Dearly, Departed

I can't believe I am saying this- I am adding a zombie to my top ten fictional boys list. His name is Bram. He is a zombie soldier in an army of the future. He is literally falling apart and I heart him. This is a book about Nora Dearly. She is a girl in the future- 2198 to be exact, but unlike most books set in the future, this one is more like it is set in the past. The world has reformed and taken it's cues from Victorian times, thus the place she lives is New Victoria. Her father has recently died and she is making her way on her own with her friend Pam. As she comes home from school, a strange boy catches her on the street and implores her to come with him, as she is in danger. Of course she doesn't believe him until her home is overrun with zombies- the bad kind- and he and his fellow soldiers save her. She is horrified by what he is and is unsure of how to behave when she is taken and hidden for her protection. He convinces her he means her no harm and lets slip that her father is still alive- well, not really alive, but zombified alive. They are the lucky zombies who are still good, can still talk and think and can overcome their urges to bite you. As they try and find her father, who has been kidnapped, Bram and and Nora form an uncomfortable friendship as each is aware of how odd it is. There is a cast of fantastic characters that add color and pizazz to this fun book. Tom, Chas, Coal and Izzy each contribute to the fast moving story. As the evil zombies try and take over New London, the crew must find a way to stop them, while Dr. Dearly tries to complete the zombie vaccine before the order is given to kill ALL zombies- even the good ones. The inevitable happens and Nora and Bram confess their feelings to each other, but their future is quite uncertain- how long does Bram have before he literally disintegrates? Will society accept a relationship between a living and a dead? Will the vaccine actually work? Will the good zombies be targeted with the bad? Yikes- sounds like the sequel- Dearly, Beloved will have many questions to answer. I look forward to it's arrival. Until then, Bram joins Sean Kendrick, Will Herondale, Jace Herondale and the like on my list. This was a great story, loved every page and hope you will too. Happy Reading my friends.