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kara_jane's review against another edition
5.0
OMG this book is amazing! I loved it so much. Nora and Bram are so adorable. This book has two of my favorite topics the victioran era and Zombies all in one book. I can't wait till [a:Lia Habel|3353667|Lia Habel|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1276812869p2/3353667.jpg]comes out with "Dearly, Beloved" i don't think I can wait a whole year though :(
stephlunatic's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this a lot more than I had thought I was going to, although it shouldn't have been a surprise. It's YA, so there's that, but the storyline was really compelling and the characters were well-rounded, including the secondary characters. I actually think my favorite character was Pamela, the female protagonist's best friend. She was awesome. But it was a good time all around.
iamhume's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I can't believe it took me two weeks to read this book.
TWO!
I got this as a Christmas present last year, at my request, and it sat on my bookshelf for nearly a year before I picked it up. It sounds really good, since the description says "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".
Well, I gotta say, I thought this was going to be a zombie gore-fest with YA romance and steampunk elements. The end result; not so much.
There's a great deal of world building that I enjoyed, getting me into the story and setting up the plot, but I found that the actual story dragged on far too much. Dearly, Departed has five different narrators, making it one of the most stretched out books I think I've ever read.
I liked reading from Nora, Bram, and Pamela's perspectives, but I couldn't stand Wolfe and Victor was just plain boring. Perhaps having adult narrators in a YA book was the main problem for me. Neither Victor or Wolfe had any real significance to their narration and I think the book would have flowed a lot better if they had been omitted.
And where was the romance? It was almost non-existent. Yes, the book only takes place over a week, or so, but when the book description says "romance", I expect, well, romance. Stolen glances and feelings of longing don't cut it for me.
The humour is probably what made the book enjoyable. That and Bram. He was by far my favourite character.
And the writing was really good, for the most part. My favourite line is this: "Around us, enemy soldiers dropped in mid-stride, gore starbursting from their skulls." Ooh! Very visual!
There was enough to the book that I will be picking up the sequel, Dearly, Beloved, but I'm not rushing to the store to get it just yet.
I can't believe it took me two weeks to read this book.
TWO!
I got this as a Christmas present last year, at my request, and it sat on my bookshelf for nearly a year before I picked it up. It sounds really good, since the description says "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".
Well, I gotta say, I thought this was going to be a zombie gore-fest with YA romance and steampunk elements. The end result; not so much.
There's a great deal of world building that I enjoyed, getting me into the story and setting up the plot, but I found that the actual story dragged on far too much. Dearly, Departed has five different narrators, making it one of the most stretched out books I think I've ever read.
I liked reading from Nora, Bram, and Pamela's perspectives, but I couldn't stand Wolfe and Victor was just plain boring. Perhaps having adult narrators in a YA book was the main problem for me. Neither Victor or Wolfe had any real significance to their narration and I think the book would have flowed a lot better if they had been omitted.
And where was the romance? It was almost non-existent. Yes, the book only takes place over a week, or so, but when the book description says "romance", I expect, well, romance. Stolen glances and feelings of longing don't cut it for me.
The humour is probably what made the book enjoyable. That and Bram. He was by far my favourite character.
And the writing was really good, for the most part. My favourite line is this: "Around us, enemy soldiers dropped in mid-stride, gore starbursting from their skulls." Ooh! Very visual!
There was enough to the book that I will be picking up the sequel, Dearly, Beloved, but I'm not rushing to the store to get it just yet.
monomoon_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
gothiclibrarian's review against another edition
This book has been on my radar for awhile because of the Victorian elements but I was a bit hesitant about the zombies. Though after reading this post on Kristilyn's blog, I decided it was time I gave it a shot. While I liked the book, I didn't love it as much as I had expected; though I did like it enough that I am planning on reading the sequel.
I really liked the Victorian aspect and that there is such a thing as sentient zombies who are in control of their sickness and don't harbor cannibalistic tendencies and then there are other zombies that truly define zombie apocalypse. I thought that was absolutely brilliant.
The book was told from several different perspectives throughout the book which I liked for the most part. However, it was a bit confusing in the beginning until you started to really get a sense of who the characters were. It took me awhile to figure out that Victor and Mr. Dearly were the same person. My second qualm is that the perspectives weren't even.
I identified more with Pamela than with Nora (and I think Nora was meant to be the lead). I really liked that Pamela started out as a somewhat rigid Victorian girl who prided herself on following the rules and doing what was expected of her. Yet as the story starts to unfold, she starts going against societal rules to do what she thinks is the right thing, even if it is dangerous or her parents forbid it. I really loved her for that and liked that she started being a bit of a badass.
