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bookhoarding's review
5.0
The Mourning Star is on a mission when she is thrown into the path of a hunky hero she doesn't need. This light short is a perfect snack to nibble on as we wait for the next Gail Carriger book to be released. With appearances by familiar characters, and effortless mockery of Victorian manner, we get wrapped up in another wonderful story set in an alternate universe we all so wish we could be a part of.
moonpie's review against another edition
2.0
I've read a book set in this world before (almost 10 years ago) and found it middling, and honestly, I still find it middling. Poison or Protect doesn't contain as many LOOK THIS IS STEAMPUNK OKAY descriptions as the one I read in 2012, maybe because this is a novella and there's not a lot of space for that. However, there are also fewer explanations, period, and I am sure I missed some subtleties while half-remembering the basics of Carriger's universe. Gotta give it up for consistency, though: there is STILL a vampire who speaks half-italicized, and it's STILL very annoying. At least the main character doesn't completely write off all other women in this one.
As seems to be my habit now, I picked up a book and didn't realize it was a romance until I was already reading it. And romance was... okay? It didn't really ring true and I couldn't really figure out the attraction, maybe because. Also, once the romance kicked in, the intrigue that took up the first part of the book was basically brushed off for the rest of the story. Why even bother with the mystery part of it? Weird.
As seems to be my habit now, I picked up a book and didn't realize it was a romance until I was already reading it. And romance was... okay? It didn't really ring true and I couldn't really figure out the attraction, maybe because
Spoiler
the dude the protagonist hooked up with seemed to have no discernible personality besides being large and Scottishdaffz's review
3.0
I don't usually read books that are firmly in the Romance genre, but I made an exception for Gail Carriger because I love her work and I love the universe her books are set in. I think the fact that I'm not a huge fan of this genre as a whole did affect my rating, but it's still a fun and entertaining novella in my opinion.
Preshea isn't the most memorable character in Carriger's other series, but she was really well written in this novella. It rounded her out a lot and made me like her more than I did before. I also liked Gavin, and their romance was sweet.
I just felt like once the first half of the book was over, it went into a very smutty direction for a very long time. I was a lot more interested in the actual plot outside the romance than I probably should have been, and was waiting to return to that. It didn't have the most satisfying conclusion, but I'm aware that my focus was on the wrong thing.
I'd recommend this for people that like romance but also mostly if you're already familiar with Carriger's world, because I think some of the references to the supernatural larger universe would be confusing for people that just want a period romance. Still, even if you haven't read any of her other works you can give this one a try.
Preshea isn't the most memorable character in Carriger's other series, but she was really well written in this novella. It rounded her out a lot and made me like her more than I did before. I also liked Gavin, and their romance was sweet.
I just felt like once the first half of the book was over, it went into a very smutty direction for a very long time. I was a lot more interested in the actual plot outside the romance than I probably should have been, and was waiting to return to that. It didn't have the most satisfying conclusion, but I'm aware that my focus was on the wrong thing.
I'd recommend this for people that like romance but also mostly if you're already familiar with Carriger's world, because I think some of the references to the supernatural larger universe would be confusing for people that just want a period romance. Still, even if you haven't read any of her other works you can give this one a try.
quinlbr88's review
4.0
Gail Carriger is one of my favorite authors. Ever. I have read all of her other series and I am getting around to her short stories. This installment does not disappoint! I'm excited to see how this series progresses because we leave the girls after Finishing School and this is like a class reunion of sorts. That said, one does not need previous knowledge of the world to enjoy this story.
I don't know how, my guess is a towering stack of dainty sandwiches and teacups, but Carriger always manages to adjust her writing just so to meet genre and age expectations. [b:Poison or Protect|30320387|Poison or Protect (Delightfully Deadly, #1)|Gail Carriger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1464634071s/30320387.jpg|50811315] is most definitely an adult romance, different in tone from the most recent Custard Protocol series, but it does not lose any of the wit or charm.
Brava!
I don't know how, my guess is a towering stack of dainty sandwiches and teacups, but Carriger always manages to adjust her writing just so to meet genre and age expectations. [b:Poison or Protect|30320387|Poison or Protect (Delightfully Deadly, #1)|Gail Carriger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1464634071s/30320387.jpg|50811315] is most definitely an adult romance, different in tone from the most recent Custard Protocol series, but it does not lose any of the wit or charm.
Brava!
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
4.0
A really fun short story re-introducing Preshea (who I'll admit I barely remembered) and a sinfully Scottish Gavin, having found themselves at the same house party they spend the first few chapters dancing around one another trying to figure out each one's true intentions.
With her reputation as the Mourning Star (4 husbands and counting), Preshea isn't precisely looking for love. What is is doing is serving out a request from Lord Akeldama to server an unfortunate love connection between the daughter of their host, and the hapless friend of Gavin.
What does happen is a lot of glorious flirting, a few sex scenes which make you lament the fact that Gail Garriger has not published more in this age range and a new appreciation for this Steampunk society.
With her reputation as the Mourning Star (4 husbands and counting), Preshea isn't precisely looking for love. What is is doing is serving out a request from Lord Akeldama to server an unfortunate love connection between the daughter of their host, and the hapless friend of Gavin.
What does happen is a lot of glorious flirting, a few sex scenes which make you lament the fact that Gail Garriger has not published more in this age range and a new appreciation for this Steampunk society.
linnybelle's review
5.0
I love anything by Gail Carriger and this was no exception! Sparkling characters, witty banter, romance... Everything a tea drinking, book reading, lady could want.
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Preshea is sent to a house party with two missions and neither of them is falling for Captain Ruthven, but we can't always control everything, especially our feelings, no matter how hard we try.
Another great Carriger book, funny but not total fluff! I liked having Preshea's POV after having read the Parasol Protectorate series. She's much more likable once you understand her.
I needed this after my last read, and I knew Carriger would deliver!
Narrator Rating: 4.75 stars
Amazing job and I loved the effect they used so you'd know when it was someone's thoughts vs dialogue.
Extra ratings: Fluff - 2/5 Heartfelt- 3/5 Helpful -NA Horror -NA Inspiration -NA Love aka Romance- 5/5 Mystery -1/5 Predictability -3/5 Spice -3.5/5 Suspense -0/5 Tear- 1/5 Thrill -0/5 Humor-3.5/5
Another great Carriger book, funny but not total fluff! I liked having Preshea's POV after having read the Parasol Protectorate series. She's much more likable once you understand her.
I needed this after my last read, and I knew Carriger would deliver!
Narrator Rating: 4.75 stars
Amazing job and I loved the effect they used so you'd know when it was someone's thoughts vs dialogue.
Extra ratings: Fluff - 2/5 Heartfelt- 3/5 Helpful -NA Horror -NA Inspiration -NA Love aka Romance- 5/5 Mystery -1/5 Predictability -3/5 Spice -3.5/5 Suspense -0/5 Tear- 1/5 Thrill -0/5 Humor-3.5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual violence and Child abuse
The sexual assault was referenced a few times but not really on the page, and was within a marriage.ninj's review against another edition
4.0
Delightfully witty writing and characters in a supernatural setting (mostly as backdrop) and minimalist steampunk elements. "She had acquire female friends before, but in the manner by which she acquired pierced ears (necessary for her image and to prove to the world that she could)."