Sci fi Sunday - Gail Carriger's Heartless

Hello and happy Sci Fi Sunday! Today, I want to complete the reviews of the Parasol Protectorate with my own review of Heartless, the fourth book in the series. The fifth book, Timeless, releases in February of 2012, and trust me, I shall review it then.

Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4)  

Author: Gail Carriger

Publisher: Orbit Books

American release date: July 1, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Novel/Paranormal Steampunk/374 pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: NR/Suitable for teens and up

Overall Personal Rating : ☆☆☆☆☆

It seems that Alexia’s unexpected (and hitherto considered impossible) pregnancy has thrown the supernatural world into something of a tizzy (now that her husband has removed his head from his nether regions long enough to realize that the child is indeed his and none other’s). But it seems they have a plan. Lord Maccon, Lord Akeldama, and Professor Lyall, that is. They’ve been hatching their idea for five months, and have decided that now’s a good time to let Alexia in on their little scheme. (Nice of them, considering it’s her child they’re talking about). In light of the fact that Alexia has become the target of numerous annoying and inconvenient assassination attempts, she must give the child up. To Lord Akeldama;s care.

Men!

Synopsis:

Not surprisingly (except in the minds of the three gentlemen in question), Alexia does not fall in with their plan with handclapping and enthusiastic cheers. Rather, she’s totally against it. What mother would wish such a thing, to give up her child from birth? Really, gentlemen, be serious! But, with time to think, she, as always, has a better plan, one that will have the same result and not get her thrown out of her child’s life at one and the same time.

Alexia’s idea is to relocate herself and her husband into the townhouse next to Lord Akeldama’s, and to have a secret access to his home whereby they actually will live in his home, near their child, but for appearance’s sake, their address will be next door. Simple, eh? The hive’s fear centers around the child and what he or she may be capable of—namely their destruction. They feel that if said child were to be under Lord A’s tutelage, said crisis could be averted. However, just because a decision is reached doesn’t mean everyone has gotten the memo, and for now the attacks continue. Including one involving zombie hedgehogs.

Nothing in Alexia’s life is ever easy. Young Biffy, formerly one of Lord Akeldama’s drones (and the love of his life), now part of the Woolsey pack, is not adapting to his new condition well, and causes a great deal of trouble around the time of the full moon. Alexia’s sister, Felicity Loontwill, has taken it into her head to espouse women’s suffrage, and decides now, of all times, that she must be independent and free—while living with and dependent upon her sister. Madame Lefoux seems troubled to Alexia, but she isn’t sure why and the inventor isn’t confiding. Perhaps it is because her beloved aunt, Formerly Lefoux, the ghost, is about to end all existence at any time. But what is that derby-shaped contraption in Genevieve’s basement all about?

Then there is the ghost who shows up unexpectedly with a message for Alexia, warning of danger to the queen. Just when Alexia is in need of her wits the most, she finds that her advanced pregnancy has addled them, not to mention her increased bulk makes getting about fairly difficult at times. Especially when under fire. But that doesn’t keep her from impersonating a cook in search of unemployment, as she and Floote scuttle about the neighborhood, searching for clues.

Can anything else possibly go wrong in Alexia’s life?

Of course it can…

 Commentary:

The fourth volume in the Parasol Protectorate series is every bit as engaging as its predecessors, filled with the wit, the action, the suspense and the manners which we’ve come to expect from Gail Carriger. I have to say that as a mother, the solution which the gentlemen proposed at the beginning of the book set my teeth on edge. I understand why Alexia compromised as she did, but I would never be happy with such an arrangement, and I’d fight tooth and nail to keep my child. That being said, I have hopes that something will happen in the final volume to allow the family a normal life. That’s a relative term, by the way, as we are talking about a preternatural and a werewolf here, and who knows what the child will be?

My next consideration of ponderance is why on earth Biffy and Lord Akeldama can’t still be together, even if they are different species? Alexia and Conall manage quite well. It’s a matter of the heart, and if they work at it, I don’t see why it can’t be done. Perhaps the answer will lie in the next book.

