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

Mini Thoughts ~ Waistcoats & Weaponry

Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School #3)

by Gail Carriger
published by Little, Brown Books
Genre: YA, Steampunk, Supernatural, Shifters

Summary (Goodreads): Sophronia continues second year finishing school in style -- with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown. She, best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and charming Lord Felix Mersey stow away on train to return classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspects what or who would be aboard the suspiciously empty train.

Mini Thoughts: This was not my favorite of this series. Sophronia annoyed me in this book. Lots of flopping back and forth between Lord Mersey and Soap. Also, seemed very selfish for a lot of it.
I also didn't like the main plot of this book. The whole train ride and the picklemen I found boring.
There were two things that saved this for me. The writing was great as usual and the secondary story of Sidheag and the Scotland pack. This gave more background and got characters into place for when  Parasol Protectorate starts up.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Disenchanted & Co.

His Lordship Possessed (Disenchanted & Co. #1, part 2)

by Lynn Viehl
published by Pocket
genre: Adult, Steampunk, Fantasy, PNR

**EGalley received from netGalley and Publisher
***Review for part 1 can be found (here).

Summary (Goodreads): The second half of Disenchanted & Co.—the thrilling conclusion. In a steampunk version of America that lost the Revolutionary War, Charmian (Kit) Kittredge makes her living investigating magic crimes and exposing the frauds behind them. While Kit tries to avoid the nobs of high society, as the proprietor of Disenchanted & Co. she follows mysteries wherever they lead.

Lady Diana Walsh calls on Kit to investigate and dispel the curse she believes responsible for carving hateful words into her own flesh as she sleeps. While Kit doesn’t believe in magic herself, she can’t refuse to help a woman subjected nightly to such vicious assaults. As Kit investigates the Walsh family, she becomes convinced that the attacks on Diana are part of a larger, more ominous plot—one that may involve the lady’s obnoxious husband.

Sleuthing in the city of Rumsen is difficult enough, but soon Kit must also skirt the unwanted attentions of nefarious deathmage Lucien Dredmore and the unwelcome scrutiny of police Chief Inspector Thomas Doyle. Unwilling to surrender to either man’s passion for her, Kit struggles to remain independent as she draws closer to the heart of the mystery. Yet as she learns the truth behind her ladyship’s curse, Kit also uncovers a massive conspiracy that promises to ruin her life—and turn Rumsen into a supernatural battleground from which no one will escape alive.

My Thoughts: I'll start by saying I have found I don't like reading books broken into parts. Especially when I have a long wait between the readings. I didn't enjoy part 2 as much as part 1. Where the first seemed to flow and read as a cohesive story. This second part seemed to jump all over the place. We go from a sorta steampunk victorian like city to a world where two groups of ancient mythological beings, who want to go to war, taking over the land and the people. Throw in some time travel and eventually it gets back to where the book started.
Overall, I don't know if this had been better if I had read both parts at the same time. The beginning and the end were a promising start to what could be a good series. Unfortunately the middle section kind of got muddled and seemed to go off track. I did like that at least for this story the author did not have a love triangle between Kit, Dredmore, and Doyle. There was enough between Kit and Dredmore that it did not need anything else thrown at it.

Rating: 3.5, Overall for Disenchanted & Co: 4

Book Review ~ The Inventor's Secret

The Inventor's Secret

by Andrea Cremer
published by Philomel
genre: YA, Steampunk, 

Summary (Goodreads): In this world, sixteen-year-old Charlotte and her fellow refugees have scraped out an existence on the edge of Britain’s industrial empire. Though they live by the skin of their teeth, they have their health (at least when they can find enough food and avoid the Imperial Labor Gatherers) and each other. When a new exile with no memory of his escape  or even his own name seeks shelter in their camp he brings new dangers with him and secrets about the terrible future that awaits all those who have struggled has to live free of the bonds of the empire’s Machineworks.

The Inventor’s Secret is the first book of a YA steampunk series set in an alternate nineteenth-century North America where the Revolutionary War never took place and the British Empire has expanded into a global juggernaut propelled by marvelous and horrible machinery. Perfect for fans of Libba Bray's The Diviners, Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel, Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan and Phillip Reeve's Mortal Instruments.

