I have seen the book, DEARLY, DEPARTED Lia Habel mentioned all over the social networks. I was curious about all the hype was about. After reading the back cover I was a little shocked and worried. A futuristic, steampunk, young- adult, romance with zombies! I couldn't start to fathom how all those elements could be placed in a single story, especially one being talked about as much as this novel seems to be. I am happy to say that this book meets all the hype and delivers to the highest level.

Firstly, I love the world and overall conflict created. The book is set in 2195 and the world has changed greatly from how we know it today. After a major natural disaster and many wars, all governments ended up collapsing. The survivors decided to base a new government on the Victorian society including the class system, morals, and edict. Of course, there was a group of individuals who thought the survivors should learn from history and not make the same mistakes as their predecessors all over again. Arguing leads to fighting and eventually separation into two different cultures known as the Victorians and the Punks. The reader learns more about the Victorian way of life since the main character has grown up in the city of New Victoria. Habel does not glorify the Victorian way of life. She throws all the unflattering issues in with the romantic notions many readers have about the days of Lords and Ladies. As a whole, the history is rich and creates a wonderful platform for a distopian world.

The character development is another jewel within this novel. Our main character, Nora Dearly, has a lot on her mind for a well bred lady of only seventeen. Her interests and hobbies are not one would call lady-like and she must hide who she truly is from society. After an event that changes everything she knows and believes, Nora steps up to being an adult and shows great maturity in her actions. Even though she is scared half to death most of the time. The transformation is not instant, but is written with a grace that lets the reader follow Nora's train of thought. You can see yourself in her shoes coming to grip with the new reality.

The story line is creative and excellently written. At no time did I feel the story was dragging due to explanation of the world or situation. The flow continued to be fast passed from start to finish. The action sequences were described in such a fashion that I felt I was within the story with the characters and trust me when I say that in some instances, I did not want to be in the characters shoes.

I can only give my highest praises to this wonderful debut novel. Habel has hit it out of the park. She has blended a number of genres into one captivating story that will have you begging for more.