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Parasol Protectorate #1-5
The Parasol Protectorate Boxed Set: Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless and Timeless
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.
Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.
With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
The Parasol Protectorate is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.
This boxed set includes the whole series: Soulless, Blameless, Changeless, Heartless, and Timeless.
Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.
With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
The Parasol Protectorate is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.
This boxed set includes the whole series: Soulless, Blameless, Changeless, Heartless, and Timeless.
1466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2012
598 people are currently reading
1189 people want to read
About the author
Gail Carriger
63 books15.4k followersGail Carriger writes comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance (and the sexy San Andreas Shifter series as G L Carriger). Her books include the Parasol Protectorate and the Finishing School series. She is published in many languages and has over a dozen NYT bestsellers. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea. Join the Chirrup for sneak peaks of upcoming giggles: http://gailcarriger.com/chirrup
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
April 12, 2021
I will give a review later.
July 1, 2017
Lizard: 4⋆.
Wombat: 5⋆.
Overall: 4.5⋆.
Wombat: 5⋆.
Overall: 4.5⋆.
March 23, 2015
Five Books and Five Stars
Best way to read the series, straight through all five books. I originally read these in paperback, but repurchased them for kindle. I just re-read them after the Finishing School Series and now am looking forward to the newest book, Prudence.
Carriger's dry humour and brilliant plotting knit together vampires, werewolves, Queen Victoria, Queen Hapshetsut, tea time, bustles, lethal parasols, aristocracy and knights Templars into a crazy quilt of danger and proper etiquette. Throw in a few mad scientists and you have a major Steampunk Classic.
Best way to read the series, straight through all five books. I originally read these in paperback, but repurchased them for kindle. I just re-read them after the Finishing School Series and now am looking forward to the newest book, Prudence.
Carriger's dry humour and brilliant plotting knit together vampires, werewolves, Queen Victoria, Queen Hapshetsut, tea time, bustles, lethal parasols, aristocracy and knights Templars into a crazy quilt of danger and proper etiquette. Throw in a few mad scientists and you have a major Steampunk Classic.
March 31, 2021
A most wonderful steampunk series full of delightful characters, fabulous banter, and desserts.
September 25, 2018
Loved all the books!
January 4, 2023
It's a great soft read for mystery and adventure. The first book especially is a cute slow-burn romance. While I didn't give the series a whole 5 stars, I would want to read more books like this as a break from the super emotionally-stirring books, you know?
I didn't realize that this series is the sequel series for Etiquette & Espionage. They're largely unrelated, but some characters from there appear here and I feel like I've missed out on some of those Easter egg moments I enjoy. As I never finished reading that series, I intend to rectify that immediately and have that "oh yeah, little do they know, in the future, this is what happens!"
Soulless : 3 stars
It's nothing on the plot, mind you. It reads like a more mature version of The Girl in the Steel Corset, when it sounds like...a white non-British author is trying to write a steamy romance novel set in the Victorian age, and then add in some trendy steampunk or supernatural conflict. It reads better than Kate Locke's, though, because the characters don't read as "pretentious", they read as "shy but sensible independent Victorian woman in fiction." Also the mystery portion is quite well-written.
In London, the supernatural society is well-integrated with human society. Werewolves, vampires, and ghosts find themselves living regular lives around the country and even have seats in Queen Victoria's Shadow Council. Monitored by the Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR), the supernatural creatures live in controlled hierarchies and relative harmony, outside of the usual gasps of scandal with their appearances and culture. Alexia Tarabotti is a contemporary spinster harboring a secret: she is a preternatural, a "soulless" being whose single touch nullifies the traits of a supernatural entity. In ancient times, her kind was inclined to hunt down the supernatural, but they numbered so few they are regarded as myth. Her identity is protected by BUR, and the established supernatural communities know not to cross her. Except, one larva vampire attacking her most indecently during a ball held by Duchess Snodgrove. BUR's investigations reveal that there are strange things happening all around the country, loner wolves and rove vampires disappearing, and newborns randomly appearing with no knowledge of etiquette or culture. A mysterious wax-faced man is hunting Alexia, but with her trusty brass parasol, Alexia is confident she can get to the bottom of this mystery.
With names like "Snodgrove" and "Hisselpenny", it's hard not to think that this book is written like a satire. So I'll read it like a satire-comedy. It's an interesting idea to tackle the outsider-vibes of a biracial woman in a society that discriminates against her skin color, and also adding on that other-ness of the supernatural races. It's not an issue that is explored as deeply, though the author clearly tries to put it at the forefront of the attraction between Alexia and Conall (stereotypically hot Alpha werewolf); the contrast between her independence and feminism and his traditional male upbringing in the Scottish Highlands.
Obviously, they're going to be together, but I think the way they suddenly fell through the romance was a bit abrupt on Alexia's edge. Suddenly "finding her femininity", where as Conall is doing a great job transitioning from denier to acknowledgement. If you ignore the fact that suddenly his "instinct" kicks in before a full-moon and he snogs her right there in the street. I'm not one for slow-burn, but I think slow-burn would be definitely warranted here.
Kinda hoping there's a baby in the next one...
Changeless : 5 stars
Frankly there's nothing I can really say badly about this book of the series. I've gotten used to the writing style, and in my understanding that Ivy Hisselpenny is meant to be a satirical caricature of Victorian perfect lady (minus the fashion sense), the story becomes exceedingly more tolerable and even enjoyable as Hisselpenny adds a greats contrasting aspect of feminity and sense to Alexia's preternaturalness sensibility and political position.
Lady Alexia Maccon is loving her life, married to her infuriatingly handsome werewolf husband who also happens to the earl and Alpha of Woolsey Castle, she has taken to her muhjah duties on Queen Victoria's Shadow Council swimmingly. The English regiments from abroad have returned to British soil, along with a mysterious phenomenon where parts of the city have had their supernatural abilities and essences nullified; vampires have lost their fangs, werewolves can't change, and ghosts are permanently exorcised. As the only known preternatural in London, Alexia naturally becomes the number one suspect. However, as the only known preternatural in London and has the best knowledge of science and supernatural topics, Alexia takes it upon herself to investigate why this phenomena appeared, and why it's moving North where her husband is taking care of an emergency with his old Scottish pack.
I still think it's weird that being a "soulless" preternatural basically makes it seem like Alexia has no emotional output sometimes, like saying how "she doesn't have the soul to appreciate art" or something like that, but otherwise this book largely focuses on the mysterious abilities of soul-sucking and how it's affecting the supernatural UK! Yet, she still has enough soul to love passionately and have a strong moral sense of code.
I have to admit, I was sort of surprised how deeply the regiment affects the storyline. Naturally, as a caricature of Victorian England, we have to remember the influence Queen Victoria had on the East India Company and its ventures in India and across the world. While the regiments can say that they "bought things legally", I think we should assume they "bought them legally" after they were looted by the sellers from the freaking pyramids. Don't mess with stuff you don't understand you old British nincompoops!
I want to see more hilarious travel stories. The dirigible felt very steampunk, carriages are always interesting transition vehicles, and the aetherograph? Which somehow transferred information from place to place on radio waves sort of like telephones, only I can't exactly grasp how the aetherograph is actually supposed to work? Please have more. I hope Alexia gets on installed in her castle and I hope we can see all the gossip she'll share with Lord Akeldama.
Conall, I'll be judging you going on into the third book.
Blameless : 4 stars
Trust Conall to pull an Edward Cullen new-father-horrifed-face *le gasp*. Alexia's taking her pregnancy in stride and it's not really stopping her from getting what she wants. Finally getting some Continent content, and the travel sounds way more interesting than whatever happened in Scotland and England before. They really should have gone on an overseas honeymoon or something!
Following her sister Felicity's blabbermouth leaking to the press about her pregnancy and being forced to leave Woolsey Castle, Alexia is forced to leave her parents' home as well so as not to "ruin her family's reputation" and also loses her position as the Queen's muhjah on her Shadow Council. Alexia attempts to find refuge at her good friend Lord Akeldama's estate, only to find it completely empty and a mysterious warning about embroidering Italians. Vampires start attacking her and without the protection of the Queen or the pack, Alexia is forced to rely on her "parasol protectorate" to protect her as she travels to the Italy for more information.
I have to keep reminding myself Alexia's family and Ivy are meant to be caricatures, because the amount of airheadedness it takes to blame your black sheep for "ruining your reputation" while being the ones to take the most advantage of her married title is monumental. It's even more irritating to see how the rest of high society women are on the Loontswill's side! Alexia is far ahead in the times, dealing with their ignorance and titters with the restraint of a seasoned politician. It's crises like this that make it glaringly obvious who her real friends are, and they really pull through.
On top of that, will we finally get more background about Italy and the Tarabottis? Maybe! Let's pretend this is the New Moon arc of this supernatural love story, when you realize there's a huge supernatural presence with a tight hold on its citizens via religious manipulation and superstition, housed in Italy. Because why not Italy.
I like how they consult actual biologists or evolutionarists or something in this book, whereas the previous ones focused on mechanics. It's another side of steampunk science that I think deserves a larger presence in steampunk historical fiction.
