THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS by Gena Showalter

Rating: A
Synopsis:
I have a plan. 

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us. 

Either way, only one of us is walking away. 

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun. 

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

My thoughts on the book:
The Queen of Zombie Hearts is by far the best book in the White Rabbit Chronicles trilogy. I enjoyed all three books, but this one kept me hooked from page one. Showalter does not disappoint, and this book is equal parts romance, action, and emotion. Action packed and full of adventure, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the very last. 

The cast of characters is amazing in this final installment. Ali has been a terrific and strong character since the first book, but she learns to embrace her emotions and herself more in this installment. She really grows as a character, and she makes some serious sacrifices. Ali is a great narrator and her perspective is fun to read from. Cole is as swoon-worthy as ever, and he also grows into a much more impressive character. I really like how he's willing to fight for Ali, no matter what. Nana is also a bright spot with her teen slang, and of course the phrase "douche-purse" made a few appearances, which added some humor to some serious and/or steamy situations. Kat is charming as usual, and the new characters that are introduced in this book are also well-developed and personable. 

The plot is fast-paced and has more twists and turns that a rollercoaster. Some of the surprises I saw coming, but a lot of the things that happened actually shocked me. Showalter's writing is top-notch, and the world-building is well done. The romance between Ali and Cole is sweet with just the right amount of heat, and the friendships between characters is touching. I will admit that I cried toward the ending, and even though some parts are sad, I like that things aren't perfect for everyone. I hate convenient endings because life isn't always convenient or pretty. Things are complicated and messy, and the last chapters of this book really reflect that. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and series for people who are looking for something that is different from the normal zombie and/or teen paranormal romance fare. This trilogy has heart and a kick ass leading female, fantastic writing, and a captivating world. What more could a person ask for? 

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STRANGE AND EVER AFTER by Susan Dennard

Rating: B+
Synopsis:
In the conclusion to the trilogy that Publishers Weekly called “a roaring—and addictive—gothic world,” Eleanor Fitt must control her growing power, face her feelings for Daniel, and confront the evil necromancer Marcus...all before it’s too late.

He took her brother, he took her mother, and now, Marcus has taken her good friend Jie. With more determination than ever to bring this sinister man to justice, Eleanor heads to the hot desert streets of nineteenth-century Egypt in hopes of ending this nightmare. But in addition to her increasingly tense relationships with Daniel, Joseph, and her demon, Oliver, Eleanor must also deal with her former friend, Allison, who has curiously entangled herself in Eleanor’s mission.

With the rising dead chomping at her every move and Jie’s life hanging in the balance, Eleanor is convinced that her black magic will see her through to the bitter end. But there will be a price. Though she and the Spirit Hunters have weathered every battle thus far, there will be consequences to suffer this time—the effects of which will be irreversible. And when it’s over, only some will be able to live a strange and ever after.

Susan Dennard will leave readers breathless and forever changed in the concluding pages of this riveting ride.

My thoughts on the book:
This novel was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Every time I thought I had something figured out, Dennard threw in another surprise. The character growth was fantastic, the plot and pacing were top notch, and the writing was wonderful. My only complaint was the lack of chemistry between Eleanor and Daniel. I just didn't feel like they really loved each other this time. I'm not sure why. Anyway, this was a great end to a fantastic series. 

Eleanor showed her strength time and time again in this installment. She suffered loss after loss after loss, and while she had her selfish moments, she ended up growing into a very selfless, caring, and courageous character. I really enjoyed her progression throughout the trilogy, and especially in this book. Her strength at the end was unbelievable. I credit Oliver for a lot of her growth. Speaking of Oliver, his character grew immensely as well. I absolutely adored the demon in this novel. I will admit, I was kind of shipping Eleanor and Oliver. Jie, Daniel, and Joseph didn't grow that much, but that didn't detract from the rest of the book. I know that secondary characters never evolve as much as the main character, and I'm happy with how Eleanor turned out. 

There was a lot of action and adventure in this book, and the pacing was pretty spot on. I didn't get bored at all, as we traveled from city to city. Dennard did a great job at painting the scenery, and I could fully picture Cairo, Marseilles, and Paris. The plot was intriguing, and Dennard's writing was fabulous. The ending tied things up nicely and really showed how much Eleanor had grown. I know a lot of people didn't like the ending, but I did. Yes, I cried, but it worked, and Dennard handled the situation believably and beautifully, in my opinion. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone who loves steampunk and/or zombie novels. This trilogy is unique, and I'm so glad I read it. I can't wait to see what Dennard comes up with next. 

