Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Alma?

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Alma? by Gail Carriger

21 reviews

growintogardens's review against another edition

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

1.75

This was so disappointing! There was so much wasted potential. I'm trying to read through all the books I own and have owned for years, but that I haven't touched yet. This was the latest and it's immediately going in the get rid of pile.

I didn't really care for the characters and I didn't like the romance. Werewolf romances... Idk wtf authors are up to when they write werewolf romances because they are always the same. There's always the strong willed alpha who falls, against his will and only because of his wolfiness bullcrap, for the lead female character. Gotta have an opinionated female character who has few friends and little self worth when it comes to her looks, who falls for an aggressive man who thinks she's beautiful even when society does not, despite not even liking him as a person two days ago. The romance in this book was not as bad as some that I've read, but it still wasn't good.

Moreover, the book had too many genres, and while the beginning was interesting, the rest of the story was a letdown. It started with a good little mystery, but it was way too easy to figure out and didn't focus on it enough. The idea of being soulless was good, but that idea didn't get enough time to shine imo.

Anyway, I thought I was getting a fun paranormal steampunk mystery book, but it turned that it was mostly a paranormal erotic romance.

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ambermarshall's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

This grew on me! At first I was a little thrown by the third person omniscient and I'll admit I got more invested once the romance got going. I'd characterize the description of sexy stuff as "coyly explicit." A strange mix of bold and prude. The narrative tone is very Masterpiece Theater if that makes any sense. I'll probably borrow the next in the series some time.

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mjwhitlock18's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

An easy to read, funny, paranormal romance/steampunk fantasy following a prickly, dry-humored and sarcastic misfit as she navigates 19th century London as a preternatural dealing with a gruff werewolf, his bookish beta, a foppish old vampire, and the rest of supernatural society.

This book is fun and witty, with great banter between characters. I particularly love Professor Lyall with his quiet competence and willingness to call his friend’s BS. Don’t expect complex plot, don’t take it too seriously (hell, this book doesn’t even take itself seriously), and it will be a fun, easy read.

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the_disreputable_dog's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I was told there was a lot of spice in this book, and while the spice was missing in action save for two instances of making out, a single, incomplete handy, and then sex - once - at the end (that was only partially included!), I did very much like this story over all. It was funny, and I felt the flirtation was suitably Victorian in its reserved nature. After all, as Ms. Tarabotti indicates, it's quite scandalous in Victorian England to be caught showing ankles in public, so it makes sense for a young spinster to keep mostly to herself, except for her penchant for winning arguments all the time. This one is a funny, soft enemies to lovers romance, with a fun mystery to solve as well.

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directorpurry's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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apuskas's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

This was delightful. It is quite refreshingly silly in places. I felt very slow, when I realised, at the very end of the book, why the werewolves’ den is called… Woolsey Castle. Tee-hee.

Also, couldn’t shake the SPECTRE connection with all the octopodes, and it is very satisfying that it was never explained.

This (maybe) satisfies prompt #16 from Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge 2022. (Read a book recommended by a friend with different (?) reading tastes. I am not sure how different my reading tastes are from Corrin’s.)

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saffire_sky's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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bluejayreads's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

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

4.5

I thought this was more steampunk than paranormal romance going in, since I read Gail Carriger's Finishing School series set in the same world and it was very steampunk and very enjoyable. This book had very few steampunk elements and leaned much heavier on the paranormal aspects of the world and Alexia's romance with Lord Maccon.

But, surprisingly, I didn't hate it. I actually rather enjoyed it.

Despite a bunch of dark trigger warnings, the book overall was very lighthearted. Alexia is just a little too brown to be considered attractive and a little too outspoken to be considered marriageable, so she and her family have resigned her to spinsterhood. The only reason she keeps getting invited to society parties is because she's an absolute nerd and can keep the intellectual gentlemen engaged in intellectual conversation while the high society types busy themselves with gossip and fashion and being pretty, things which Alexia doesn't care about one bit. Personally, Alexia would rather join the supernatural police agency that Lord Maccon heads, but being a woman she isn't allowed. That doesn't stop her from doing her own investigative work. She is unflinchingly polite and proper even while doing far more poking around and getting into a fair bit more trouble than a proper lady should be in, and she was delightful.

And despite the skinny model on the cover of the book, it is stressed many times on page that Alexia is actually pretty chubby.

There is also a marvelous cast of supporting characters: Alexia's best friend, who has absolutely atrocious taste in hats; a flamingly gay vampire gentleman who prides himself on knowing everything; Lord Maccon's werewolf pack beta, who despite being a werewolf is also a professor and a huge nerd; and more. I especially enjoyed every minute the gay vampire gentleman was on the page.

The romance part is also quite enjoyable. There's a lot of sexual tension between Alexia and Lord Maccon (often resolving to very risky heavy petting), but it takes them both a while to realize they're into each other romantically too. There's miscommunication drama, mainly stemming from the fact that Lord Maccon has no idea how to romance a woman who isn't also a werewolf. And there's the delightful contrast of Lord Maccon, who is a passable gentleman but isn't always up on the finer details of politeness, and Alexia, who is perfectly aware of the finer details of politeness and decorum but simply does not care.

This book does fall into the common tropes of fashion of Victorian-set books written by modern writers - mainly, women's fashion of the times (especially corsets and voluminous skirts) being restrictive to common activities. Many historical sewing youtubers have also posted rants about this very thing, and at least regarding corsets I can say from experience, that if you put them on properly and know how to wear them they won't impede you a bit (and as a sufferer of back pain, I've found properly-fitted corsets to be actually helpful and supportive). That is, overall, a minor quibble, though.

Great characters both protagonist and supporting, a fascinating world, a solid plot, and an actually enjoyable romance combine to make this book a remarkably entertaining romp through a vaguely-steampunk supernatural-filled Victorian London. I'm definitely going to read book two, which I'm sure if nothing else will be entertaining.

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fionac326's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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nakutski's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

This was just the tonic for me. The right balance of fun, silly, action, romance and mystery, and even a bit of kink that's right up my alley too. Crucially, it featured a strong and complex female protagonist, a Darcy-like love interest, queer dandy vampires, werewolves and all in a heady mix of urban fantasy set in a steam punk Victorian London. I found the plot a touch predictable, but this predictability was quite comforting and the author handled most of the crucial scenes very well. It is definitely a cosy read and I look forward to dipping back into it one day.

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