I appreciate how the author seems to have dropped the accented dialogue partway through, except in some introductions when it fully mattered. It would have been incredibly annoying to have to read through the Italians and Mme. Lefoux's dialogue with all the accents. Conall's is still accented because hawwwt! Everyone else, when the accented dialogue comes up, cringe...
Heartless : 3 stars
Well, it's dramatically exciting whereas I think I was craving an actionable exciting. The mystery is rather flat in this book, but the political implications are great and influential. Not exactly my favorite, but it serves a purpose without going full Breaking Dawn birth scene.
Alexia is eight months pregnant when her husband and closest supernatural friend stage an intervention to get her to solve their vampire assassination problem. In the middle of Alexia and Conall relocating to be Lord Akeldama's new next-door neighbors, a mysterious ghost appears right up from their sofa to deliver a nonsensical message about a conspiracy to kill the queen! As muhjah, Alexia is obligated to report this incident to the Shadow Council and get to the bottom of things. Madame Lefoux has been acting strangely lately, Biffy's still having trouble adjusting to werewolf immortality, and Alexia is stretched thin physically and mentally. This baby cannot get here late enough!
One thing I can say for this book, everything is appropriately hectic for a very pregnant woman in a position of great power and responsibility. There's less Loontwill and Hisselpenny/Tunstell in this book, but we still get their comedic input and chaotic interference; though, sadly, not to the same degree.
Felicity is acting weird. Just really, really weird. .
Meanwhile, Ivy is incredibly palatable. It's so sweet she and Tunstell got married and are happy together! And that she's discovered and invented hairmuffs basically making her an entrepreneur as well.
Madame Lefoux, Formerly Lefoux, Quesnel, why are the French so troublesome? Okay okay, caricaturing. First Angelique, now Lefoux? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Well, look where emotional instability and stress has gotten them. .
Speaking of that last spoiler, Vampires are punished for being childish, and werewolves are modernizing and being implicitly forced to have to take care not to wander around naked everywhere and observe societal niceties. Sort of a nice compromise? Next book will tell.
Timeless : 3 stars
The antics of little Prudence largely replace or substitute Ivy's role as main comic relief. Toddlers are cute, horrific, and make for great drama. Must be a nightmare raising a well-to-do young toddler with Alexia's disposition and Conall's jolliness, but Akeldama's doing some great work.
The oldest vampire alive, Queen Matakara of Alexandria, has extended an invitation to Alexia and her baby Prudence to visit her. Surprise surprise, she sired Akeldama! Now that most of the drama has died down concerning Prudence's living arrangements and metanatural state, it seems like an appropriate time for a real family vacation to the source of the God-Breaker Plague and Alessandro Tarabotti's last overseas destination.
We're taking a break from all of this political drama and now just doing a good old travel mystery where obviously someone get's kidnapped. I want to say it's a stunning conclusion, but really it's a great sort of "end of one cycle, start of another". We're closing off some of the leftover questions and secrets from the previous book, and with the changing times, setting up a nice world for Prudence to grow up in.
Spoiler section!
On another note, Alexia's mother's maiden name was Phinkerlington?! Okay I really need a whole story of how and why Alexia's parents got together, considering Alessandro's playboy attitude and Alexia's mother's distaste for non-British features and status. It has to be interesting. And, of course, about Alessandro and Lyall.
In knowing that there is another series about the children from the Parasol Protectorate, I hope we hear more about Felicity. She's a right bitch, I want to know how things are going on in the Loontwill home, how Evelyn's doing, and hope that Felicity gets a littttle more punishment.
I didn't realize that this series is the sequel series for Etiquette & Espionage. They're largely unrelated, but some characters from there appear here and I feel like I've missed out on some of those Easter egg moments I enjoy. As I never finished reading that series, I intend to rectify that immediately and have that "oh yeah, little do they know, in the future, this is what happens!"
Soulless : 3 stars
It's nothing on the plot, mind you. It reads like a more mature version of The Girl in the Steel Corset, when it sounds like...a white non-British author is trying to write a steamy romance novel set in the Victorian age, and then add in some trendy steampunk or supernatural conflict. It reads better than Kate Locke's, though, because the characters don't read as "pretentious", they read as "shy but sensible independent Victorian woman in fiction." Also the mystery portion is quite well-written.
In London, the supernatural society is well-integrated with human society. Werewolves, vampires, and ghosts find themselves living regular lives around the country and even have seats in Queen Victoria's Shadow Council. Monitored by the Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR), the supernatural creatures live in controlled hierarchies and relative harmony, outside of the usual gasps of scandal with their appearances and culture. Alexia Tarabotti is a contemporary spinster harboring a secret: she is a preternatural, a "soulless" being whose single touch nullifies the traits of a supernatural entity. In ancient times, her kind was inclined to hunt down the supernatural, but they numbered so few they are regarded as myth. Her identity is protected by BUR, and the established supernatural communities know not to cross her. Except, one larva vampire attacking her most indecently during a ball held by Duchess Snodgrove. BUR's investigations reveal that there are strange things happening all around the country, loner wolves and rove vampires disappearing, and newborns randomly appearing with no knowledge of etiquette or culture. A mysterious wax-faced man is hunting Alexia, but with her trusty brass parasol, Alexia is confident she can get to the bottom of this mystery.
With names like "Snodgrove" and "Hisselpenny", it's hard not to think that this book is written like a satire. So I'll read it like a satire-comedy. It's an interesting idea to tackle the outsider-vibes of a biracial woman in a society that discriminates against her skin color, and also adding on that other-ness of the supernatural races. It's not an issue that is explored as deeply, though the author clearly tries to put it at the forefront of the attraction between Alexia and Conall (stereotypically hot Alpha werewolf); the contrast between her independence and feminism and his traditional male upbringing in the Scottish Highlands.
Obviously, they're going to be together, but I think the way they suddenly fell through the romance was a bit abrupt on Alexia's edge. Suddenly "finding her femininity", where as Conall is doing a great job transitioning from denier to acknowledgement. If you ignore the fact that suddenly his "instinct" kicks in before a full-moon and he snogs her right there in the street. I'm not one for slow-burn, but I think slow-burn would be definitely warranted here.
Kinda hoping there's a baby in the next one...
Changeless : 5 stars
Frankly there's nothing I can really say badly about this book of the series. I've gotten used to the writing style, and in my understanding that Ivy Hisselpenny is meant to be a satirical caricature of Victorian perfect lady (minus the fashion sense), the story becomes exceedingly more tolerable and even enjoyable as Hisselpenny adds a greats contrasting aspect of feminity and sense to Alexia's preternaturalness sensibility and political position.
Lady Alexia Maccon is loving her life, married to her infuriatingly handsome werewolf husband who also happens to the earl and Alpha of Woolsey Castle, she has taken to her muhjah duties on Queen Victoria's Shadow Council swimmingly. The English regiments from abroad have returned to British soil, along with a mysterious phenomenon where parts of the city have had their supernatural abilities and essences nullified; vampires have lost their fangs, werewolves can't change, and ghosts are permanently exorcised. As the only known preternatural in London, Alexia naturally becomes the number one suspect. However, as the only known preternatural in London and has the best knowledge of science and supernatural topics, Alexia takes it upon herself to investigate why this phenomena appeared, and why it's moving North where her husband is taking care of an emergency with his old Scottish pack.
I still think it's weird that being a "soulless" preternatural basically makes it seem like Alexia has no emotional output sometimes, like saying how "she doesn't have the soul to appreciate art" or something like that, but otherwise this book largely focuses on the mysterious abilities of soul-sucking and how it's affecting the supernatural UK! Yet, she still has enough soul to love passionately and have a strong moral sense of code.
I have to admit, I was sort of surprised how deeply the regiment affects the storyline. Naturally, as a caricature of Victorian England, we have to remember the influence Queen Victoria had on the East India Company and its ventures in India and across the world. While the regiments can say that they "bought things legally", I think we should assume they "bought them legally" after they were looted by the sellers from the freaking pyramids. Don't mess with stuff you don't understand you old British nincompoops!
I want to see more hilarious travel stories. The dirigible felt very steampunk, carriages are always interesting transition vehicles, and the aetherograph? Which somehow transferred information from place to place on radio waves sort of like telephones, only I can't exactly grasp how the aetherograph is actually supposed to work? Please have more. I hope Alexia gets on installed in her castle and I hope we can see all the gossip she'll share with Lord Akeldama.
Conall, I'll be judging you going on into the third book.
Blameless : 4 stars
Trust Conall to pull an Edward Cullen new-father-horrifed-face *le gasp*. Alexia's taking her pregnancy in stride and it's not really stopping her from getting what she wants. Finally getting some Continent content, and the travel sounds way more interesting than whatever happened in Scotland and England before. They really should have gone on an overseas honeymoon or something!
Following her sister Felicity's blabbermouth leaking to the press about her pregnancy and being forced to leave Woolsey Castle, Alexia is forced to leave her parents' home as well so as not to "ruin her family's reputation" and also loses her position as the Queen's muhjah on her Shadow Council. Alexia attempts to find refuge at her good friend Lord Akeldama's estate, only to find it completely empty and a mysterious warning about embroidering Italians. Vampires start attacking her and without the protection of the Queen or the pack, Alexia is forced to rely on her "parasol protectorate" to protect her as she travels to the Italy for more information.
