Scan barcode
cmaree88's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
librarianinperiwinkle's review
4.0
Every book in this series builds on the previous story but has a completely different plot. In volume 4, Alexia is near the end of her pregnancy, hungry, and uncomfortable. It's definitely not convenient to traipse about the city and countryside tracking down a ghostly warning about an imminent threat to the queen. It's even less convenient to be giving birth in the midst of a battle between vampires, werewolves, and a giant metal octopus, but one does what one must.
As always, Ms. Carriger writes a romping good story full of witty dialogue and entertaining characters.
For readers' advisors: all 4 doorways are pretty strong. No sex scenes or bad language. The violence isn't described graphically and bloodshed happens offscreen. (Plus, supernatural beings heal VERY quickly.) LGBTQ-friendly.
As always, Ms. Carriger writes a romping good story full of witty dialogue and entertaining characters.
For readers' advisors: all 4 doorways are pretty strong. No sex scenes or bad language. The violence isn't described graphically and bloodshed happens offscreen. (Plus, supernatural beings heal VERY quickly.) LGBTQ-friendly.
tomasthanes's review against another edition
5.0
There is so much to like about [b:Heartless|8356487|Heartless (Parasol Protectorate, #4)|Gail Carriger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1430530496s/8356487.jpg|13210545] by [a:Gail Carriger|2891665|Gail Carriger|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1257289860p2/2891665.jpg]. As the cover states "A novel of vampires, werewolves, and teapots".
Each of the supernatural groups has its own flavor. While vampires live in hives and swarm and werewolves live in packs, each group has their own supernatural abilities as well as weaknesses. For example, Lord Akeldama has a weakness for ornate fashion.
Each novel reveals a bit more of the back story of the major players, Lord Maccon (the Woolsey pack alpha), Professor Lyall (his beta), Major Channing (the gamma), Biffy (the newest member of the pack), Madame Lefoux, her aunt Beatrice, and her son Quesnel, and Lord Akeldama and the Westminster Hive.
There is a nice layer of Steampunk woven into the world and story encompassing Brass Octopi and octomatons, and airships.
And through out the entire story, Alexia is pregnant,.
One big lesson from this novel is
One major problem is that the author has been so busy writing other books that there is only one more book, [b:Timeless|11324166|Timeless (Parasol Protectorate, #5)|Gail Carriger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327890901s/11324166.jpg|13210557], in the series and it was published back in 2012.
I *do* hope that Alexia is able to get another parasol.
Each of the supernatural groups has its own flavor. While vampires live in hives and swarm and werewolves live in packs, each group has their own supernatural abilities as well as weaknesses. For example, Lord Akeldama has a weakness for ornate fashion.
Each novel reveals a bit more of the back story of the major players, Lord Maccon (the Woolsey pack alpha), Professor Lyall (his beta), Major Channing (the gamma), Biffy (the newest member of the pack), Madame Lefoux, her aunt Beatrice, and her
Spoiler
almostThere is a nice layer of Steampunk woven into the world and story encompassing Brass Octopi and octomatons, and airships.
And through out the entire story, Alexia is pregnant,
Spoiler
giving birth to their daughter near the very end and revealing some characteristics that were not predictedOne big lesson from this novel is
Spoiler
never invite a swarming vampire queen into your home.One major problem is that the author has been so busy writing other books that there is only one more book, [b:Timeless|11324166|Timeless (Parasol Protectorate, #5)|Gail Carriger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327890901s/11324166.jpg|13210557], in the series and it was published back in 2012.
I *do* hope that Alexia is able to get another parasol.
peyton_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
This was another fun romp. The plots are more thought out in this one and there is a lot more fun with the characters. I am looking forward to the next book and concluding this series.
veraann's review
3.0
This installment moved along at a better pacing than the previous. It had the same quirky dialogue and manners from throughout the rest of the series. A good mystery to this one had me guessing at things the while way and interested in finding the outcome.
sklus's review
5.0
This series is my absolute favorite. I'm the first to admit, it's very silly. It's a period piece about vampires and werewolves and mad scientists (with a minor Knights Templar presence). But it's meant to be fun. My only critic is that the books seem to have the same plot arch; there was drama at the beginning, investigating and discovering for the next three-fifths of the book, and then the twist and resolution at the end. It didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the book, but it did make it slighly predictable. I highly recommend any book Gail Carriger writes if you just want a light-hearted, good, silly book.
daumari's review
4.0
I... actually liked this one? More than its predecessors? Maybe because of the politicking between factions with a mystery that opens up more questions than answers? I do think I like the Parasol Protectorate novels more than say, Throne of Glass because Alexia is an older heroine who is pragmatic and has no time to deal with your nonsense, vs. teenage protagonists having to deal with feelings as well as the burden of fulfilling centuries-old prophecy, etc. It's not really fair to compare series who only share female leads/authors and supernatural in common (with different times and tones applied), but I think they're adjacent in my mind because of a similar ambivalence while committing to finishing the series.
