Dead, which is hilarious :)
Katelyn Larson

I’m afraid I’m horribly uneducated on all walking dead stories. Thank goodness SS&D is here to educate me ;)
Dian Christy

I’m Legend. The zombies are so disgustingly real.
http://twitter.com/joyfulspirit24 Heather Potts

What an awesome giveaway! Thanks! I like both Enclave by Ann Aguirre and Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel. They are VERY different books and both incredibly awesome zombie novels. =)
ladyreader

Okay. This giveaway is terrific and I want to thank you tremendously for the opportunity! While I’ve tried to think very hard about what book or movie I liked the best and I would have to say the old school Night of the Living Dead movies. I remember they used to scare me so much when I was young! (And of course my brother loved them and would tease me mercilessly!)

Thanks again! You rock!
Amy
http://twitter.com/DorisElysia_ Doris

My fav zombie book so far has to be DEARLY, DEPARTED by Lia Habel

Btw, this giveaway rocks. Seriously. You guys are the best.
Nicole@ The More the Merrier

My favorite ‘walking dead’ are from Dearly Departed. Something Strange and Deadly sounds amazing!! I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Adriana M

omg I am so so so excited!! Thank you all for doing this! <3 I can't wait for Sooz's book tomorrow, I've been looking at my nook pre-order all day, in case it somehow decides to get read-able earlier lol
Desiree

I love the movie zombieland! So much fun!!!
http://twitter.com/MySummerGirl16 Dulcy

My favorite would have to be Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. R is such a moving little zombie with an existential crisis.

Thank you for hosting this giveaway! It’s great to see everyone coming together for Susan and her book!
http://twitter.com/MojoFingers Jessica Wisniewski

I like my walking dead with a heavy dose of comedy. I’m all about the “Shaun of the Dead”.
JRMurdock

Color me intrigued! I hope you do well with this one!
Ashley @ Ashley Loves Books

Soooo I’ve surprisingly not seen or read too many Zombie things, though I’m super excited to read Courtney Summer’s This Is Not A Test – and of course Something Strange and Deadly! Of the few movies, Zombieland is definitely my favourite; hilarious and a bit dark and so witty.

You guys are all so, SO sweet for doing this, and I’m absolutely positive the book far exceeds all the praise it’s getting :)
Holly Bryan

Oh. My. Goodness!!! First, I think it is SO amazing that you and Sarah are doing this for Susan (let me just use your first names like I know you…). What amazing friends you all must be! And to have kept it all a secret…even better! Second, I would be sooo thrilled to win this prize! Thank you all so much for the week of awesomeness!
Sarah

I haven’t read many zombie books, but I did like Cold Kiss ny Amy Garvey.
Sabina

So excited! Looking froward to reading Something Strange and Deadly! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Sarah S

Wow, you guys are awesome friends! Just wanted to say that it’s so sweet of you all to organize something like this.
Emy Shin

It’s so sweet + amazing of you guys to do this!

Sadly, I haven’t read enough “walking dead” books / watched enough movies to choose one, but I’m sure SS&D will be it after tomorrow!
Teri C

Oh wow that would have to be zombieland. Totally love that movie! Happy almost release day!
http://twitter.com/CaitlinVanasse Caitlin Vanasse

So forever ago Sooz recommended this book called The Native Star, it was fabulous and included the undead IIRC. I’m not sure if it’s my absolute favorite, but it’s totally up there. I am so so so excited for SS&D releasing tomorrow though. In January it seemed so far away and then boom, it was July! A friend and I are already planning on picking it up after work tomorrow, but if that bookstore fails us I have a kindle. Also Thank you so much Erin and Sarah for doing this for Susan, it’s really really cool and you’re right, she is always doing stuff for other people.

Best of luck Susan! You’ve totally earned the successes you’ll achieve.
http://twitter.com/fireflyflames Nicole Andrea

The Walking Dead is totally my favorite zombie show. I just finished SS&D and LOVED IT! I can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy!
Shelver506

I don’t know Ms. Susan in any way, but watching the way you guys have jumped all over her release gives me warm fuzzies. What a Monday!

As for my favorite, I don’t have one… yet. I’m hoping SS&D will do it for me!
Alysha Phanord

idk if this counts but I like the greek myth of Orpheus & Eurydice. It’s sad & kind of heartbreaking.
Sara M

My favorite zombie book is My Life As a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland and my favorite zombie movie is Shaun of the Dead. I like when humor is mixed in.
http://twitter.com/HardCoverLife HardCoverLife

I love I Am Legend the book and movie. They’re so different but I like each separately!
Peggy Eddleman

Awww! So sweet! I am so excited for it to come out tomorrow, too!

And I’ll have to say The Walking Dead.
Jennifer Allan

I think this must be the most heartwarming and generous way of launching a book I’ve ever seen. It’s so lovely, and only made better by the fact I’ve been waiting for SS&D with bated breath (and probably for a wee while longer, living in Scotland and all). I’m a total wuss with horror movies, so my experience with the walking dead is limited. However, favourites are Shaun of the Dead and Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. That book made me feel affection and empathy for our not-so-departed in a way I never expected. Anyway, congratulations again on Susan’s book release!! xx
http://twitter.com/TatSOurPatChKid Sara R Stegosaurus

Oh I hope I win!

sara.g.ahmed@gmail.com
Jayjay Atanacio

I don’t really have a favorite since I don’t usually watch “walking dead” movie… there is a television show called The Walking Dead that I watch :)
Amanda

Totally the walking dead and This Is Not A Test!! Love those 2 things with zombies!!
http://twitter.com/colin_d_smith Colin Smith

Great giveaway, Erin! Thanks. :) I don’t know if I have a favorite “walking dead” book or movie–I haven’t seen/read too many of them. Perhaps it will be SS&D! :)
Marthapao

Of all the books I’ve read so far my favorite walking dead book has to be Warm Bodies. It was just all kinds of awesome! Plus I can’t wait to read SS&D!!
Julie Carlson

Congrats Susan! I love your book! Awesome giveaway! Thanks Erin!!!