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Delightfully Deadly #3
Ambush or Adore
London’s best and most covert spy tries to escape the man who has always adored her.
INTELLIGENCER
Agatha Woosmoss, the Wallflower, is the greatest intelligencer of her generation. And no one knows she exists. She has been invisible, capable, and cunning for well over four decades. Her greatest skill is in her ability to go forever unnoticed. Except by one man.
VERSUS INTELLECTUAL
Pillover Plumleigh-Teignmott is a professor of ancient languages at Oxford University. He’s tried to ignore his training as an Evil Genius and live a quiet life away from politics and intrigue. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, Agatha must hide and heal. So she goes to ground with the only person who’s always kept her safe, Pillover.
Can Pillover hold onto the deadly woman who specializes in getting away? Will Agatha realize that patience is indeed a virtue, and that perhaps it is good to be noticed by the one who waits? Spinning off from the Finishing School series, this story stands on its own and spans decades but was written after Defy or Defend. May contain vampires, old injuries, lost love, and the reappearance of many favorite characters.
INTELLIGENCER
Agatha Woosmoss, the Wallflower, is the greatest intelligencer of her generation. And no one knows she exists. She has been invisible, capable, and cunning for well over four decades. Her greatest skill is in her ability to go forever unnoticed. Except by one man.
VERSUS INTELLECTUAL
Pillover Plumleigh-Teignmott is a professor of ancient languages at Oxford University. He’s tried to ignore his training as an Evil Genius and live a quiet life away from politics and intrigue. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, Agatha must hide and heal. So she goes to ground with the only person who’s always kept her safe, Pillover.
Can Pillover hold onto the deadly woman who specializes in getting away? Will Agatha realize that patience is indeed a virtue, and that perhaps it is good to be noticed by the one who waits? Spinning off from the Finishing School series, this story stands on its own and spans decades but was written after Defy or Defend. May contain vampires, old injuries, lost love, and the reappearance of many favorite characters.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2021
167 people are currently reading
1824 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 292 reviews
December 8, 2021
First I must admit to not yet having read the Finishing School series which may at first seem an obstacle to enjoying this spin off, but in fact was not. I have read all of the Parasol Protectorate and the Custard Protocol and loved every single little reference to the characters in those books. Since Ambush or Adore covers about four decades there were plenty of references!
There were lots of mentions of vampires and werewolves and even a certain preternatural. Lord Akeldama played quite a prominent role but the story was really a romance between a spy and a University professor and it was both heart breaking and humorous when told in Gail Carriger's inimitable style. I loved Pillover and got cross with Agatha and could not put the book down until I knew what was going to happen to them.
Keep them coming Ms Carriger - you have an awful lot of great characters left whose back stories would be fun to read about.
There were lots of mentions of vampires and werewolves and even a certain preternatural. Lord Akeldama played quite a prominent role but the story was really a romance between a spy and a University professor and it was both heart breaking and humorous when told in Gail Carriger's inimitable style. I loved Pillover and got cross with Agatha and could not put the book down until I knew what was going to happen to them.
Keep them coming Ms Carriger - you have an awful lot of great characters left whose back stories would be fun to read about.
September 29, 2024
Congratulations, Ms. Carriger, you made me ugly-cry. Boohoo!
July 29, 2021
Finally we get to learn what happened to Agatha after Madame Geraldine's academy crashed! (If you haven't read the Finishing School series, now would be an excellent time!)
As, expected, we are following Agatha's career as an intelligencer ...but Pillover's point of view and academic career receive equal time in this touching romance. The story flows across 40 years or so and touches on Agatha's school friends, as well, to my delight! Dimity appears, of course, but also Vieve, and we hear a bit about Sidheag and Sophronia, too. I have to admit that I cried my way through the last two chapters, but Ambush and Adore is the book I've been waiting for!
As, expected, we are following Agatha's career as an intelligencer ...but Pillover's point of view and academic career receive equal time in this touching romance. The story flows across 40 years or so and touches on Agatha's school friends, as well, to my delight! Dimity appears, of course, but also Vieve, and we hear a bit about Sidheag and Sophronia, too. I have to admit that I cried my way through the last two chapters, but Ambush and Adore is the book I've been waiting for!
October 2, 2021
Wraps up loose ends
This story is 90% flashbacks and maybe 70% telling instead of showing. Part of it is just how long Pillover and Agatha's relationship lasted. Part of it is a bridge hooking together the different eras of Gail Carriger's world.
On one hand, as a fan, this is awesome. It's kind of a behind-the-scenes look at Parasol Protectorate and Custard Protocol. You get to find out what happened to the last of Geraldine's girls and Pillover.