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DARKER DAYS by Jus Accardo

Darker Days
Jus Accardo

Rating: A+
Release Date: 08/19/13
Synopsis:
Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course...

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they're recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing...

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.

My thoughts on the book:
Different from the typical YA Paranormal Romance,  Darker Days brings well-rounded and complex characters, a unique and captivating world, and a suspenseful and intriguing plot to ensure that it stands out in an overcrowded genre. Accardo's witty prose and romantic tension add to the book's charm, making Darker Days one of my favorite reads of the year. If you're looking for a new, exciting, well-written read, then this book is for you. 

Jessie is a strong, sarcastic, likable, and well-adjusted character. Even though she's far from normal and her dad is MIA, she's still happy with her life overall. Furthermore, Jessie is no-nonsense. From the first page, she introduces you to herself and her world with unapologetic honesty, which made me really enjoy reading from her perspective. She's not afraid to kick ass, and while more mature than many YA characters, she still acts like a teenager. She stands by what she believes in, and she will fight for what's right. More YA female leads need to be like Jessie. Jessie's MIA dad, Damien, is also a complex character. He's not a deadbeat like many YA fathers. He can't help being away. Also his relationship with her mother is complicated. Klaire, the mother, is pretty cool for a mom, but she still goes above and beyond to keep Jessie safe. Lukas is a tough and swoon-worthy love interest. He's more chivalrous than the contemporary man, but he isn't a chauvinist. He's very strong, both emotionally and physically, and he is willing to sacrifice himself in order to do what's right. Mr. Winkie/Smokey is also a favorite, and I hope I get to learn more about him in the next installment. He's a unique character (possessed Corgi who attaches himself to Jessie), and he has a lot of personality. 

 The concept of a paranormal detective agency isn't a new one, but a Pandora's-style box filled with the Seven Deadly Sins is certainly unique. How the sins react to their hosts isn't exactly original, the same thing was done on Charmed when a demon infected the Halliwells with sins, but the fact that the hosts can infect mass amounts of people is different and has very dangerous consequences. In fact, I couldn't put the book down because I didn't know what horrible thing would happen next, courtesy of the sins. The plot is full of twists and turns, and Accardo surprised me several times. The author's voice is strong and draws the reader in from the very beginning. Also, the ending ties things up nicely and thankfully isn't a cliffhanger. With a few of the things that happened throughout the book, though, it's clear that there will be a sequel. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an original YA Paranormal Romance with a humorous tone. There are some serious parts, but I laughed out loud more than once. Darker Days is a fun and suspenseful read that touches on the importance of family and the beauty of love. You won't want to miss this one.

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A DARKNESS STRANGE AND LOVELY by Susan Dennard

A Darkness Strange and Lovely
Susan Dennard

Rating: A-
Synopsis:
Following an all-out battle with the walking Dead, the Spirit Hunters have fled Philadelphia, leaving Eleanor alone to cope with the devastating aftermath...

With her brother dead and her mother insane, Eleanor Fitt is alone. Even the Spirit-Hunters—Joseph, Jie, and the handsome Daniel—have fled to Paris. So when Eleanor hears the vicious barking of hounds and see haunting yellow eyes, she fears that the Dead, and the necromancer Marcus, are after her.

To escape, Eleanor boards a steamer bound for France. There she meets Oliver, a young man who claims to have known her brother. But Oliver harbors a dangerous secret involving necromancy and black magic that entices Eleanor beyond words. If she can resist him, she’ll be fine. But when she arrives in Paris, she finds that the Dead have taken over, and there’s a whole new evil lurking. And she is forced to make a deadly decision that will go against everything the Spirit-Hunters stand for.

In Paris, there’s a price for this darkness strange and lovely, and it may have Eleanor paying with her life.

My thoughts on the book:
A Darkness Strange and Lovely is an intriguing follow-up to Something Strange and Deadly. Dennard continues Eleanor's story, and complicates her life even further. This novel does not suffer from "second book syndrome," and I was engaged throughout the entire story. With rich world-building, an intriguing plot, and captivating characters, this is sure to be one of the summer's hottest reads. 

