Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4) by Gail Carriger

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

Book Review:
Ok, so I have seriously fallen behind on my reviews. This of course, means that I'm a little fuzzy on this book since it's been a good month or two since I read it. From what I remember, I didn't like it as much as its predecessor or its successor. That being said, I just adore this series, and while this book didn't quite live up to the high standards I've placed on the series, I still really enjoyed it!

Favorite Quote:

“Oh, Professor Lyall, are you making a funny? It doesn’t suit you.”

The sandy-haired Beta gave Lady Maccon a dour look. “I am exploring new personality avenues.”

“Well, stop it.”

“Yes, my lady.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I just ADORE these covers! This one is particularly lovely, as it displays a good amount of purple (my favorite color, if you haven't already guessed). I'm so glad they kept the original covers intact as many series today change covers mid-series. These are original and eye-catching. Perfect for the stories they contain!

Rating:

Reading Reflections: May 2012

Books Read:
Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter
Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore
Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4) by Gail Carriger

Total Number of Books Read This Month: 3

Total Number of Books Read This Year: 27

Most Anticipated: Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore

Biggest Let Down: Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2) by Aimee Carter

Favorite Read: Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore

Highest Rank: 5

Lowest Rank: 3.5

Overall Reflection:
Well, it's been a busy month, but unfortunately, my reading suffered a bit. Bitterblue is well over 500 pages, but I would have liked to get another book in. Goddess Interrupted was a bit disappointing compared to its predecessor. Bitterblue was well worth the wait! Heartless was another great story in the Parasol Protectorate series! This month looks to be another busy one, then hopefully things will slow down, and I can focus on reading more! Hope you all had a fabulous reading month! :)

Bitterblue (Graceling Realm #3) by Kristin Cashore

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

Book Trailer:


Book Review:
Oh, how I have enjoyed this series! Bitterblue was no exception. While it might not be as action-packed as its predecessors, Bitterblue offers its own blend of magic, intrigue, and allure. Bitterblue is a young queen coming to terms with her past, while discovering that all she has come to know is a deception of the truth. I enjoyed the story arc of Bitterblue herself. She starts off as a coddled teen full of self-pity, then grows into a mature young lady who is willing to fight for her queendom, and right the wrongs from the past. Her quest for truth is a rocky one, filled with splendid characters...some well-known to us, such as Katsa and Po, and other's new such as Teddy and Saph. All I can say is that Cashore know how to weave on hell of a good story. I searched high and low, but couldn't find any mention of furthering the series. However, I also did not find a definitive statement claiming the series has come to an end. I do hope that Cashore keeps writing! It's worth the wait for the quality that she produces. If you haven't read this series, please so immediately! It is one of my highest recommend series of books!

Favorite Quote:

“Only a person with the true heart of a dictionary-writer would be lying in bed, three days after being stabbed in the gut, worrying about his P's.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I love the cover of this book. The color is gorgeous. It goes along nicely with the rest of the series as well.

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