My Thoughts: This was a good read but did not feel like a first book. It felt more like a prequel to a series. While there was a small story about the exile and who he really is, it wasn't enough to carry the whole book. This mainly was an introduction into this new world and the characters that live there.
I could have done without the romance drama/ love triangle that appeared even though one had only known Charlotte for minutes. Charlotte and Jack seemed too immature and then throw in Jack's brother and we have unneeded drama considering the world is in the middle of a war.
I liked the side characters we meet in the city from the clueless (or not) wife to the step sister that seems to have more sense than all the exiles put together.
Overall, there was not enough story to carry this book. The secret that is hinted at in the title had no effect on this book. If this had been a prequel I might have rated it higher but as is there wasn't enough depth and it focuses on the wrong characters.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review ~ The Falconer

The Falconer (The Falconer #1)

by Elizabeth May
published by Chronicle Books
genre: YA, Historical Fantasy, Steampunk

Summary (Goodreads): Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

My Thoughts: I so wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, the summary sounded like it had a lot of promise, and everyone was raving about it. The last one should have tipped me off. For some reason whenever there is a lot of hype about a book I don't fall in line with the rest.
The world building was well done, incorporating small steampunk details without hitting you over the head with them. For me I didn't feel like I was reading a book set in Scotland, it felt more British, until the author reminded you they were in Scotland. This did not take away from the story at all just something I noticed.
The characters. This is where I had the most problems with the book. Aileana starts off as a broken young girl who has recently lost her mother and just wants revenge against the Fae that killed her. Not only does she want to kill the specific one but she is out to get everyone she can find. If the author had stuck with this and kept her as a strong female character, even making the hard choices, I would not have disliked this book as much as I did. Enter Kiaran, the cliche YA boy (I can't even call him the bad boy, he didn't have enough personality for that). Everything you just learned about Aileana and liked about her goes out the window. Instead of being the strong female she is reduced to the simpering schoolgirl who can focus on nothing but his lips and how he makes her feel. This would have almost been fine if he wasn't the very thing that we are told she hates with all her being.
Needless to say the story went downhill from there. We also have a Gavin, who is just trying to do the right thing, saves Aileana's life and ruins his own in the process. I've mentioned before how much I dislike love triangles and this is no exception.
The ending. I'm not sure how I felt about the cliffhanger (ish) ending. I will say it showed that the author could write great characters in a short time. Sorcha and her brother were two of the most interesting in the book. Their personalities were solid (even if they were evil) and more there than Kiaran's who we had been reading about since the beginning of the book. The seal, Kiaran's sister, the reason that Sorcha can't be killed, these may be reasons to read the next book but I'm just not sure. I'll have to wait and read some reviews from bloggers I trust before I decide.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review ~ Camelot Burning

Camelot Burning (Metal & Lace #1)

by Kathryn Rose
published by Flux
expected release date: May 8, 2014
genre: Steampunk, retellings, author debut 

**e-galley received from netGalley/publisher in exchange for honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): By day, Vivienne is Guinevere's lady-in-waiting. By night, she's Merlin's secret apprentice, indulging in the new mechanical arts and science of alchemy. It's a preferred distraction from Camelot’s gossipy nobility, roguish knights, and Lancelot’s athletic new squire, Marcus, who will follow in all knights’ footsteps by taking a rather inconvenient vow of chastity.

More than anything, Vivienne longs to escape Camelot for a future that wouldn't include needlework or marriage to a boorish lord or dandy. But when King Arthur's sorceress sister, Morgan le Fay, threatens Camelot, Vivienne must stay to help Merlin build a steam-powered weapon to defeat the dark magic machine Morgan will set upon the castle. Because if Camelot falls, Morgan would be that much closer to finding the elusive Holy Grail. Time is running out and Morgan draws near, and if Vivienne doesn't have Merlin's weapon ready soon, lives would pay the price, including that of Marcus, the only one fast enough to activate it on the battlefield.