The characterization in this novel is top-notch. Eleanor annoyed me some in this installment, even though she is still a strong and interesting heroine. I don't like how she insists on keeping secrets from people, and she never seems to learn from her mistakes regarding that. Hopefully she'll improve in this department in the third book. Also, she keeps whining that no one will teach her anything, but she avoids the people who could teach her something. It makes no sense. Other than those two things, she is still extremely likable and surprisingly strong, considering the time period. I wish we could have seen more of Daniel, and I'm hopeful that the next book will focus on him quite a bit. I absolutely adored the new addition to the team, Oliver. He's extremely entertaining and well-developed. I can't wait to get to know him better. 

The plot is intriguing and mysterious, though I figured out the bad guy pretty early on. However, there were a few things thrown in there that surprised me. Also, Dennard includes a couple of red herrings to keep the reader on his/her toes. The pacing is pretty much perfect, and the descriptions are well-written. I could picture Victorian Paris, and I felt like I was there. Dennard's writing is lovely, and I enjoyed the awkward tension between Eleanor and Daniel. The ending sets the stage for the third installment, but ties up most of the problems in this novel quite nicely. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good Steam Punk novels. The zombie twist, along with Dennard's unique characters, make this series stand out from the other Steam Punk books. Give this series, and this book, a try. You won't be sorry. 

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A CLOCKWORK HEART by Liesel Schwarz

A Clockwork Heart
Liesel Schwarz

Rating: C-
Release Date: 08/13/13
Synopsis:
FOR BETTER OR CURSE. That might as well have been the wedding vow of Elle Chance and her new husband, the ex-Warlock Hugh Marsh in the second book of this edgy new series that transforms elements of urban fantasy, historical adventure, and paranormal romance into storytelling magic.

As Elle devotes herself to her duties as the Oracle—who alone has the power to keep the dark designs of Shadow at bay—Marsh finds himself missing the excitement of his former life as a Warlock. So when Commissioner Willoughby of the London Metropolitan police seeks his help in solving a magical mystery, Marsh is only too happy to oblige. But in doing so, Marsh loses his heart . . . literally.

In place of the flesh-and-blood organ is a clockwork device—a device that makes Marsh a kind of zombie. Nor is he the only one. A plague of clockwork zombies is afflicting London, sowing panic and whispers of revolution. Now Elle must join forces with her husband’s old friend, the Nightwalker Loisa Beladodia, to track down Marsh’s heart and restore it to his chest before time runs out.

My thoughts on the book:
I expected A Clockwork Heart to be an improvement over A Conspiracy of Alchemists, but unfortunately I was wrong. This novel failed to engage me, and while I liked Elle and Marsh in the first installment, both characters fell flat for me this time around. I couldn't force myself to care about what happened to them. The pacing was slow, and I got bored quite a few times. Unless you're a huge Steampunk fan, you may want to pass this one up. 

Elle annoyed me this time. She comes across as a spoiled brat, who refuses to sacrifice anything for her marriage. She's also cocky and arrogant, which results in plenty of problems for herself. Marsh seems like a door mat this time around, which made me not respect him as much. The secondary characters are all flat, filler characters. Also, none of the characters really evolve in this novel. 

The plot is inconsistent at best and overly convenient at worst. The pacing is so slow, and there is a huge lack of world-building. Considering the world wasn't 100% clear in the first book, I was hoping that Schwarz would clear some things up this time around. That wasn't the case, though. The last fourth of the book is the best, and at least made me somewhat interested in the series again. I'll probably read the last installment just to see how things end, but even with the decent ending, I still am not too invested in these characters. 

Overall, I'd say if you're a die hard Steampunk fan, you should read this. Otherwise, try it out from the library first. You may be disappointed. 

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IF I SHOULD DIE by Amy Plum

If I Should Die
Amy Plum

Rating: B
Synopsis:
I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me?

My thoughts on the book:
If I Should Die did not live up to the super high standards I had in place for it, but it was still good. The whole novel just seemed a bit anticlimactic to me, especially after the ending of the second book. The ending itself was satisfying, if convenient, and there wasn't much character development throughout the course of this installment. The plot was intense, but I just couldn't make myself feel that sense of urgency that the past two books had. This is a hard review for me to write because I'm just not sure how I felt about If I Should Die.

