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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Changeless is the second in the Alexia Tarabotti series of novels by Gail Carriger. And if you didn't enjoy the first then this isn't going to suddenly change your mind. It's very much a continuation in tone and content.
Which is to say that it's light, frothy and written as a sort of pastiche comedy of manners from the Victorian period. Although the emphasis this time is more on the mystery and a little less on the romance aspect. Don't worry it's still there though.
The change is perhaps inevitable. After all Gail Carriger did marry off her two central characters in the previous book so there's going to be a different dynamic as the relationship evolves. Unfortunately I'm not sure the mystery element was strong enough to completely make up for the shift.
We do however, get a great new female character in the form of Madame Lefoux a "hat designer" with many hidden talents and a preference for male clothing. Carriger hints at an attraction between her and Alexia which sits a little oddly given the strength of the central relationship already in play but does let her keep the fairly high sex quotient which the series aims for.
The mystery itself is centered around the supernatural set suddenly finding themselves _human_ again. Something or someone is causing it. And having started in London it's now heading up to Scotland. Alexia naturally gives chase (via dirigible) at which point the assassination attempts begin.
There's a noticeable increase in the steam punk elements during this book. The first basically just threw the supernatural into the mix. Now we have alternatives to the telegraph and various other contraptions being mentioned. The series straddles Urban Fantasy, Steampunk and Paranormal Romance quite effectively. The mystery component just doesn't have depth though and I was left with the feeling it could have been solved much earlier if Alexia had actually used the common sense and practicality that the author and all the other characters keep telling me she has.
So all in all I'd call it a step down from the first book but it's carried along by its fast pace and the fact that Alexia Tarabotti is a really fun character to read about.
Which is to say that it's light, frothy and written as a sort of pastiche comedy of manners from the Victorian period. Although the emphasis this time is more on the mystery and a little less on the romance aspect. Don't worry it's still there though.
The change is perhaps inevitable. After all Gail Carriger did marry off her two central characters in the previous book so there's going to be a different dynamic as the relationship evolves. Unfortunately I'm not sure the mystery element was strong enough to completely make up for the shift.
We do however, get a great new female character in the form of Madame Lefoux a "hat designer" with many hidden talents and a preference for male clothing. Carriger hints at an attraction between her and Alexia which sits a little oddly given the strength of the central relationship already in play but does let her keep the fairly high sex quotient which the series aims for.
The mystery itself is centered around the supernatural set suddenly finding themselves _human_ again. Something or someone is causing it. And having started in London it's now heading up to Scotland. Alexia naturally gives chase (via dirigible) at which point the assassination attempts begin.
There's a noticeable increase in the steam punk elements during this book. The first basically just threw the supernatural into the mix. Now we have alternatives to the telegraph and various other contraptions being mentioned. The series straddles Urban Fantasy, Steampunk and Paranormal Romance quite effectively. The mystery component just doesn't have depth though and I was left with the feeling it could have been solved much earlier if Alexia had actually used the common sense and practicality that the author and all the other characters keep telling me she has.
So all in all I'd call it a step down from the first book but it's carried along by its fast pace and the fact that Alexia Tarabotti is a really fun character to read about.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Alexia's adventures continue, but now as Lady Maccon! There's an odd thing happening in London - supernaturals have been turned human, and there's something going on with Connall's old pack.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes
A bit better than book 1, presumably because there was a little less explaining. Because there was still way too much hats and dresses and annoying people. The series still has possibilities for me. It manages to introduce interesting characters but then we don't see them enough and they don't do enough. Perhaps if the more irritating characters were gone. Less vampires in this one but more werewolves. Readable enough.
Alexia Tarabotti, who captured my heart in the first novel Soulless, returns again, happily wed to Lord Maccon. Well, that is until he suddenly disappears, off to Scotland with nary a word. A missing husband isn't her only trouble, however, as she is quickly embroiled in a mystery involving exorcised ghosts, fangless vampires, and a regiment of werewolves newly arrived in London. She handles it with aplomb though, parasol in hand.
I adored Soulless, the steampunk paranormal mystery romance novel was wonderful fun, and in my opinion, Changeless is just as good. Alexia is an intelligent, resourceful, strong female character who handles her rather aggressive and domineering husband, his wolf pack, and the mysteries of a supernatural world with wit and class. The character of Alexia is reason enough to read the series, but add in all of the other complex and entertaining characters, the supernatural bent, and the whole steampunk Gothic aura, and wowza!
A quick note on a few of the other characters: Felicity, Alexia's horribly shallow and annoying sister, who has to accompany Alexia on her mission to Scotland; Madame Lefoux, wonderfully described below, and just as impressive as Alexia herself; Ivy, Alexia's best friend, who has an obsessive fondness for ridiculously ugly hats; and let's not forget the dirigible and the parasol, each of which have their own uniqueness which classifies them as characters in my mind.
I did have one small problem with this book though. There's a misunderstanding at the end which feels completely wrong. While the issue is certainly weighty, the misunderstanding could have been easily rectified, and the use of it as a cliffhanger seems ridiculous. I am hoping that this HUGE ISSUE is quickly resolved in Blameless, so the series can go back to being perfectly wonderful.
I adored Soulless, the steampunk paranormal mystery romance novel was wonderful fun, and in my opinion, Changeless is just as good. Alexia is an intelligent, resourceful, strong female character who handles her rather aggressive and domineering husband, his wolf pack, and the mysteries of a supernatural world with wit and class. The character of Alexia is reason enough to read the series, but add in all of the other complex and entertaining characters, the supernatural bent, and the whole steampunk Gothic aura, and wowza!
A quick note on a few of the other characters: Felicity, Alexia's horribly shallow and annoying sister, who has to accompany Alexia on her mission to Scotland; Madame Lefoux, wonderfully described below, and just as impressive as Alexia herself; Ivy, Alexia's best friend, who has an obsessive fondness for ridiculously ugly hats; and let's not forget the dirigible and the parasol, each of which have their own uniqueness which classifies them as characters in my mind.
I did have one small problem with this book though. There's a misunderstanding at the end which feels completely wrong. While the issue is certainly weighty, the misunderstanding could have been easily rectified, and the use of it as a cliffhanger seems ridiculous. I am hoping that this HUGE ISSUE is quickly resolved in Blameless, so the series can go back to being perfectly wonderful.