My Thoughts: This story combines steampunk and a loose interpretation of Arthurian legend. The author did a good job with good vs evil aspects of this story, represented in the better known Arthur/Morgan and also machine/ magic.
Vivienne was a curious and interesting character. She played the part of the lady in waiting to the Guinevere but did not thin twice about running off to Merlin's tower whenever she could (which was more often than you would think). I liked how many of her reactions were not that of the normal court lady. She spoke up even when she shouldn't and was more likely to be found standing by the knights in a battle than hiding in the castle. Her relationship with Marcus was odd/awkward. Not really sure how I feel about it. It seemed to be there more to move certain plots along or create tension between characters.
One of my main problems with this book was the feeling that things were missing.  Vivienne's whole relationship with Azur was never explained and yet we are supposed to understand why he would expect her to leave Camelot with him to get away from everything happening. I took it to mean they had met before but don't know more than that. There was also Arthur's metal, it was just a big and well guarded thing but I never really understood the when/how it got to where it was and why.
Also, the final battle was a little lack luster, there was a lot happening but the death's of Morgan and Mordred just seemed to happen too quickly. The story was in the heat of battle and then the next sentence they are dead. There was more to the earlier battle than this main part. I had to reread the paragraph a couple of times to figure out what exactly happened.
That being said, I still enjoyed the story overall. The riddles from the Lady of the Lake and why Vivienne knows where the Holy Grail is and how she is going to help bring Camelot back. I can see myself taking the time to read book 2.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Her Ladyship's Curse

Her Ladyship's Curse (Disenchanted & Co. Book 1, part 1)

by Lynn Viehl
published by Pocket Star
genre: Adult, Steampunk, Supernatural, 

*e-galley received from netGalley/ publisher in exchange for an honest review.
**Disenchanted & Co. was first released in 2013 as two parts. The full book Disenchanted & Co. is available as of 1/28/2014

Summary (Goodreads): In a steampunk version of America that lost the Revolutionary War, Charmian (Kit) Kittredge makes her living investigating magic crimes and exposing the frauds behind them. While Kit tries to avoid the nobs of high society, as the proprietor of Disenchanted & Co. she follows mysteries wherever they lead.

Lady Diana Walsh calls on Kit to investigate and dispel the curse she believes responsible for carving hateful words into her own flesh as she sleeps. While Kit doesn’t believe in magic herself, she can’t refuse to help a woman subjected nightly to such vicious assaults. As Kit investigates the Walsh family, she becomes convinced that the attacks on Diana are part of a larger, more ominous plot—one that may involve the lady’s obnoxious husband.

Sleuthing in the city of Rumsen is difficult enough, but soon Kit must also skirt the unwanted attentions of nefarious deathmage Lucien Dredmore and the unwelcome scrutiny of police Chief Inspector Thomas Doyle. Unwilling to surrender to either man’s passion for her, Kit struggles to remain independent as she draws closer to the heart of the mystery. Yet as she learns the truth behind her ladyship’s curse, Kit also uncovers a massive conspiracy that promises to ruin her life—and turn Rumsen into a supernatural battleground from which no one will escape alive.

My Thoughts: The author did a good job of sucking you right into this story considering the length of this first part. I was instantly interested in Kit, her job, and what exactly made her so special. Was there something "special" about her or was she correct in her belief that there is no such thing as magic?
I found the rest of the characters just as interesting if not liable. I liked both of Kit's friends, they were so very different from each other and different from Kit that it worked and made sense for these two to be her friends. I started with a strong dislike for Dredmore but at the same time wanted to know where the author was going with the relationship between him and Kit. It had some very high moments just to turn around and have some of the lowest follow almost immediately.
Overall, while this was just part of the first book in the series, it gives you a glimpse into the world and the characters that live there. I thought the alternate America was well done without making it the typical western that you find in some steampunks. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this story/series.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ The Friday Society

The Friday Society

by Adrienne Kress
published by Dial
genre: Steampunk, YA

Summary (Goodreads): An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all 
Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.

Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

My Thoughts: My first thought when I finished this was "that was entertaining". It's always good when a book makes me feel this way.
There is a character for almost everyone. I found I liked the three girls together as a group rather than any individual one. They all had their strengths and their weaknesses but when they were a group is when they were their best.
This book was more character than story driven. The mystery/ mysteries were typical and you could see where things were going at times. I found myself caring more about what happened to the girls as a whole rather than the "who done it".
Overall, as stated, I found this to be an entertaining read. I would not hesitate to read another book by this author or about these three characters.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ The Unnaturalists

