Review Detail

High-tech historical nation? Main character kidnapped by a group of zombies, though not the same ones as the military-trained ones? Deadly viruses? Forbidden romance that's not? SHE FALLS IN LOVE WITH A ZOMBIE? What the what?!? Just calm down. It's not as overwhelming as it seems. Imagine the Victorian London in our history textbooks, in the movies. Now imagine that society—cool clothes, awesome accessories (top hats and pocket watches), and elegant manners and all—in the middle of a fantastic everthing-is-digital setting. Throw in a ballsy heroine more inclined to whip out a shot gun than faint dead away at the sight of ravenous Undead and a sososo sweet young Captain of a rag-tag band of AMAZING zombie fighters, Dearly, Departed is subtly addictive, full of booming impact, and adventurous action, toting the power to back up breath and implant adrenaline and terror in the most appealing fashion.

The completely terrifying beginning, in which we are first exposed to the unintentionally charming Bram Griswold, leads us to believe that we are in for more blood-spiking horrors and a non-stop rush, yet we are forced to slow down with the pace of the plot, as we first 'meet' Nora Dearly directly after. This immediately takes away from our excitement, as we anticipate zombie attacks and fight-for-life showdowns, eager for the gore and action, and must settle for learning about the world we now find ourselves in. It's like being introduced to a really fabulous video game, witnessing the opening credits and hearing all its fabulous qualities, and then, when the moment of anticipation has peaked for us, our friend buckles down and first demands that we learn all the ins-and-outs of the rules before we can play. We want to shove away the rule book and the explanations so to speak, and just get right down to the crux of the amazingness that is surely awaiting us. It takes a while—a good hundred pages—but then the fun really begins, sweeping us off our feet even as Nora is swept off hers—literally, of course—by the man we've been dying to meet and his team of freakishly fantastic Undead soldiers.

Although the switch in first-person perspectives is jarring and bewildering at first, we push past that and actually enjoy gaining insight into all these characters. The entire lot of characters settle into our hearts, warming us and tickling smiles and laughter out of us at every turn, even as they astonish and injure us with their pasts, mistakes, and pains. We feel so rightfully connected to each one, unable to amputate them from our focus to concentrate on the other well-written aspects crucial to the story. They are the source of cheer and romance and admiration, gifting us with the beauty of their personalities. Despite the sometimes lengthy info-dumps and the somewhat ordinary writing, the characters truly shine, reeling us even further into the story Habel has so painstakingly invented.

Fans of Cinder by Marissa Meyer—those who enjoy strange mash-ups of assorted pieces of other genres—will take an interest in Dearly, Departed, recognizing a wild story with a similar feel. Looking for the inevitable creep factor that goes hand-in-hand with zombies? Then look no further. Want a fleshed-out romance that incites dreamy sighs? Well, hop on down and get to know Bram and Nora, because their relationship is lovely, full of that slow burn we can't get enough of. Dearly, Departed is a vivid, biting (Yup. I did it again.) tale that rattles our nerves and nearly stops our hearts countless times, setting us up for what's sure to be an equally frenzied and enjoyable sequel!

Originally posted at Paranormal Indulgence, 3/8/12