Anyway, baby Maccon is going to be a handful and I'm looking forward to their adventures.
Anyway, baby Maccon is going to be a handful and I'm looking forward to their adventures.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Fourth in the Parasol Protectorate steampunk series set in a Victorian England.
The Story
The past rears its ugly head when Lady and Lord Maccon must investigate a ghost-stuttered tip regarding a looming assassination of the queen. Naturally, Alexia cannot resist leaping in to restore order. Despite the unending assassination attempts against her and the infant-inconvenience by the vampires. Despite being a humongous seven-months pregnant. Despite all of Conall's efforts to baby the mother-to-be. And the past five months of bodyguarding efforts by the entire Woolsey Pack.
The Pack is exhausted. Totally worn out and amongst themselves, they finally come up with a plan to protect her and the baby. Without Alexia's input. It's a wonder she concedes to it!
And it just gets better from here on out with Alexia trundling and toddling her way through one crisis after another being hefted to her feet every time she needs rise up. With Lord Akeldama gleefully anticipating the addition to his family. His drones dogging...oops, that's Maccon's wolves dogging Alexia. Akeldama's drones hover and primp with timely rescues freely delivered.
The ending is inevitable as the Pack advances into the new urban age while Alexia has secrets to keep and losses to organize and sort.
It should be a fascinating new age what with Lord Akeldama's background and the surprises the newly-arrived young Prudence evinces.
The Characters
Alexia Tarabotti Maccon, a Lady and the muhjah on the Shadow Council to the Queen is one of the few Soulless. A being with no soul who believes only in logic and order. Her existence a weapon against the supernatural.
Functioning as Lady Maccon's personal secretary and librarian, the inherited Floote returns to butling when the Pack moves to London to protect Alexia and her unborn child from vampire assassination attempts. After all, isn't one soulless enough in the world?
Ivy Tunstall of the outrageously horrid hats has been Alexia's best friend since childhood and is currently married to….shudders….an actor while Madame Genevieve Lefoux, a Frenchwoman, is the series inventor with a reputation for both incredibly inventive steam-powered devices, gadgets, and vehicles as well as utterly charming, stylish hats.
Conall Maccon, Earl of Woolsey, is the alpha for the Woolsey Pack based just outside of London and head of the Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR), which polices the supernatural community while Professor Lyall is the Woolsey Pack beta with a possibly deadly secret.
Lord Akeldama with whom Ivy got on "like plaid and brocade, utterly incompatible even in complementary colors" is an old, old vampire rogue who leads society in fashion and manners with his own bevy of drones. And is one of Alexia's best friends. Why, he's even willing to give up one of his closets for her and her husband! He has also been appointed to the position of potentate on the Shadow Council after the previous occupant's treachery and is positively renowned for the tidbits of information he acquires.
Biffy, a.k.a., Sandaio de Rabiffiano, is one of, or rather was, one of Lord Akeldama's drones until he was bitten in Blameless and turned into a werewolf. Not adjusting to his new station in life, Lord and Lady Maccon are worried about Biffy's transitioning and Lord Akeldama misses him. Although, he is making an excellent lady's maid to Alexia. Much better at choosing flattering hairstyles and gowns than her previous French maid, Angelique, the traitor. Boots, a.k.a., Emmet Wilberforce Bootbottle-Fipps, is another of Lord Akeldama's drones.
Felicity Loontwill, half-sister to Alexia, is a major pain and totally self-absorbed with a strong predilection for hurting others verbally. Quite uncharacteristically, Felicity begs Alexia to let her move into the Maccon's London townhouse as she is embracing...well, she's involved in...er, don'ch'a know, um, Womens' Suffrage. And it must be true as Felicity is dressing, well, common.