Gail Carriger has drawn her characters superbly. Each and everyone pops out at you distinctly; there’s no mistaking one for another. Even the annoying ones, such as Felicity (whom I wish to beat down on a regular basis). At least we are spared the presence of Alexia’s insipid Mama and the rest of her mindless brood. Please let that last!

Carriger has given new meaning and depth to the steampunk genre, combining it with paranormal romance and coming up with one whale of a tale. Alexia Tarabotti Maccon is one of the best heroines ever. Were I ever to find myself in a fight, I’d definitely want her on my side. And her hubby certainly gives new meaning to the phrase sexy beast!

I read somewhere that there’s been a bit of dissension regarding the novel’s cover. I must say that I quite like the colors, and think they are rather fitting. I also like the backdrop of Woolsey.

I highly recommend this series to everyone. I’m greatly looking forward to the next volume; I’m sorry that it will be the last. However, take heart. Another series is about to begin—The Finishing School. I’m sure it shall be great fun too! Rest assured, I shall review that as well.

Join us next week for another episode of Sci Fi Sunday! Don't forget to check out Sui's blog, 2 Cents, and our join blog, Backyard Divas!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie and Sui

Guest Blogger Drea Becraft

Welcome if you will Drea Becraft, who's here to talk to us about secrets - is it ever necessary to keep one? Food for thought! While Drea and I get comfortable in the kitchen, why don't you see what she has to say on the subject. Drea, let me rustle up some tea!

Fine Line

Blog By Drea Becraft

            Everyone has one…a deep dark secret.

            But where is the line between a secret and a life altering omission?  I have my fair share of secrets things I keep inside to protect myself or people around me but none are so serious that it would be life altering.  We are all taught as children to tell the truth and if something is really important to tell an adult.  As a child I kept a lot more in than out and let it build up until I thought I was about to explode.  As an adult I often find myself doing the same thing but in bigger scale until the stress is to much to handle and I go completely off my rocker lol.

            In my newest Release Forget The Yesterdays my heroine has a life altering secret revealed to her that changes her entire life.  Once Sam’s secret is revealed, her feelings are hurt and she finds herself mad at the people who have kept it from her.

            So here is my question.  When is it okay to keep a secret?  Is there an okay reason to keep a secret?

Blurb: Forget The Yesterdays:    

Release Date: September 12, 2011

For Buy Links: http://www.dreabecraft.com 

Some say the past defines us, others say to forget it and move forward. For Jack McCloud, the past plagues him with what could and should have been. After the death of the only woman he ever truly loved, Jack finds that forgetting the yesterdays is harder then he ever imagined. Impossible, until one woman comes into his life and turns it upside down making him rethink where his future leads, and whether he really wants to survive it on his own.

Samantha Larsh, a single mother, only wants what is best for her and her newborn son. So when offered a job at ARC Management, she is elated at the opportunity to provide the life they both desperately need. One day, one job, and one secret later her life would be forever changed. Can the future handed to her by fate be enough for her to look forward to tomorrow, or is she forever doomed to live in the shadow of yesterdays ghost

Excerpt:

His dream began with the sound of the surf reaching his ears, the sunlight gently shining through his closed eyes.

“Are you just going to lay there?”

Peeking through his lashes, he saw Tina. “I was working on my tan.”

“As if you aren’t already too good looking. The last thing you need is a tan.”

Grabbing her hand, Jack pulled her down on top of him, holding her to his chest. “It’s been a couple of months. I missed you.”

“You know I have places to go and people to see.”

Reaching up, he tucked a piece of her auburn hair behind her ears. “Too busy to haunt

little old me, huh?”

“Never!” Leaning down, she kissed his mouth, running her tongue along the seam of his lips, asking silently for entrance.

Jack pulled her tongue into his mouth and sucked on it lightly, at first, then more forcefully. Running his hands up and down her bikini-clad body, he reveled in the feeling of her skin beneath his hands.

Pulling away slightly, Jack looked up to her face as the sun shown behind her, giving her the appearance of having a halo. Tears shown in her eyes, making him wonder why she was so sad. They were on a beach together, nothing could be better.

Reaching up, he brushed the tear from her cheek. “What’s the matter darlin’?”

“I’m going to miss you so much.”

“What are you talking about? We always have tomorrow.”

“I can’t keep coming to you, Jack. It’s time you move on. I want you to be happy.”

“I won’t be happy without you. I can’t be happy without you.”

“Yes you can and you will. Promise me you will move on.”

Turning his face away from her, he watched as the surf receded into the sea. Feeling her small hand cupping his cheek, he allowed her to bring his face back to hers.

“Please, Jack, for me.” A tear ran down her cheek, hitting him just below his nose and running down his lips.

Licking the tear away, he ran his hands up her arms to the back of her head, pulling her down to meet his hungry lips. Kissing her with every ounce of love in his body, he couldn’t stop, like a man possessed. Never leaving the kiss, he rolled over on top of her, her back in the sand.

Pulling away from her mouth had been about the hardest thing he ever had to do, but he couldn’t resist looking into her hazel eyes. “I can’t promise, because I never want to break a promise to you T. I will try my best… that I can promise you.”

“That’s all a girl can ask for.”

“I will never stop loving you, never.”

“I’m not asking you to. I believe there is enough love in your heart for more than one though.”

“I seriously doubt it. No one is you Tina, you’re the one I need and want.”

“I know but sometimes, the heart knows what it can and cannot handle before the brain catches up. Trust your heart baby, it will never steer you wrong.”

A loud beeping sound seemed to come from the waves, getting louder and louder with each beep.

“Its time for you to go, I love you. Always have, always will.” Kissing him, she disappeared in front of his eyes.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Reaching for the alarm clock, Jack pressed the snooze button and sat up in bed. Blinking to clear his eyes, he could have sworn he saw Tina standing in the corner of his room, waving goodbye.

“I love you, always have, and always will.” Jack smiled at her as once again she disappeared, leaving him to stare at the empty room.

Your book sounds intriguing, Drea! Have any questions or comments for Drea? She'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for being here, Drea, it's been a real pleasure.

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Follow Friday & Blog hopping

Happy Friday! Is everybody happy? I've decided that happiness is what you make of it, so I'm going to make this a very happy day! I'm glad to see you all! Thanks for stopping by!

 Q: If you could have characters from a book meet and form an epic storyline with characters from a TV series, which characters would you choose and why?

Answer: There are so many possibilities! So, having to just pick one, let's get really different. Let's take the characters from Dune (the books) and bring them face to face with the characters from the Borgias, and see which family ends up on top!




What else am I up to today?  I'm visiting with Lavinia Lewis at her blog, discussing my latest release and my co-author and friend/sister S.L. Danielson. Stop on by and say hello!

Ouran High School Host Club Volume 9 Review

Volume 9 of Bisco Hatori’s Ouran High School Host Club begins with an examination of the dichotomy that  is Hikaru and Kaoru. The twins are a perplexing pair—torn between wanting to be seen as individuals and being seen as a whole. They manage to confuse most of the people around them with their attitude and they go out of their way to make fools of everyone by childishly switching places whenever it pleases them. They are easily bored and prone to tossing aside their latest toy or pursuit when it no longer holds their joint attention, people included.  They believe that people only want to get close to them because of their family name. They haven’t reckoned on Tamaki Suoh.  When he asks them to join a club he wishes to start, they force him to play the “Which One is Hikaru” game for a month, sure he cannot succeed. They don’t count on Tamaki’s tenacity. Of course, the outcome is a foregone conclusion.

As the second story begins, the Host Club are playing pirates—buckling swashes and shivering timbers and slashing their way into their ladies’ hearts!  An unexpected visitor to the club, who is a newcomer to the school—a visiting princess from the kingdom of Monar—sets Tamaki into a tailspin that none can understand, although many try to psychoanalyze his reactions to the pampered, spoiled, selfish young woman. Does he know her? Does she remind him of someone? And why does he agree to her petulant demands?  Including wanting to have one of the little people taste her food in case of poison! The others are determined to get to the bottom of his bizarre behavior—the sooner the better!