I liked the evolution of Nora and Bram's relationship, but Nora was just kind of blah to me. She was a bit too stubborn and whiny for my taste for too much of the book. She gets better near the end, but I preferred Pamela's storyline. Bram was the perfect Victorian gentleman, even though he was a good zombie. I really liked Bram and his backstory was fascinating. I love that he genuinely cares for people and wants the best for everyone and would rather die (again) than see good people (dead or alive) come into harm's way.
Though I did like a lot of the plot twists, the were some "surprises" that I was able to see coming. I felt like the story did drag some, but once it picked up again, it was impossible to put down.
Overall, if zombies are you're thing and you like Victorian or steampunk as well, this would be a great book to pick up. Though it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I did like it quite a bit despite the flaws that I though it had. In the end, the flaws weren't that big of a deal and I am looking forward to the sequel because I genuinely came to care for these characters.
I really liked the Victorian aspect and that there is such a thing as sentient zombies who are in control of their sickness and don't harbor cannibalistic tendencies and then there are other zombies that truly define zombie apocalypse. I thought that was absolutely brilliant.
The book was told from several different perspectives throughout the book which I liked for the most part. However, it was a bit confusing in the beginning until you started to really get a sense of who the characters were. It took me awhile to figure out that Victor and Mr. Dearly were the same person. My second qualm is that the perspectives weren't even.
I identified more with Pamela than with Nora (and I think Nora was meant to be the lead). I really liked that Pamela started out as a somewhat rigid Victorian girl who prided herself on following the rules and doing what was expected of her. Yet as the story starts to unfold, she starts going against societal rules to do what she thinks is the right thing, even if it is dangerous or her parents forbid it. I really loved her for that and liked that she started being a bit of a badass.
I liked the evolution of Nora and Bram's relationship, but Nora was just kind of blah to me. She was a bit too stubborn and whiny for my taste for too much of the book. She gets better near the end, but I preferred Pamela's storyline. Bram was the perfect Victorian gentleman, even though he was a good zombie. I really liked Bram and his backstory was fascinating. I love that he genuinely cares for people and wants the best for everyone and would rather die (again) than see good people (dead or alive) come into harm's way.
Though I did like a lot of the plot twists, the were some "surprises" that I was able to see coming. I felt like the story did drag some, but once it picked up again, it was impossible to put down.
Overall, if zombies are you're thing and you like Victorian or steampunk as well, this would be a great book to pick up. Though it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I did like it quite a bit despite the flaws that I though it had. In the end, the flaws weren't that big of a deal and I am looking forward to the sequel because I genuinely came to care for these characters.
breezy610's review against another edition
4.0
it was pretty goos. I didn't think I would enjoy it but it turned out to be pretty good.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
1.0
Yeah...this was definitely not my thing. Both facepalmed and hoity-toity should not be in the same book. "Extra sparkly unicorn fart kind of special" also made an appearance. I use these to illustrate one of the most annoying aspects of the book; the bizarre swings between quasi-Victorian language and contemporary youthful slang. I also found the characters flat and, honestly, the basic premise of girl on zombie kind of grossed me out. I think I can quite definitely say that I will not be reading anything additional by [a:Lia Habel|3353667|Lia Habel|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1276812869p2/3353667.jpg]. (Oh yes, did I mention that the series is named Gone With the Respiration. Seriously.)
amandalyn's review against another edition
4.0
Dearly, Departed was the first steampunk I've ever read, and I loved it! I cannot wait to pick up another one.
Habal did an amazing job of blending Victorian England with new technology. I'm always skeptical about multiple point of view books but Habal did it so well. You never forgot whose head you were in because they were so unique and had a very clear voice of their own.
This whole story was unique and new to me. The zombies in this were something I've never heard of. Good zombies? Fighting for the army? I was hooked right away! And then there were the characters. Nora and Bram were amazing together. Usually I fall for the male interest, but I fell for them as a couple. They made each other better.
And while I did love them, the character who completely swept me off my feet was Pamela, Nora's best friend. Soon I was scrambling for the chapters from her point of view. Watching her grow into her own woman was my favorite part of the story.
Dearly, Departed comes out October 18 (the day before my 21st birthday. Woo!). Pick it up. Seriously!
linzthebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't really sure how I would feel when I picked this story up. I was a little worried that it'd be a bit much with zombies, romance, and Victorian themes going on. Overall I really liked the story, there was a lot of good character development and the pieces in the story worked well together. My big issue is that the point of view switched between so many characters. After a while I found it hard to remember who's "voice" I was suppose to be reading in. It got a little confusing when some of the later action started happening and I kept having to reread chapters. Overall I really enjoyed it and look forward to the second book.
knee's review against another edition
2.0
Well, it wasn't what I was expecting.
What I did like in the book were the good zombies, Grays, the devices (I thought the holographic stuff were cool), and Pam. I didn't like Pam at first because she was so clingy to Nora, I felt like Pam was a kiss-up. Then she changed for the better when. I like the descriptions of the friendly zombies, rotting and using their deadness to their full potential.
