What I most liked about this book was the alternate universe it takes place in. Imagine that Victorian England has just entered mourning for Prince Albert. Queen Victoria's grief has created a fashion for all things funerary, and the market for remembrances is expected to be big. Now imagine, that in this environment, the dead begin to rise. They threaten to overrun the living, and the only solution is for the wealthiest to take "The Cure." No, not the 80s British band. Those who have the money or influence or connections to do so become vampires. The undead (zombies) don't react to the dead(vampires), which turns the tide of the fight.So you've got this world where the majority of land is filled with zombies (or The Restless). You build a fence around greater London, and the part just inside the fence is a military-controlled zone that keeps the Restless out. Then another fence, and inside this fence live the Bright. These are humans. Working class people and the poor who can't or won't take The Cure. Then, safe in the middle, are the Young. These are vampires. And the story follows one of the Young, the last remaining murder investigator in an area where no one dies, on the day that a body is found near the Thames.Interesting, right? And I enjoyed the story well enough as a diversion. I would have liked further development of secondary characters, ideally, and I have to admit that I found the artwork a bit stilted. But the premise is great. An interesting take on both zombies and vampires. A rollickingly fun mash-up of zombies and an alternate past where the (d)eadwardian era never ends. The upper classes have all become vampires in order to stave off the zombie masses and keep civilization, well, civil. The zombies themselves take a back seat in what is essentially a murder mystery (although, there are very broad implications to the murder) overlaid with social commentary.It also looks at what it means to be human, as the vampire main character says (I'm paraphrasing here)- What is the point of having eternal life when all your drives and desires are snuffed out the instant you attain it?Above all it was good fun. Well written and some nice dialogue, good character development and dry humour. A few too many co-incidences but it doesn't spoil the story. Not my favourite style of art but I got used to it.
What do You think about The New Deadwardians (2013)?
Thoroughly enjoyable and well done combination of Edwardian England, Vampires and Zombies.
—vicky
Oi! Vampires, zombies, and humans in 19th century England. Oh, jolly good.
—Richard
