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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I'm honestly too tired to give a proper review (they're so tedious!) so I'll just say that I enjoyed it as much as the first, and as Ivy would say "Woe is me!" indeed! That ending - a proper shocker!
Changeless is the sequel to Soulless, and it maintains the same fun, and witty air of its predecessor. Changeless features Alexia as a married woman dealing with a strange phenomenon that has the supernatural community in a tizzy as Ghosts are spontaneously exorcised, Vampires are living and breathing, and Werewolves have only their human form. As part of the small advisory council to the Queen, Alexia decides to look into the matter for herself, which takes her and an uncontrollably growing entourage on marvelous adventures involving: Werewolves in Kilts, Inappropriate Emotional Attachments, and travel via Airship.
I definitely enjoyed reading Changeless. Changeless introduces some new and fascinating characters especially Madame Lefoux, French milliner and inventor, also the creator of The Parasol, a wonder of modern technology if slightly less fashionable than preferable. Madame Lefoux while having an integral role in the investigation of also makes for some awkward scenes in which the Frenchwoman flirts with Alexia and results in mixed feelings. With the addition of more characters and Alexia’s venture out of London, some of my favorite characters from Soulless were given far less attention than I would like: In particular, Professor Lyall and Lord Akeldama. It was however, fascinating to get a more in depth look at one of Alexia’s sisters, Felicity, and her dear friend Ivy, even though by the end of the novel I was ready to dump both of them in a lake because I can only take so much empty frivolity. Alexia’s relationship with her husband, Lord Maccon still has the same passion that characterized their relationship and if anything has become more tempestuous now that they are married.
In Changeless, Gail Carriger’s Steampunk influences are seen in full force with Dirigibles, Communicators and Gadget Laden Parasols. I loved the scenes on the dirigible especially the fight scene! Changeless also revealed a bit more of what it means for Alexia to be a preternatural and not all of the revelations are precisely positive or easy. It was also a nice touch to introduce figures from Lord Maccon’s past and to see the shift in perspective that it granted Alexia. I thought that the conclusion of Changeless was well wrought with enough loose threads to keep my interest piqued even without the massive cliffhanger. In the end, Changeless only succeeded whetting my taste for more of the same and I’ll definitely be looking forward to the release of Blameless in September.
I definitely enjoyed reading Changeless. Changeless introduces some new and fascinating characters especially Madame Lefoux, French milliner and inventor, also the creator of The Parasol, a wonder of modern technology if slightly less fashionable than preferable. Madame Lefoux while having an integral role in the investigation of also makes for some awkward scenes in which the Frenchwoman flirts with Alexia and results in mixed feelings. With the addition of more characters and Alexia’s venture out of London, some of my favorite characters from Soulless were given far less attention than I would like: In particular, Professor Lyall and Lord Akeldama. It was however, fascinating to get a more in depth look at one of Alexia’s sisters, Felicity, and her dear friend Ivy, even though by the end of the novel I was ready to dump both of them in a lake because I can only take so much empty frivolity. Alexia’s relationship with her husband, Lord Maccon still has the same passion that characterized their relationship and if anything has become more tempestuous now that they are married.
In Changeless, Gail Carriger’s Steampunk influences are seen in full force with Dirigibles, Communicators and Gadget Laden Parasols. I loved the scenes on the dirigible especially the fight scene! Changeless also revealed a bit more of what it means for Alexia to be a preternatural and not all of the revelations are precisely positive or easy. It was also a nice touch to introduce figures from Lord Maccon’s past and to see the shift in perspective that it granted Alexia. I thought that the conclusion of Changeless was well wrought with enough loose threads to keep my interest piqued even without the massive cliffhanger. In the end, Changeless only succeeded whetting my taste for more of the same and I’ll definitely be looking forward to the release of Blameless in September.
I was soooooo glad to get my hot little hands on this book... started it immediately after acquisition. All the characters we know and love from book 1 were here and being their hilarious, witty, intelligent (or not) selves, and the story was fast-paced and very enjoyable.
It's a 4-star for me instead of a 5 probably only because I liked the first one a bit better, most likely because there was more of a romance in book 1. However, the cliffhanger ending actually made me cry a bit and OH DEAR I NEED BOOK THREE RIGHT NOW. Hurry up, September!!!
It's a 4-star for me instead of a 5 probably only because I liked the first one a bit better, most likely because there was more of a romance in book 1. However, the cliffhanger ending actually made me cry a bit and OH DEAR I NEED BOOK THREE RIGHT NOW. Hurry up, September!!!
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Completely lived up to my expectations! I am still reeling from the ending however, which I will not go into here. I am most distraught. And now even more anxious for Blameless--the third in the series. Though I worry that certain distressing issues may not be completely resolved...
What wonderful characters! Each is unique and interesting and fun! The story was good too, kept me "turning pages", and I immediately ran to the computer to get Blameless onto my reader. Diving right in to the next book!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
I think story-wise I might like this better than the first book even though there isn't even that much off a story. You could say that I liked ~ the idea ~ of the story. The romance I could do without or at least all the ravishing and pushing against walls and nibbling...oh, all the nibbling
I had a great deal of fun with Soulless, the first book in the series, but the sequel left me cold. I may have just read it too soon. These books are essentially junk food - one is an indulgence, but two? That's a recipe for indigestion and regret. And regrets abound, so if you loved this book and don't want me to tarnish your recollection of it, stop now.
I won't go into great detail... partially to avoid spoilers, but mostly to avoid wasting any more energy on this series. (Remember when I said that if you liked this book, you might not want to read this review? Wasn't kidding.) My biggest disappointment was with the characters. In Soulless, Alexia was a refreshing alternative to the waiflike-twentysomething-damsel-in-distress trope, and I loved her for that.
In Changeless, we're subjected to entirely too much of Ivy and Felicity, Alexia's friend and half-sister respectively. Between them, they represent every unflattering female caricature ever. They're just... ugh. A Venn diagram of awful stereotypes. Every scene with them is painful. Worse, Alexia appears to have nothing but contempt for either of them. Carriger couldn't fail the Bechdel test harder if she tried.
And on the topic of contempt, there seems to be a toxic amount of it in Lord and Lady Woolsey's marriage, which bubbles over in the last chapter in a way that guarantees I won't be picking up Parasol Protectorate #3.
I won't go into great detail... partially to avoid spoilers, but mostly to avoid wasting any more energy on this series. (Remember when I said that if you liked this book, you might not want to read this review? Wasn't kidding.) My biggest disappointment was with the characters. In Soulless, Alexia was a refreshing alternative to the waiflike-twentysomething-damsel-in-distress trope, and I loved her for that.
In Changeless, we're subjected to entirely too much of Ivy and Felicity, Alexia's friend and half-sister respectively. Between them, they represent every unflattering female caricature ever. They're just... ugh. A Venn diagram of awful stereotypes. Every scene with them is painful. Worse, Alexia appears to have nothing but contempt for either of them. Carriger couldn't fail the Bechdel test harder if she tried.
And on the topic of contempt, there seems to be a toxic amount of it in Lord and Lady Woolsey's marriage, which bubbles over in the last chapter in a way that guarantees I won't be picking up Parasol Protectorate #3.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated