Reviews

Poison or Protect by Gail Carriger

arwen4's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

kberry513's review

4.0

I found this novella more enjoyable than I expected. I wasn't overly fond of Preshea in the Finishing School series, but those are from the perspective of a girl who isn't even really friends with her, so it turns out (at least as an adult) she is much more likable. I also really liked the new characters who popped up.

digililly's review

adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

autumn's review

adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Maybe my rating for this book is so high because it's the first I've read from this particular author and wasn't really sure what to expect. Most writing that centers around a romantic dynamic where the man isn't the dominant force in the bedroom, I have found, leaves a bit to be desired, with few exceptions.

Well, this one was a MAJOR exception. What a wonderfully-written little treat of a novella! I fell in love with many of the characters, and even those I didn't love were well-conveyed and served their intended purposes.

My only complaint is that this book was WAY TOO SHORT, so the story felt perhaps a tiny bit rushed, but that could just be my own greediness and the fact that I want SO MUCH MORE story about Gavin & Preshea! Please! I need a whole series!!

themahtin's review

4.0

I hadn't read one of Carriger's books in a while (I recommend starting with Soulless). A nice romance novel with a tinge of intrigue, and of course some steampunk and references to supernatural folks.

alcea's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

bookswithbets's review

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

missbryden's review

3.0

Lovely to hear from the Finishing School girls again, especially Preshea. Her fleshing out in this story made me realize that we see her very one-sided in Finishing School, because she wasn't one of Sophronia's gang and she was just one of the "mean girls". It was sad and painful to learn what her background was and what she went on to experience after school with her husbands (and all by the age of 24!). It also reminded me that the mean, cold, unfriendly people like her are often (usually) so because of mistreatment and they don't know how else to act or what to expect, and they are all the more in need of love for how hard to love they are.
It was refreshing to see a male lead be so gentle and selfless towards the female lead (especially when he was supposed to be massive and could be overpowering), but especially him being able to read Preshea's needs, and also his kind and friendly behaviour to all other characters.
I appreciate that the rest of the story wasn't filler between the romance scenes. We get to see how Preseha is, and progresses, in multiple types of relationships and interactions. Having her learn about friendship (and for herself, not just observing others) with the two girls was very sweet.
I'm looking forward to hearing what happens with other Finishing School girls - maybe Agatha? She was the only other mentioned by name, I think.

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tinynavajo's review against another edition

5.0

Gail Carriger does it again and I so very glad that she did! This novella follows Preshea Buss in her life after finishing school. She has gone through four husbands by now and has become the Mourning Star. Throughout these marriages, Preshea has learned that men will just take, no matter what.

The services Preshea has learned from finishing school have been contracted by a man who wishes to break up his daughter's relationship with a fortune hunter and to protect said man from an assassin as well. While at this house party though, she learns that there is a man that will not take, but what is she take his heart and breaks it? Preshea learns that there may be more to men, especially Scottish men.

weirdlittlebooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75