Kate doesn't really evolve at all in this novel. She's still the same rash, irrational, stubborn girl that she was in the previous installments. I like Kate because she fights for what she believes in, but the girl needs to learn to control her emotions some and not make such idiotic decisions. Kate is smart, though, and I love that about her. She's also cultured and a researcher. There is more I like about her than not. Vincent is as sickeningly sweet as ever. I like his character, too, but I wish he had at least a bit of a dark side that we could SEE. Kate seems to have blinders on when it comes to him, and that annoys me a bit. I like my heroes to be a bit rougher around the edges than he is. Georgia is still annoying and childish. Mamie and Papy actually do grow some, and I enjoyed getting to know them better. There are a few surprising revelations with some of the secondary characters as well, but I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I'm going to leave that alone.

As previously stated, the plot is intense, but I couldn't make myself feel a sense of urgency. Many of the occurrences were much too convenient, and it was blatantly obvious that Plum was manipulating the story to her liking. I don't like when I can see an author's manipulations. The characters are supposed to have trial after trial after trial, not one trial that works out neatly without any mess. One of the glaringly obvious moments is when Kate is looking for something in the dark and the moonlight JUST SO HAPPENS to shine on her necklace and reflect on what she is looking for. Seriously? At least have her feel around and search until she finds it. That'd be more realistic. There are a few moments like that in the book, and those moments pulled me completely out of the story. Regardless, I couldn't put the book down, and I had to know what happened next. I never felt bored. I was invested in the story, even though I wasn't necessarily on the edge of my seat the entire time. In the end, everything wraps up nicely and neatly, and I would have liked a little more mess there, too. However, the ending was satisfying, and I don't feel like the author neglected to complete anyone's story. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to fans of the series and this series to anyone who wants a less gruesome spin on zombie tales. These zombies are hot, and the world Plum has created is pretty awesome and definitely unique. The first two books in this trilogy are unbelievably amazing, and this one is pretty good as well. 

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FROST BURNED by Patricia Briggs

Frost Burned
Patricia Briggs

Rating: A+
Synopsis:
Mercy Thompson returns in the seventh novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Mercy Thompson’s life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman—the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack—has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy’s life. But on the edges of humanity, what passes for a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more…

After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can’t reach Adam—or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They’ve all been abducted.

Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. With the werewolves fighting a political battle to gain acceptance from the public, Mercy fears Adam’s disappearance may be related—and that he and the pack are in serious danger. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from any ally she can get, no matter how unlikely.

My thoughts on the book:
I'm going to be honest. After reading River Marked last year, I really wasn't expecting much from Frost Burned. I'd love the series up until that installment, and I was highly disappointed. Therefore, I put off buying Frost Burned for awhile. When I started the book yesterday, I was afraid that it'd be another dud, but I was pleasantly surprised. Briggs seems to have regained her footing in this novel, and Frost Burned ended up being one of my favorite Mercy Thompson books to date. 

One of the things I absolutely love about Patricia Briggs is that anything that's unique about Mercy isn't because she's Native, it's because she's a coyote shifter/walker. She also doesn't mess around much with indigenous politics or culture. Additionally, while the fae reservations are similar to what happened to American Indians, there is enough difference that it's not depoliticizing. She handles a really difficult and complicated topic well, and I love both Mercy and Charles (the two indigenous characters). Neither of them are stereotypes, and neither of them represent problematic ideals. 

Moving on, Mercy is a fantastic character, and she regained her sarcastic personality in this book. She stands on her own and still makes her own decisions. Mercy displays excellent problem-solving skills, and she stands up for what she knows is right. She has evolved over the course of the series, though, and she does take others into consideration more often than she used to. I like that she's growing still, after six previous books. 

Like Mercy, Adam is still changing and growing, too. My favorite part about this book is that we get some of the chapters from Adam's perspective. I had no idea how dark of a character he is. I just always saw him as a wonderful guy and a perfect match for Mercy. However, in this novel I learned that he has a lot of darkness within him. The way he sees himself is sad, and I hope that Mercy can help him work through that. Usually I hate changing perspectives, but it worked well in this book and helped me get to know Adam even better, which I loved.