After the princess’ departure, Tamaki takes to his bed with a cold, not appearing at school. Gadzooks! Tamaki sick? Unheard of! What’s going on? The Host Club goes to see!  They find him being spoiled by the staff at the manor, but there’s evidence that Tamaki has been acting strangely lately, including questioning Mori as to whether he ever wishes to kiss Hunny. Truth be told, Tamaki has had ideas of kissing Haruhi. But he’s her father! Wherein lies the conflict. This calls for some parental guidance, in the worst possible way. But will he receive it?

In the extra episode, Haruhi’s hosting a yami-nabe party at her house. Literally it means dark pot. Guests bring different foods that aren’t normally used in nabe and add them to the pot. Whatever you pick up with your chopsticks, you eat.  When the members of the Host Club run out of their expensive additions, they persuade Haruhi to run to the store for more—at their expense, of course. She grumbles, but she acquiesces. Once she’s out of the house, they are free to put their diabolically clever—and inherently ridiculous—scheme into effect, whereby they secretly replace every bit of the Fujioka’s poor, cheap home with expensive duplicates of high quality. Will they succeed? And if they do, will anybody notice?

A bonus story after the Host Club episodes is called The Love Egoist in which a college student is warned not to take a certain path, but he ends up taking it anyway. Has he found the love of his life? Or will he lose her by going down his already chosen road?

On the cover of this volume we see Haruhi and Hunny is grass skirts—completely adorable! I loved all the stories, but especially those with Tamaki. Although the spoiled princess trope is a familiar one, this one serves a different purpose, and I have hopes of seeing a furtherance in the relationship between Tamaki and Haruhi. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the members of the Host Club and look forward to a lot more of their adventures. The fun never stops, and the writing maintains a high quality in each story. I hope it continues for a long time to come!

Silver Flash: Scent of a Wolf 5

Happy Columbus Day (for those of you in the US) and welcome to another Wednesday and another Silver Flash! This week, our Prompt Diva was Freddy MacKay. She gave us: "...We've come so far...",  "...I think/feel I'm entitled to your body..."  and "...got a problem with personal space...". Our alternative prompt was provided by our very own Ryssa: Use the following elements in your story:  knitting needle, motorcycle, dripping paint


This week, my series Scent of a Wolf continues. As you'll recall, Cameron wasn't exactly taken with Jareth's olfactory fascination and fled the scene - but to what? I used "We've come so far", "I think/feel I'm entitled to your body..." and all three of Ryssa's prompts. Don't forget to check out all the Silver Flashers whose links appear at the end of this post!

Scent of a Wolf 5

Seeker Harcourt was a collector extraordinaire. He collected anything and everything that he deemed worthwhile having.  The most unique items that this world had to offer were the things he wanted the most. He desired them, he hungered for them, and he made sure that he got them. Or if he could not have them, then he made sure that no one else did.

The destruction of an object of value to prevent its falling into the hands of a competitor was inconsequential to him. He’d proven that before, many times.

Seeker’s brownstone row house, although attractive enough on the outside, did not begin to reflect the wealth which had been amassed and was flagrantly displayed within.  Not everything he owned was contained within these three floors. He rented storage units at various points throughout the city, locations known only to himself and select associates. He rotated his collection on a fairly regular basis. Most people would be surprised if they knew just what sorts of things he possessed.

Some were very high profile, and instantly recognizable, but the world was unaware that he held the original, for Seeker had access to people who could produce undetectable fakes. Others were simply illegal in just about everyone’s eyes. He valued those the most.

