As the Spirit-Hunters travel to Egypt to stop their nemesis Marcus from raising a malignant creature from the dead, Eleanor struggles to balance her loyalty to the Spirit-Hunters with her attraction to black magic. This magic, channeled by (mostly) trustworthy demon Oliver, proves a double-edged sword in the final battle. Eleanor's poor choices and arrogance can be aggravating but contribute to an action-packed conclusion.

Gr 9 Up-This final installment concludes the gothic zombie tale set in 19th-century Paris. Eleanor Fitt and the three eclectic Demon Hunters were able to stop the rising tide of "les Morts," the reanimated dead who were overwhelming the city, by killing a demon named Madame Marineaus. However, their nemesis Marcus escaped in the process and kidnapped one of their own. Strange and Ever After chronicles the Demon Hunters' disaster-riddled pursuit of Marcus from Paris to Egypt. He always seems one step ahead of them as they all try to be the first to uncover the secret behind The Black Pullet, a legendary bird said to hold the secrets to immense power, endless wealth, and immortality. While some of the skirmishes with zombies do seem redundant, the hunt for the mystical bird and the rich Egyptian backdrop inject enough thrills to make this an exciting, quick read. The author adds dimension to and deepens the characterization of several of the protagonists while exploring the nature of the soul and the human capacity for change. Some readers may be disappointed by the unexpected twist in the romantic subplot, but overall, fans of the series will enjoy it immensely. Sunnie Lovelace, Wallingford Public Library, CT

Strange and Ever After concludes the story of Eleanor Fitt. When readers last left Eleanor, things were pretty grim. Events pick up right where they left off. With Daniel, Joseph, and Oliver, she goes to Paris in Daniel's airship, fights the Dead, and carries the fight to Marseilles and then to Egypt. Along the way, her relationships with Daniel and Oliver vacillate between better and worse. She is determined to destroy Marcus, who is still occupying Elijah's body and has taken Jie hostage. When Allison Wilcox hitches a ride on the airship, Eleanor realizes that their previous animosity had been unnecessary. Eleanor comes to understand her demon, Oliver, a bit more, but is it too late? The action here, as in the other titles, is fast and nonstop, while Eleanor's relationships with those around her are constantly in flux as she barrels her way through any situation. The conclusion is satisfyingly extensive, dramatic, and multilayered. Highlights include a resolution for her lost hand, a traitor in their midst exposed, and the death of a character.By the end of the trilogy, Eleanor has become seasoned, mature, and less impulsive, and she has learned to accept what she cannot change. She embraces her uniqueness and glories in being "Miss Fitt." Fans of the first two books will absolutely want to read this. This series will also appeal to fans of light horror, and there is enough of a steampunk flavor to satisfy those readers as well.Sharon Martin.