Thursday, October 11, 2012

Something Wicked Comes! Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel Review + Giveaway!


Thanks to Rainy Day Ramblings & Babbling About Books for hosting this fun Halloween Event!
Everyday a bunch of different blogs are featuring a paranormal book and giving it away! View the full schedule HERE
My stop fell right near the release of Dearly, Beloved which I loved! So check out my review and enter to win your own copy!



Dearly, Beloved
(Gone With the Respiration #2)
by Lia Habel

Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Pages: 396
Genre: YA Dystopian/Zombies
Source: Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter
 
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.  

The dead are now out to the living and it seemed like things were going rather well. Until it came out that the Laz has mutated into a new strain that the vaccine does not protect against. The zombie infected with the new strain has been caught but that hasn't eased any minds. New fights and riots break out including a secret society of masked killers. Nora and Bram continue to help zombies while Nora's father continues with his research.

There are several, six to be exact, POVs in this book which seems to be the big thing that makes this a hit or miss with readers. I personally love multiple POVs. It's true that I would probably be happier with just Bram and Nora because I love them so much, but I think all the POVs are an important part of the story. We have Bram, Nora, and Pamela again, and new POVs Vespertine, Laura, and Michael. Michael is obsessed with Nora and finding a way to get Bram out of the picture. Clearly the villain POV but at the same time I kind of had a soft spot for him. An evil dad and no real understanding of how to express his love of Nora. Laura is a freaky new zombie who grows plants right into her body. The story of her family is heartbreaking. Vespertine probably is the one that made the smallest impression on me. She mostly hangs out with Michael talking about his plans. Pam is having a difficult time adjusting but has found someone who is willing to take their family away for a fresh start.

Bram you sweet, sexy, sexy, burning hunk of deadmeat. I would necroslut it up with you any day ;-) lol But seriously he is such a great guy/zombie. I like that Nora and Bram's relationship progresses very nicely. There have been so many series I read where in the second book all this unnecessary drama is always added to the relationship. The couple usually starts questioning each other and if they should be together. Since we know Bram's time is limited I was really afraid that would happen but happy to report it doesn't. They address it but realize that they should just appreciate the time they have together. Bram and Nora trust and love each other and they have become one of my favorite couples. I was majorly swooning!

The new strain of Laz was an interesting development. I am curious to see where it goes from here. The zombie infected with the strain was kind of heartbreaking and had some really shocking twists in what the strain means for the person infected. It kept me turning the pages. I loved the action and plot developments. I felt like I got to know each character more thoroughly. The ending was amazing! No dreaded second book cliffhanger. The ending is actually very sweet and left me wanting more but not hanging. Major kudos to a well wrapped up second book.


"You think you would know by now that when you run form me, every instinct I have wants to chase you."

"I didn't die just so I could be your pillow, you know."

"Nora. I loved her. I'd yet to say the words, because I didn't want to freak her out-it'd only been a few months, after all. But I knew I loved her. Needed her. I didn't need food, or water, or even oxygen, but I needed her. I'd never met a more spirited, accepting, drop-dead-again beautiful girl in my life."

"Nora, you're the only person I'll ever bite. And you know it." A smile ghosted across is lips. "You think I'd cheat on you with common criminals?"
"How messed up is it that I find that really romantic?"

"You're perfect the way you are, Nora. Don't ever think I want you to change, to be something you're not."

"Welcome to my world. Oh, and this is why you've ruined me for all other boys."

"I love you, Nora. I will think you beautiful when I have no eyes left to see. I will remember your voice when my ears go. You can't hold onto me forever, but I will hold onto you until I am nothing but dirt."

Rating: 5/5

~Giveaway~
Open internationally as long as the book depository ships free to your country. Click here to check.
If they don't ship to you than as long as you can accept a gifted kindle or nook book.
More rules located in rafflecopter

59 comments:

  1. Oh, Jen, I'm so glad you loved this sequel! I was having doubts about it after all the mixed reviews I've read, but I know I can trust your opinion. I had taken this off my must-read-now list, but I'm putting it back on there, STAT. :) Great review...those quotes sealed the deal for me. :D Well, that and Bram. :)

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  2. I actually really didn't like the multiple POVS despite normally having a softness for that. I just wasn't as engaged this time around after loving the first book.

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  3. Thanks for the fabulous post and giveaway! I just got book 1 and I can't wait to start it! Zombies! I luvs them :)

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  4. "Bram you sweet, sexy, sexy, burning hunk of deadmeat. I would necroslut it up with you any day." <---- Day = Made!