On the other hand, I was profoundly disappointed with how disjointed the story is. It kind of feels like all the interesting bits are cut out, because we almost never learn what Agatha was up to. The story isn't in chronological order, and a lot of detail is cut out because it's a flashback and memory is imperfect, but it's all flashback. I found it a little confusing and very unsatisfying. Even the sex is more glossed over than in previous novelettes.
This story is 90% flashbacks and maybe 70% telling instead of showing. Part of it is just how long Pillover and Agatha's relationship lasted. Part of it is a bridge hooking together the different eras of Gail Carriger's world.
On one hand, as a fan, this is awesome. It's kind of a behind-the-scenes look at Parasol Protectorate and Custard Protocol. You get to find out what happened to the last of Geraldine's girls and Pillover.
On the other hand, I was profoundly disappointed with how disjointed the story is. It kind of feels like all the interesting bits are cut out, because we almost never learn what Agatha was up to. The story isn't in chronological order, and a lot of detail is cut out because it's a flashback and memory is imperfect, but it's all flashback. I found it a little confusing and very unsatisfying. Even the sex is more glossed over than in previous novelettes.
October 21, 2021
4.5 stars
November 21, 2021
Well, I feel absolutely guilty about writing such a review, cause I absolutely love the Parasolverse, and I loved all the characters from the Finishing School series dearly. The author also writes really well, and the story is valid and characters act realistic, so it's not like I've got anything to complain about. But this story was about a really messed up and damaging relationship in my opinion, and it just left me angry. Perhaps this story works for other readers, and the author has perfect freedom to do whatever she wants with her world, but... This book seriously didn't work for me.
I'm quite surprised by how sad and depressing it was. Agatha, the way she treated Pillover, reminded me of a friend who dumped me years ago (hey, non-romantic break-ups mess you up!) I thought Agatha cold and hard-hearted, despite understanding that it was meant to display her guardedness and that she was hurting herself too. So here I was at the 80% mark, and the story is still depressing and the romance hasn't really started?
In my review of Poison or Protect, I said I thought the book was weak because it was just a romance - nothing else going on. Everything that happened was a backdrop, and a very flat one, at that. Just to accommodate the romance. This one though... Sad to say, I couldn't even call it "just a romance" (not that being "just a romance" is bad, it's just that after the Finishing School series, I expected more world building and general "going on" rather than just dealing in emotion, and to hell with the brilliant world the author built). But back to the point, this book has absolutely nothing going on in terms of the spy lifestyle (unlike Dimity's book had), but it also had precious little going on in terms of romance. To top it off, the main character acted like a cold hearted bitch to the poor soft boy. It was a very sad book. Totally out of left field, as I'm used to Carriger's books being a little more upbeat. Nothing wrong with a philosophical book, but... Sigh. This is an odd series, I guess.
About the only bit of this book I enjoyed was the snippets we get about what's going on with Dimity's family as time goes on. So not much.
Perhaps the author wanted to make this a different book? Make the characters starkly different from the norm, make them independent and complex? I guess that worked. But for me, that made the book profoundly unsatisfying, and it made the relationship appear to be very damaging, maybe even manipulating. I liked Agatha in the Finishing School series. I have a firm dislike of Agatha and her choices now. Ugh.
I wonder what other reviewers will say about this one - I'm off to read some of the other reviews...
I'm quite surprised by how sad and depressing it was. Agatha, the way she treated Pillover, reminded me of a friend who dumped me years ago (hey, non-romantic break-ups mess you up!) I thought Agatha cold and hard-hearted, despite understanding that it was meant to display her guardedness and that she was hurting herself too. So here I was at the 80% mark, and the story is still depressing and the romance hasn't really started?
In my review of Poison or Protect, I said I thought the book was weak because it was just a romance - nothing else going on. Everything that happened was a backdrop, and a very flat one, at that. Just to accommodate the romance. This one though... Sad to say, I couldn't even call it "just a romance" (not that being "just a romance" is bad, it's just that after the Finishing School series, I expected more world building and general "going on" rather than just dealing in emotion, and to hell with the brilliant world the author built). But back to the point, this book has absolutely nothing going on in terms of the spy lifestyle (unlike Dimity's book had), but it also had precious little going on in terms of romance. To top it off, the main character acted like a cold hearted bitch to the poor soft boy. It was a very sad book. Totally out of left field, as I'm used to Carriger's books being a little more upbeat. Nothing wrong with a philosophical book, but... Sigh. This is an odd series, I guess.
About the only bit of this book I enjoyed was the snippets we get about what's going on with Dimity's family as time goes on. So not much.
Perhaps the author wanted to make this a different book? Make the characters starkly different from the norm, make them independent and complex? I guess that worked. But for me, that made the book profoundly unsatisfying, and it made the relationship appear to be very damaging, maybe even manipulating. I liked Agatha in the Finishing School series. I have a firm dislike of Agatha and her choices now. Ugh.
