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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
jmitschke's review against another edition
4.0
This followed a much more traditional romance novel format than most other books in the Parasol-verse (which usually have more adventure and/or intrigue), but I like feelings and kissing so it was still a fun read.
First read August 2018
Re-read February 2020
First read August 2018
Re-read February 2020
ammiebelle's review
3.0
Despite never reading all of Ms. Carriger's Finishing School series (I only read the first book), I enjoyed Preshea's novella very much. What I liked most about it was that neither main characters were a stereotypical hero/heroine from a romance novel. Yet this story is clearly a romance. Gavin, the hero, was not a type-A personality that oozes testosterone. He was more subtle and quite content with being a background player in a crowd. He is someone that I would be attracted to. He was exactly what Preshea needed without rescuing her.
I was in between 3 and 4 stars on this and sided with 3 since I can't see me rereading it too often. I did enjoy it and look forward to the next novella in the series. I think it was very well done given that it is the author's first attempt at romance/love scenes.
I was in between 3 and 4 stars on this and sided with 3 since I can't see me rereading it too often. I did enjoy it and look forward to the next novella in the series. I think it was very well done given that it is the author's first attempt at romance/love scenes.
iskanderjonesiv's review
4.0
Can one gentle Highland soldier woo Victorian London’s most scandalous lady assassin, or will they both be destroyed in the attempt?
New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger presents a stand-alone romance novella set in her popular steampunk universe full of manners, spies, and dainty sandwiches.
Lady Preshea Villentia, the Mourning Star, has four dead husbands and a nasty reputation. Fortunately, she looks fabulous in black. What society doesn’t know is that all her husbands were marked for death by Preshea’s employer. And Preshea has one final assignment.
It was supposed to be easy, a house party with minimal bloodshed. Preshea hadn’t anticipated Captain Gavin Ruthven – massive, Scottish, quietly irresistible, and… working for the enemy. In a battle of wits, Preshea may risk her own heart – a terrifying prospect, as she never knew she had one.
Buy Poison or Protect today to find out whether it’s heartbreak or haggis at this high tea.
Warning: Contains men pleasing women, and ladies who know what they want and ask for it, sometimes in detail. May also contain plaid, appearances from favorite characters, and the strategic application of leather gloves.
annecrisp's review
3.0
It's well written, but there's too much romance for my taste. I probably should have read the description more closely.
redhead_haze's review
3.0
“Listen to me, my deadly little pearl. Choose love. Always choose love. If the decision is between love and anything else, choose love.”
This was an extremely enjoyable and catchy novel, with a strong and spirited female MC, romance, a bit of spice and some paranormal touches. It's the first book I've tried from Gail Carriger and it most definitely didn't disappoint.
From what I was able to gather, this book belongs to her Parasol Protectorate universe and, before starting Poison or Protect, the first book in the The Delightfully Deadly series (stand-alone romance novellas), it is advisable to read The Finishing School series, as it takes place beforehand and describes the world better. However, I enjoyed this one without having read the prequel, since Poison or Protect can be viewed as a stand-alone.
"Always inspire ardor or terror – it matters not which, for in society, they share the same sauce."
》》The Plot《《
The notorious lady Preshea Villentia is invited to a house party in the countryside, outside of London, and hired for two jobs: protect the Duke and prevent his first-born daughter from marrying Mr Jackson.
Captain Gavin Ruthven, accompanying the upmentioned Mr Jackson, finds himself at the same house party with one mission: stop any assassination attempts on the Duke's life. Unfortunately, his main suspect is the unreasonably beautiful lady Villentia whose reputation precedes her.
“Are all the stories about you true, Lady Villentia?”
She frowned. “All the ones that matter, I suppose. Why? Are you curious about anything in particular? Like most ladies, I dearly love to talk about myself.”
“They say you’ve a poison you spread on your lips. That to kiss you would be deadly.”
“What rot – how could I keep from poisoning myself?”
“I would take the risk, even if it were true.”
》》Characters and Relationships 《《
The characters here reminded me a bit of Amanda Quick's novels: also historical steampunk romances, with females who knew what they wanted and refused to bow to the rules of society. I used to devour those in high-school, long before I've discovered GoodReads and I'm happy to see I can still enjoy this sort of writing.
▪️Lady Preshea Villentia
"Lady Preshea Villentia. The Mourning Star. Widowed too many times under suspicious circumstances, too smart to be caught, and too beautiful to be ostracized. She was like opiates – expensive, intoxicating, and deadly in large doses."
