Book Review ~ Timeless

Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5)

by Gail Carriger
published by Orbit
genre: Adult, Stempunk, Supernatural, Shifters

Summary (Goodreads): Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly.

Until, that is, she receives a summons that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?
TIMELESS is the final book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

My Thoughts: I've been putting this off. I haven't really been happy with the final book in series that I've enjoyed overall. I wanted to read Carriger's new book Prudence but realized a few pages in that I really didn't know enough about the daughter since I never finished this series.
This book start a couple years after book 4. The Maccon's are comfortably living in Lord Akeldama's closet, the pack is living next door, and the vampire hive has moved to the country. The quiet doesn't last. With a summons from the oldest supernatural, a murder of the Scotland beta, and secrets coming to light things go downhill fast.
I didn't hate this book but I also didn't love it as much as the previous books. The trip to Egypt was all over the place. A lot happens but I felt lost and still had questions when it ended. There were lots of mummies, deaths, near deaths, kidnappings and attacks that were eye rolling, strangers in balloons and of course the Tunstell's acting troupe.
I did like having Madame Lefoux around even if I never understood what she was around for. Also I liked how the author addressed the issue of Lord Maccon being immortal and his wife decidedly not. My favorite scenes were between Biffy and Professor Lyall. They had a nice relationship even if it only took place in this book. I would definitely read more about those two or just about Biffy growing more into his current/future role in the London pack.
Now I will be moving on to the new series featuring the Maccon's daughter Prudence. Who we found out in this book does not like her name.

Rating: 4