"Dearly, Departed (Gone With the Respiration, #1)" by Lia Habel

5 out of 5 stars

Read November 1 to 5, 2013

Pages: 486
Published: January 1, 2011
Publisher: Del Rey

The thing that I really loved about this book was that it was historical and futuristic at the same time. It's set in the year 2195, almost 200 years from now, but it's a Victorian setting. It's not set in London like a lot of Victorian inspired books, but in South America. There's a long story as to why everyone is living there, but you should read the book for yourself to find out!

I loved Nora from the beginning. She wasn't afraid to get into arguments with a mean classmate and stand up for her not as wealthy best friend. She also doesn't get along with her aunt, who is her guardian because both of her parents are dead. She aunt wants her to think about getting married, but Nora doesn't want to think about it at all.

When she's home alone one night, she gets attacked by a mob of evil zombies. Good zombies come and save her. While she is staying with them, she learns that her father has helped them and that he is still alive. During this time, she meets the man who saved her. His name is Bram, is 16, a soldier, and very close with her father. He's also dead. Or UNdead.

Nora
I thought she was great! She wasn't afraid to be different and not be like everyone else. I could tell that she had feelings for Bram, she just didn't know how to handle them because he's dead. I loved how she cared so much for Pamela and wouldn't let anyone hurt her.

Bram
I felt bad for him. Wolfe hated him and he really cared for Nora but had to wait until she felt comfortable around the zombies. But he was patient and waited until he was ready. I swooned over him. He was so cute and sweet!

Pamela
She was a great best friend. She and Nora were always attached at the hip and looked out for each other. When Nora went missing, she never gave up hope when everyone else believed that Nora was probably dead.

Victor
I also felt bad for him. He had to pretend that he was dead and not make any contact with his daughter, Nora. He was also partly responsible for his wife's death. He did everything he could do to protect Nora, yet she still got attacked by the evil zombies.

Wolfe
I wanted to hit him! He acts like he's all trustworthy and then sells everyone out and tries to kill all the zombies, good and bad. He even tries to kill Victor and wants to kill Nora!

Vespertine
She's the classic mean girl. She comes from rich family and is rude to everyone. She has an interesting back story, but she's still mean.

Michael
He's only discussed because he's a douche. He makes Pamela believe that he's interested in her and then he admits that he likes Nora. I was happy when Pamela pushed him into a lake.

Overall, I fell in love with this book immediately. It was still similar to many young adult paranormal books, yet it was also very different. I can't wait to read the sequel! I heard that there will be a third book, but then I later heard that it would likely not happen.