Most of my favorite characters are in this installment, which was awesome. Other than a text from Bran, we don't get to hear from him or Samuel, though. I missed them, but I was also excited to have scenes with Zee, Tad, and Stefan. I'm a huge Stefan fan, and I can't wait to see what else Briggs has in store for him. Normally I like shifters better than vampires, but Stefan just won me over. 

The plot is intense, mysterious, action-packed, and suspenseful. Mercy and company have to deal with a lot of personal demons as well as outer threats. I had no idea what to expect. Briggs just kept surprising me, and I couldn't put the book down. It's a fast-paced adventure and an emotional roller coaster. This book made me happy, sad, and frustrated all at the same time. There are also a few laugh out loud moments to break up some of the tension. The ending ties everything up nicely, but knowing Mercy as we all do, it's obvious that something else disastrous is just around the corner. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and series to anyone who loves a good Urban Fantasy. Patricia Briggs is an amazing writer, and her Mercy Thompson series is one of the best. If you're a fan of this series but were put off by River Marked, don't worry. You won't be disappointed with Frost Burned. Give Briggs another chance. She'll make you fall in love with this series all over again. 

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UNDEADLY by Michelle Vail

Undeadly
Michelle Vail

Rating: A-
Release Date: 11/20/12
Synopsis:
The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she's shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite boarding school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath. 

Life at Nekyia has its pluses. Molly has her own personal ghoul, for one. Rick follows her there out of the blue, for another...except, there's something a little off about him. When students at the academy start to die and Rath disappears, Molly starts to wonder if anything is as it seems. Only one thing is certain—-Molly's got an undeadly knack for finding trouble....

My thoughts on the book:
Undeadly was a unique take on the teen supernatural boarding school story. The characters were well-developed, the plot was intriguing, and the pacing was perfect. I could not put this book down. This is one reaper story you won't want to miss.

In the beginning of the book, Molly was pretty annoying. She was a whiny, spoiled brat. However, the plot was so interesting that I gave her a chance anyway. I'm glad that I did. Her character grew immensely throughout the course of the novel, and by the end, she was a completely new person. I really like the direction her character was taking, and I can't wait to see what happens to her next. My one complaint with the characters is that we didn't get to know any of the secondary characters very well. Since this is a series, though, I assume that there will be more time for relationship building in the next installment. On the plus side of no relationships being firmly built, there was also no insta-love. Yay for that. My favorite characters so far are Henry, Anubis, and Rath. 

The plot is unique for a reaper book and for a boarding school book, and I really loved the incorporation of Egyptian mythology. I'm not going to go into anymore detail about the plot because I'd hate to spoil the novel for you. I'll just tell you that it's super intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's non-stop suspense. Also, it was a quick read. I read it all in one sitting, but unfortunately, it ended on a cliffhanger. 

The world-building was also fantastic. This novel takes place in a world that knows reapers and necromancers exist. There is an open market for making zombies, and they teach necromancy history in public schools. That within itself fascinated me, and I had to learn more about this world. Vail did an excellent job of describing this new reality, and the world felt real to me. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves YA paranormal novels. Give Undeadly a try. You won't be sorry. 

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DEARLY, BELOVED by Lia Habel

Dearly, Beloved
Lia Habel

Rating: C-
Release Date: 09/25/12
Synopsis:
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.

Lia Habel’s spellbinding, suspenseful sequel to Dearly, Departed takes her imaginative mash-up of period romance, futuristic thriller, and zombie drama to a whole new level of innovative and irresistible storytelling.

My thoughts on the book:
I really, really, really wanted to like this book. I enjoyed Dearly, Departed, and I had high hopes for the sequel. However, Dearly, Beloved fell short for me. It was extremely slow moving, and there were too many points of view to keep track of. Additionally, the pacing was off. If it wasn't for the super sweet ending, I would have rated this book much lower, and I would have refused to read the next book in the series. As it stands, I'll give Habel one more try and hope she does things a bit differently for book #3. 