    I'm really happy you loved this, Jennifer. I was starting to get worried by the "meh" reviews I'd read. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  5. Haven't read the first book yet but its sitting on my desk waiting for me!! I love the time period and the fact that it's about zombies!!! :D
    Thank you for the giveaway.

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  6. A necroslut!? Now now, no cheating on Adrian! I love your reviews they are always so enthusiastic and they make me laugh. I am with you, I like mutiple POVs as long as it is easy to detect the different voices. I have this series coming up soon! Thank you so much for being a part of Something Wicked!

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  7. I haven't started this series yet but know I will love it based on all of the great reviews I've read about it. Love the zombie theme and the characters sound great!

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  8. I would say the whole thing, if any parts where missing it wouldn't be as good to me.

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  9. After reading this I can't wait to start this series :)

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  10. I still have to read this, I totally suck and have put it off due to the negative reviews that I have seen. I have read too many so so books lately, and have been worried that if I pick this up it will be another one of those books I give up on because I don't want to waste time reading it. You have restored some of my hope though.

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  11. I am so glad to hear you loved the sequal! I adored the first one and it was worrying me that this one was getting so many mixed reviews.

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  12. LOVED Dearly Departed and LOVE Bram but the multiple POV was just a little too much at 4 last time. Don't know if I can handle 6 POV's. Must admit that is the main reason why I have put off reading it. Glad you loved it though!

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  13. Love this series and its spin on zombies! It is one of the better zombie books I've read where the zombies have more character to them instead of BRAIIIIINS! ;)

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  14. It's nice to see a positive review for this book, even though I didn't personally like it myself. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jen! :)

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  15. I love everything zombie, and I have the first book and am excited to read this series. I need this book in my paws asap lol.

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  16. Great review! Happy you loved the book :D

    "Michael is obsessed with Nora and finding a way to get Bram out of the picture." this literally killed me omg this means suspense. Really wanna read it even more know and I kinda agree about the perspectives it really helps out with the telling of the story :)

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  17. I still can't decide if I should read this book or not. I am reading so many mixed reviews for it. *sigh* I'll admit I haven't read a zombie book...yet...so maybe this will be my first but then again I am not sure about the POVs...6 is just enough to make me crazy. But, you make it sound awesome! LOL ;p Hopefully, I can make up mind. Thanks for the awesome review, Jennifer! :D

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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  18. Zombies ... it's always about the *brainz* lol
    No, seriously, I do enjoy a good zombie book, but Dearly, Beloved
    sounds like so much more! And that cover is beyond gorgeous! <3
    Mary DeBorde (M.A.D.)

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  19. I haven't read a lot of zombie book so I'm really interested for this book.

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  20. I've never heard of this one before, but it sounds good. I'm intrigued as to how a zombie, even a good, non-brain-eating one, could be sexy. Or what the definition of zombie-ism is in this book.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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  21. love the review. can't wait to read this series , futuristic victorian ear .... brain eating zombies sounds like my read.

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  22. I just started reading Dearly Departed but I already love it and want to read the next in the series. I like the zombie romance part is unique.

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  23. The futuristic Victorian + steampunk world! Personally I wasn't too fond of the multiple POVs (I found it very hard to keep track of who was doing what) but I grew to like it as the book progressed. I'm sad that this is the end to Nora and Bram's story. :(

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  24. I finally see why some people hated this, and why some really enjoyed it!! 6 POV's sounds kind of too much for me as well, but I'm glad it was still good to read!! Haven't started this series, but can't wait to meet Bram ;) haha!
    - Farah @ MajiBookshelf

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  25. I have not read the first book yet. Lots of catching up to do. I'm loving the cover too.

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  26. I like the 'love against the society' theme in this book.

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  27. I haven't read either of them yet... :(

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  28. Although I haven't read the series yet, I love zombies. The idea of someone who loves you mindlessly kill you terrifys me (which makes for a great book:) )

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  29. I haven't started the series yet but this sounds good! Hopefully I can grab the prequel soon!

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  30. Every last bit of it. I love Bram and Nora! I love it all. I love the setting. I am not usually much for too much of a historical book, but it was done well with Dearly. It was just an addition that made the book even better, not the whole story line. And the zombies are amazing. The real, flesh eating freaky as heck zombies. And Bram! Did I mention Bram? I can't wait to continue this story, and I thank you for the chance!

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  31. i always love stories about zombie..i collected some of them and i bought dearly, departed too :)
    thx 4 the chance for winning the sequel ...

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  32. I love zombie books, especially with a little romance! I also enjoy multiple POV's - it keeps things interesting. Thanks!

