Dear Lord Akeldama & Parasolverse Ephemera

by Gail Carriger

Being a collection of vampire advice columns, silly steampunk philosophical treatises, and deleted scenes from the Parasol Protectorate and more!

This is not a book. This is not a story. This is a compendium of extras and appendices for lovers of the Parasolverse. You see, upon occasion the vampire, Lord Akeldama, hijacks Miss Gail’s blog and turns it into an advice column to take reader’s questions.

In this slender limited edition volume you will find the following:

Part the first ~ a collection of 10 years worth of the Good Vampire’s advice including on such wide ranging topics as fashion, relationships, food, travel, culture, and identity.

Part the second ~ a collection of bits and bobs related specifically to Lord Akeldama.

Part the third ~ a series of short essays, intellectual salon style, on such topics as shoehorning the paranormal into a steampunk world; vampire quandaries; and how Victorian world building elements work in the Parasolverse.

Part the fourth ~ deleted scenes with various favorite characters from the Parasol Protectorate, Finishing School, and Custard Protocol series.

Delicate sensibilities?

Expect excessive use of italics.

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk, Supernatural, Adult

183 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2025

About the author

Gail 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

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun if and only if you’re a fan of her related series. Though I must say, I’d cheerfully pay money to read a book or three about his lordship! Perhaps like sweets a little goes a long way with his fabulousness though…

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many good tidbits of info here for Carriger fans and for authors as well (especially the copy edit section).

I was glad to get the reading order lists and the preview of her Tinkered Stars series. That's not going to be my cup of tea, but all her other series are definite 5-star reads for me. Several of them are periodic re-reads, so having Lord Akeldama giving us his witty insights into the Parasolverse was great fun.

[Emily VA]

I don’t know how to rate this. It is what it says on the tin. So lots of Lord Akeldama’s flamboyantly coy advice column, some interesting scribbles, and some deleted scenes.

My favorite parts were the essays on mixing steampunk, supernaturals, and Victorian England and especially the glimpse into the authorbeast’s mind while copy editing - that was fascinating.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading as part of #Great2024ParasolverseReread
9/26/2024

Ms Gail is so good to her Fandom. Those of us who Preordered received our copies last night before today's actual release.

Started reading. Then made myself put it down and go to bed. Which means today wherever I had a few moments I got to spend time with the best Vampire ever! Lord Akeldama.

Just delightful! Like, to quote the Good Vampire: "Champagne, darling, bit of bubble, tot of the old fizzy." 🧛🏻‍♂️🥂🍾

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating this 5 stars because it's entirely unnecessary to the series, but totally cute to make this for her fans. If you liked Lord Akeldama (and who DOESN'T like Lord A??) then this will give you a few quick chuckles and another desire to reread the series.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little bits and pieces but the copy editing details particularly soothed my soul after a long day of similar travails.

[Flo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful volume from the fertile, endlessly creative mind of Gail Carriger. This book is one of a kind and you may very well love it. I know because (disclosure) I am her copy editor. If you're familiar with her work, you'll surely love it. If not but you like the genre, it will offer many pleasures and surprises.

[Lori Alden Holuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Akeldama takes center stage (because of course he does), answering questions posed by real readers of the books set in Gail Carriger's Parasolverse. Since this flamboyant vampire is one of my favorite literary characters, I knew I'd be in for a good time!

It's clear that this book is a gift to loyal readers from a grateful author. And I appreciate that so much. It's not often that readers, characters, and authors are all able to literally be on the same page in what felt to me like a slumber party setting.

I didn't know Lord Akeldama would also be answering questions about himself. This is a brave step for an author to take, letting a precious character be bombarded by questions from the peanut gallery. But all went well. Lord Akeldama coyly skirted questions when necessary, and only hid behind the authorbeast's skirts a few time. All in all, comedy gold.

For me though, the real treasure was buried near the end of the book, in a chapter titled, "What Does a Copy Edit Pass Look Like? One Author's Internal Dialogue". Gail gives us a glimpse into the thought process an author goes through when reviewing edits and suggestions made by her editor. We are right there with the beleaguered authorbeast as she reacts to all sorts of changes and questions about her manuscript. To my delight, I now know that I share a love of ellipses and hatred of the colon family with Miss Gail.

I'd venture to say that this book would be right at home on any editor's reference shelf. Authorbeasts are, in reality, authorpeople, and it's good for those scrutinizing their manuscripts to remember that from time to time.

[Lala · Rating 2 out of 5]

**

This is not a story but a collection of miscellaneous writings. Carriger used to regularly feature Lord Akeldama in her newsletter answering various questions. These and Akeldama himself are quite amusing (especially when he is horrified by the present day). There's also some essays, and cut scenes from the various three main Parasol series -Parasol Protectorate, Finishing School, and Custard Protocol- but only a few of these really offer anything worthwhile.

It's a little baffling that this isn't all just available on the author's website.

Personal history: Purchased. #22 in Parasolverse chronological order.

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun little treasury of Parasolverse extras. It's so nice to have these bits all together and is something I will pick up again when I want a little touch of Carriger's writing but don't necessarily have time for a whole novella. Reading it fully through the first time was a little awkward it's best enjoyed in shorter bursts preferably with a fine cup of tea, but I also was so excited I was reading in larger chunks. Next time I'll properly savor Lord Akeldama's advice. These hardcover editions are also just s beautifully done and I am so pleased to add this to my collection. All around a wonderfully fun bonus for Carriger's fans.

[Pinkglassgrrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gorgeous hardcover edition contains all of Lord Akeldama's sage advice plus snippets, deleted scenes, and short essays from the Authorbeast. It's a delightful addition to her steampunk universe. (Note: this book will make little sense if you haven't read her other books first, which I encourage you to do immediately.)

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun, and it was great to finally be able to read all these bits and bobs, now they’re in a format with a non-backlit screen. Many laughs were had.

Warning: not a story, and you definitely need to have read the Parasol Protectorate series at the very least.

[Else · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun read for some more parasolverse flavour. I am at 1/3th I think and it just didn't hold my interest. It's short bits and bobs. And the parts I read where fun. Might dip into more bits and bobs later on at some point.

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun!

[Rlygirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun collection! Miss Gail can always get a laugh out of me. I especially enjoyed the "Dear Lord A." section written like a "Dear Abby" in a newspaper.

[Briar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Worth a glance even if (audible gasp) you are not one for Victorian fashion.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of scattered and repetitive, especially the Dear Lord Akeldama sections. I think I would have liked it more if I had just finished reading the Parasol Protectorate and Custard Protocol books.

[Karl Schaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, got it. No parasolverse gibbit’s on my crocs. More everything please. More Lord A, more world building essays. More character studies.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great collection of stories from the Parasolverse. Who doesn’t want more of Lord Akeldama?

[J.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful diversion, taken in bits. Always fun having access to the inner workings of a writer's mind.

[Lif Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collectors of Gail Carriger's Parasolverse books will definitely want a copy of this one!

[Shoshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly one for the fans! Much more funny (and for the deleted scenes at the end, makes more sense) if you've read the Parasolverse short stories and novels first.

[Victoria Pring · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for any of Lord Akeldama's fans, I laughed at lots of his advice and enjoyed the deleted scenes