The Shadow Council is a secret group of three charged with maintaining civil relations amongst and between the supernatural groups and reporting to the Queen. It consists of the dewan, the muhjah, and the potentate or a werewolf, soulless, and vampire.
Countess Nadasdy, queen of the Westminster Hive of vampires, would dearly love to see the end of Alexia and Lord Ambrose, her praetorianus, would be extremely interested in facilitating Alexia's demise. Preferably before the Abomination is born.
OBO, Order of the Brass Octopus, is an organization of scientists not kindly disposed to supernaturals whom we first encountered in Soulless.
My Take
This was too lovely for words. All the original Carriger back and more! I so adore how Carriger uses the manners, mores, and language of the day to create her stories then turn them on their heads with her witty and comic portrayal of Victorian etiquette.
For example, Alexia and Felicity have just escaped from a collapsing building and the biggest concern for everyone is when they
I don't know if Heartless is such a treat because it is so well done or if the added frustration of pregnancy has made it so much more as we chuckle over the Victorians' horror of…shudder…limbs and bodily functions. Lady Maccon's pregnancy is absolutely fraught with snickers of disbelief and appreciation for the Victorian obsession against the so-very improper acknowledgement of one's body.
As far as I can recall, Heartless is the first story in which the Parasol Protectorate rises up. And so beautifully does it unfurl for Ivy! She's in seventh heaven over it with her Puff Bonnet and the Ruffled Parasol.
The Cover
The cover feels different from the earlier ones. Alexia is much more three-dimensional in her purple attire jauntily tipping her chapeau as she poses with her parasol before Woolsey Castle.
The Story
The past rears its ugly head when Lady and Lord Maccon must investigate a ghost-stuttered tip regarding a looming assassination of the queen. Naturally, Alexia cannot resist leaping in to restore order. Despite the unending assassination attempts against her and the infant-inconvenience by the vampires. Despite being a humongous seven-months pregnant. Despite all of Conall's efforts to baby the mother-to-be. And the past five months of bodyguarding efforts by the entire Woolsey Pack.
The Pack is exhausted. Totally worn out and amongst themselves, they finally come up with a plan to protect her and the baby. Without Alexia's input. It's a wonder she concedes to it!
And it just gets better from here on out with Alexia trundling and toddling her way through one crisis after another being hefted to her feet every time she needs rise up. With Lord Akeldama gleefully anticipating the addition to his family. His drones dogging...oops, that's Maccon's wolves dogging Alexia. Akeldama's drones hover and primp with timely rescues freely delivered.
The ending is inevitable as the Pack advances into the new urban age while Alexia has secrets to keep and losses to organize and sort.
It should be a fascinating new age what with Lord Akeldama's background and the surprises the newly-arrived young Prudence evinces.
The Characters
Alexia Tarabotti Maccon, a Lady and the muhjah on the Shadow Council to the Queen is one of the few Soulless. A being with no soul who believes only in logic and order. Her existence a weapon against the supernatural.
Functioning as Lady Maccon's personal secretary and librarian, the inherited Floote returns to butling when the Pack moves to London to protect Alexia and her unborn child from vampire assassination attempts. After all, isn't one soulless enough in the world?
Ivy Tunstall of the outrageously horrid hats has been Alexia's best friend since childhood and is currently married to….shudders….an actor while Madame Genevieve Lefoux, a Frenchwoman, is the series inventor with a reputation for both incredibly inventive steam-powered devices, gadgets, and vehicles as well as utterly charming, stylish hats.
Conall Maccon, Earl of Woolsey, is the alpha for the Woolsey Pack based just outside of London and head of the Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR), which polices the supernatural community while Professor Lyall is the Woolsey Pack beta with a possibly deadly secret.
Lord Akeldama with whom Ivy got on "like plaid and brocade, utterly incompatible even in complementary colors" is an old, old vampire rogue who leads society in fashion and manners with his own bevy of drones. And is one of Alexia's best friends. Why, he's even willing to give up one of his closets for her and her husband! He has also been appointed to the position of potentate on the Shadow Council after the previous occupant's treachery and is positively renowned for the tidbits of information he acquires.
Biffy, a.k.a., Sandaio de Rabiffiano, is one of, or rather was, one of Lord Akeldama's drones until he was bitten in Blameless and turned into a werewolf. Not adjusting to his new station in life, Lord and Lady Maccon are worried about Biffy's transitioning and Lord Akeldama misses him. Although, he is making an excellent lady's maid to Alexia. Much better at choosing flattering hairstyles and gowns than her previous French maid, Angelique, the traitor. Boots, a.k.a., Emmet Wilberforce Bootbottle-Fipps, is another of Lord Akeldama's drones.