I have to keep reminding myself Alexia's family and Ivy are meant to be caricatures, because the amount of airheadedness it takes to blame your black sheep for "ruining your reputation" while being the ones to take the most advantage of her married title is monumental. It's even more irritating to see how the rest of high society women are on the Loontswill's side! Alexia is far ahead in the times, dealing with their ignorance and titters with the restraint of a seasoned politician. It's crises like this that make it glaringly obvious who her real friends are, and they really pull through.
On top of that, will we finally get more background about Italy and the Tarabottis? Maybe! Let's pretend this is the New Moon arc of this supernatural love story, when you realize there's a huge supernatural presence with a tight hold on its citizens via religious manipulation and superstition, housed in Italy. Because why not Italy.
I like how they consult actual biologists or evolutionarists or something in this book, whereas the previous ones focused on mechanics. It's another side of steampunk science that I think deserves a larger presence in steampunk historical fiction.
I appreciate how the author seems to have dropped the accented dialogue partway through, except in some introductions when it fully mattered. It would have been incredibly annoying to have to read through the Italians and Mme. Lefoux's dialogue with all the accents. Conall's is still accented because hawwwt! Everyone else, when the accented dialogue comes up, cringe...
Heartless : 3 stars
Well, it's dramatically exciting whereas I think I was craving an actionable exciting. The mystery is rather flat in this book, but the political implications are great and influential. Not exactly my favorite, but it serves a purpose without going full Breaking Dawn birth scene.
Alexia is eight months pregnant when her husband and closest supernatural friend stage an intervention to get her to solve their vampire assassination problem. In the middle of Alexia and Conall relocating to be Lord Akeldama's new next-door neighbors, a mysterious ghost appears right up from their sofa to deliver a nonsensical message about a conspiracy to kill the queen! As muhjah, Alexia is obligated to report this incident to the Shadow Council and get to the bottom of things. Madame Lefoux has been acting strangely lately, Biffy's still having trouble adjusting to werewolf immortality, and Alexia is stretched thin physically and mentally. This baby cannot get here late enough!
One thing I can say for this book, everything is appropriately hectic for a very pregnant woman in a position of great power and responsibility. There's less Loontwill and Hisselpenny/Tunstell in this book, but we still get their comedic input and chaotic interference; though, sadly, not to the same degree.
Felicity is acting weird. Just really, really weird. .
Meanwhile, Ivy is incredibly palatable. It's so sweet she and Tunstell got married and are happy together! And that she's discovered and invented hairmuffs basically making her an entrepreneur as well.
Madame Lefoux, Formerly Lefoux, Quesnel, why are the French so troublesome? Okay okay, caricaturing. First Angelique, now Lefoux? Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Well, look where emotional instability and stress has gotten them. .
Speaking of that last spoiler, Vampires are punished for being childish, and werewolves are modernizing and being implicitly forced to have to take care not to wander around naked everywhere and observe societal niceties. Sort of a nice compromise? Next book will tell.
Timeless : 3 stars
The antics of little Prudence largely replace or substitute Ivy's role as main comic relief. Toddlers are cute, horrific, and make for great drama. Must be a nightmare raising a well-to-do young toddler with Alexia's disposition and Conall's jolliness, but Akeldama's doing some great work.
The oldest vampire alive, Queen Matakara of Alexandria, has extended an invitation to Alexia and her baby Prudence to visit her. Surprise surprise, she sired Akeldama! Now that most of the drama has died down concerning Prudence's living arrangements and metanatural state, it seems like an appropriate time for a real family vacation to the source of the God-Breaker Plague and Alessandro Tarabotti's last overseas destination.
We're taking a break from all of this political drama and now just doing a good old travel mystery where obviously someone get's kidnapped. I want to say it's a stunning conclusion, but really it's a great sort of "end of one cycle, start of another". We're closing off some of the leftover questions and secrets from the previous book, and with the changing times, setting up a nice world for Prudence to grow up in.
Spoiler section!
On another note, Alexia's mother's maiden name was Phinkerlington?! Okay I really need a whole story of how and why Alexia's parents got together, considering Alessandro's playboy attitude and Alexia's mother's distaste for non-British features and status. It has to be interesting. And, of course, about Alessandro and Lyall.
In knowing that there is another series about the children from the Parasol Protectorate, I hope we hear more about Felicity. She's a right bitch, I want to know how things are going on in the Loontwill home, how Evelyn's doing, and hope that Felicity gets a littttle more punishment.
February 23, 2017
If you loved pride and prejudice and zombies, you'll love this series. It features a kick-ass Victorian woman with a great sense of humor, vampires, werewolves, and a grand adventure. Loved this series.
August 15, 2017
The Parasol Protectorate series is a positively wonderful steampunk read. It has everything you could hope for from a book in this genre – action, mystery, humour, romance, and more. It keeps you addicted throughout, each book leaving you curious as to what will come next.
It’s one of those easy read series. None of the books can be considered heavy, each being a light read. They’re great for when you want a break from books requiring lots of attention.
Without a doubt, one of the most addictive series I’ve read in a long time. Well worth the read for fans of steampunk.
It’s one of those easy read series. None of the books can be considered heavy, each being a light read. They’re great for when you want a break from books requiring lots of attention.
Without a doubt, one of the most addictive series I’ve read in a long time. Well worth the read for fans of steampunk.
August 12, 2018
Shallow and silly. Complete waste of time.
October 13, 2018
Summary: These books take place in an AU Victorian England, in which vampires, werewolves, and mad scientists are accepted elements of high society. The protagonist, Alexia Tarabotti, has an ability which enables her to (temporarily) strip supernatural beings of their power when she touches them, and a tendency to get involved in other people’s business. The result is five books’ worth of adventures in Britain, Europe, and Egypt.
That description sounds bland, but what makes the series non-bland is all the eccentric characters who Alexia (herself quite eccentric) has her adventures with: a lord who is also a werewolf and also an adorable lummox, a genius lady inventor and her ghost mentor, the most fashionable vampire in all of London and his menage of handsome young men, a butler with a mysterious past, an airheaded best friend with hidden depths, and more. There’s fashion, romance, mysteries, humor, airships, explosions, and a rampaging mechanical octopus (that’s in Book 4 IIRC). Everything is done with style and aplomb, up to and including whacking miscreants up the head with high-tech parasols.
Thoughts: I thought these books were delightful. I read on Carriger’s blog that she thinks of her books as “cupcakes,” and I think that is apt metaphor, provided you are talking about gourmet cupcakes and not, like, crappy mass-produced ones. They are tasty and pleasant, without much nutritional value, and eating them made me happy and want to eat/read more. They’re fun, and while bad things occasionally happen to likable characters (gotta motivate adventures somehow), the narrative doesn’t dwell on horrible things, but on how the characters recover and save the day. Perfect for escapism.
An thing of note is that (depending how you count “major”) at least half the major characters in the series are gay, lesbian, or bisexual (including the main protagonist, who is bi). That is pretty remarkable for a mainstream fantasy series. (“New York Times Bestselling” counts as mainstream, right?) I wasn’t keeping tabs while I read, I only noticed the remarkable number of LGB characters when I started writing this up. In the books, Victorian society in general is not vastly more accepting than it was in actual history, but the supernatural sub-society is.
Escapist Rating: 4/4
Recommended for: People looking for well-written light entertainment, People who like stories with positively portrayed LGB characters, People who like a bit of romance in their madcap adventures, People who think that it’s not enough to just kick ass: one should look good while doing it.
Dis-Recommended for: People who think Steampunk or Urban Fantasy should be all Serious Business, People who need some grimdark mixed in with their escapism, People for whom period-appropriate unexamined admiration of the British Empire by British characters is a dealbreaker, Homophobic People.
That description sounds bland, but what makes the series non-bland is all the eccentric characters who Alexia (herself quite eccentric) has her adventures with: a lord who is also a werewolf and also an adorable lummox, a genius lady inventor and her ghost mentor, the most fashionable vampire in all of London and his menage of handsome young men, a butler with a mysterious past, an airheaded best friend with hidden depths, and more. There’s fashion, romance, mysteries, humor, airships, explosions, and a rampaging mechanical octopus (that’s in Book 4 IIRC). Everything is done with style and aplomb, up to and including whacking miscreants up the head with high-tech parasols.
Thoughts: I thought these books were delightful. I read on Carriger’s blog that she thinks of her books as “cupcakes,” and I think that is apt metaphor, provided you are talking about gourmet cupcakes and not, like, crappy mass-produced ones. They are tasty and pleasant, without much nutritional value, and eating them made me happy and want to eat/read more. They’re fun, and while bad things occasionally happen to likable characters (gotta motivate adventures somehow), the narrative doesn’t dwell on horrible things, but on how the characters recover and save the day. Perfect for escapism.
An thing of note is that (depending how you count “major”) at least half the major characters in the series are gay, lesbian, or bisexual (including the main protagonist, who is bi). That is pretty remarkable for a mainstream fantasy series. (“New York Times Bestselling” counts as mainstream, right?) I wasn’t keeping tabs while I read, I only noticed the remarkable number of LGB characters when I started writing this up. In the books, Victorian society in general is not vastly more accepting than it was in actual history, but the supernatural sub-society is.
