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ella1801's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, not as good as the first. Carriger's wearing the cliches thin, which, granted, isn't the most difficult thing to do when the entire subgenre is made of them. And yet, she strays more into the "romance" section than the "fantasy/horror" where the novel is shelved. I love the idea of a grotesque steampunk thriller--and this could be a magnificent one with its Austen-ite voice but with a different emphasis--but it's sorely lacking. Better labeled as alt-universe historical chick lit.
For better mysteries with early Victorian vestments, check out the Mrs Jeffries series by Emily Brightwell.
But you know me, I'll still finish the series.
For better mysteries with early Victorian vestments, check out the Mrs Jeffries series by Emily Brightwell.
But you know me, I'll still finish the series.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Alexia Maccon, née Tarrabotti, is awakened one morning by her husband bellowing out orders and questions. He doesn't take time to answer her questions, but of course she finds out what's going on later. Something or someone has found a way to completely negate whatever magic makes supernatural beings, well--supernatural. This has London in an uproar. When the phenomenon seems to be traveling north to Scotland, Lord Maccon sets out in that direction too. He wants to investigate further, plus he needs to check in with his old pack. Alexia just can't be left behind, so one dirigible ride later, she joins him up there to find the pack in disarray.
Another fun entry into The Parasol Protectorate! I swear I smiled and giggled the whole way through. Alexia is just as hardheaded and Lord Maccon is just as Alpha. Yum-mmmeeeee. *Waggling eyebrows lasciviously* Alexia is settling into her role as the Woolsey pack's Alpha female with ease. It's a role she was practically made for. There's one confrontation with a member of the pack who has just returned from India that left me laughing. She handled him as only Alexia can. She manages to get herself into even more trouble this time around, believe it or not.
A strange French inventor, Madame Lefoux, makes an appearance too. We're never quite sure what her role is in everything, but she had me hopelessly intrigued. She is to Alexia as Q is to Bond. Talk about a tricked-out parasol! She hooks Alexia up! MacGyver would be jealous of this thing! She's wonderfully eccentric and I couldn't help but love her even as I wondered about her loyalties.
Ivy Hisselpenny and Alexia's sister Felicity have a much-larger role in this book, and all I have to say about that is, "Poor Tunstell. He didn't stand a chance." Ivy's hats are even more garish, Felicity is even bitchier, but their catty spats with each other and Alexia are priceless.
I had an idea what was going on with the mystery and wondered why no one even thought to consider it until the end.
Speaking of the ending...
That's really what knocked this back a star. It's a cliffhanger, it came out of the blue, (Well, sort of. I knew part of what was going on), and it relied heavily on miscommunication. I know miscommunication happens but it irritates the heck out of me when a whole new plot turns on it.
Still, highly recommended for fans of this kind of funny, character-driven, supernatural mystery. I'm anxiously awaiting [b:Blameless|7719355|Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate, #3)|Gail Carriger|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268084164s/7719355.jpg|10463674]. Darn cliffhangers.
Another fun entry into The Parasol Protectorate! I swear I smiled and giggled the whole way through. Alexia is just as hardheaded and Lord Maccon is just as Alpha. Yum-mmmeeeee. *Waggling eyebrows lasciviously* Alexia is settling into her role as the Woolsey pack's Alpha female with ease. It's a role she was practically made for. There's one confrontation with a member of the pack who has just returned from India that left me laughing. She handled him as only Alexia can. She manages to get herself into even more trouble this time around, believe it or not.
A strange French inventor, Madame Lefoux, makes an appearance too. We're never quite sure what her role is in everything, but she had me hopelessly intrigued. She is to Alexia as Q is to Bond. Talk about a tricked-out parasol! She hooks Alexia up! MacGyver would be jealous of this thing! She's wonderfully eccentric and I couldn't help but love her even as I wondered about her loyalties.
Ivy Hisselpenny and Alexia's sister Felicity have a much-larger role in this book, and all I have to say about that is, "Poor Tunstell. He didn't stand a chance." Ivy's hats are even more garish, Felicity is even bitchier, but their catty spats with each other and Alexia are priceless.
I had an idea what was going on with the mystery and wondered why no one even thought to consider it until the end.
Speaking of the ending...
That's really what knocked this back a star. It's a cliffhanger, it came out of the blue, (Well, sort of. I knew part of what was going on), and it relied heavily on miscommunication. I know miscommunication happens but it irritates the heck out of me when a whole new plot turns on it.
Still, highly recommended for fans of this kind of funny, character-driven, supernatural mystery. I'm anxiously awaiting [b:Blameless|7719355|Blameless (The Parasol Protectorate, #3)|Gail Carriger|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268084164s/7719355.jpg|10463674]. Darn cliffhangers.
fae713's review against another edition
5.0
Ms. Carriger has managed something quite rare; a second book that surpasses the first. This series has captured my imagination to the extent that I am most definitely losing sleep. Changeless kept me from wanting to do much of anything, including work.
sgradycohen's review against another edition
4.0
Gail Carrier expands on the the world she built in Soulless with interesting characters added to the cast, more layers of supernatural "politics", fun steampunk weapons, and a good dash of relationship conflict
dinnureads's review against another edition
5.0
Everything was well predictable (though it did not make it boring or anything like that) until the end and then poooof....Wtf, lord Maccon....how could you...? :( I am so going to read the next book in the series right away....because I just can't live with my annoyance right now! :P
bethbock27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
cmaree88's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
jazzinbuns's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I'm mad at Connall for the ending, but I do understand where he was coming from with his reaction.
lamom77's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good story in this continuing series. During the last half, even though enjoying the story, I realized that I didn't like it nearly as much as the first book and felt that I would not continue the series, but of course, the book left off on a cliffhanger, now I need to find out what happens. I hope the series picks up again as I started to not like some of the characters in this 2nd book.
readingjag's review against another edition
4.0
As good as the first in the series, which is not always a given. This volume gets even more steampunk, with descriptions of complex communication devices and a dirigible ride. The plot is intriguing and Carriger introduces several new and interesting characters. The ending was a big surprise, and also sets us up nicely for book 3. I can't wait!