One of my main complaints for Dearly, Departed was that the story was told from 5 points of view. That was 3 too many, in my opinion. Well, Dearly, Beloved tells the story from 6 points of view. A new zombie named Laura is added into the mix. All of the characters' voices sound the same, so I often times forgot whose POV I was reading from. Furthermore, the extra POVs seem to serve only as fluff as they rarely contribute anything to the story. I ended up skipping over half of the random POVs and just focusing on Bram and Nora because I simply did not care what the other people had to say. Finally, when the extra POVs do contribute something to the story, it spoils the mysterious aspect of the story. Once you have the guilty parties figured out, it makes the book about a million times more boring. A little mystery would have been a good thing, especially in this novel with the screwed up pacing. 

I already mentioned the pacing was off. It just moved too slowly for my liking. It took me over a week to finish this book because I just could not get into it enough to finish it. When I hit the last 15% of the book, the story finally started to pick up. The ending would have been a lot more exciting had there been a big reveal instead of simply a giant mess, but at this point, I took what I could get. The very ending is super sweet and touching and even brought a few tears to my eyes. The ending is the only reason that I rated this a C- instead of a D or an F. That was the ONLY redeeming point of this novel. If I hadn't already had a predisposed attachment to Bram and Nora, I would not have been able to finish this book. 

Bram and Nora were adorable as usual, but I really got irritated at the New Victorian constraints that Dr. Dearly and Nora imposed on the relationship. That made things even more boring somehow. Bram's sense of duty got a little old, too, but that's part of what makes him who he is so I went with it. Overall, I still love Bram. The other character were okay, but some of them got on my nerves. As usual, I hated Pamela. She is just obnoxious, and I kind of hope she goes away soon. Vespertine really interested me in this novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from her. Her POV was actually interesting. Michael is a whiny brat and needs to be shot. Laura is boring as crap, and if it wasn't for her unique physical description, she'd be a very flat character. I really hated reading from her POV. The other secondary characters kind of took a backseat in the story, which I didn't like. Instead of having 12308712987 POVs, perhaps Habel could show the secondary characters' stories through Nora's eyes. That would have been tons better. 

Overall, I was not blown away by this novel. I will be reading the sequel only because of the ending and the fact that I did like the first book. I'd recommend this book to people who adored the first novel and simply must know what happens next. I would suggest checking it out from the library first to make sure you can stand all the POVs, though. 

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DEARLY, DEPARTED by Lia Habel

Dearly, Departed
Lia Habel

Rating: B
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

My thoughts on the book:

This novel started out a bit slow, but I enjoyed Dearly, Departed after I got through the first few chapters. Habel's unique world drew me in, and the dynamic characters kept me intrigued. I had a hard time putting this book down. The one thing I didn't like was the fact that there were five narrators. If it wasn't for that, then this book would have gotten an A from me!

The multiple narrators really annoyed me. I don't feel that we needed a chapter with Wolfe's POV, nor did we need Pamela's POV. I think we could have learned about what was going on in New London from Bram's POV, when he spoke to Wolfe or heard something new. Victor's POV was necessary, I think, as were Bram's and Nora's. I liked all of the characters fine (even the villains were interesting), but the multiple POVs just annoyed me. Everything was first person, too, so the multiple POVs could have also been eliminated with a third person omniscient POV. 

Nora was a pretty awesome heroine. She was strong, stubborn, and an all around good person. I really liked the fact that she thought Bram was attractive even though he was dead (and in some ways looked dead). She seemed to love him because of his imperfections, not in spite of them. That within itself was a beautiful thing. Also, her loyalty and bravery made me like her even more. I am really looking forward to reading what happens to her next. 

Bram was super sweet and amazing. He was never angsty or emo, and he had reason to be. He treated Nora like a person, too. He stood up for what he thought was right, and I admired him for that. He was also pretty funny. I liked his sarcastic, snarky sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed reading from his perspective, and he completely won me over. Team Bram all the way!

I wasn't Pamela's hugest fan, but she was all right. I usually get annoyed with the best friends, so the fact that she was all right in my book says a lot. She really cared about Nora, and she was selfless. She was just clueless at some points, and the way she threw herself at Michael irritated me. As flawed as she was, I was rooting for her, and I hope the next book brings her happiness.

Victor was an interesting character, and I'd like to know more about him. I'm not going to spoil this for those who haven't read it, but he was very intriguing. 