The Unnaturalists (The Unnaturalists #1)

by Tiffany Trent
published by Simon & Schuster
genre: YA, Fantasy, Steampunk

Summary (Goodreads): In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

My Thoughts: Tiffany Trent did a wonderful job on the world building for this story/series. It's an alternate steampunk London that has completely bought into science all the way and forgotten the magic that brought them to New London. In the process of furthering their science they have been killing off all the magical creatures that called the land home before they showed up, this in turn is killing the land with something called The Waste.  This was probably my favorite story line of the book.
Characters, this is were it fell short for me. Vespa was a great fully fleshed out character. All she wanted was to follow in her father's footsteps and become a Pedant and study the Unnaturals. Everyone else has other plans for her. Whether it is to become a lady and marry well or prove her true heritage and use her to further their own schemes she has to learn to deal with all these things while trying to stay who she thinks she truly is.
Unfortunately, Vespa was the only full character. Syrus is a lead and we get many chapters from him but we really don't ever get anything that makes you want to know more or care fully when something bad happens to him. With everything that happens to him during this story and the fact that he is the only one that can speak to the Unnaturals and read the old texts it was a real missed opportunity. He only seemed to show up to further another's story rather than following his own.
There is a slight romance in this story but at this point it doesn't really interest me. It has potential down the road but it was hard to buy into Vespa suddenly being dependent on Hal when the author spent so much time making her a forward thinking female that wanted to break boundaries.
Overall, based on the great world building and Vespa I am looking forward to the next book in this series. It'll be interesting to see if Ms Trent does anything further with Syrus and his new (unwanted) abilities. I'm also interested in finding out more about this new Empress and her story.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Stormdancer

Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1)

by Jay Kristoff
published by Thomas Dunne Books
genre: YA, Mythology, Fantasy, Steampunk

Summary (Goodreads): A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A HIDDEN GIFT
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

My Thoughts: This got extra marks just for the setting. I really enjoyed reading a steampunk that wasn't set in Victorian London. It has a lot of familiar elements but felt much darker.
I wasn't sure about Yukiko at first but she really grew on me after her and Buruu (the arashitora) are brought together. Even with all the betrayal and missteps she grew into a capable woman that is really to think for herself rather than follow the status quo.
There is a lot of evil in this book. From The Shogun and Lotus Guild to mythological demons that everyone thought no longer existed. The Lotus Guild came across as much more of the big bad than the Shogun. Even when he was killing someone it seemed more of a spoiled temper tantrum than true evil. He was a definite bad guy just not The Bad Guy.
You really get a sense of how evil the Guild is when Yukiko is trying to save Kin in the forest. Everything that they are forcing on the people they won't touch because it is not pure. I'm interested to see where Kin's story goes. He was questioning a lot by the end but also had to deal with betrayal from those he thought he could trust.
Overall, this lived up to the hype. It was set in a world that was unique to the usual steampunk. I cannot wait to read the next book and see what happens with not only Yukiko and Buruu but also Kin and The Guild.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Etiquette & Espionage

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1)

by Gail Carriger
published by Little Brown Books
genre: YA, Steampunk, Fantasy

Summary (Goodreads): It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners—and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage—in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

My Thoughts: We start with Sophronia trying to spy on company to find out what her mother is up to. This leads to all sorts of problems and ends up being a perfect example as to why she is being recruited for finishing school.
Sophronia is a great lead without being overdone. She's not perfect and doesn't always thinks first causing problems not only for herself but others as well. This makes her more likable and believable, she is not your typical "I'm perfect" lead (that's Monique). The other characters (some you'll recognize if you've read Carriger's adult series) add diversity and interest. Dimity and her brother Pill were my favorites after Sophronia.
Overall, this was a good start to a new series. I had some problems with the "mystery" surrounding the prototype. I didn't really feel like there were a lot of answers. We knew who had it but were never really told why they were doing it (was it just the money or was there more to it). It just felt slightly unfinished in that respect. Some of this may be cleared up when the next book comes out in November (2013).

Rating: 4

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School #2)

by Gail Carriger
published by Little Brown Books
expected release date: November 5, 2013
genre: YA, Steampunk, Fantasy

Summary (Goodreads): Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won't Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

In this sequel to bestselling author Gail Carriger's YA debut Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.