A female peregrine falcon sat upon Seeker’s gloved arm. He’d always favored peregrines for reasons best known to himself. She was held by a short tether, only going where he wished her to go. She slept in a gilded cage in his bedroom. Turning to the two men who stood within his drawing room, he noticed the shorter one, Rutledge, twitch, while the other one, the weasel-like Chambers, positively bristled. But to give the devils their due, they remained relatively calm in his presence, considering. Amazing, the power which money exerted over the little people. It helped them suppress their natural instincts. It also made them hungry for more.

“Ah gentlemen,” he said, “we’ve come so far together, haven’t we? I do appreciate the diligence with which you have applied yourself on my behalf.” His glance fell upon the inert form on the brocade chaise lounge beside him. Taking a deep breath, he inhaled the intoxicating scent; it stole through his very limbs, producing a serious spike in his blood pressure—not to mention within his expensive trousers.

“It wasn’t easy,” Chambers spoke up. “We went to quite a bit of trouble to acquire this one for you, Seeker.  

Especially with those two—“

“No trouble is too much to be borne for you,” Rutledge smoothly interrupted. Not smoothly enough., however. Seeker narrowed his eyes at them both.

“You mentioned no such difficulty when we spoke. What was the cause?”

“There were two other men who were after him,” Rutledge reluctantly admitted. “But we shook them off and acquired him for you, as we said we would. Gave us quite a chase, he did.”

“I’m not surprised.” Seeker turned his dark eyes upon the slumbering man once more, his own breathing coming quicker. With difficulty, he maintained his normally stoic control. “Do you know who they were?” he asked.

“No,” Rutledge cut off whatever reply Chambers had been about to make, drawing one finger across his throat as a warning. “But we shall make inquiries for you.”

“Yes, do that.” He waved them off, never turning. “See yourselves out.”

They bowed briefly, before Rutledge gripped Chamber’s arm within his claw-like grasp and propelled him out of the room and from the building.

Seeker stepped closer to the redhead. The falcon stirred, ruffling her feathers. He set her on her perch, before kneeling beside the sleeping form. “I’ve waited a very long time for you,” he whispered. “At the least, I’m entitled to your body… If not your very soul…”

Cameron exhaled softly in his sleep, but never wakened.

Jareth had become almost frantic after Cameron had given him and Shaw the slip at the used book shop.  They’d hastened after him, followed the trail while they could, but all that gained them was a knitting needle in the side, from an old lady whom Jareth had sniffed at—thinking he detected the redhead’s scent upon her—and a face full of yellow paint which had dripped upon him when he’d upset a ladder. A painter had been standing on it, hard at work, touching up the sign of one of the local retailers.  He had a few choice words for Jareth, which Shaw quickly chased away with a bit of currency. Unfortunately, after that the trail had been lost. They could not find him, as if he’d been swallowed into the very earth.  It was with some difficulty that Shaw calmed Jareth down enough to get him to return to Stolen Hours. Only the idea that perhaps Eddie and/or Oliver had seen something was sufficient for Jareth to give up the chase, even momentarily.

“Sure, I saw them come in,” Eddie admitted, leaning over the counter, keeping his voice low in deference to the readers in the shop. “They went out again right away, but I recognized them, knew they was up to no good. It was written all over them.”

“Who was it?” Shaw Cross was almost afraid to ask.

“Rutledge and Chambers. I’d know those two anywhere.”

“Thanks, Eddie,” Shaw said, sneaking a glance at Jareth. His face remained impassive, but Shaw knew him too well not to realize he was livid. They exited the shop. The drizzle had stopped completely, but it had left behind a singular wetness over everything.

“You should probably clean up,” he advised Jareth. The paint on his cheek had somehow settled itself into the form of a question mark. He refrained from laughing at the comical sight, realizing this was not the time or place.

As if he hadn’t heard, Jareth regarded Shaw, before finally saying, “I’m going to take my motorcycle out, Shaw.”

The other man groaned. Somehow he should have seen this coming and tried to forestall it.

 to be continued

Be sure to visit the other Silver Flashers and see what they've done with this week's prompts!

