Review Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Title: Dearly, Beloved

Author: Lia Habel

Published: September 25th, 2012 (Del Rey)

Pages: 496

Source: for review
Series: Gone With the Respiration #1

Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads: Can the living coexist with the living dead? 

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

After reading Dearly, Departed I couldn't wait to read Dearly, Beloved and it hasn't disappointed me. Although I must say I thought the first book was better. 

I'm still a bit undecided about the human falls in love with zombie thing. After Dearly, Departed I decided it wasn't as weird as I thought it would be. But it keeps bugging me. It's not that it's gross or anything (well, maybe a bit), but I just hate knowing they won't be together forever (yeah, I know, I'm a hopeless romantic). I love the idea of finding the person you love most in the world and I don't want them to break up. And I definitely do not want to think about Bram decomposing. First of all, because my stomach can't handle that and second, it's so sad. 

Because my mind kept wondering off I enjoyed this book less than the first one. But I still really liked it! I love Nora and Bram. They're so sweet together, but they also spend a fair share apart and they both kick ass! In fact, Nora doesn't need a man, she saves herself! I like that about her. She's sweet and cares about others, but she isn't afraid to stand up for herself. 

What I missed in Dearly, Beloved was the action from Dearly, Departed. It all felt a bit slow to me. Although this could totally be me, since I had the most horrible reading slump and my concentration ran away screaming. The story felt a bit slow sometimes. But it made me love the ending even more! There was some kick ass action and I must say I was sad it's over!

Just like the first book there were multiple point of views, but only Nora and Bram are in both books. With new threats there were new people telling their story. It's what also made this a different book from the first and I loved that about it! Especially reading from Michael's point of view. He's one sneaky bastard! 

I'm not sure if this will be the last book in the series, but I would love to read some more about Nora and Bram!