Trained as an assassin, extremely beautiful and definitely deadly, Preshea proved a very enjoyable MC.
▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven
"He smells like Christmas – fresh pine boughs and spices. What right has a man to smell so good?"
I swear he's a Hufflepuff. He's a huge Scottish cinnamonroll, tender but also a very well trained soldier.
▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven and Lady Preshea Villentia
“Lass, I want this clear – I’d apply for the position of fifth husband, if you’d permit.”
“Oh, yes? Here I thought you desired a long and happy life.”
“Aye, lass, but I’d as soon a shorter one with you than a longer one without.”
I enjoyed their banter a lot, as well as the way they were completing each other. Clearly a good match, a relationship that was very easy to follow and even easier to get fond of. One of my favorite moments with them was definitely their teasing the first time they were shown their rooms, on opposite sides of the same hallway, closely followed by them being interrupted by the ghost of Connie.
“You are very beautiful.”
“I know.”
“But, I’m thinking, damaged?”
Preshea smiled. “Better to say deadly.”
While I didn't really hold my breath while reading it, there was little to none character development and I can't say it's one of those really great love stories that inspire hope, it's definitely worth reading when you're looking for some historical steampunk romance with quick wits, enjoyable figures and a happy ending. I'm not in love with it, but I did like it and, therefore, encourage you to give it a shot.
“You are so verra bonnie.” His voice was roughened by need.
She opened her mouth to say something flippant, but…
“Aye, you know it weel. But you dinna know it from me.”
This was an extremely enjoyable and catchy novel, with a strong and spirited female MC, romance, a bit of spice and some paranormal touches. It's the first book I've tried from Gail Carriger and it most definitely didn't disappoint.
From what I was able to gather, this book belongs to her Parasol Protectorate universe and, before starting Poison or Protect, the first book in the The Delightfully Deadly series (stand-alone romance novellas), it is advisable to read The Finishing School series, as it takes place beforehand and describes the world better. However, I enjoyed this one without having read the prequel, since Poison or Protect can be viewed as a stand-alone.
"Always inspire ardor or terror – it matters not which, for in society, they share the same sauce."
》》The Plot《《
The notorious lady Preshea Villentia is invited to a house party in the countryside, outside of London, and hired for two jobs: protect the Duke and prevent his first-born daughter from marrying Mr Jackson.
Captain Gavin Ruthven, accompanying the upmentioned Mr Jackson, finds himself at the same house party with one mission: stop any assassination attempts on the Duke's life. Unfortunately, his main suspect is the unreasonably beautiful lady Villentia whose reputation precedes her.
“Are all the stories about you true, Lady Villentia?”
She frowned. “All the ones that matter, I suppose. Why? Are you curious about anything in particular? Like most ladies, I dearly love to talk about myself.”
“They say you’ve a poison you spread on your lips. That to kiss you would be deadly.”
“What rot – how could I keep from poisoning myself?”
“I would take the risk, even if it were true.”
》》Characters and Relationships 《《
The characters here reminded me a bit of Amanda Quick's novels: also historical steampunk romances, with females who knew what they wanted and refused to bow to the rules of society. I used to devour those in high-school, long before I've discovered GoodReads and I'm happy to see I can still enjoy this sort of writing.
▪️Lady Preshea Villentia
"Lady Preshea Villentia. The Mourning Star. Widowed too many times under suspicious circumstances, too smart to be caught, and too beautiful to be ostracized. She was like opiates – expensive, intoxicating, and deadly in large doses."
Trained as an assassin, extremely beautiful and definitely deadly, Preshea proved a very enjoyable MC.
▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven
"He smells like Christmas – fresh pine boughs and spices. What right has a man to smell so good?"
I swear he's a Hufflepuff. He's a huge Scottish cinnamonroll, tender but also a very well trained soldier.
▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven and Lady Preshea Villentia
“Lass, I want this clear – I’d apply for the position of fifth husband, if you’d permit.”
“Oh, yes? Here I thought you desired a long and happy life.”
“Aye, lass, but I’d as soon a shorter one with you than a longer one without.”
I enjoyed their banter a lot, as well as the way they were completing each other. Clearly a good match, a relationship that was very easy to follow and even easier to get fond of. One of my favorite moments with them was definitely their teasing the first time they were shown their rooms, on opposite sides of the same hallway, closely followed by them being interrupted by the ghost of Connie.
“You are very beautiful.”
“I know.”
“But, I’m thinking, damaged?”
Preshea smiled. “Better to say deadly.”