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  33. I loved the first book! Bram and Nora..so different and yet so good together.. I haven't read Dearly,Beloved yet but I know for sure it will be amazing! :)

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  34. Ok. Now I am totally intrigued! Will check out my library for the first book!

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  35. Ahhh, I'm so sorry I clicked enter by accident before I pasted the tweet link.
    Here is it: https://twitter.com/kuro_rin01/status/257486242332172288

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  36. I loved the first book. I love Bram he is just so cute and he and Nora are such a great couple. Didn't really like the 6 different POVs, I felt it was too many but that didn't stop me from reading it. Can't wait to read book 2! Thanks for the giveaway :)

    Yvonne

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  37. I havent read this but I realy wantto it sounds like a great book.

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  38. I still haven't read the first book in this series yet but the covers are definitely lovely! I like to hold off on picking a team too before reading the book, although I tend to be biased against the main love interest for some reason...

    Great review!

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  39. I loved Dearly, Departed and I can't wait to read book 2! The cover is gorgeous :)

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  40. I'm new to zombies :) After Steering clear, I've finally found how much I enjoy those nasty things lol :) Great giveaway, just ordered the first book and can't wait to get started!!

    Jolene A

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  41. Thank you so much for this giveaway! I absolutely loved the first one! I actually just finished it and can't wait to read the second one - waiting until next year is going to kill me! :P

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  42. UGH, I loved the first book SO much! I love the different take on zombies and stuff. Bram and Nora are so beautiful together. jhwbfghbef. Their perfection just hurts. I have yet to read the sequel yet, but I really want to. :x

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  43. I haven't heard about this series before, but I recently got over my qualms with zombie books so I'm excited to check it out :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  44. I LOVED Dearly Departed!!! I can't wait to get my hands on this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway. SO glad you loved this book!! :D I've seen a few people who didn't like it as much and I'm really hoping I'll love it!
    <3 Inky@ Book Haven Extraordinaire

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  45. I've avoided reading reviews on this one for some reason. I enjoyed the first book, and I'm glad to see that the second book is so good. I like Bram.

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  46. I don't usually read books on zombies. They give me NIGHTMARES. But with SO MANY good reviews on this series, I might actually pick it up :)

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  47. Oh, gosh! I am SO excited for this book! The first zombie book I read was the first one, Dearly, Departed. I loved it so much! Bram made that book so awesome for me!

    I can't wait to read what's in store for everyone and see how the zombie love continues.

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  48. I Haven't read the first book yet but i want to read it
    I love the time period and zombies :D
    Thank you for the giveaway.

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  49. Haha! I can totally understand the necroslutting bit c: Bram is PERFECT, and I love how his relationship with Nora is so sweet! How nice to read a book where the characters don't want to tear each other's clothes off . . . I love the time period! I mean, come on. It's a Victorian steampunk. Obviously it'd be perfect. What's really neat about it is that it's actually set in the future, so if the world does somehow develop the Laz, it's an entirely possible situation. Can't wait for the next book!

    Grace
    Lust For Stories

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  50. I am definitely interested in a new look at what is becoming quite a popular genre. This is a new series to me and I will be hopping over to check out more. Thank you for sharing it with us :)

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  51. Loved your review... i am going to checkout this book soon

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  52. I really need to read this series! Can you believe I've NEVER read a book with zombies before?! I know... it's embarrassing to even admit!! I've been hearing mixed reviews about this book... but after you review, I'm definitely eager to give it a try. :)

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  53. I absolutely loved the first book! I have always loved the victorian age and this book gives a futuristic victorian era and it's amazingly beautiful! <3 I love love loved it!

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  54. i have yet to read about zombies but with all the rage about them i think the next book ill read will have something to do with them
    darleneysaguirre@yahoo.com

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  55. I just finished the audiobook of Dearly Departed the other day and I loved it. I loved Nora and Bram both. At first I didn't care for Pam but she really pulls a 180. So in the end, I loved everything about it.

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  56. I cannot wait to read this book. Just did a review of Dearly, Departed. It is located here http://belleslibraryshelf.blogspot.com/2012/10/dearly-departed-by-lia-habel.html

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  57. Dearly Departed was the first zombie book I ever read. I love the fact that there are several different types of zombies as well as the mix of technology and the Victorian mannerisms.

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  58. I'm just waiting for my copy of Dearly, Departed. And I would really love to win this sequel.

    Great review and thanks for the giveaway!

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  59. I've just got the first book and I haven't had the chance to read it. I loved it since the first time I saw it!

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