#11 Blameless by Gail Carriger
This review has spoilers for both Soulless and Changeless, the two previous books in The Parasol Protectorate. There are no real spoilers
for Blameless.
Lady Marccon, formerly known as Alexia Tarabotti, has found her happily ever after destroyed. When she becomes pregnant, everyone assumes that she has cheated on her husband who, being a werewolf, is unable to have children. But Alexia is innocent, and the thought that Lord Maccon would assume that she was unfaithful both frustrates and saddens her. Alexia knows that her pregnancy is related to her soulless state, so she embarks on a journey to gather proof. But with the local vampire population turned against her, how far will she be able to get?
Blameless is the third novel in The Parasol Protectorate series, and my favorite so far. With far less of a romantic focus than previous novels in the series, Changeless is an exciting adventure filled with edge of your seat peril, and lots of new steampunk gadgetry. As I am more of a fantasy fan than a romance fan, this suited me just fine, although romance fans may be disappointed at the lack of steamy moments. I was happy to see that Carriger's Victorian sense of humor, my favorite aspect of the series, is back in full force. The Parasol Protectorate series is one that I really can't read in public. People tend to give you strange looks when you break out into giggles every few minutes. One thing that both surprised and pleased me is on the journey to find out how Alexia is pregnant, we get to learn more about what it really means for Alexia to be soulless, which I've always been curious about learning more about.
Of course, Blameless is not only Alexia's story. In fact some of the most enjoyable parts of the novel are those which focus on Professor Lyall, who finds himself taking over Lord Maccon's werewolf pack while Conall, stricken over the thought of Alexia cheating on him, remains intoxicated and pretty useless for most of the book. There are plenty of impressive character moments during this novel for the secondary characters. My favorites include the revelation that Ivy Hisselpenny may not be as silly as she appears, and a rare serious moment for the typically outrageous Lord Akeldama.
Blameless is a strong addition to the Parasol Protectorate series. Admittedly, I felt as if the end was a little too chaotic, but that's only a minor nitpick. One thing that should make fans happy is knowing that this novel does not end on so dramatic of a cliffhanger as Changeless. Sure, there are plenty of questions left unanswered, but the major issues of the novel (how is Alexia pregnant? Will Alexia ever forgive Conall?) are resolved quite nicely. I'm happy that Carriger decided to do this instead of stringing us along for several novels. I am looking forward to book four, Heartless, which is set to be published this summer.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 374 pages
Source: Paperbackswap
Similar book: For other fantasy/horror book that take place in a Victorian setting, try Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray, or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith ( my review)
Other books I've read by this author: Soulless ( my review), Changeless ( my review)
Next up, I will be reviewing All Just Glass by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and the audiobook of The Rolling Stones by Robert A. Heinlein
xposted to temporaryworlds , bookish , and goodreads
for Blameless.
Lady Marccon, formerly known as Alexia Tarabotti, has found her happily ever after destroyed. When she becomes pregnant, everyone assumes that she has cheated on her husband who, being a werewolf, is unable to have children. But Alexia is innocent, and the thought that Lord Maccon would assume that she was unfaithful both frustrates and saddens her. Alexia knows that her pregnancy is related to her soulless state, so she embarks on a journey to gather proof. But with the local vampire population turned against her, how far will she be able to get?
Blameless is the third novel in The Parasol Protectorate series, and my favorite so far. With far less of a romantic focus than previous novels in the series, Changeless is an exciting adventure filled with edge of your seat peril, and lots of new steampunk gadgetry. As I am more of a fantasy fan than a romance fan, this suited me just fine, although romance fans may be disappointed at the lack of steamy moments. I was happy to see that Carriger's Victorian sense of humor, my favorite aspect of the series, is back in full force. The Parasol Protectorate series is one that I really can't read in public. People tend to give you strange looks when you break out into giggles every few minutes. One thing that both surprised and pleased me is on the journey to find out how Alexia is pregnant, we get to learn more about what it really means for Alexia to be soulless, which I've always been curious about learning more about.
Of course, Blameless is not only Alexia's story. In fact some of the most enjoyable parts of the novel are those which focus on Professor Lyall, who finds himself taking over Lord Maccon's werewolf pack while Conall, stricken over the thought of Alexia cheating on him, remains intoxicated and pretty useless for most of the book. There are plenty of impressive character moments during this novel for the secondary characters. My favorites include the revelation that Ivy Hisselpenny may not be as silly as she appears, and a rare serious moment for the typically outrageous Lord Akeldama.
Blameless is a strong addition to the Parasol Protectorate series. Admittedly, I felt as if the end was a little too chaotic, but that's only a minor nitpick. One thing that should make fans happy is knowing that this novel does not end on so dramatic of a cliffhanger as Changeless. Sure, there are plenty of questions left unanswered, but the major issues of the novel (how is Alexia pregnant? Will Alexia ever forgive Conall?) are resolved quite nicely. I'm happy that Carriger decided to do this instead of stringing us along for several novels. I am looking forward to book four, Heartless, which is set to be published this summer.
Rating: four and a half stars
Length: 374 pages
Source: Paperbackswap
Similar book: For other fantasy/horror book that take place in a Victorian setting, try Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, The Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray, or Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith ( my review)
Other books I've read by this author: Soulless ( my review), Changeless ( my review)
Next up, I will be reviewing All Just Glass by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and the audiobook of The Rolling Stones by Robert A. Heinlein
xposted to temporaryworlds , bookish , and goodreads