While I didn't really hold my breath while reading it, there was little to none character development and I can't say it's one of those really great love stories that inspire hope, it's definitely worth reading when you're looking for some historical steampunk romance with quick wits, enjoyable figures and a happy ending. I'm not in love with it, but I did like it and, therefore, encourage you to give it a shot.
“You are so verra bonnie.” His voice was roughened by need.
She opened her mouth to say something flippant, but…
“Aye, you know it weel. But you dinna know it from me.”
mxsallybend's review
5.0
I am a newcomer to Gail Carriger’s Parasolverse but, based on the strength of Poison or Protect (the first Delightfully Deadly novella), it is somewhere I intend to spend a great deal of time in the future.
This was a book that captured me from the first page. The language of the telling, full of wit and whimsy, is absolutely spectacular. It was clear, early on, that this was to be more of a romance and novel of manners than I had anticipated, but I was smiling too much to second-guess myself. Lady Preshea Villentia, the Mourning Star, is a character of darkness and mystery who immediately captured my attention. I took a little longer to warm up to Captain Gavin Ruthven, who seemed a bit too calm and perfectly polite, but the more I understood of his character, the more I found myself being drawn into the potential for a relationship.
And, let’s be honest – vampire and werewolves, airships and assassins aside – this is a book where relationships are the primary attraction. The romance lurking beneath the mystery is a slow-burning one, taking a long time to get to anything even approaching familiarity, but the characters are so strong and so deep that you don’t begrudge them that time. And when sparks do ultimately fly, the language so exquisitely captures all aspects of Lady Villentia that you have to admire how perfectly Gail Carriger pulls it off.
Then the tingling exploded and she was soaring. Splintering and fracturing and spinning as if drunk on champagne and dancing a waltz and perfectly executing a killing blow . . . all at the same time.
The primary attraction for me, however, is the nature of that romance. Gavin is a man without much romantic experience, but what he does know is that he prefers to be the submissive partner in a female-led relationship. Preshea is a cold, jaded woman, hurt too many times by the arrogant, violent, controlling men, leaving Gavin the challenge of breaking through, showing her that love can be different, and teaching her to take the same lead in romance that she does in society, culture, and the art of assassination. As he tells her (and I love this line):
“For me, it is about your pleasure. I dinna know the right way of saying it, but I wish it to be for you. This, me, everything.”
Everything about this book just worked for me. The narrative is delightful, the dialogue razor sharp, and the action – for there is a assassination attempt and a daring rescue – is thrilling. For a book I entered into with entirely unrealistic expectations, this was a sheer reading pleasure.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2019/09/05/book-review-poison-or-protect-by-gail-carriger/
This was a book that captured me from the first page. The language of the telling, full of wit and whimsy, is absolutely spectacular. It was clear, early on, that this was to be more of a romance and novel of manners than I had anticipated, but I was smiling too much to second-guess myself. Lady Preshea Villentia, the Mourning Star, is a character of darkness and mystery who immediately captured my attention. I took a little longer to warm up to Captain Gavin Ruthven, who seemed a bit too calm and perfectly polite, but the more I understood of his character, the more I found myself being drawn into the potential for a relationship.
And, let’s be honest – vampire and werewolves, airships and assassins aside – this is a book where relationships are the primary attraction. The romance lurking beneath the mystery is a slow-burning one, taking a long time to get to anything even approaching familiarity, but the characters are so strong and so deep that you don’t begrudge them that time. And when sparks do ultimately fly, the language so exquisitely captures all aspects of Lady Villentia that you have to admire how perfectly Gail Carriger pulls it off.
Then the tingling exploded and she was soaring. Splintering and fracturing and spinning as if drunk on champagne and dancing a waltz and perfectly executing a killing blow . . . all at the same time.
The primary attraction for me, however, is the nature of that romance. Gavin is a man without much romantic experience, but what he does know is that he prefers to be the submissive partner in a female-led relationship. Preshea is a cold, jaded woman, hurt too many times by the arrogant, violent, controlling men, leaving Gavin the challenge of breaking through, showing her that love can be different, and teaching her to take the same lead in romance that she does in society, culture, and the art of assassination. As he tells her (and I love this line):
“For me, it is about your pleasure. I dinna know the right way of saying it, but I wish it to be for you. This, me, everything.”
Everything about this book just worked for me. The narrative is delightful, the dialogue razor sharp, and the action – for there is a assassination attempt and a daring rescue – is thrilling. For a book I entered into with entirely unrealistic expectations, this was a sheer reading pleasure.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2019/09/05/book-review-poison-or-protect-by-gail-carriger/