Escapist Rating: 4/4
Recommended for: People looking for well-written light entertainment, People who like stories with positively portrayed LGB characters, People who like a bit of romance in their madcap adventures, People who think that it’s not enough to just kick ass: one should look good while doing it.
Dis-Recommended for: People who think Steampunk or Urban Fantasy should be all Serious Business, People who need some grimdark mixed in with their escapism, People for whom period-appropriate unexamined admiration of the British Empire by British characters is a dealbreaker, Homophobic People.
Read
May 17, 2019Consisting of: Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, and Timeless
Soulless:
Wielding her silver-tipped parasol, Alexia Tarabotti lives in Victorian England...with a paranormal twist. Unlike in America, the paranormals have made themselves a part of Victorian society. Werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and their retinues are all around, but when they start disappearing, Queen Victoria sends Lord Maccon to investigate. Being the alpha of his werewolf pack, he's a bit more adjusted...he can tolerate more like a human, waiting till the last minute to be locked up for the full moon transformation. Alexia Tarabotti is not a werewolf...or vampire...or any "normal" paranormal. She is soulless; she can undo the effects of paranormalcy merely with her touch (even through gloves). She and Maccon uncover the scientists who are kidnapping and studying the paranormals, and they take them down with some difficulty.
Changeless:
Lord and Lady Maccon hit the road, albeit separately, but with the same destination: Scotland, or more specifically, Lord Maccon's former pack's HQ. They've been without an alpha male for too long, and they need reining in. Lord Maccon's great-great (maybe another great? I can't remember) granddaughter is there, but he refuses to change her, so she's alpha but alpha human, which really isn't the same. En route to the castle, Alexia and her entourage (for Ivy, Felicity, Angelique, and Tunstall tag along) hit a few snags on their dirigible, fending off an attack that leaves Alexia hanging off the side of the dirigible. A new character, Madame Lefoux, and a new parasol, a gift from Lord Maccon and made by Madame Lefoux, are a large part of the plot.
As in Book 1, Lord Akeldama plays a significant role, though he's barely in the story this time around. The reader can almost see him putting his fingers together as he grins in the background.
Professor Lyall barely rears his head, but tangentially, he plays a large role, preventing the transmission of a message from a spy to the vampires.
I found this to be more Alexia's book. As such, Lord Maccon's more of a background figure, which was a change from Book 1. Not sure if that'll continue through the series. I thought the banter between Lord and Lady Maccon was quite effective in bringing humor to the story. Still, Carriger's humor shows through in little snippets throughout. Also, the steampunk is interesting. The dart guns, the transmitting devices, even the dirigibles are fascinating but fit right in here in the setting Carriger sets forth for the reader.
Significant cliffhanger. Thank goodness I have the series at hand to continue and don't have to wait for the next one to come out. Now to find the time to read it...
Blameless:
The one in which homicidal mechanical ladybugs come after Lady Maccon. Also, the one where the name Parasol Protectorate originates, care of Lord Maccon.
London's vampires (in fact, perhaps, all the world's vampires) want Lady Maccon dead, and without the protection of the Woolsey pack, she's in imminent danger. Thank goodness Professor Lyall keeps his head, Floote is devoted to the Tarabotti line, and Madame Lefoux remains steadfastly in Alexia's corner. Miss Hisslepenny takes over the hat shop (much to Lefoux's chagrin), but Akeldama, however, is missing, though he leaves Alexia a cryptic clue. The trio hits the road; they seek out the Templars in Italy (land of PESTO), who may hold the answers in their ancient tomes, but it turns out they also have nefarious motives for inviting her in. Just in the nick of time (much too convenient, if you ask this reader, but who really cares), Lord Maccon arrives to finish saving the day, aiding (not aided by but aiding) Lefoux and Floote in their protection of Lady Maccon.
Favorite made-up word: parassault...assault by parasol, of course ;)
Just as witty as the previous entries in the series. Either Carriger always thinks like this or she whipped out this entire series in one fell swoop. If you're reading this series for the romance, you'll be disappointed...Connall is ridiculous and their separation herein wears on Alexia, pulling her between being upset with him to missing him terribly. I don't think anyone's reading this series solely for the romance, though...
Heartless:
The Maccons move into Lord Akeldama's closet to take the vampires off Lady Maccon's tail, as they seem intent on killing her infant inconvenience.
Madame Lefoux shows up, but not much yet. She's a bit melancholy, as her son didn't make it home from school this time around (maybe too busy?) and Former Lefouxis on the edge of turning over.
Alexia's sister Felicity has joined a political movement (National Society for Women's Suffrage), so she has moved in with the Maccons temporarily so she can more easily pursue her suffragette cause.
When a ghost tells Alexia of a plot on the queen, she sends Ivy (the former Miss Hisslepenny) to Scotland to scrounge up the background story on the last plot against the queen, perpetrated by Lord Maccon's former pack. (SPOILER ALERT...Alexia assumes it's the royal monarch, but that's not the queen they're discussing). Lots going on here...Madame Lefoux may or may have lost her mind, rampaging about London in her woman-made octomaton in order to get her son (well, not hers, per se) back from the vampires, who acquired him through his mom's will; Alexia goes into labor on a wild carriage ride and ends up giving birth in the midst of chaos (how else would she, really?); and Alexia accidentally gives away Woolsey Castle to the vampires, requiring the relocation of the pack to London and the (almost) banishment of the vampires out of London, much to Akeldama's delight.
Best description I've read in the series: "Lady Maccon took a moment to allow the wash of Ivy's chatter to cascade over her much in the manner that dandelion seeds fly on the winds of inconsequentiality."
Also, best double entendre in describing the chaos in Madame LeFoux's hat shop: "The hats, suspended on their long cords from the ceiling, swayed to and fro, but without imparting their usual aura of undersea calm. There was too much clatter and bustle (in both senses of the word) for that" (2109)
I really quite like the chapter titles in this series...
Timeless
The mystery of the Scotland pack continues, but Lady Maccon is settling in as houseguest in a vampire's abode and mother to a supernatural who turns at the slightest touch. Ivy Tunstell's troupe is putting on a play, thanks to Lady Maccon's purse, but it's not a fantastic hit. When Lady Maccon - well, really her daughter - gets a summons to Alexandria from Queen Matakara, vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive, Alexia decides to make a trip of it; under the guise of taking the play on the road, Lord and Lady Maccon, Prudence, the Tunstells, the entire troupe, and even Madame Lefoux hit the - er - water and take a steamer to Alexandria, where they're welcomed at the port but really don't quite fit in. There's a kidnapping (of the wrong person, of course), several all-out fights (with potentially lethal consequences), and piles of nonsense that could only happen around Alexia.
Meanwhile, Professor Lyall, Biffy, and Floote remain behind, managing the Woolsey clan, researching the expansion of the God-Breaker Plague, and also just carrying on with life in general. In fact, Biffy turns out to have supernatural powers not even Lyall has, which manifest after the two become rather close and Lyall's life is in danger from his actions in Scotland many years ago.
"In Alexia, concern, nine times out of ten, came out of her mouth as annoyance." That about sums her up, don't you think?
Soulless:
Wielding her silver-tipped parasol, Alexia Tarabotti lives in Victorian England...with a paranormal twist. Unlike in America, the paranormals have made themselves a part of Victorian society. Werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and their retinues are all around, but when they start disappearing, Queen Victoria sends Lord Maccon to investigate. Being the alpha of his werewolf pack, he's a bit more adjusted...he can tolerate more like a human, waiting till the last minute to be locked up for the full moon transformation. Alexia Tarabotti is not a werewolf...or vampire...or any "normal" paranormal. She is soulless; she can undo the effects of paranormalcy merely with her touch (even through gloves). She and Maccon uncover the scientists who are kidnapping and studying the paranormals, and they take them down with some difficulty.
Changeless:
Lord and Lady Maccon hit the road, albeit separately, but with the same destination: Scotland, or more specifically, Lord Maccon's former pack's HQ. They've been without an alpha male for too long, and they need reining in. Lord Maccon's great-great (maybe another great? I can't remember) granddaughter is there, but he refuses to change her, so she's alpha but alpha human, which really isn't the same. En route to the castle, Alexia and her entourage (for Ivy, Felicity, Angelique, and Tunstall tag along) hit a few snags on their dirigible, fending off an attack that leaves Alexia hanging off the side of the dirigible. A new character, Madame Lefoux, and a new parasol, a gift from Lord Maccon and made by Madame Lefoux, are a large part of the plot.
As in Book 1, Lord Akeldama plays a significant role, though he's barely in the story this time around. The reader can almost see him putting his fingers together as he grins in the background.
Professor Lyall barely rears his head, but tangentially, he plays a large role, preventing the transmission of a message from a spy to the vampires.