I wonder what other reviewers will say about this one - I'm off to read some of the other reviews...
January 1, 2025
4X Last time I had done a complete reread was 2020 and I was in the mood. At that time, Ambush or Adore hadn't yet been released. It's a lovely way to end the reread because it takes you back to the beginning, wafts along in the background, and brings you back to the Finale. It's been an absolute delight to revisit this world.☂️ #Great2024ParasolverseReread
3X Christmas Reread
2X I read Ambush and Adore the morning the Kindle edition came out. Audio is available now and once again read by the wonderful Emma Newman. I wanted to revisit, especially since it has a lovely scene at Christmas.
1X I was up before the dawn to start reading. All the Stars and more! This is the most absolute beautiful thing Gail Carriger has ever written. You have to have read The Parasolverse to appreciate it's brilliance. Pure Fan Service. A round of Spot the Wicker Chicken. Agatha and Pillover's story. Then she ties it up with a beautiful bow to include her San Andreas Shifters Series. Truly Fan Service.
3X Christmas Reread
2X I read Ambush and Adore the morning the Kindle edition came out. Audio is available now and once again read by the wonderful Emma Newman. I wanted to revisit, especially since it has a lovely scene at Christmas.
1X I was up before the dawn to start reading. All the Stars and more! This is the most absolute beautiful thing Gail Carriger has ever written. You have to have read The Parasolverse to appreciate it's brilliance. Pure Fan Service. A round of Spot the Wicker Chicken. Agatha and Pillover's story. Then she ties it up with a beautiful bow to include her San Andreas Shifters Series. Truly Fan Service.
October 22, 2021
So, I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. I just didn't connect with Agatha or Pillover and the choices they made in this book. I still think it is a must read if you have enjoyed the Finishing School series. I would just say that this is similar to Marvel's "What If...." series and in the same vein some people will really like it and others just will not.
In the original ending to the Finishing School series we are told that after 10 years Pillover and Agatha marry. This book is more of what could have, would have, did happen if they followed a different path. In this book we see their relationship and how it changes over the course of the next 40 years. We also see how they change as people.
In the end I found Agatha to be selfish and self-centered. She was unable to see the love and care right in front of her and too scared to reach out and keep it for herself. Yes, it did have to do with her upbringing but we all make choices and they are not totally dependent or excused by our past. Pillover is the classic, dare I say extreme, Beta hero. In the process he settled for what made him content but I find myself wondering if years of being happy were stolen from him. Yet he also allowed that to happen so there you are.
If you have read the series you should read this book. You may find that you do not totally agree with the direction the characters took here but that is the prerogative of the author.
In the original ending to the Finishing School series we are told that after 10 years Pillover and Agatha marry. This book is more of what could have, would have, did happen if they followed a different path. In this book we see their relationship and how it changes over the course of the next 40 years. We also see how they change as people.
In the end I found Agatha to be selfish and self-centered. She was unable to see the love and care right in front of her and too scared to reach out and keep it for herself. Yes, it did have to do with her upbringing but we all make choices and they are not totally dependent or excused by our past. Pillover is the classic, dare I say extreme, Beta hero. In the process he settled for what made him content but I find myself wondering if years of being happy were stolen from him. Yet he also allowed that to happen so there you are.
If you have read the series you should read this book. You may find that you do not totally agree with the direction the characters took here but that is the prerogative of the author.
August 1, 2021
A story comprising forty-odd years, showing flashbacks to Gail's previous series The Finishing School, The Parasol Protectorate and The Custard Protocol, as well as previous Delightfully Deadly books, showing as it were some behind the scenes. Where Reticent is tying up some loose ends, this story ties a few more knots, and tightens others.
It's Agatha's story, but Pillover's as well. From their first meeting in the early 1850s to mid 1890s.
It's a story of trust, patience, loyalty and love. The setting is steampunk and urban fantasy, nut the story is a romance. I confess to wet cheeks in the end.
It's Agatha's story, but Pillover's as well. From their first meeting in the early 1850s to mid 1890s.
It's a story of trust, patience, loyalty and love. The setting is steampunk and urban fantasy, nut the story is a romance. I confess to wet cheeks in the end.
August 17, 2024
Loved the series, but not a fan of Agatha.
October 12, 2022
Once upon a time, there was a story. It was a lovely story that I bought on impulse because it made me laugh out loud in the shop within the first few pages. It was a delight. It ended well, story complete.
Then someone decided it should be the first of a series of five. Each was successively not as good as the first, although they weren't bad. Then readers were told there would be a sequel series focused on the next generation and I was very excited.
Then the author got distracted (as is her right) and wrote a series of 4 stories about a different group of people in an earlier time. Ultimately she worked hard to tie the second series to the first, but it seemed strained. In the meantime the stories about second generation of the first series did come out, but there were disappointing. Tried too hard to glue both series together, too many characters, too much to keep straight if you couldn't reference all the previous titles.