Felicity Loontwill, half-sister to Alexia, is a major pain and totally self-absorbed with a strong predilection for hurting others verbally. Quite uncharacteristically, Felicity begs Alexia to let her move into the Maccon's London townhouse as she is embracing...well, she's involved in...er, don'ch'a know, um, Womens' Suffrage. And it must be true as Felicity is dressing, well, common.
The Shadow Council is a secret group of three charged with maintaining civil relations amongst and between the supernatural groups and reporting to the Queen. It consists of the dewan, the muhjah, and the potentate or a werewolf, soulless, and vampire.
Countess Nadasdy, queen of the Westminster Hive of vampires, would dearly love to see the end of Alexia and Lord Ambrose, her praetorianus, would be extremely interested in facilitating Alexia's demise. Preferably before the Abomination is born.
OBO, Order of the Brass Octopus, is an organization of scientists not kindly disposed to supernaturals whom we first encountered in Soulless.
My Take
This was too lovely for words. All the original Carriger back and more! I so adore how Carriger uses the manners, mores, and language of the day to create her stories then turn them on their heads with her witty and comic portrayal of Victorian etiquette.
For example, Alexia and Felicity have just escaped from a collapsing building and the biggest concern for everyone is when they
looked with deep concern at Alexia's sorry state of dress, her bustle flattened, her hem filthy, her lacy trim soot-covered and burned.
"Bond Street?" suggested Tizzy seriously.
Alexia arched a brow. "Oh no, this is a profound clothing emergency."
I don't know if Heartless is such a treat because it is so well done or if the added frustration of pregnancy has made it so much more as we chuckle over the Victorians' horror of…shudder…limbs and bodily functions. Lady Maccon's pregnancy is absolutely fraught with snickers of disbelief and appreciation for the Victorian obsession against the so-very improper acknowledgement of one's body.
As far as I can recall, Heartless is the first story in which the Parasol Protectorate rises up. And so beautifully does it unfurl for Ivy! She's in seventh heaven over it with her Puff Bonnet and the Ruffled Parasol.
The Cover
The cover feels different from the earlier ones. Alexia is much more three-dimensional in her purple attire jauntily tipping her chapeau as she poses with her parasol before Woolsey Castle.
kathydavie's review
5.0
First read July 12, 2011.
Fourth in the Parasol Protectorate steampunk series set in a Victorian England.
My Take
This was too lovely for words. All the original Carriger back and more! I so adore how Carriger uses the manners, mores, and language of the day to create her stories then turn them on their heads with her witty and comic portrayal of Victorian etiquette.
For example, Alexia and Felicity have just escaped from a collapsing building and the biggest concern for everyone is when they…
Alexia is definitely a control freak, and it is amazing that she concedes to the Packs' plan to protect her and the baby!
And it just gets better from here on out with Alexia trundling and toddling her way through one crisis after another being hefted to her feet every time she needs rise up. With Lord Akeldama gleefully anticipating the addition to his family. His drones dogging...oops, that's Maccon's wolves dogging Alexia. Akeldama's drones hover and primp with timely rescues freely delivered.
The ending is inevitable as the Pack advances into the new urban age while Alexia has secrets to keep and losses to organize and sort.
It should be a fascinating new age what with Lord Akeldama's background and the surprises the newly-arrived young Prudence evinces.
As far as I can recall, Heartless is the first story in which the Parasol Protectorate rises up. And so beautifully does it unfurl for Ivy! She's in seventh heaven over it with her Puff Bonnet and the Ruffled Parasol.
The Story
The past rears its ugly head when Lady and Lord Maccon must investigate a ghost-stuttered tip regarding a looming assassination of the queen. Naturally, Alexia cannot resist leaping in to restore order. Despite the unending assassination attempts against her and the infant-inconvenience by the vampires. Despite being a humongous seven-months pregnant. Despite all of Conall's efforts to baby the mother-to-be. And the past five months of bodyguarding efforts by the entire Woolsey Pack.
