Parasol Protectorate Books #2 & #3 by Gail Carriger
My Ratings for Each Book: 4 of 5 Stars
I am still having great fun with this series. Gail Carriger has managed to make this crazy world totally believable, and completely enjoyable. This is a Victorian steampunk sort of adventure, but not like any others I’ve read. Oh, there are dirigibles, to be sure. I’m guessing you can’t write steampunk without them. And there are odd little automatons, like large, metal ladybugs with poison-loaded syringes where their antennae should be. And there are werewolves and vampires a-plenty. But none of them is portrayed exactly like you’ve seen and read them so many times before. And there is a heavy dose of Victorian customs and manners, as well, but delivered with a deadly sense of humor, making the absurdity of it all impossible not to enjoy.
Book #2, Changeless, was hilarious…until it wasn’t! The ending was a shocker to me, but guess what? It had me downloading Book #3, Blameless, within 30 seconds. I simply had to know what happened next. So, brava, Ms. Carriger. You did your job well, obviously, and now I am truly hooked on the series. If the last two books are as good as the first three, I will no doubt be chomping at the bit, not unlike some of the series werewolves, for the next installment to be published.
If you like a lot of gadgetry in your books (including, but not limited to, a parasol that might have been designed for James Bond), and you really enjoy an author who knows how to laugh at her own characters, while at the same time, endearing them to her readers, then I suggest you give the Parasol Protectorate a try. It might take a chapter or two to really hook you, but once it does, you are in for a great time.
Changeless (The Parasol Protectorate)
Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate)
If you decide to place an order with amazon, clicking through from my links will give me credit. If you are enjoying my reviews on Bookin’ It, it’s a great way to let me know! Thanks!