Things I didn't like...
The entire society is New Victorian? An entire society in what was once America was willing to adopt a culture that died out in another country? OK, I guess I can swallow that. Women whose main concerns are marriage? No women in positions of power? This is the future after an apocalyptic event? The book states that the remaining survivors agreed that the Victorian society was the best to emulate, did they have to rehash everything that was Victorian? Were the women all dead so they couldn't protest their downgrade in status?
Too many POVs. The only ones that should have been in the book are Nora's and Bram's. You don't really learn anything new or thoughtful from the other POVs. I was very confused with the timeline of events because of all the POVs. I would get really into Nora's storyline and then the next chapter would be about Pam and how she was dealing with Nora's disappearance. Were Pam's events happening before, during, or after the events of Nora's previous chapter? All the build-up of tension and intrigue ruined by the next chapter's complete change of characters and setting.
Where was all the action? I thought there was going to be a group of reluctant allies going out and demolishing those evil Grays! There was supposed to be scavenging and building a good hide-out! What a let down.
Was it just me or did anyone else got thrown off by Michael's betrayal of Pam? I felt like the author changed her mind about Michael's character and made him that way so people would feel even more sympathetic for Pam and also make a point that Nora is desirable. Who would risk their life during a zombie invasion just to get on the good side of a potential marriage partner? Nora doesn't even have any money and she didn't really inherit her father's status. He, Pam and her brother were pretty safe on the roof until she decided to save a girl who bullied and threatened her. As a result, Pam's brother is turned into a zombie, now he has, at most, 5 years of life and Pam is going to watch her only brother slowly deteriorate (in mind and body) into a monster. But who saved her brother from getting torned apart immediately from the zombies? Oh, it was Michael who went back for him. OK, so even if he had a motive for helping Pam and he trash talked her, did he still deserved to be pushed into the water? I like Michael, he was very brave during the whole zombie thing. I thought Michael and Pam were cute together.
Not what I expected in a zombie novel, but maybe the next on in the series will satisfy me?
What I did like in the book were the good zombies, Grays, the devices (I thought the holographic stuff were cool), and Pam. I didn't like Pam at first because she was so clingy to Nora, I felt like Pam was a kiss-up. Then she changed for the better when
Spoiler
the zombies showed up in her neighborhood. Jamming a parasol into a zombie's head totally earned my respectThings I didn't like...
The entire society is New Victorian? An entire society in what was once America was willing to adopt a culture that died out in another country? OK, I guess I can swallow that. Women whose main concerns are marriage? No women in positions of power? This is the future after an apocalyptic event? The book states that the remaining survivors agreed that the Victorian society was the best to emulate, did they have to rehash everything that was Victorian? Were the women all dead so they couldn't protest their downgrade in status?
Too many POVs. The only ones that should have been in the book are Nora's and Bram's. You don't really learn anything new or thoughtful from the other POVs. I was very confused with the timeline of events because of all the POVs.
Spoiler
I thought the book took place over a span of at least a month, but it's actually only a week. Unbelievable.Where was all the action?
Spoiler
Only in about 2 chapters of the book :CSpoiler
This is why I liked Pam, her chapters were the only one close to my expectations. Nora spends most of time training and she has an arsenal of weapons at her disposal, but doesn't really do anything with it.Spoiler
OK, so a relationship between a zombie and a human pretty disgusting to imagine, but I think it's sweet still. Obviously, if Nora loves Bram it's not over looks or his smokin' hot bod (geddit?!). I was a little disappointed with Bram's description. If he is a zombie, why not make him more zombie-like? He's not missing any limbs, still has all his hair. He looks very human still. I would've still liked the idea of their relationship even if he was missing all his teeth and an arm. He didn't even lose any body parts after the fire, but 2 other zombies lost their throat and a leg.Was it just me or did anyone else got thrown off by Michael's betrayal of Pam? I felt like the author changed her mind about Michael's character and made him that way so people would feel even more sympathetic for Pam and also make a point that Nora is desirable. Who would risk their life during a zombie invasion just to get on the good side of a potential marriage partner? Nora doesn't even have any money and she didn't really inherit her father's status. He, Pam and her brother were pretty safe on the roof until she decided to save a girl who bullied and threatened her. As a result, Pam's brother is turned into a zombie, now he has, at most, 5 years of life and Pam is going to watch her only brother slowly deteriorate (in mind and body) into a monster. But who saved her brother from getting torned apart immediately from the zombies? Oh, it was Michael who went back for him. OK, so even if he had a motive for helping Pam and he trash talked her, did he still deserved to be pushed into the water? I like Michael, he was very brave during the whole zombie thing. I thought Michael and Pam were cute together.
Not what I expected in a zombie novel, but maybe the next on in the series will satisfy me?