Other titles, spin-offs/sequels to the series of 4 have come out, of which this is the latest. Probably my least favorite of anything the author has done thus far (and I've read all of it, for all my whinging). It's mostly flashbacks, which feels rather lazy, and a great deal of navel-gazing by the two main characters. At the every end it tries very hard to tie into yet another set of stories the author has been working on that I didn't mention previously...
Too much trying. Too much forcing all the things to hang together. It feels a lot like the Star Wars movies: the "first" trilogy that came out in the late 1970s-early 1980s is in fact the second trilogy in the chronology of the franchise; the "second" trilogy, which is supposed to be the first chronological series, were dreadful, and I've lost track of/ignored the last 2 of the "third" trilogy. Same problems. Who can keep track of all this mess? And why would I want to bother?
On the strength of Soulless I will continue to love Ms. Carriger as an author, and will always be willing to try her work. Perhaps if I were able to reread all 16 (or so) stories each time a new one comes out, in order to remind myself of who these people are and what the heck is going on with them, I would enjoy the more recent titles more - but I don't.
Then someone decided it should be the first of a series of five. Each was successively not as good as the first, although they weren't bad. Then readers were told there would be a sequel series focused on the next generation and I was very excited.
Then the author got distracted (as is her right) and wrote a series of 4 stories about a different group of people in an earlier time. Ultimately she worked hard to tie the second series to the first, but it seemed strained. In the meantime the stories about second generation of the first series did come out, but there were disappointing. Tried too hard to glue both series together, too many characters, too much to keep straight if you couldn't reference all the previous titles.
Other titles, spin-offs/sequels to the series of 4 have come out, of which this is the latest. Probably my least favorite of anything the author has done thus far (and I've read all of it, for all my whinging). It's mostly flashbacks, which feels rather lazy, and a great deal of navel-gazing by the two main characters. At the every end it tries very hard to tie into yet another set of stories the author has been working on that I didn't mention previously...
Too much trying. Too much forcing all the things to hang together. It feels a lot like the Star Wars movies: the "first" trilogy that came out in the late 1970s-early 1980s is in fact the second trilogy in the chronology of the franchise; the "second" trilogy, which is supposed to be the first chronological series, were dreadful, and I've lost track of/ignored the last 2 of the "third" trilogy. Same problems. Who can keep track of all this mess? And why would I want to bother?
On the strength of Soulless I will continue to love Ms. Carriger as an author, and will always be willing to try her work. Perhaps if I were able to reread all 16 (or so) stories each time a new one comes out, in order to remind myself of who these people are and what the heck is going on with them, I would enjoy the more recent titles more - but I don't.
October 22, 2021
2021 bk 324. While I was finally glad to see Agatha and Pillover again, this story lacked the zany action, wry humor, and joy of life experienced in the other novels. It just felt a little sad. It might improve on a second reading, but other than quiet evenings together, it didn't feel that there was anything that was theirs as a couple as I felt in the other books. Of course, I was reading the ebook format and that is never as good a reading experience for me as the print.
October 14, 2021
A warning. Do not start this book unless you are prepared to read it all in one sitting. It's the kind of book to drag you along with it from beginning to end. And do not start this book unless you are prepared for your heart to be broken a little bit at a time the whole way through. They get their HEA in the end, they always do, but, well, you'll see.
April 4, 2022
Ambush or Adore is the latest Delightfully Deadly novel that follows Agatha Woosmoss, The Wallflower, and Pillover Plumleigh-Teignmott through their decades of loving and losing each other. Their story is interwoven between the events of all the Parasolverse books, each one of them pulling gently on strings that have a ripple effect on the world. While I am sure that this can be read as a stand-alone novel and the relationship would still pull at the heartstrings, there was something truly special after reading all the novels to seeing how these two characters who thought so little of themselves changed this universe so profoundly. However, that is kind of the point of Agatha and Pillover’s story, one does not have to be bright, flashy, and loud to make a profound difference.
If you are the type of reader who is more interested in a cohesive plot instead of characters and their relationships, you may not enjoy this book. Especially if you haven’t read other entries into the Parasolverse series. However, I love character-focused stories, and Ambush or Adore is definitely a character-driven slow-burn romance and I couldn’t stop reading it. Agatha and Pillover constantly orbiting one another, seeing one another, for forty years, and never being able to be with one another, was the perfect among of devotion and angst for me. Carringer uses her characteristic witty banter, understanding of deep emotion, and eloquent writing to make you truly care about these characters who had just been on the periphery of other stories. I teared up at multiple points during the story, which is something I don’t usually do while reading. I feel as if this is not only Agatha and Pillover’s story but also a love letter to the fans of the Parasolverse. I am not sure the amount of enjoyment someone new to the series would get out of it, but it is an extremely fast read and probably would pique someone’s interest in the rest of the series.