The first few chapters were world-building chapters, and Habel did a terrific job of describing the futuristic society that she created. I particularly liked the hologram movies, and how when they used modern colloquial words, they said "as our ancestors used to say..." before it. That really made me feel like I was in New Victoria. I also liked the small touches, such as the parasols with the lights on top that indicated if the girls were practicing the "antiquated ritual" of dating, if they had been betrothed, or if they were gay. Items like that showed that this was a futuristic society and not historical Victorian society. Another thing that really stood out to me was the punks and how they were like futuristic steampunks. I enjoyed reading about them and hope to learn more about them in the sequel. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book to steampunk, dystopian, and zombie fans. Dearly, Departed is a unique and touching love story that you don't want to miss. 

Buy Dearly, Departed!

SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly
Susan Dennard

Rating: A
Release Date: 07/24/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.


My thoughts on the book:
Something Strange and Deadly is one of those intense novels that kept me on the edge of my seat. I should have started this novel earlier in the day because I refused to put it down before I finished it. This resulted in a lost night's sleep, but it was so worth it! From the first zombie attack, which happened within the first few pages, I was hooked. The characters are well-developed, flawed, likable, and realistic. I couldn't help but sympathize with everyone (other than Eleanor's mother), even the bad guys. The plot is unique and engrossing. I also loved the setting. Most novels that are set in the Victorian Era are set in England and are steampunk. This isn't a steampunk book. There is not one overly advanced piece of technology. There are some strange inventions, but those inventions are still very much within the realm of possibility for the late 19th century. Dennard offers an interesting look into what Victorian Philadelphia would have been like if there had been a zombie invasion. 


Eleanor is no simpering miss, and because of this, she does not fit in during her time period. She's aware of this. She's too free-thinking for the Victorian Era. Therefore, she always feels like a misfit, which is a play on her name "Miss Fitt." Eleanor is a strong lead character who is willing to fight for what she believes in. She also isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and can take care of herself. She makes mistakes throughout this novel, but she grows immensely as a character. I can't wait to see what the sequel brings for her.


Another character that I found extremely interesting was Jie. However, I don't want to spoil the surprise with who Jie is, so I'm not going to analyze this character any further. Daniel is also a great leading man. He's tortured (of course) and has done some awful things. However, deep down, he's good, and he's willing to try to make amends. There are a lot of characters in this novel who want to make amends for their mistakes, and there are also some who are unrepentant. That seems to be the defining way to tell who is good and who is not - if they want to make up for the pain they've caused others, or if they want to continue to hurt others. There are no strong messages against class or oppression or anything like that, but I don't think taking a stand against Victorian Era society would be applicable to our contemporary society. Therefore, it would be rather pointless to make any statements to that effect. 


The plot is intense, and there is a mystery going on throughout the course of the novel. I figured it out pretty early on, but it wasn't obvious. I just made a guess based and was correct. There are tiny hints, but nothing that gives it away until the big reveal. Also, the plot is an emotional roller coaster. I was laughing at a lot of parts, and I cried at the end. Because of my ability to relate to all of the characters, I was extremely emotionally invested in this novel. Furthermore, the pacing is perfect. The story flew by even though the book is 400 pages long. Nothing felt rushed, though. I know I was white-knuckling my Kindle during the last 20% or so of the book. The intensity of the plot grows as the story continues, which basically forced me to finish this book in one sitting.


Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves zombie stories, mysteries, books set in the Victorian Era, or supernatural/paranormal books. Something Strange and Deadly has something for everyone, and it is one novel that you don't want to miss!


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THIS IS NOT A TEST by Courtney Summers

This Is Not a Test
Courtney Summers

Rating: B
Release Date: 6/19/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?


My thoughts on the book:
This is one of the most depressing books I've ever read. That is why it has a B instead of an A. This Is Not a Test has plenty of action, suspense, and mystery. However, it just made me sad. That being said, I can recognize the quality of this novel, and I am going to do my best to review it objectively. You guys know how I feel about sad books. I just don't enjoy reading them. I'm a pansy in that way. 