Sui Lynn   m/m

L M Brown  m/m

Linda Sawyer   m/m

Lindsay Klug m/f

West Thornhill m/m

Heather Lin  m/f

Pender Mackie  m/m

Elyzabeth LaVey  m/f

Freddy MacKay m/m

 Be sure to join us next week for another installment of the Silver Flash!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Winter Demon Volume 1 Review

Winter Demon  

Author:  Yamila Abraham

Distributor:  Yaoi Press

American release date:  2006

Format/Genre:  Manga/Yaoi

Publisher/Industry Age Rating:  Mature readers

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Similar series or titles to check out: 

When three cruel fire demons threaten a peaceful village, they appeal to the monk Hakuin to save them, although he must drag himself out of his self-imposed solitude to do so, where he has attempted to escape some unpleasant memories. The oldest of the three demons, Lord Ratsu, makes no bones of his interest in Hakuin.  Fate intervenes in the form of a message from another village, which is being tormented by the winter demon.  The same winter demon that Hakuin is all too painfully familiar with.  The other monks see it as a sign that he should go back and deal with this demon, then bring him back to fight the fire demons.  What else can Hakuin do but agree, for the sake of his village?  Even if it isn't exactly his preference to do so.

Synopsis:

Hakuin goes to the village and encounters Fuyu, the Winter Demon once more, making a bargain with him.  In return for his help against the fire demons, Hakuin will of his own free will pledge himself to the winter demon. On the return journey, Fuyu decides he wishes to spend the night in a village along the way, anad Hakuin has no choice but to agree, even though he is impatient to get back.  They share some pillow talk, but nothing more, the demon overjoyed to have Hakuin back with him.  Their return to the village is less than they'd hoped for - the fire demons have killed all the monks but one, in their fury at finding Hakuin missing.  When Fuyu first encounters the fire demons, he discovers to his dismay that Ratsu is bigger and stronger than he.  Not  only that, but he states his intention to make Fuyu his uke!

Fuyu returns to Hakuin, telling him that he needs a special weapon to defeat these fire demonds, and he needs Hakuin's help to get it. Hakuin goes alone to do Fuyu's bidding, knowing that the winter demon's presence will not be appreciated,  but after he leaves, Ratsu imprisons the winter demon and ravishes him, giving him quite the taste of his own medicine.  And suddenly, Fuyu realizes how his victims must feel, and the knowledge is anathema to him. After an unexpected release, he tries to explain his feelings to Hakuin, who seems indifferent to his revelations.  A showdown with the fire demons is inevitable - none of them will be the same again, and Fuyu finds himself thinking of someone else, for a change, putting his welfare first.

Figaru is the epilogue to Winter Demon.  Ichiro is a villager who has severe self-esteem issues, due to the harsh words of his fellow villagers.  While chopping wood one day, he glances up to find that he is being observed - by a demon.  The next day the demon returns, and Ichiro asks him what he wants.  The demon, whose name is Figaru, thinks that Ichiro is handsome, and as an incubus he only wants to touch him.  He brings him water for his thirst, and Ichiro is suspicious but he drinks it anyway.  The demon begins to touch Ichiro, gently, but an interruption by Ichiro's mother brings that to a halt - for now.  The mother suspects that her son is getting it on with some hag from the village (cause surely no normal woman would want him) and spies on him, discovering he and Figaru, and following them to the demon's hut.  She runs to the village priest with her suspicions, even as Figaru makes love to Ichiro, but the priest, for his own reasons, thinks that maybe this is a good thing, and that Figaru might be a good demon, not a bad, the idea having been put into his head by what has happened with Hakuin and Fuyu.  But he promises the woman that he will investigate.   And to do so,  he forces Ichiro to help him ensure the incubus!

