Published: Oct 2011
Publisher: Del Ray
Pages: 470
Copy Provided by: Library
Summary: Goodreads
Summary:
Love can never die.
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.
In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.
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.
In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.
Review:
Loved this. Who knew zombies could be so entertaining and humorous about their lack of body parts and appearance? Miss Habel demonstrates her wicked sense of humor in this Dystopian meets Steampunk meets Paranormal novel. It was just the kind of read I was looking for. Something light , a bit quirky with a kick ass heroine who just so happens to catch the leading deadman's cloudy eye. Although Nora Dearly doesn't pick up and deliver the same Katniss skills when it comes to fighting, she still exhibits a whiplash tongue and always seems to have a snappy comeback when it comes to verbal dueling.
The characters in Dearly, Departed are so likeable. Sure, they are hideous when described but it's what is inside that counts, right? I found myself loving the banter between them and the camaraderie. I would recommend this one to anyone who is looking for something fun, action-packed and a reader open to ahem, new "cultures" and conditions? I enjoyed Dearly, Departed so much that I went out and sought book #2 in the series - Dearly, Beloved. Look for a review shortly.
I have yet to read a zombie book. There's just something about dead, rotting things that really makes me want to vom. HOWEVER... when I read a review like this, it changes my tune. I've been intrigued by this one since seeing the cover AGES ago. Perhaps I'll pick it up. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThis sound exactly like the kind of book I will love! Quirky kick ass heroin meets zombies? I'm in :D Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen and Mel! I love to point readers in the direction of a good book. This one was so much fun! Thanks for the comments!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read enough Zombie books! But have heard about this a lot.
ReplyDeleteNew follower via GFC :)
Addie @ READioactive