I found this to be more Alexia's book. As such, Lord Maccon's more of a background figure, which was a change from Book 1. Not sure if that'll continue through the series. I thought the banter between Lord and Lady Maccon was quite effective in bringing humor to the story. Still, Carriger's humor shows through in little snippets throughout. Also, the steampunk is interesting. The dart guns, the transmitting devices, even the dirigibles are fascinating but fit right in here in the setting Carriger sets forth for the reader.
Significant cliffhanger. Thank goodness I have the series at hand to continue and don't have to wait for the next one to come out. Now to find the time to read it...
Blameless:
The one in which homicidal mechanical ladybugs come after Lady Maccon. Also, the one where the name Parasol Protectorate originates, care of Lord Maccon.
London's vampires (in fact, perhaps, all the world's vampires) want Lady Maccon dead, and without the protection of the Woolsey pack, she's in imminent danger. Thank goodness Professor Lyall keeps his head, Floote is devoted to the Tarabotti line, and Madame Lefoux remains steadfastly in Alexia's corner. Miss Hisslepenny takes over the hat shop (much to Lefoux's chagrin), but Akeldama, however, is missing, though he leaves Alexia a cryptic clue. The trio hits the road; they seek out the Templars in Italy (land of PESTO), who may hold the answers in their ancient tomes, but it turns out they also have nefarious motives for inviting her in. Just in the nick of time (much too convenient, if you ask this reader, but who really cares), Lord Maccon arrives to finish saving the day, aiding (not aided by but aiding) Lefoux and Floote in their protection of Lady Maccon.
Favorite made-up word: parassault...assault by parasol, of course ;)
Just as witty as the previous entries in the series. Either Carriger always thinks like this or she whipped out this entire series in one fell swoop. If you're reading this series for the romance, you'll be disappointed...Connall is ridiculous and their separation herein wears on Alexia, pulling her between being upset with him to missing him terribly. I don't think anyone's reading this series solely for the romance, though...
Heartless:
The Maccons move into Lord Akeldama's closet to take the vampires off Lady Maccon's tail, as they seem intent on killing her infant inconvenience.
Madame Lefoux shows up, but not much yet. She's a bit melancholy, as her son didn't make it home from school this time around (maybe too busy?) and Former Lefouxis on the edge of turning over.
Alexia's sister Felicity has joined a political movement (National Society for Women's Suffrage), so she has moved in with the Maccons temporarily so she can more easily pursue her suffragette cause.
When a ghost tells Alexia of a plot on the queen, she sends Ivy (the former Miss Hisslepenny) to Scotland to scrounge up the background story on the last plot against the queen, perpetrated by Lord Maccon's former pack. (SPOILER ALERT...Alexia assumes it's the royal monarch, but that's not the queen they're discussing). Lots going on here...Madame Lefoux may or may have lost her mind, rampaging about London in her woman-made octomaton in order to get her son (well, not hers, per se) back from the vampires, who acquired him through his mom's will; Alexia goes into labor on a wild carriage ride and ends up giving birth in the midst of chaos (how else would she, really?); and Alexia accidentally gives away Woolsey Castle to the vampires, requiring the relocation of the pack to London and the (almost) banishment of the vampires out of London, much to Akeldama's delight.
Best description I've read in the series: "Lady Maccon took a moment to allow the wash of Ivy's chatter to cascade over her much in the manner that dandelion seeds fly on the winds of inconsequentiality."
Also, best double entendre in describing the chaos in Madame LeFoux's hat shop: "The hats, suspended on their long cords from the ceiling, swayed to and fro, but without imparting their usual aura of undersea calm. There was too much clatter and bustle (in both senses of the word) for that" (2109)
I really quite like the chapter titles in this series...
Timeless
The mystery of the Scotland pack continues, but Lady Maccon is settling in as houseguest in a vampire's abode and mother to a supernatural who turns at the slightest touch. Ivy Tunstell's troupe is putting on a play, thanks to Lady Maccon's purse, but it's not a fantastic hit. When Lady Maccon - well, really her daughter - gets a summons to Alexandria from Queen Matakara, vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive, Alexia decides to make a trip of it; under the guise of taking the play on the road, Lord and Lady Maccon, Prudence, the Tunstells, the entire troupe, and even Madame Lefoux hit the - er - water and take a steamer to Alexandria, where they're welcomed at the port but really don't quite fit in. There's a kidnapping (of the wrong person, of course), several all-out fights (with potentially lethal consequences), and piles of nonsense that could only happen around Alexia.
Meanwhile, Professor Lyall, Biffy, and Floote remain behind, managing the Woolsey clan, researching the expansion of the God-Breaker Plague, and also just carrying on with life in general. In fact, Biffy turns out to have supernatural powers not even Lyall has, which manifest after the two become rather close and Lyall's life is in danger from his actions in Scotland many years ago.
"In Alexia, concern, nine times out of ten, came out of her mouth as annoyance." That about sums her up, don't you think?
October 6, 2017
This is a tough one. On the one hand, I love the setting, and the plot is fun and kept me engaged throughout the series. Throw in a heroine who I adore for the get-go, a love interest who I found immediately appealing, and you have a recipe for true book-love.
With that said (and this is the same issue I had with the first two books of the Custard Protocol series), I had a tough time buying into the main characters and their love interests actually being in love. We're told they are, and in this series at least, their falling in love is believable...but they continually and deliberately keep secrets from one another, and, (spoilers ahead) when Lord Maccon, upon realizing that Alexis is pregnant (allow me to point out, this is after he's sprung and old pack, and an adult, living many-great granddaughter on her without any preparation...and with full knowledge that she is a very rare preternatural and therefore potentially unique woman to be married to), immediately rejects her out of hand, publicly and without even giving her any chance to defend herself (for someone who claimed to love her, and knowing that she is typically disinclined to lie, even when inconvenient...this just seemed to be such a betrayal of her faith in him), and then he abandons her, leaving her completely vulnerable (sending another wolf to protect her, some time after the fact as he continues to leave her running around with vampires trying to kill her seemed like too little too late), and I felt like they just breezed through resolving it as if that was perfectly okay, when he finally shows up ages later. Alexia's asking for expensive things to 'make up for it's just made it feel trite, and as though she wasn't deserving of a partner who at least gives her the benefit of the doubt.
Similar issues with no one really being trustworthy as a whole made it hard to really buy into the bonds of friendship and love that are integral to my really connecting & falling in love with more of the characters in an otherwise fantastic series.
With that said, as a counterpoint, part of what keeps me reading more of her books is that so many of those peripheral characters are quirky and fun, and clearly have their own motivations and priorities...so I have to give it four stars, and will definitely keep reading her books :)
With that said (and this is the same issue I had with the first two books of the Custard Protocol series), I had a tough time buying into the main characters and their love interests actually being in love. We're told they are, and in this series at least, their falling in love is believable...but they continually and deliberately keep secrets from one another, and, (spoilers ahead) when Lord Maccon, upon realizing that Alexis is pregnant (allow me to point out, this is after he's sprung and old pack, and an adult, living many-great granddaughter on her without any preparation...and with full knowledge that she is a very rare preternatural and therefore potentially unique woman to be married to), immediately rejects her out of hand, publicly and without even giving her any chance to defend herself (for someone who claimed to love her, and knowing that she is typically disinclined to lie, even when inconvenient...this just seemed to be such a betrayal of her faith in him), and then he abandons her, leaving her completely vulnerable (sending another wolf to protect her, some time after the fact as he continues to leave her running around with vampires trying to kill her seemed like too little too late), and I felt like they just breezed through resolving it as if that was perfectly okay, when he finally shows up ages later. Alexia's asking for expensive things to 'make up for it's just made it feel trite, and as though she wasn't deserving of a partner who at least gives her the benefit of the doubt.
Similar issues with no one really being trustworthy as a whole made it hard to really buy into the bonds of friendship and love that are integral to my really connecting & falling in love with more of the characters in an otherwise fantastic series.
With that said, as a counterpoint, part of what keeps me reading more of her books is that so many of those peripheral characters are quirky and fun, and clearly have their own motivations and priorities...so I have to give it four stars, and will definitely keep reading her books :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2022
This review is for the entire box set of novels: Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless and Timeless.
The strengths: witty turns of phrase, the humorous dramatic irony between the point of view characters’ obsession with Victorian propriety and fashion faux pas in the face of mortal peril, the romance plots, the overall whimsy.
The mixed: The romance plots only really work when there is romantic tension, which is considerably lessened when the romantic leads in the first novel get together. After that, they may have their tensions and occasional dramatic separations, but it doesn’t carry the same frisson. If I were rating only the first book, I’d give it 4 stars, precisely because it works so well as an action romance. It even has, dare I say it, erotic moments, though not explicit.
In the later books there are romances between secondary characters, but we only really get the outside view. I’d probably be pretty happy reading books dedicated entirely to the romance plots of those gay paranormal couples. But I understand that’s not what these books were trying to be.
The action plots on the other hand are never as strong. They work as action-romance quite well, but when they take center stage they can’t quite carry the whole structure as well, and often rely on surprise reveals.
The fashion descriptions are fun in small doses, but sometimes left me confused about what I was supposed to imagine. I understand there’s a manga adaptation, which I bet would be fun for that.