Commentary:

I really liked the story of Hakuin and Fuyu, and I see great potential there.  It was inevitable that these two end up together, at least sexually, but I see that they can become more than mere bed partners.  It isn't stereotypical characterization, nor is it one-dimensional.  Fuyu is shaken by his own traumatic experiences with the fire demons and made to look at himself in a harsh light.  And while Hakuin cannot forget the circumstances that have brought them together, at least for now he is open to possibilities, which is more realistic than him simply turning around and proclaiming his love for the demon who possessed him against his will.  That being said, I am not overly fond of the artwork.  American mangas have a disadvantage over their Japanese brethren, in terms of longevity and practice of the mangaka's art, and the result is that they are way behind in terms of quality.  Some of the men in this manga look just like women, and I find that disturbing.  Sure, you can have pretty men, I'm all for it - but I don't want them to look like women.  Or even act like it.  I liked the way that, by the end, Hakuin is practically leading Fuyu around by the . . . um, nose.  Yeah, nose.  But the artwork plays second fiddle to the story anyway, so I concentrated on that, and enjoyed the tale from that perspective.

I thought Figaru was really sweet, and I loved the way that he made Ichiro feel special, when his own people made him feel unloveable and worthless.  I hope we see them again in future volumes.

Extras:

There is a bonus story called Pinfeathers,  involving two men on a mission, one of whom is very gung ho about nature, the other a killer, and how they get along, considering their diametrically opposed values..

 Overall Grade:        B

I couldn't in good conscience give this an A because of the artwork, but I think the artist has changed in the next volume, so hopefully it is for the better.    Definitely pick this one up, it's a good read and worth checking into.

"In the Radius": If you like Winter Demon, try Wild Rock.

Sci fi Sunday - Gail Carriger's Blameless

Happy Sci Fi Sunday! Continuing with our steampunk theme, I offer you my daughter Sarah's review of Gail Carriger's Blameless, the third book in the Parasol Protectorate Series. Enjoy!

Blameless: Parasol Protectorate book 3  
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Orbit Books
American release date: September 1st 2010
Format/Genre/Length: Novel/Fantasy/374 pages
Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Older Teen
Overall Personal Rating: A
Similar series/titles to check out: the Sookie Stackhouse series; Kieli; Last Exile

Alexia Tarabotti thinks her life is hard enough living as a preternatural socialite in steampunk Victorian England - but when her werewolf husband kicks her out of their home, she loses her position in the Shadow Council, and there are evil mechanical ladybugs trying to kill her, things go from bad to unbearable. There's only one option left to Alexia if she wants to stay alive - road trip to Italy, anyone?

Synopsis:

After finding herself in a most delicate condition—something that should be impossible given that Lord Maccon's supernatural state disallows breeding of any type—Lady Alexia Maccon-Tarabotti now finds herself kicked out of Scotland and her husband's familial home and back into the not-so-loving arms of her own family, who have no qualms about letting Alexia know how they feel about having such a scandalized individual under their roof. Angry at Lord Maccon and now unceremoniously cut off from the protection of both the clan and the Shadow Council due to a curt dismissal from the Queen herself, Alexia turns to the usually comforting presence of her vampire best friend Lord Akeldama—only to find the man missing, leaving behind only a vague message about looking after his cat. When a mini-plague of mechanical ladybugs, along with practically all the vampires in London, force Alexia to protect herself in a most unladylike fashion, England starts looking less and less safe for a pregnant preternatural. With her father's faithful butler Floote and the French inventor Madame Lefoux at her side, Alexia embarks on a road trip of steampunk proportions with the final destination being Italy: an ultra-religious country openly hostile towards supernatural beings and filled with Templars and delicious pesto galore. Who would ever guess such a place would be the best sanctuary for Alexia Maccon to seek answers about her preternatural state? But even the very orange landscape of Florence conceals some of the greatest dangers that Alexia has ever faced.

As Alexia and her jolly 'parasol protectorate' find themselves getting deeper into a whole mess of mysteries in Italy, back in London the arrogant and heartbroken Lord Maccon has decided to treat his state of mind by getting thoroughly hammered, much to the chagrin of his beta, Professor Lyall, who is forced to hold together the Woolsey werewolf pack in his elective absence - which means handling everything from challenges from lone wolves to dealing with the pressure of an irate Shadow Council. But when the Woolsey pack find itself being pulled into the inner political business of vampires, mainly the disappearance of Lord Akeldama, Lord Maccon will have to sober up quick if he wants to help find his wife's good friend as well as get back into his beloved's good graces (if Alexia will still have him). That is, if Maccon can stop acting like an arrogant buffoon long enough to realize the worst kind of truth there is: that he was totally and utterly wrong.