The Characters
Lady Alexia Tarabotti Maccon, a Lady and the muhjah on the Shadow Council to the Queen is one of the few Soulless. A being with no soul who believes only in logic and order. Her existence a weapon against the supernatural. She's married to Lord Conall Maccon, Earl of Woolsey, who is the alpha for the Pack and head of the Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR), which polices the supernatural community.
The Woolsey Pack is…
…based just outside of London with Professor Lyall as the Woolsey Pack beta with a possibly deadly secret. Functioning as Lady Maccon's personal secretary and librarian, the inherited Floote returns to butling when the Pack moves to London to protect Alexia and her unborn child from vampire assassination attempts. After all, isn't one soulless enough in the world?
Ivy Tunstall of the outrageously horrid hats has been Alexia's best friend since childhood and is currently married to…shudders…an actor while Madame Genevieve Lefoux, a Frenchwoman, is the series inventor with a reputation for both incredibly inventive steam-powered devices, gadgets, and vehicles as well as utterly charming, stylish hats.
The vampires include…
…Lord Akeldama with whom Ivy got on "like plaid and brocade, utterly incompatible even in complementary colors" is an old, old vampire rogue who leads society in fashion and manners with his own bevy of drones. And is one of Alexia's best friends. Why, he's even willing to give up one of his closets for her and her husband! He has also been appointed to the position of potentate on the Shadow Council after the previous occupant's treachery and is positively renowned for the tidbits of information he acquires.
Biffy, a.k.a., Sandaio de Rabiffiano, is one of, or rather was, one of Lord Akeldama's drones until he was bitten in Blameless, 3 and turned into a werewolf. Not adjusting to his new station in life, Lord and Lady Maccon are worried about Biffy's transitioning and Lord Akeldama misses him. Although, he is making an excellent lady's maid to Alexia. Much better at choosing flattering hairstyles and gowns than her previous French maid, Angelique, the traitor. Boots, a.k.a., Emmet Wilberforce Bootbottle-Fipps, is another of Lord Akeldama's drones.
Countess Nadasdy, queen of the Westminster Hive of vampires, would dearly love to see the end of Alexia, and Lord Ambrose, her praetorianus, would be extremely interested in facilitating Alexia's demise. Preferably before the Abomination is born.
The OBO, or Order of the Brass Octopus, is…
…an organization of scientists not kindly disposed to supernaturals whom we first encountered in Soulless, 1.
Felicity Loontwill, half-sister to Alexia, is a major pain and totally self-absorbed with a strong predilection for hurting others verbally. Quite uncharacteristically, Felicity begs Alexia to let her move into the Maccon's London townhouse as she is embracing…well, she's involved in…er, don'ch'a know, um, Womens' Suffrage. And it must be true as Felicity is dressing, well, common.
The Shadow Council is a secret group of three charged with maintaining civil relations amongst and between the supernatural groups and reporting to the Queen. It consists of the dewan, the muhjah, and the potentate or a werewolf, soulless, and vampire.
The Cover
The cover feels different from the earlier ones. Alexia is much more three-dimensional in her purple attire jauntily tipping her chapeau as she poses with her parasol before Woolsey Castle.
Fourth in the Parasol Protectorate steampunk series set in a Victorian England.
My Take
This was too lovely for words. All the original Carriger back and more! I so adore how Carriger uses the manners, mores, and language of the day to create her stories then turn them on their heads with her witty and comic portrayal of Victorian etiquette.
For example, Alexia and Felicity have just escaped from a collapsing building and the biggest concern for everyone is when they…
…looked with deep concern at Alexia's sorry state of dress, her bustle flattened, her hem filthy, her lacy trim soot-covered and burned.I don't know if Heartless is such a treat because it is so well done or if the added frustration of pregnancy has made it so much more as we chuckle over the Victorians' horror of…shudder…limbs and bodily functions. Lady Maccon's pregnancy is absolutely fraught with snickers of disbelief and appreciation for the Victorian obsession against the so-very improper acknowledgement of one's body.
"Bond Street?" suggested Tizzy seriously.
Alexia arched a brow. "Oh no, this is a profound clothing emergency."
Alexia is definitely a control freak, and it is amazing that she concedes to the Packs' plan to protect her and the baby!
And it just gets better from here on out with Alexia trundling and toddling her way through one crisis after another being hefted to her feet every time she needs rise up. With Lord Akeldama gleefully anticipating the addition to his family. His drones dogging...oops, that's Maccon's wolves dogging Alexia. Akeldama's drones hover and primp with timely rescues freely delivered.