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Agatha as I relate to her more than the rest of the protagonists in Carringer’s novels. While I enjoyed reading about her outspoken, brave, and sometimes brass heroines, there is something about a woman that nobody notices or cares about changing the world through the fact that no one notices her. Carringer never changes who Agatha is, she never becomes beautiful or becomes extroverted, yet she still has a loyal group of friends and someone who loves her for who she is, even if it also breaks his heart. As someone who considers themselves a bit plain herself, it was refreshing to see that Agatha never got some makeover to make the world see her, and Pillover, who was considered handsome, didn’t care about that at all because he saw her when no one else did. To be in her head, to see how little Agatha thought of herself, I wanted her to get her happily ever after, probably because I related to her so much.
Pillover has always been one of my favorite secondary characters, starting as a grumpy little boy who refuses to admit he had ever had a positive feeling about anything but a book and growing into a man who did the same. He never took himself too seriously and even understood that his area of academia was obscure and while good at it, he was open to admitting when he didn’t know something or was good at something. Pillover never needed to be in the spotlight or even world-renowned like some of the other academics and Carragher’s novels. Pillover just wanted books, a fireplace, and the woman he love and that is something I can respect. There is also something so sweet and so heartbreaking about a man who knows that he is in love with someone at 13 and can’t do anything about it because of the type of woman he loves. While Pillover was human, he was almost never selfish and never asked Agatha to give him more than she could, meeting that with constant devotion and affection in his mild-mannered way. While Pillover would have survived as a confirmed bachelor, pining for his Agate, I was happy that he was finally able to get his happy ending in the most Pilloverian way possible.
Overall I absolutely adored the story it’s definitely my favorite Delightfully Deadly novel and one of my favorite in the whole Parasolverse. I think this story holds one of the sweetest and most heartfelt romances that Carriger has written in this universe. After reading through the whole series over the last year, I’m a bit sad that I don’t have any books left. That being said, if Carriger writes in this world again, I will be one of the first to read it.
If you are the type of reader who is more interested in a cohesive plot instead of characters and their relationships, you may not enjoy this book. Especially if you haven’t read other entries into the Parasolverse series. However, I love character-focused stories, and Ambush or Adore is definitely a character-driven slow-burn romance and I couldn’t stop reading it. Agatha and Pillover constantly orbiting one another, seeing one another, for forty years, and never being able to be with one another, was the perfect among of devotion and angst for me. Carringer uses her characteristic witty banter, understanding of deep emotion, and eloquent writing to make you truly care about these characters who had just been on the periphery of other stories. I teared up at multiple points during the story, which is something I don’t usually do while reading. I feel as if this is not only Agatha and Pillover’s story but also a love letter to the fans of the Parasolverse. I am not sure the amount of enjoyment someone new to the series would get out of it, but it is an extremely fast read and probably would pique someone’s interest in the rest of the series.
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Agatha as I relate to her more than the rest of the protagonists in Carringer’s novels. While I enjoyed reading about her outspoken, brave, and sometimes brass heroines, there is something about a woman that nobody notices or cares about changing the world through the fact that no one notices her. Carringer never changes who Agatha is, she never becomes beautiful or becomes extroverted, yet she still has a loyal group of friends and someone who loves her for who she is, even if it also breaks his heart. As someone who considers themselves a bit plain herself, it was refreshing to see that Agatha never got some makeover to make the world see her, and Pillover, who was considered handsome, didn’t care about that at all because he saw her when no one else did. To be in her head, to see how little Agatha thought of herself, I wanted her to get her happily ever after, probably because I related to her so much.
Pillover has always been one of my favorite secondary characters, starting as a grumpy little boy who refuses to admit he had ever had a positive feeling about anything but a book and growing into a man who did the same. He never took himself too seriously and even understood that his area of academia was obscure and while good at it, he was open to admitting when he didn’t know something or was good at something. Pillover never needed to be in the spotlight or even world-renowned like some of the other academics and Carragher’s novels. Pillover just wanted books, a fireplace, and the woman he love and that is something I can respect. There is also something so sweet and so heartbreaking about a man who knows that he is in love with someone at 13 and can’t do anything about it because of the type of woman he loves. While Pillover was human, he was almost never selfish and never asked Agatha to give him more than she could, meeting that with constant devotion and affection in his mild-mannered way. While Pillover would have survived as a confirmed bachelor, pining for his Agate, I was happy that he was finally able to get his happy ending in the most Pilloverian way possible.
