Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Could you trust your life to a zombie? That is what Nora must decide when she is kidnapped by a zombie army and learns that she must work with Bram, a handsome zombie Lieutenant, to stop the bad zombies from infecting the world. Can Nora and Bram work together when Bram’s basic instinct is to hunt the living? And when their feelings for each other grow beyond co-workers, can they act on those feelings? Can you be in a relationship with someone who is Dearly, Departed?


Nora is a high-society teenager learning to be a proper New Victorian lady when she is kidnapped by Zombies one fateful night.  Nora learns that not only do zombies actually exist, but there are good and bad zombies and only she holds the key to protecting the world from the bad zombies.  Highly entertaining with a unique twist on the steampunk genre, this first book in the Gone with the Respiration series is recommended for all young adults in a public or school library setting.

Teen Interview

“At first I thought this book was weird because, I mean, who falls in love with a zombie?  But then I read it and Bram is so cute and sweet and I can totally see them together now.  Plus I like how Nora isn’t some helpless girl.  She kicks butt.” 
Jennifer G., age 13

“Yeah, I always thought zombies were gross, which I guess they kind of are, but after this book I can totally see how they can be cute, too.  I love Bram and Nora together.  It’s cool how they fight zombies together but also do romantic stuff like dancing and stuff.” 
Gretchen W., age 13

Jennifer and Gretchen have both read steampunk books, although they didn’t know they were called “steampunk.”  They have both read Clockwork Angel and Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare.  Gretchen reads a couple of books a month, while Jennifer reads about one book per week.  Both girls like to read romance and chick lit books, and Gretchen also likes to read reality fiction.  Jennifer and Gretchen are both on Facebook and Twitter, which are their favorite social media platforms.

Learn More

Read about Lia Habel and her books on her website, or see what she's been reading on Goodreads.  You can also follow her on Twitter, friend her on Facebook, or read her blog.

Watch the book trailer for Dearly, Departed below

Dearly, Beloved, book #2 in the Gone with the Respiration series, releases on September 25, 2012.  Read an excerpt from the book here.

Habel, Lia. Dearly, Departed. New York: Del Rey/Ballantine Books, 2011. Print.
9780345523310; Hardback; $11.00; 470 pages

Also available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.