This Is Not a Test is not your typical zombie book. Every single main character in the book (there are six) is well-developed and unique. Instead of having a gore-fest with no character growth, Summers took away a lot of the gore and focused more on the characters, making this a very character driven novel. The plot was pushed forward by each character's will to survive. Our narrator Sloane had no desire to live whatsoever, but the others seemed to want to get out of the zombie apocalypse alive. However, the book mostly focuses on Sloane and how she'd rather let the zombies kill her and turn her into one of them than remain in this world. 


Sloane's mother is dead, her sister left her, and her father is abusive. The beginning of this story is depressing and intense because the reader is able to fear Sloane's fear of her father. Then the woman knocks on the door and all hell breaks loose, literally. Sloane ends up being one of six surviving teenagers barricaded in the school's gym, which is kind of ironic since she just wanted to die. Throughout the course of the novel, Sloane is forced to repeatedly see the lengths the other people will go through to live. Being a part of these six teenagers deeply changes Sloane, and she is a completely different character in the end. I love when authors have a lot of character growth in a novel. 


The plot is a bit slow at first, and the zombies are never the main focus. They're always there in the background, and every time you almost forget about the, Summers brings them up again. This subtle addition to the story adds an underlying tension to the narrative that could have been forgotten in the hands of less skilled authors. As the story progresses, the tension builds and things begin to get more intense. Sloane learns a lot of information, some of it she would have preferred not to find out. The pacing toward the end is extremely fast, and I was literally white-knuckling the book and hurriedly turning the pages to see what happened next. The ending itself ties things up nicely. It's not exactly a happy ending, but there is some hope. After a zombie apocalypse, I suppose that's all you can really ask for. 


Overall, I'd recommend this novel to anyone who loves emotional dystopian/post-apocalyptic books. Summers' writing is fantastic, the plot is captivating, and the characters are realistic and easy to relate to. As long as you're not a pansy like me, you will love this book. 


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UNTIL I DIE by Amy Plum

Until I Die
Amy Plum

Rating: A+
Release Date: 05/08/12
Synopsis from goodreads.com:
Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love. 

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy. 

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.


My thoughts on the book:
Wow. Until I Die is one of the most suspenseful and romantic books I've read all year. This book was intense! I read the entire novel in one sitting and could not put it down until the very last page. At the end, I felt like shaking my Kindle and screaming "NO I WANT MORE!" Unfortunately Until I Die does end on a cliffhanger, but I will forgive Plum for that simply because the book was so amazing that I can't hold a grudge. I do hate cliffhangers, though. That being said, Until I Die will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride that you won't forget. 


Kate grows a lot in this book, and one of the things I love about her is that she's not stupid. She doesn't go off and do dumb things. I mean she makes mistakes, don't get me wrong, but she thinks things through. She may not always know the danger that she's putting herself and others in, but she plans things instead of just running off in a fit of emotion. I also like that she states that she's a complete person in her own right. She's a strong female character, and I really enjoy seeing France through her point of view. 


Vincent was fabulous as usual. I always love him, and I hope to see a ton more of him in the next book. I also would like to see more of Ambrose and Jules. They're fun characters. We do get to see more of Jules in Until I Die. I liked getting to know him better. Georgia wasn't an idiot this time, and I enjoyed her character much more. We were introduced to a couple of new characters, and they are very different from the characters that we're used to. The interactions with these characters add a lot to the story.


The plot is captivating and will keep you fully engrossed in the book from first word until the final period. Plum kept me guessing the entire time, and while there isn't a ton of action, there is plenty of suspense. This novel focuses more on Kate and Vincent's romance and their developing relationship than it does on fight scenes (though we have a few of those as well!), but the plot still seems balanced. I enjoyed getting to see more interactions with Kate and Vincent. They're a sweet and healthy couple. I wish more YA couples could be like them. In addition to the balanced plot, Plum includes a lot of emotional ups and downs throughout the story line. There is humor scattered throughout the book so nothing seems too serious, but there were points when I almost cried because things were so sad. In an effort not to spoil the book, I'm not going to go into anymore detail with that. The pacing is quick, but not rushed. 


Until I Die is one of the best books I've read this year, and also one of the best follow-ups I've ever read. For those of you who have read Die for Me, this novel is not to be missed. For those of you who have yet to be introduced to this beautiful, rich, and tragic world that Plum has created, go pick up Die for Me now, that way you'll be ready for Until I Die when it comes out on May 8. You cannot miss this series!


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