The ending is inevitable as the Pack advances into the new urban age while Alexia has secrets to keep and losses to organize and sort.
It should be a fascinating new age what with Lord Akeldama's background and the surprises the newly-arrived young Prudence evinces.
As far as I can recall, Heartless is the first story in which the Parasol Protectorate rises up. And so beautifully does it unfurl for Ivy! She's in seventh heaven over it with her Puff Bonnet and the Ruffled Parasol.
The Story
The past rears its ugly head when Lady and Lord Maccon must investigate a ghost-stuttered tip regarding a looming assassination of the queen. Naturally, Alexia cannot resist leaping in to restore order. Despite the unending assassination attempts against her and the infant-inconvenience by the vampires. Despite being a humongous seven-months pregnant. Despite all of Conall's efforts to baby the mother-to-be. And the past five months of bodyguarding efforts by the entire Woolsey Pack.
The Characters
Lady Alexia Tarabotti Maccon, a Lady and the muhjah on the Shadow Council to the Queen is one of the few Soulless. A being with no soul who believes only in logic and order. Her existence a weapon against the supernatural. She's married to Lord Conall Maccon, Earl of Woolsey, who is the alpha for the Pack and head of the Bureau of Unnatural Registry (BUR), which polices the supernatural community.
The Woolsey Pack is…
…based just outside of London with Professor Lyall as the Woolsey Pack beta with a possibly deadly secret. Functioning as Lady Maccon's personal secretary and librarian, the inherited Floote returns to butling when the Pack moves to London to protect Alexia and her unborn child from vampire assassination attempts. After all, isn't one soulless enough in the world?
Ivy Tunstall of the outrageously horrid hats has been Alexia's best friend since childhood and is currently married to…shudders…an actor while Madame Genevieve Lefoux, a Frenchwoman, is the series inventor with a reputation for both incredibly inventive steam-powered devices, gadgets, and vehicles as well as utterly charming, stylish hats.
The vampires include…
…Lord Akeldama with whom Ivy got on "like plaid and brocade, utterly incompatible even in complementary colors" is an old, old vampire rogue who leads society in fashion and manners with his own bevy of drones. And is one of Alexia's best friends. Why, he's even willing to give up one of his closets for her and her husband! He has also been appointed to the position of potentate on the Shadow Council after the previous occupant's treachery and is positively renowned for the tidbits of information he acquires.
Biffy, a.k.a., Sandaio de Rabiffiano, is one of, or rather was, one of Lord Akeldama's drones until he was bitten in Blameless, 3 and turned into a werewolf. Not adjusting to his new station in life, Lord and Lady Maccon are worried about Biffy's transitioning and Lord Akeldama misses him. Although, he is making an excellent lady's maid to Alexia. Much better at choosing flattering hairstyles and gowns than her previous French maid, Angelique, the traitor. Boots, a.k.a., Emmet Wilberforce Bootbottle-Fipps, is another of Lord Akeldama's drones.
Countess Nadasdy, queen of the Westminster Hive of vampires, would dearly love to see the end of Alexia, and Lord Ambrose, her praetorianus, would be extremely interested in facilitating Alexia's demise. Preferably before the Abomination is born.
The OBO, or Order of the Brass Octopus, is…
…an organization of scientists not kindly disposed to supernaturals whom we first encountered in Soulless, 1.
Felicity Loontwill, half-sister to Alexia, is a major pain and totally self-absorbed with a strong predilection for hurting others verbally. Quite uncharacteristically, Felicity begs Alexia to let her move into the Maccon's London townhouse as she is embracing…well, she's involved in…er, don'ch'a know, um, Womens' Suffrage. And it must be true as Felicity is dressing, well, common.
The Shadow Council is a secret group of three charged with maintaining civil relations amongst and between the supernatural groups and reporting to the Queen. It consists of the dewan, the muhjah, and the potentate or a werewolf, soulless, and vampire.
The Cover
The cover feels different from the earlier ones. Alexia is much more three-dimensional in her purple attire jauntily tipping her chapeau as she poses with her parasol before Woolsey Castle.
karrama's review
4.0
One might believe that nearing confinement with an infant-inconvenience could get one down, but Lady Maccon makes the entire embarrassing situation look easy, at least compared to saving the supernatural world from mad scientists. Somehow the entire affair is managed with great aplomb.