The weaknesses: After the first book, Alexia does not grow as a character. In the first book, she finds confidence in herself and her power, but after that, she’s changeless. She has adventures, makes amazing discoveries, is betrayed, becomes a parent, and still, she does not change. She’s a fun character, I mean, I read 5 novels about her, but without character growth it feels unsatisfying. The other elements aren’t strong enough to make for that. And they could. I’m not a stickler for character growth as an absolute requirement: Bertie Wooster doesn’t grow but we forgive Wodehouse because the humor carries the books.
My recommendation: Definitely read Soulless. Read the rest if you enjoy the witty language, or just can’t get enough of supernatural steampunk.
The strengths: witty turns of phrase, the humorous dramatic irony between the point of view characters’ obsession with Victorian propriety and fashion faux pas in the face of mortal peril, the romance plots, the overall whimsy.
The mixed: The romance plots only really work when there is romantic tension, which is considerably lessened when the romantic leads in the first novel get together. After that, they may have their tensions and occasional dramatic separations, but it doesn’t carry the same frisson. If I were rating only the first book, I’d give it 4 stars, precisely because it works so well as an action romance. It even has, dare I say it, erotic moments, though not explicit.
In the later books there are romances between secondary characters, but we only really get the outside view. I’d probably be pretty happy reading books dedicated entirely to the romance plots of those gay paranormal couples. But I understand that’s not what these books were trying to be.
The action plots on the other hand are never as strong. They work as action-romance quite well, but when they take center stage they can’t quite carry the whole structure as well, and often rely on surprise reveals.
The fashion descriptions are fun in small doses, but sometimes left me confused about what I was supposed to imagine. I understand there’s a manga adaptation, which I bet would be fun for that.
The weaknesses: After the first book, Alexia does not grow as a character. In the first book, she finds confidence in herself and her power, but after that, she’s changeless. She has adventures, makes amazing discoveries, is betrayed, becomes a parent, and still, she does not change. She’s a fun character, I mean, I read 5 novels about her, but without character growth it feels unsatisfying. The other elements aren’t strong enough to make for that. And they could. I’m not a stickler for character growth as an absolute requirement: Bertie Wooster doesn’t grow but we forgive Wodehouse because the humor carries the books.
My recommendation: Definitely read Soulless. Read the rest if you enjoy the witty language, or just can’t get enough of supernatural steampunk.
June 9, 2019
I've read and reviewed all five books collected here separately, so this is basically just for my own records. The collection rating is an average of the individual ratings, and not a very difficult one at that. Basically, all of the books earned 3 stars from me, with the exception of Heartless, which got 2.5 rounded up to 3 because Goodreads does not traffic in half-stars.
Look, it's a fun series. Absolutely undemanding, but you know, not everything has to be a challenge to consume; sometimes I just want literary popcorn. Light and fluffy, and this series absolutely succeeds there. It's also got interesting world-building and a very strong cast of secondary characters (who are frequently more entertaining than the protagonist, herself likeable enough). The tone is for the most part amusingly flippant, though this does upon occasion get pushed to the ridiculous and undermines any attempt to take more serious plot points seriously. The biggest problem, for me, was the romance. (The first book's really the only one I classified as "paranormal romance", although the relationship continues throughout.) I had the same problem with Carriger's Finishing School prequel series. I seem to find her romances terribly unconvincing. Still, I just rolled my eyes and went on with it, because the books are likeable, frothy fun even so.
Look, it's a fun series. Absolutely undemanding, but you know, not everything has to be a challenge to consume; sometimes I just want literary popcorn. Light and fluffy, and this series absolutely succeeds there. It's also got interesting world-building and a very strong cast of secondary characters (who are frequently more entertaining than the protagonist, herself likeable enough). The tone is for the most part amusingly flippant, though this does upon occasion get pushed to the ridiculous and undermines any attempt to take more serious plot points seriously. The biggest problem, for me, was the romance. (The first book's really the only one I classified as "paranormal romance", although the relationship continues throughout.) I had the same problem with Carriger's Finishing School prequel series. I seem to find her romances terribly unconvincing. Still, I just rolled my eyes and went on with it, because the books are likeable, frothy fun even so.
April 28, 2020
Awesome Series
Five books in this boxset. All follow the adult life of Alexis Tarrabotti, soon to become Lady Alexis Maccon. In the first book we learn Alexis is a spinster. Her father died when she was an infant. Her mother remarried and had 2 more daughters. Alexis is half Italian, thus has darker skin and a larger nose than her fair mother and half sisters. Alexis is treated as if she was severely lacking, so much so she is not allowed a coming out season and told she is to be a spinster. That is how she was raised. But Alexis is very bright, and makes the most of her life. Then in her mid 20's she meets Lord Conal Maccon, a Scottish Earl and the alpha of the local London werewolf pack. He is considered highly eligible and sought after. There starts Alexia's adventures. For Alexia has the very rare gift of causing paranormals to turn human at her touch. Her new husband works in London government investigating paranormal criminals. Each book has some mysterious plot going on to topple the queen, or eradicate all paranormals, etc. Each book has a complete story, but new elements or characters are added to bring additional depth to a book. It was fascinating. I binge read the five books in this boxset. And I loved each book. All 5 star reads.
Five books in this boxset. All follow the adult life of Alexis Tarrabotti, soon to become Lady Alexis Maccon. In the first book we learn Alexis is a spinster. Her father died when she was an infant. Her mother remarried and had 2 more daughters. Alexis is half Italian, thus has darker skin and a larger nose than her fair mother and half sisters. Alexis is treated as if she was severely lacking, so much so she is not allowed a coming out season and told she is to be a spinster. That is how she was raised. But Alexis is very bright, and makes the most of her life. Then in her mid 20's she meets Lord Conal Maccon, a Scottish Earl and the alpha of the local London werewolf pack. He is considered highly eligible and sought after. There starts Alexia's adventures. For Alexia has the very rare gift of causing paranormals to turn human at her touch. Her new husband works in London government investigating paranormal criminals. Each book has some mysterious plot going on to topple the queen, or eradicate all paranormals, etc. Each book has a complete story, but new elements or characters are added to bring additional depth to a book. It was fascinating. I binge read the five books in this boxset. And I loved each book. All 5 star reads.
July 24, 2021
You get attached to all these steampunk supernatural (and preternatural) characters, even though they could all easily kill you in one way or another, should you be a person living in Victorian London, in a parallel universe where dirigible travel is de rigueur. The different postal codes of London are dominated by either vampire "hives" or a werewolf "pack." The central area houses the BUR, and I keep forgetting what the acronym stands for. But it's like Scotland Yard, the Big Police Department, the Hot Fuzz, keeping all the immortal beings in their lanes.
It is mainly a happy place, where mortal humans are valued for themselves, and not viewed solely as "food" for our main characters. Nice change of pace.
It is nice to read this series for an escape, a lark, an imaginary travel into danger and romance. However, I do feel guilt, because these books have extremely strong opinions regarding caffeinated beverages. Tea is most essential, and coffee is disgusting.
I don't know what happened to myself. When I was younger, I used to enjoy hot tea. But that is not the case now. I prefer coffee, and now I feel myself to be a social outcast.
It is mainly a happy place, where mortal humans are valued for themselves, and not viewed solely as "food" for our main characters. Nice change of pace.
It is nice to read this series for an escape, a lark, an imaginary travel into danger and romance. However, I do feel guilt, because these books have extremely strong opinions regarding caffeinated beverages. Tea is most essential, and coffee is disgusting.
I don't know what happened to myself. When I was younger, I used to enjoy hot tea. But that is not the case now. I prefer coffee, and now I feel myself to be a social outcast.
June 20, 2017
The first book was harmless good fun, but after that the series kind of went downhill and I quit at the beginning of Heartless because it just wasn't worth my time.
It may or may not get better through book 4 and 5 but I was just exhausted with being tolerant through book 3 and book 4 didn't start off with any improvements so I moved on.
It may or may not get better through book 4 and 5 but I was just exhausted with being tolerant through book 3 and book 4 didn't start off with any improvements so I moved on.
January 22, 2023
An Amazing World
Gail Carriger writes book hugs. This world that she created contains three series. The Parasol Protectorate is the second series but the one that Gail wrote first.
It is a world where vampires, werewolves, and ghosts contribute to Steampunk Victorian Society. This one introduces our heroine Alexia Tarabotti, who is preternatural. In other words, she has no soul. She can render any vampire or werewolf mortal for as long as she's touching them. She can also exorcise ghosts with her touch.
This world includes characters you are meant to fall in love with.
I live in this world. I have thanked her many times for keeping me from The Pit of Despair.
I actually read the third series, The Custard Protocol, first. But you can read them in any order. You can read any or all of them and she has lovely miniseries to catch up with our favorite characters. As for why you should read this--why wouldn't you want to?
charlotterose965@gmail.com
Gail Carriger writes book hugs. This world that she created contains three series. The Parasol Protectorate is the second series but the one that Gail wrote first.
It is a world where vampires, werewolves, and ghosts contribute to Steampunk Victorian Society. This one introduces our heroine Alexia Tarabotti, who is preternatural. In other words, she has no soul. She can render any vampire or werewolf mortal for as long as she's touching them. She can also exorcise ghosts with her touch.
