This story continues the adventures of Nora Dearly and her beloved zombie Bram Griswold. Tensions are very high between the normal humans and the intelligent zombies. We see the story from a variety of viewpoints. Nora and Bram take the lead as does Nora's friend Pamela, Michael the aristocrat boy who is obsessed with Nora, and Laura who is a young woman who is part of the new zombie packs. Vespertine, Nora's school rival and reluctant aristocrat, also takes the lead for a few chapters. Dr. Dearly is still trying to find a cure for "the Laz" and is working almost non-stop to do it. This is complicated by the recent discovery of a zombie with a new strain of the disease. The vaccinations that were supposed to make the human population more tolerant of the zombie population are not effective against the new strain. Then there are the roving bands of young aristocrats who are targeting zombies and zombie sympathizers while wearing bird masks to ratchet up the tension even more. Smoke, the zombie with the new strain of "the Laz," quickly becomes the target for all sides of this conflict. Dr. Dearly wants him for research, the army wants him dead, the pro-zombie forces want to save him just because he is a zombie, and some other shadowy entity wants him for unknown reasons. Needless to say, Nora and Bram are soon neck deep in protecting Smoke.This story is also a romance. While Nora and Bram are the most unlikely lovers, their love for each other is strong. Nora is a high class young lady who happens to be immune to "the Laz." Bram is lower class and from a Punk background. Then there is the whole zombie thing. Even the most cared for zombies have a limited time before the disease destroys them. Bram and Nora are looking at being able to be together for three years or less. The story is a complex one that is woven together by the various narrators. I thought it was fascinating. I love the combination of Victorian morals, fantastic devices, and zombies. The writing is compelling and engaging. The characters are all distinct individuals who have their own realistic motivations for their actions. I still don't know if I really understand Lord Allistair's role in the whole story. What is he really doing in his genetics laboratory? Did he create "the Laz"and, if so, why?I think young readers will enjoy this story. I can't wait to share it with them.