Overall I absolutely adored the story it’s definitely my favorite Delightfully Deadly novel and one of my favorite in the whole Parasolverse. I think this story holds one of the sweetest and most heartfelt romances that Carriger has written in this universe. After reading through the whole series over the last year, I’m a bit sad that I don’t have any books left. That being said, if Carriger writes in this world again, I will be one of the first to read it.
November 23, 2021
I highly recommend that you read Gail Carriger's Finishing School series before reading the three stories that make up the Delightfully Deadly series. Having said that, the Delightfully Deadly series can be read in any order.
Ambush or Adore is the third, and at the time of this review, the last book in the series. It focuses on Agatha Woosmoss, one of the students at Mademoiselle Geraldine's finishing school. Her story unfolds through a contemplative review of her life, from childhood to present.
But, since this is a romance novel, there must be someone after her heart. That someone might be Pillover Plumleigh-Teignmott, a professor of ancient languages at Oxford University. Though they've known each other for decades, their professions prevent them from being together except for those rare times when Agatha manages to find her way home.
She's a deft spy, with an expertise in vanishing in plain sight. Pillover has trained himself to spot her where no one else can, but most of the time she's beyond even his reach. How can this possibly be a story of their romance? Well, as the popular saying goes, 'it's complicated'.
While I enjoyed the entire book, I have to say that in the last three chapters Gail Carriger pulled out all the stops, immersing me in absolutely beautiful wordsmithery, perfectly conveyed heartache, wistfulness, longing, acceptance... I really could go on with blathering about it but I'll just add she left me in tears and be done with it.
PS: As a bonus, I very much enjoyed learning more about the backstory of my favorite Parasolverse character, the owner of a certain hat shop!
Ambush or Adore is the third, and at the time of this review, the last book in the series. It focuses on Agatha Woosmoss, one of the students at Mademoiselle Geraldine's finishing school. Her story unfolds through a contemplative review of her life, from childhood to present.
But, since this is a romance novel, there must be someone after her heart. That someone might be Pillover Plumleigh-Teignmott, a professor of ancient languages at Oxford University. Though they've known each other for decades, their professions prevent them from being together except for those rare times when Agatha manages to find her way home.
She's a deft spy, with an expertise in vanishing in plain sight. Pillover has trained himself to spot her where no one else can, but most of the time she's beyond even his reach. How can this possibly be a story of their romance? Well, as the popular saying goes, 'it's complicated'.
While I enjoyed the entire book, I have to say that in the last three chapters Gail Carriger pulled out all the stops, immersing me in absolutely beautiful wordsmithery, perfectly conveyed heartache, wistfulness, longing, acceptance... I really could go on with blathering about it but I'll just add she left me in tears and be done with it.
PS: As a bonus, I very much enjoyed learning more about the backstory of my favorite Parasolverse character, the owner of a certain hat shop!
September 2, 2022
ok, ok, so i am done with the Delightfully Deadly series, thank god.
i was bored with this book, which is sad, since i liked whatshisname. not agatha, whom i never believed as a character. an impossible character, absolutely unbelievable, as unbelievable as Preshea ( i cannot recall the spelling--and I cannot recall Dimity's brother's name, um... what was it?!)
i don't think i will read more Gail Carriger books... i think i'm done. i liked, a lot, the ones i liked a lot, but that's it. this is a fun universe, but it has been spent, it seems.
i was bored with this book, which is sad, since i liked whatshisname. not agatha, whom i never believed as a character. an impossible character, absolutely unbelievable, as unbelievable as Preshea ( i cannot recall the spelling--and I cannot recall Dimity's brother's name, um... what was it?!)
i don't think i will read more Gail Carriger books... i think i'm done. i liked, a lot, the ones i liked a lot, but that's it. this is a fun universe, but it has been spent, it seems.
October 5, 2021
Sad.
Melancholy.
Yearning.
That's what I got from this book. It didn't make me happy like the other books in the series and the wider Parasolverse. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It just...was.
I probably have feelings about this because Pillover is one of my favourite characters in the Finishing School series and I wanted only good things for him. This wasn't what I expected. I suppose poor communication is the main takeaway here, which is funny because they were always candid with each other. But I guess I wanted more for them. In a way, perhaps Agatha was selfish since she had greater knowledge of his feelings for her, than he had of hers. On the other hand, he should have just said how he felt about her in no uncertain terms.
At any rate, so many years wasted, waiting when they could have had something more.
Life of an Intelligencer, I suppose.
It was nice to see that all the girls remained close insofar as they could given their different jobs and loyalties.
I think Lord Akeldama was trying to steer Agatha towards love and family (and Pillover in a way), but she was too stubborn to learn the lesson he was trying to impart.
Makes me want to do a full Parasolverse reread again.
Melancholy.
Yearning.
That's what I got from this book. It didn't make me happy like the other books in the series and the wider Parasolverse. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It just...was.