This world includes characters you are meant to fall in love with.
I live in this world. I have thanked her many times for keeping me from The Pit of Despair.
I actually read the third series, The Custard Protocol, first. But you can read them in any order. You can read any or all of them and she has lovely miniseries to catch up with our favorite characters. As for why you should read this--why wouldn't you want to?
charlotterose965@gmail.com
March 8, 2021
When you are looking for a series to mend your heart after sobbing because your favorite character died tragically, this one is for you When you want some fluff, a happy ending, supernatural adventures and bad ass women, this is the series for you.
I have read this series a few times after discovering them last year. They are absolutely hilarious and genuinely nice.
Here are some reasons I find them SOOOO worth reading:
-plus size women portrayed in a WONDERFUL light, but not for some cliche reason.
-Hunky warewolfs.
-LGBTQ+ representation
-1800s England, society, fashion and more
-Classy Vampires
-NICE relationships
-Advebture
-basically everything else you could want in a series.
Steampunk technology (which i think sounds deeply nerdy, but is absolutely delightful)
Seriously, this series is truly lovely and fun and good to read at any time.
I have read this series a few times after discovering them last year. They are absolutely hilarious and genuinely nice.
Here are some reasons I find them SOOOO worth reading:
-plus size women portrayed in a WONDERFUL light, but not for some cliche reason.
-Hunky warewolfs.
-LGBTQ+ representation
-1800s England, society, fashion and more
-Classy Vampires
-NICE relationships
-Advebture
-basically everything else you could want in a series.
Steampunk technology (which i think sounds deeply nerdy, but is absolutely delightful)
Seriously, this series is truly lovely and fun and good to read at any time.
July 18, 2022
Again, another 3.5 star really real rating that i said "why not" and bumped to a 4 star, because you know, Goodreads.
Real review:
These books are brain candy, brain popcorn, whatever you call "light, fluffy, entertainment pieces that don't make you have to think about all the things or feel all the feels." This is not a negative, necessarily. As another reviewer said (but in my words) "these books are good for when your last read(s) made you feel all the feels, think all the things, and you just need to get some mental space and distance." That is almost exactly what these books have been for me, even though my last reads were also a bit fluffy and formulaic and i was just sad that there weren't any more books in that world yet. As this is the second series out of 3 in this world (of books, there are related novellas), i can see in my not too distant future another bit of sadness, but, that's ok.
Yes, there is a bit of a formula to these books, as with the Finishing School books, as i'm sure there will be with the The Custard Protocol. Again, not necessarily a negative, and kind of what i expect from brain candy books.
There's some suspense, some mystery, some interesting bits, and of course, more werewolves, vampires, and people doing some interesting things. The supporting characters are, as usual, almost as fun and interesting as the main characters. Plus, i like that i get to see a bit more of the Finishing School set, in their post series lives.
Yeah, there are also some things that might not sit perfectly well with everyone (characterizations, relationship dynamics). I can see how that could be a thing, i just honestly didn't read these deeply enough or with enough attention to have more than a few vague moments of "that's not super the coolest, bestest way for that to be portrayed, probably?" because, again, fluffy, brain candy reads. YMMV.
Real review:
These books are brain candy, brain popcorn, whatever you call "light, fluffy, entertainment pieces that don't make you have to think about all the things or feel all the feels." This is not a negative, necessarily. As another reviewer said (but in my words) "these books are good for when your last read(s) made you feel all the feels, think all the things, and you just need to get some mental space and distance." That is almost exactly what these books have been for me, even though my last reads were also a bit fluffy and formulaic and i was just sad that there weren't any more books in that world yet. As this is the second series out of 3 in this world (of books, there are related novellas), i can see in my not too distant future another bit of sadness, but, that's ok.
Yes, there is a bit of a formula to these books, as with the Finishing School books, as i'm sure there will be with the The Custard Protocol. Again, not necessarily a negative, and kind of what i expect from brain candy books.
There's some suspense, some mystery, some interesting bits, and of course, more werewolves, vampires, and people doing some interesting things. The supporting characters are, as usual, almost as fun and interesting as the main characters. Plus, i like that i get to see a bit more of the Finishing School set, in their post series lives.
Yeah, there are also some things that might not sit perfectly well with everyone (characterizations, relationship dynamics). I can see how that could be a thing, i just honestly didn't read these deeply enough or with enough attention to have more than a few vague moments of "that's not super the coolest, bestest way for that to be portrayed, probably?" because, again, fluffy, brain candy reads. YMMV.
February 14, 2023
i love love love love the parasol protectorate series (and spinoffs) -- i have both kindle and audible, and are frequent re-reads, and re-listens. not exaggerating probably 5 or 6 times in the past calendar year.
ridiculous amount of fun combination of elements: supernatural/shifter beings, alternative victorian era british history and society, steampunk technology, political intrigue, and romantic (medium "heat" level), fantastic female characters, queer rep (both wonderfully flamboyant and subtle), comedy of impeccable manners, travel adventures in scotland, italy, and egypt.
the long and short is simply this: i will forever, always, and unreservedly recommend the splendiforous miss gail carriger!
ridiculous amount of fun combination of elements: supernatural/shifter beings, alternative victorian era british history and society, steampunk technology, political intrigue, and romantic (medium "heat" level), fantastic female characters, queer rep (both wonderfully flamboyant and subtle), comedy of impeccable manners, travel adventures in scotland, italy, and egypt.
the long and short is simply this: i will forever, always, and unreservedly recommend the splendiforous miss gail carriger!
February 25, 2021
This is a 5 book package. I will review each book as I finish because I will have forgotten the first books I read if I don’t review as I go.
1 - SOULLESS - Alexia Tarabotti is a preternatural, one with no soul, and one that can turn a supernatural being back to human with just one touch. The stories take place in London in the 19th Century when werewolves and vampires were accepted into society. Alexia has been flirting with the Alpha of the werewolf pack, Lord Conall Maccon, who also leads the B.U.R. (Bureau of Unnatural Registry). In this book vampires are going missing and no one knows why. Then Alexia stumbles on a scientific experiment trying to find out what makes the supernatural what they are and how does a soul come into it. She is a very unorthodox young woman for the times. She insists on going out on her own much to her mother’s worry about ‘what will society think?’ This book is a fun read and sets the stage for future books about Alexia and Lord Maccon and the entire London Society. I recommend it for readers who like urban fantasies, enjoy letting their imagine wander. Makes me wish I was a werewolf. Finished 1/31/2021
2-CHANGELESS - Alexia is now Lady Alexia Maccon. She married Lord Conall Maccon, the Alpha Werewolf. Something strange is happening. The werewolves cannot change. They are stuck in their human form. Some device or virus is infecting them. The cause seems to be heading north to Scotland where Lord Maccon’s original pack resides. He leaves to find out what is going on. He thinks he is leaving Alexia in London but she thinks she needs to be with him too keep him out of trouble. Off she goes in a dirigible to follow her husband. The books is full of adventure, not much action, unless you think Alexia getting pregnant and then tossed out because everyone believes that werewolves cannot father children so Alexia must have been unfaithful. The book leaves us wondering what is next. Finished 2/7/2021
3-BLAMELESS - So poor Alexia is back in the home she grew up in with her awful family. Where else is a pregnant woman to go when her husband decides she couldn’t get pregnant with him because werewolves cannot procreate the ‘usual way.’ At least that is what he thinks. Her pregnancy stirs up a huge mess. The vampires think she is carrying a soul-sucker who will exterminate them so they are out to kill her. She must leave London. She escapes, just barely, to Italy where she is taken in by the Knights Templar (imprisoned is a better word) who think she is a demon spawn of the devil. So, with lots of adventures with her inventor friend, and the ever faithful Foote, she remains alive. But what is Lord Maccon doing? Besides wallowing in self pity? Have to read it to find out. This is a fun series. The author describes everything perfectly and there isn’t a swear word to be found (for the readers who care about those words). Finished 2/14/2021
4-HEARTLESS - Alexis is pregnant but that doesn’t slow her down—at least not much. Her husband has come around to accept the child is his. He is forgiven. She is out and about trying to figure out who tried to assassinate Queen Victoria over 20 years ago AND who is trying to do it again now. There is much going on since the vampires still want to kill her because of the child she carries. She is the Alpha Female of the pack and she is worried about Buffy, newly created werewolf to save his life, formerly a drone to Lord Akeldama, rove vampire and good friend to Alexis. He has agreed to ‘adopt’ her baby to protect him/her from the wrath of the entire supernatural community. This is a great series. Alexis is a feisty protagonist without a soul. What will her baby be? Read and find out. Great fun. Can’t wait to see what is next now there is a baby involved. 2/16/2021
5-TIMELESS - 5-TIMELESS - Prudence is almost 2 when this story begins. She is living with Lord Akeldama and spends time with her parents. She is sometimes wolf cub, when near her father, and sometimes vampire. Her mother can turn her mortal with a touch. in this book, the family gets invited to Egypt by the Queen Vampire. So, off they go with their entourage including Ivy and her husband and twins and the actors they manage. The usual characters are onboard and the adventures just keep coming. There is a 5 day trip aboard a steamer, a balloon flight to the Vampire's Hive, and a harrowing encounter with some Egyptians in the middle of the desert, where it appears that Lord Maccon is killed. Give yourself an afternoon to catch up and enjoy the adventures of the supernaturals, preternaturals, and the crazy vampires, werewolves, etc. It is a fun series. 2/24/21
