Dearly, Departed is a prime example of why I don't like to give up on books if I have trouble getting into them at first. And I did have trouble getting into Dearly, Beloved. I was trying to read it in bits and pieces while reading other books and it just wasn't working. So, as 2011 drew to a close, I knew that this book needed to be a priority. I started over, set aside a few hours, and dove in. Let me tell you--I LOVED this book. It has a perfect mix of action and adventure with the detail and world-building of a well-written steampunk novel with an incredibly sweet love story thrown in. 
 Nora Dearly has a fairly normal life, despite being orphaned at age fifteen and having to deal with an over-bearing, social climber of an aunt as her guardian. Thankfully she has her best friend Pam to get her through. When she's approached by a blind man on the street one evening who attempts to take her and claims to be a friend of her deceased father, well, that is definitely a moment that Nora will never forget as what ensues is a story of kidnapping, adventure, war, love, ...and zombies. 
 Nora is a really fabulous MC to get to know. She has a very kick butt attitude and she's not afraid to put herself out there and make things happen. She's fiercely loyal to her best friend, despite their social difference. After she's kidnapped, I appreciated her fear and caution--signs of an authentic character who can't easily accept the things going on around her--as well as her boldness and honesty. I've been a tough sell on good characters lately, but Nora is definitely at the top of my list as an enjoyable, authentic heroine. 
 Nora wasn't the only character that I loved in this book either. Bram is absolutely wonderful. Chas, Tom, and Ren are a fantastic cast of side characters with well-defined personalities and roles. Dr. Dearly himself is sharp as a tack. Wolfe is the ultimate villan. Overall, this was a whole cast of characters that I found myself attached to. I honestly cared about what happened to each and every one of them. 
 The writing in this book is phenomenal. You will be pulled into this foreign world and you'll honestly feel at home. Ms. Habel's writing is beautifully descriptive without being completely overbearing. She gives the reader a perfect sense of this futuristic "New Victorian" world and its oddities without ever making it feel like an info dump. She had me mesmerized. Like I said, the beginning may have been a tad slow for me as you're getting to know the world and the characters, but when it takes off, it will take you on quite the wild ride. Be prepared for action and adventure, zombies, and a romance that swept me off my feet. I'll be anxiously waiting for book #2, Dearly, Beloved.