I probably have feelings about this because Pillover is one of my favourite characters in the Finishing School series and I wanted only good things for him. This wasn't what I expected. I suppose poor communication is the main takeaway here, which is funny because they were always candid with each other. But I guess I wanted more for them. In a way, perhaps Agatha was selfish since she had greater knowledge of his feelings for her, than he had of hers. On the other hand, he should have just said how he felt about her in no uncertain terms.
At any rate, so many years wasted, waiting when they could have had something more.
Life of an Intelligencer, I suppose.
It was nice to see that all the girls remained close insofar as they could given their different jobs and loyalties.
I think Lord Akeldama was trying to steer Agatha towards love and family (and Pillover in a way), but she was too stubborn to learn the lesson he was trying to impart.
Makes me want to do a full Parasolverse reread again.
November 3, 2021
Lovely and sad. Loved all the places where we find out what happened to Miss Geraldine’s girls between the Finishing School and Parasol Protectorate and Custard Protocol (and even a little San Andreas Shifters!) series.
(Still really hoping that Gail eventually writes more about what happens in the century-plus between the Custard Protocol and San Andreas Shifters, and how the world adapts to the emergence of mages. With lovely Edwardian clothes!)
(Still really hoping that Gail eventually writes more about what happens in the century-plus between the Custard Protocol and San Andreas Shifters, and how the world adapts to the emergence of mages. With lovely Edwardian clothes!)
October 10, 2021
I loved this. Everything about it was like coming home and spending time with friends. I liked that we got to see such a huge time span and how the characters touched upon other events happening in all the other books published without actually being connected. I also highly enjoyed learning more about them and their relationship. So I can recommend it to any fan of the Parasolverse and warn off others that there might be spoilers for other books and storylines.
November 10, 2021
I really wanted to love this book as much as I do other Gail Carriger books but I just couldn't. I feel that if the roles were reversed people would have outrage over the treatment of the person left behind but because it was Pillover waiting instead of Agatha it was all of a sudden romantic. No it wasn't. It is just as bad and she used him.
November 18, 2021
This is a hard one to rate. On the one hand, there's a lot of both isolation (Agatha's) and romantic mushiness (Pillover's). On the other, both characters are wonderful, if differently so.
Pillover is close to my favorite of the Carrigerverse men. He's steady and loyal and helpful without being flashy. Above all, he resists making his own feelings someone else's problem. He appreciates Agatha for herself without making demands: a rare and beautiful thing.
Agatha is a girl who knows what she wants and grows into a woman who doesn't apologize for it. Another rare and beautiful thing. However, by the end I was nearly convinced that she'd spent 40 years living as she had simply because she didn't grasp her alternatives. What a tragedy.
Although I was moved enough to cry at one point, ultimately I didn't fully understand Agatha or her decisions. It would’ve helped to see her in action, during her missions and travels--more showing and less telling.
Pillover is close to my favorite of the Carrigerverse men. He's steady and loyal and helpful without being flashy. Above all, he resists making his own feelings someone else's problem. He appreciates Agatha for herself without making demands: a rare and beautiful thing.
Agatha is a girl who knows what she wants and grows into a woman who doesn't apologize for it. Another rare and beautiful thing. However, by the end I was nearly convinced that she'd spent 40 years living as she had simply because she didn't grasp her alternatives. What a tragedy.
Although I was moved enough to cry at one point, ultimately I didn't fully understand Agatha or her decisions. It would’ve helped to see her in action, during her missions and travels--more showing and less telling.
October 5, 2021
This story just made me angry at Agatha for what she did to Pillover!
November 23, 2021
3.5 rounded up
As with all of Carriger's books, I really enjoyed this one, though perhaps somewhat less than usual. Partly because it's been probably close to five years since I read the Finishing School series, which is where we're introduced to these characters as children, and I just didn't remember that much about them, particularly Agatha. I think if I'd read this right after that series I'd have felt a stronger connection, particularly as the narrative style was somewhat unusual in that it sort of retold a lot of events from that series through Pillover & Agatha's eyes. I understand why the author made that choice, but something about it just didn't totally work for me. I still very much enjoyed it, and I really appreciated their less traditional relationship here. There was something quite understated about the romance, which I both liked and didn't totally jive with.
As with all of Carriger's books, I really enjoyed this one, though perhaps somewhat less than usual. Partly because it's been probably close to five years since I read the Finishing School series, which is where we're introduced to these characters as children, and I just didn't remember that much about them, particularly Agatha. I think if I'd read this right after that series I'd have felt a stronger connection, particularly as the narrative style was somewhat unusual in that it sort of retold a lot of events from that series through Pillover & Agatha's eyes. I understand why the author made that choice, but something about it just didn't totally work for me. I still very much enjoyed it, and I really appreciated their less traditional relationship here. There was something quite understated about the romance, which I both liked and didn't totally jive with.