1 - SOULLESS - Alexia Tarabotti is a preternatural, one with no soul, and one that can turn a supernatural being back to human with just one touch. The stories take place in London in the 19th Century when werewolves and vampires were accepted into society. Alexia has been flirting with the Alpha of the werewolf pack, Lord Conall Maccon, who also leads the B.U.R. (Bureau of Unnatural Registry). In this book vampires are going missing and no one knows why. Then Alexia stumbles on a scientific experiment trying to find out what makes the supernatural what they are and how does a soul come into it. She is a very unorthodox young woman for the times. She insists on going out on her own much to her mother’s worry about ‘what will society think?’ This book is a fun read and sets the stage for future books about Alexia and Lord Maccon and the entire London Society. I recommend it for readers who like urban fantasies, enjoy letting their imagine wander. Makes me wish I was a werewolf. Finished 1/31/2021
2-CHANGELESS - Alexia is now Lady Alexia Maccon. She married Lord Conall Maccon, the Alpha Werewolf. Something strange is happening. The werewolves cannot change. They are stuck in their human form. Some device or virus is infecting them. The cause seems to be heading north to Scotland where Lord Maccon’s original pack resides. He leaves to find out what is going on. He thinks he is leaving Alexia in London but she thinks she needs to be with him too keep him out of trouble. Off she goes in a dirigible to follow her husband. The books is full of adventure, not much action, unless you think Alexia getting pregnant and then tossed out because everyone believes that werewolves cannot father children so Alexia must have been unfaithful. The book leaves us wondering what is next. Finished 2/7/2021
3-BLAMELESS - So poor Alexia is back in the home she grew up in with her awful family. Where else is a pregnant woman to go when her husband decides she couldn’t get pregnant with him because werewolves cannot procreate the ‘usual way.’ At least that is what he thinks. Her pregnancy stirs up a huge mess. The vampires think she is carrying a soul-sucker who will exterminate them so they are out to kill her. She must leave London. She escapes, just barely, to Italy where she is taken in by the Knights Templar (imprisoned is a better word) who think she is a demon spawn of the devil. So, with lots of adventures with her inventor friend, and the ever faithful Foote, she remains alive. But what is Lord Maccon doing? Besides wallowing in self pity? Have to read it to find out. This is a fun series. The author describes everything perfectly and there isn’t a swear word to be found (for the readers who care about those words). Finished 2/14/2021
4-HEARTLESS - Alexis is pregnant but that doesn’t slow her down—at least not much. Her husband has come around to accept the child is his. He is forgiven. She is out and about trying to figure out who tried to assassinate Queen Victoria over 20 years ago AND who is trying to do it again now. There is much going on since the vampires still want to kill her because of the child she carries. She is the Alpha Female of the pack and she is worried about Buffy, newly created werewolf to save his life, formerly a drone to Lord Akeldama, rove vampire and good friend to Alexis. He has agreed to ‘adopt’ her baby to protect him/her from the wrath of the entire supernatural community. This is a great series. Alexis is a feisty protagonist without a soul. What will her baby be? Read and find out. Great fun. Can’t wait to see what is next now there is a baby involved. 2/16/2021
5-TIMELESS - 5-TIMELESS - Prudence is almost 2 when this story begins. She is living with Lord Akeldama and spends time with her parents. She is sometimes wolf cub, when near her father, and sometimes vampire. Her mother can turn her mortal with a touch. in this book, the family gets invited to Egypt by the Queen Vampire. So, off they go with their entourage including Ivy and her husband and twins and the actors they manage. The usual characters are onboard and the adventures just keep coming. There is a 5 day trip aboard a steamer, a balloon flight to the Vampire's Hive, and a harrowing encounter with some Egyptians in the middle of the desert, where it appears that Lord Maccon is killed. Give yourself an afternoon to catch up and enjoy the adventures of the supernaturals, preternaturals, and the crazy vampires, werewolves, etc. It is a fun series. 2/24/21
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May 30, 2022Victorian tea with dinner theater
This was the rollercoaster of emotional rides for Gail. Her writing style is still matched throughout the books and has a beautiful way of finishing up the series with loose ends you didn't know existed from Soulless to Timeless. It's Victorian tea with vampires and dinner theater with the werewolves. This series will always be on my bookshelf both in physical and digital formats.
I had took book 3 on a trip and luckily left it at with family, but I was lost for the three days before I would get it back I had to order the box set while it was on sale so it wouldn't happen again.
This was the rollercoaster of emotional rides for Gail. Her writing style is still matched throughout the books and has a beautiful way of finishing up the series with loose ends you didn't know existed from Soulless to Timeless. It's Victorian tea with vampires and dinner theater with the werewolves. This series will always be on my bookshelf both in physical and digital formats.
I had took book 3 on a trip and luckily left it at with family, but I was lost for the three days before I would get it back I had to order the box set while it was on sale so it wouldn't happen again.
October 24, 2023
So engaging and fun!
There are so many marvelous twists and turns in this series, I couldn't put it down. The entire arc is a marvel of intertwined niceties and wickedness. I was delighted at so many points and at the edge of my seat, wanting to see our perfectly daunting heroine succeed.
Each of the characters is rich and full of life (or afterlife). Even the secondary tier have motivation and character. You can tell the drones apart and the named-but-not-featured werewolves. The twists make sense, the reveals are as beautifully crafted as the cravats. Well done, Ms. Carriger.
Now, I need to get the next series.
There are so many marvelous twists and turns in this series, I couldn't put it down. The entire arc is a marvel of intertwined niceties and wickedness. I was delighted at so many points and at the edge of my seat, wanting to see our perfectly daunting heroine succeed.
Each of the characters is rich and full of life (or afterlife). Even the secondary tier have motivation and character. You can tell the drones apart and the named-but-not-featured werewolves. The twists make sense, the reveals are as beautifully crafted as the cravats. Well done, Ms. Carriger.
Now, I need to get the next series.
January 29, 2018
Reading the whole series together like this solidified it as my favorite series of all time. The writing is quick-witted and flowing, the characters are endearing and complex and the plot is fast-moving and intricate. As I read it so long ago the first time, I remembered the major plot points but not necessarily how we arrived there. The characters were even more real and substantial on a second reading, like visiting old friends.
I would like to start the Prudence series over very soon. I can't get enough of this world or these characters.
I would like to start the Prudence series over very soon. I can't get enough of this world or these characters.
September 24, 2021
While the main character is not normally someone I'd relate to or even enjoy reading their POV I thoroughly enjoyed the author's worldbuilding. I came to this book series from another series she'd written not knowing this was the first series in this world (that other series makes much more sense now) and it did not disappoint. My favorite thing about this book series is that Carriger builds almost believable characters into an unbelievable world and they fit perfectly together. It's weird and wonderful and an entirely pleasurable adventure.
July 22, 2017
Delightfully Heartfelt
Entertaining and engrossing, I read the set straight through after first encountering the Parasolverse in the follow on series that begins with "Prudence". I was delighted to find the series were linked and that the Parasol Protectorate series is enjoyable, fun, and charming while also being outrageous, spunky and a bit on the geeky-cool side, as steampunk should be. And all in time for tea.
Entertaining and engrossing, I read the set straight through after first encountering the Parasolverse in the follow on series that begins with "Prudence". I was delighted to find the series were linked and that the Parasol Protectorate series is enjoyable, fun, and charming while also being outrageous, spunky and a bit on the geeky-cool side, as steampunk should be. And all in time for tea.
December 31, 2018
This is my first experience in steampunk it was recommended to me by an employee at a bookstore. IT was a very entertaining serious and it had the kind of ending I like in a story. There are others but this is the best one and I would read it again. I wished there was a bit more world building but I also wouldn't want to read a long book like Outlander that is as big as the dictionary. Highly recommended.
February 10, 2019
Excellent
I had read this series in the past, and when I saw it as a set, snapped it up! I love this steam punk alternate history with Scottish werewolves, clavigers, vampires, and dandified drones, not to mention, parasol carrying preturnaturals! The mystery,inventions, the adventures and bbc.co plot twists, high fashion, monarchy,the danger, and the sheer silliness all combine to make this series so much fun to read!
I had read this series in the past, and when I saw it as a set, snapped it up! I love this steam punk alternate history with Scottish werewolves, clavigers, vampires, and dandified drones, not to mention, parasol carrying preturnaturals! The mystery,inventions, the adventures and bbc.co plot twists, high fashion, monarchy,the danger, and the sheer silliness all combine to make this series so much fun to read!
June 28, 2020
Rereading a series for the second time is always enjoyable for me. Because I mainly remember only major plot points, I always love rediscovering the small details of not only the plot but of the character development and the wittiness of the writing style as well. Gail Carriger quickly became one of my favorite authors after I discovered her books last year. Anyhow, it was wonderful to spend several days in the world of the Parasol Protectorate series.
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