**I just finished book 1 (Etiquette & Espionage) and really enjoyed it, cannot wait to find out what happens next.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Bronze Gods (Apparatus Infernum #1)
by A.A. Aguirre
published by Ace
expected release date: April 30, 2013
genre: Adult, Steampunk, Fantasy

Summary (Goodreads): Danger stalks the city of steam and shadows.

Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko work all hours in the Criminal Investigation Division, keeping citizens safe. He’s a charming rogue with an uncanny sixth sense; she’s all logic—and the first female inspector. Between his instincts and her brains, they collar more criminals than any other partnership in the CID.

Then they’re assigned a potentially volatile case where one misstep could end their careers. At first, the search for a missing heiress seems straightforward, but when the girl is found murdered—her body charred to cinders—Mikani and Ritsuko’s modus operandi will be challenged as never before. Before long, it’s clear the bogeyman has stepped out of nightmares to stalk gaslit streets, and it’s up to them to hunt him down. There’s a madman on the loose, weaving blood and magic in an intricate, lethal ritual that could mean the end of everything…

**I always love a good steampunk and this one looks promising.

Book Review ~ Heartless

Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4)
by Gail Carriger
published by Orbit
genre: Adult, Fantasy. Steampunk

Summary (full @Goodreads): Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past....Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

My Thoughts: This book is my favorite of this series so far. It had plenty of action (and then some) along with a waddling, pregnant Alexia. Couldn't ask for more.
I said in my review of Blameless that I was curious how the end of it was going to affect Biffy. We find out in this book and it's not the best. By the end it sounds like things may be looking up for him which makes me happy since he's one of my favorites.
Alexia's investigation into who may be trying to kill the queen brought out some things about Professor Lyall that made me look at him in a different light (and it wasn't his past love). It also finally brought us the actual Parasol Protectorate. Okay, this was more for Ivy than an actual thing but I loved their code names and pledge.
Overall, I was kept guessing right up until Alexia figured out what was going on. I loved the action with the weres, vampires, and mechanical octomatons. I'm not sure how I felt about what Lord Akeldama did at the end but was glad Alexia was able to twist it somewhat so he was not the only one winning.
The birth of the baby and it's characteristics make me want a whole series just about the baby. I cannot wait to see how it plays out and what impact it has on the rest of the supernaturals.

Rating: 5

Book Review ~ Blameless

Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3)
by Gail Carriger 
published by Orbit
genre: Adult, Steampunk, Fantasy

Summary (full @Goodreads): Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead...

My Thoughts: This book picks up almost right where book two ended. Alexia has left the Woolsey pack and is staying with her family. Once the story of why she has left her husband's house comes out they make her leave and the real adventure begins.
All my favorites are in this book. I already wanted to know more about Floote and this just increased that want. He was pulling tricks out his hat left and right as they were travelling to Italy.
Plus we meet some of Ms Lefoux's colleagues during this trip. One good, one not so good (downright evil). I liked the addition of these two as well as the Templar.
While they were off on their little adventure, the werewolves and vampires were getting into trouble back in London. We find out how to get a were drunk (a little gross) and why Lord Akeldama disappeared right when he was needed most by Alexia.
I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. I can see many complications coming from what happened to one of my favorites (Biffy) and am looking forward to finding out how it plays out.
Overall this was another great installment in this series and really moved the story forward. Just starting book four and really looking forward to it.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ Changeless

Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2)
by Gail Carriger
published by Orbit
genre: Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk

Summary (Full @Goodreads): Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears - leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria...

My Thoughts: I'll start by saying, I Love this series! I've become completely engrossed in the world Ms Carriger has created.
While Alexia is my favorite, this is a series that has many of those quirky side characters that I love. From Ivy and her hats to Lord Akelmeda and all his dandy's. With new characters, Madame Lefoux and a whole regiment of soldiers.
We find out a lot more about these characters in this book. More about Alexia's preternatural state. More about Lord Maccon and why he left Scotland for London. I also liked meeting the Scottish pack. I didn't like many of them personally but as a whole I found them interesting. The new characters added even more to a series that already had a lot.
I became engrossed in the overall story of everyone in a certain area losing their supernatural state and what was causing it. I'll be interested in seeing how/what problems this causes in the long run.
Usually this is where I say how much I'm looking forward to the next book. I was so looking forward to it, that I started reading it as soon as I finished this one.

Rating: 4