November 24, 2022
I adore Gail Carriger’s ParasolVerse and the Delightfully Deadly novellas have had me curious. In truth, I have not enjoyed the Delightfully Deadly novellas as much as I’ve enjoyed other stories from the author. Nevertheless, I do remain curious.
Unfortunately, for me, Ambush or Adore was a story that did not work. Although it offers something different, I found myself unable to get into it in the way I had hoped. Rather than enjoying the slow progression of the story, the way things spanned such a large span, I found myself annoyed with the characters. In fact, there were points where I hated the choices they were making and felt like it was not romantic at all. Many others have clearly loved this, however, and I think this is one of those cases where I simply did not connect with the story.
All in all, this is interesting for fans of the universe, but it’s not the author’s best.
Unfortunately, for me, Ambush or Adore was a story that did not work. Although it offers something different, I found myself unable to get into it in the way I had hoped. Rather than enjoying the slow progression of the story, the way things spanned such a large span, I found myself annoyed with the characters. In fact, there were points where I hated the choices they were making and felt like it was not romantic at all. Many others have clearly loved this, however, and I think this is one of those cases where I simply did not connect with the story.
All in all, this is interesting for fans of the universe, but it’s not the author’s best.
October 23, 2021
First - the woman on the cover does NOT match any descriptions of Agatha whatsoever. Very disappointing. Ignoring that discrepancy, I adore this novella. I do wish it was released in solid, tangible, paper form.
The previous Delightfully Deadly books dealt with life well after finishing school. This one gives us glimpses of Agatha and Pillover’s perspectives from school right on through until their 70s. I also loved the hints at other potential novels - PLEASE give us the full tale of Vieve!!
Finally, Poison or Protect was rather explicit in the adult content - less so in Defy or Defend, and it was practically implied in this book.
On to the next book in the Parasolverse!
The previous Delightfully Deadly books dealt with life well after finishing school. This one gives us glimpses of Agatha and Pillover’s perspectives from school right on through until their 70s. I also loved the hints at other potential novels - PLEASE give us the full tale of Vieve!!
Finally, Poison or Protect was rather explicit in the adult content - less so in Defy or Defend, and it was practically implied in this book.
On to the next book in the Parasolverse!
March 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. The love story is a bit sad and not very healthy but it felt honest to the characters. I really enjoyed seeing events from the parasolverse from Agatha and Pillover's perspectives and getting hints about what Agatha was doing for all their years apart. I also enjoyed the idea of the two of them always being home to each other despite the difficulties of their relationship. One of the things I love about these novellas is the drastically different paths love takes for the different characters, and it was interesting to see a story were the characters were kept apart for so long.
May 6, 2023
I really enjoyed Preshea’s and Dimity’s stories but Agatha and Pillover was a bit of a let down. The first from Carriger really. I could not connect to either character nor understand why they acted the way they did. How could Agatha be such a great spy but be so very very blind when it came to the way Pillover felt about her and also her own feelings. They made their own lives so very hard and empty for no reason. I think, i never believed for one second that all that traveling actually made Agatha happy or brought her any joy. She was just constantly running from herself but then she was sad that no one knew her. But she made it that way. No, sorry, can’t connect to this one.
August 3, 2023
A Grand Reunion with a Long Timeline
I always loved bookish Pillover and Agatha the wallflower, so this was a real treat to read. I cried and laughed and cried some more. Since it has been a while since I last read any of the Parasolverse, I stumbled a bit, especially at the end, because I don't recall the event mentioned, so I now have the desire to re-read everything.
Don't read this if you're unfamiliar with The Finishing School series, as the characters and adventures mentioned will make no sense.
I always loved bookish Pillover and Agatha the wallflower, so this was a real treat to read. I cried and laughed and cried some more. Since it has been a while since I last read any of the Parasolverse, I stumbled a bit, especially at the end, because I don't recall the event mentioned, so I now have the desire to re-read everything.
Don't read this if you're unfamiliar with The Finishing School series, as the characters and adventures mentioned will make no sense.
October 11, 2021
Ich weiß nicht so genau was ich von dem Buch halten soll. Es ist so ganz anders als die anderen der Serie, weil einfach auch die Geschichte über so lange Zeit erzählt wird. Es ist nett immer wieder Situationen zu erkennen, aber irgendwie habe ich die ganze Zeit auf etwas gewartet, was nicht kam. Ich bin mir nicht sicher ob es mir dadurch schlechter oder besser gefällt.
October 3, 2021
A satisfying fan service novella that tells you what happens to two of the Finishing School characters over the course of about forty years. This really will only work for you have read the Finishing School series, and if you haven’t also read the Custard Protocol books you will get some spoilers, but if you have it delivers everything you want. It had me in a blubbery mess for the last few chapters, but I’m a good way.
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