Dearly Departed by Lia Habel
Gone With the Respiration series, book 1
Random House, October 18, 2011
480 pages
ARC copy provided by NetGalley.com
Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.
But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.
--Summary provided by Goodreads.com
Judging by the cover...: Though it's incredibly, over-the-top emo (as Mr. Frank so delightfully pointed out), I find it a perfect fit, especially the pale red on black. It positively screams young adult, but what's wrong with that?
Favorite Elements:
- Good Zombies - Apparently they DO exist! I knew my dreams of meeting a zombie that wouldn't eat my face could come true.
- New Victorian Era - The Victorian ages are back, this time with much less suck. Unfortunately, you'll still have to put up with the excessive etiquette of the times.
- Steamy Steampunk - Don't let yourself get burned by the blend of supertech and steam-powered machinery!
- Home Girl - When I first read the synopsis, I knew I'd like this book. Then I read her author profile on Goodreads which states she's from Western New York. As a WNY-er myself, I had to know, and a little digging on her website revealed that we're both from Jamestown, a small city in the southwestern tier of the state. I knew then that not only would I read this book and love it, but that I would be compelled to brag that Habel and I were most likely born in the same hospital (it's a small city).
Overall: A-
Allow me to spell out this book using a mathematical equation: catastrophic world events - Europe + massive migration to South America + unhealthy fascination with preserving Victorian times + a disease that brings the dead back to life = perfect gentlemen who will say please before they devour your flesh. Or undress you with smoldering yet cloudy eyes.
Much to my surprise, I've become quite attached to paranormal fantasy. This offering was one of the more enjoyable rides I've taken on an airship in a long time. Witty and smart, with kickbutt heroines, yet steamy and innocent at the same time. Rarely do we get the chance to cheer for the zombie boy to get the girl.
Recommendation: Do you love zombies? Do you love steampunk? Do you love weird yet sexy supernatural beings falling in love with mere humans? Yes, yes, and yes? Then do it!
Similar Reads: For the paranormal romance lovers (and those of you who also like red/black Gothic covers), check out Die For Me by Amy Plum. For those of you who yearn to cheer on more zombies, grab a copy of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion.
