R is a zombie. He doesn't remember how he became one or even who he used to be. He is satisfied with his uneventful days, slow thoughts, and stunted speech until the day he meets Julie. Julie is the girlfriend of a young man whose brain R just ate, and he sees some of her past through flashes of her boyfriend's memories. Not knowing why, R does something he never thought possible. He spares Julie's life and takes her back with him to the airport where he lives. During their time together R is inspired by her vibrancy and finds himself wanting to be more. No longer content to just exist passively, he begins to think about himself, his past, and his future. He grows, learns, and reaches for the humanity that he lost long ago. Eventually his attitude even starts to affect the other zombies. But the most amazing change of all is the love he feels for Julie. Is it possible for a zombie and a living woman to find a way together in a world filled with fear and hatred?

WARM BODIES is a unique and poignant story about life, love, and change. It is very existential in nature, dealing with the choices R makes given his limited memory and knowledge. It focuses on his personal growth and development as he moves away from the narrow existence that is all he has known. Isaac Marion does an outstanding job of showing R's progression and his continuous desire to know and feel more. Julie is maturing as a person as well, differentiating her beliefs from those of her father and former boyfriend and understanding that change is possible no matter how futile things may seem. Anyone who has ever struggled to rise above their current situation or tried to change the world for the better can relate to these very real characters.

The love story is very sweet and gentle. Despite their differences, R and Julie don't judge one another, and the feelings that grow between them are real and not fueled by lust or circumstances. They are natural enemies since zombies eat the living, and Julie has to protect R from the living as much as R protects Julie from the zombies. Like Romeo and Juliet, theirs is a relationship that no one approves of, and I suspect it is intentional that the character's names start with the same letters.

Marion's writing style is straightforward, funny and strong, just like his characters. That combined with an enjoyable plot makes this a must-read book. You can't help but be drawn into this post apocalyptic world and route for love and hope where none should exist. WARM BODIES is the most unexpected and compelling story I've read this year.