Commentary:

Do you like fantasy books in alternative Victorian England where the technology and fashion of steampunk is part of everyday life? Do you like your werewolves and vampires and other supernatural things to wear fancy dress and follow the old fashioned rules of etiquette, usually to humorous effect? Do you like reading about a well-read half-Italian woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind and wields a parasol like a weapon (because it is)? And . . . you're not reading the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, now at three books and ongoing? For shame! Right now, there hasn't been a better time to jump into this excellent series, especially since the third book kicks off so many plots and subplots that will continue the story through several more volumes - all of them wickedly interesting and sure to make great reads in the next year. Plus, more Alexia Tarabotti! And that can never be a bad thing.

In the third book of the series chronicling Alexia's adventures in both the abnormal and the mundane, Blameless, she finds herself in a bigger pickle than ever before: her husband has deserted her; there's an impossible baby on the way; she has to live with her odious family yet again; her vampire BFF has gone AWOL with no clear reason why; it seems like everyone is pretty much out to kill her - including, of all things, mechanical ladybugs with very dangerous antennae. As usual, the amount of paranormal nonsense Alexia must go through on a daily basis is always strange and vastly interesting - as well as the fact that Alexia is less scandalized by these things happening to her as much as the fact that protecting herself from them means ruining all her best skirts and gowns in the process. In this volume, however, she has one more thing to worry about - she's pregnant. Her conversations with the 'infant-inconvenience' growing in her body are terribly amusing, and it makes one wonder what kind of mother Alexia will make if/when the child is born - or for that matter, what kind of father Lord Maccon might be.

Another new thing in Blameless is the new attention on Lady Tarabotti's preternatural soulless state, now more curious than ever seeing that she's with child by a werewolf, and such a union is rare if not impossible. As readers, we have spent two books following Alexia's life without a soul and have gotten used to her 'condition', so seeing characters like the German scientist Mr. Lange-Wilsdorf (who insists on addressing Alexia as the 'Female Specimen') and the church's preceptor (who in turn calls Alexia 'My Soulless One', capital letters and all) examine her like a slide underneath a microscope's gaze is unsettling in the strangest of ways. It's a good sign that Alexia's soullessness is going to become part of the ongoing story in a big way and I look forward to seeing how everything is resolved, if anything is. Add to this the dynamics of werewolf packs and vampire hives as well as the inner workings of England's high society set against a very gears-and-cogs world and it's plain to see that all the world-building and details built up in the first book are greatly paying off.

So, let's add it all up, shall we? In this book alone, a fearlessly stubborn and pregnant soulless female lead is dodging killer insects and odious vampires currently swarming a most steampunk London set in the Victorian age before being forced to flee with her stiff upper lipped butler and French inventor female friend to the land of tasty green sauce and dementedly religious Templars while her husband skulks around drunk on 'pickling' liquid and his beta is forced to pick up the pace of running the pack - and somewhere in the English countryside a fabulously distressed vampire is looking for his favorite drone and a research center disguised as a hat boutique is being overrun by ugly headgear by an unwitting Ivy Hisselpenny and her board-treading husband. With all theseawesome exciting things going on, you'd be demmed foolish to not give this book a whirl.

Overall Grade: A

The Alexia Tarabotti books continue to bring it in terms of adventure, humor, and stylish steampunk - whether in Victorian England or Templar-infested Italy.

In the Radius: Fans of Parasol Protectorate's steampunk-styled action should check out the anime series Last Exile, a sci-fi show created by Studio GONZO which has also been reviewed on the Anime Radius site.


Until Next time, take care!

♥ Julie