Prudence (The Custard Protocol #1) by Gail Carriger

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Custard and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones? 

Book Review:
Where to start? Well, I must confess, I am a HUGE fan of Gail Carriger! I love her Parasol Protectorate series as well as her YA Finishing School series. So when her spin-off series The Custard Protocol became available, I knew it wouldn't be long before I read it. This book delivers everything I expected and more. To start, I love the main character Rue. She's adventurous, engaging and full of spunky attitude. The supporting characters are just as wonderful. I loved the twins and their contrasting personalities. I also enjoyed the romantic tension between Quesnel and Rue. It gave the plot some spicy flavor. Like always, it takes me a little bit to get into Carriger's novels. I believe it's because her stories are so different and colorful. But once I get into the right spirit, it's darn-near impossible for me to set her books down. This book was no different. However, it wasn't too long before I became engaged in the wit, adventure, and mystery of Carriger's novel. I will definitely be continuing this series!

Cover Art Commentary:
At first glance, I'm not a fan. It's just another book cover with a woman wearing a dress. Then I look closer, and notice the Taj Mahal in the back ground and the dirigible and everything clicks in place. I love the gears around the title as well. :)

Rating:

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) by Gail Carriger

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners—and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage—in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

Book Review:
Ok, let me preface this review with the fact that I love the Parasol Protectorate series. I mean looooove it! Carriger has such a distinctive voice, therefore it was impossible for me to separate the two series (at least in my mind). I loved Carriger's witty writing style. However, I could have used a bit more of her humor in Etiquette & Espionage. The story started out faced-paced and I was immediately adsorbed. However, somewhere in the middle, the story leveled off and I felt the pace lag a bit. I love the incorporation of even more steampunk elements! Bumbersnoot is the best little steampunk character ever! I loved Sophronia's voice and willfulness. I also quite enjoyed her character arc within the novel. I expect her character to develop even more throughout the series. I loved the setting of the finishing school and all of the characters Sophronia meets there. This is a great start to a promising series! I can't wait for the next installment!

Favorite Quote:
"'Is that wise? Having a mess of seedling evil geniuses falling in love with you willy-nilly? What if they feel spurned?'
 
'Ah, but in the interim, think of the lovely gifts they can make you.  Monique bragged that one of her boys made her silver and wood hair sticks as anti-supernatural weapons. With amethyst inlay. And another made her an exploding wicker chicken.'

'Goodness, what's that for?'

Diminty pursed her lips. 'Who doesn't want an exploding wicker chicken'?"

Cover Art Commentary:
LOVE IT!!! First of all, who doesn't love a bright purple background?! Secondly, I love the girl with the puffy dress and scissors (which come into play later in the story).

Rating:

Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5) by Gail Carriger

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

Book Review:
Such a wonderful ending to this series! I rather enjoyed the Egyptian setting. Prudence was a delightful addition! I'm just sad this series has come to a close. Looking forward to Carriger's upcoming new series!

Favorite Quote:

“She took a moment to lament her lack of parasol. Every time she left the house, she felt keenly the absence of her heretofore ubiquitous accessory.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
Love the covers of this series! They're fun and whimsical! Love the Egyptian theme in the background as well!

Rating:

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:

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Book Summery:

Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto. -goodreads.com

Book Review:
Another fantastic piece of work by Gail Carriger! What I really enjoyed about this Blameless, was the primary focus on Alexia. While I love all the colorful characters in Ms. Tarabotti's world, having the main focus on her was rather refreshing. It allowed the reader to grasp a bit more insight and detail into Alexia's mind, which is a tantalizing and most interesting place. I also enjoyed Alexia's trip to Italy and all the stops she made along the way. Some of the characters that were introduced this time around, were most amusing and original. The mechanical ladybugs were a hoot! I just love Carriger's snarky, yet proper tone. It makes for a most entertaining read! I am soooo disappointed that Carriger's follow-up Heartless isn't released until next July! I am anxious to read it now! If you haven't yet read the Parasol Protectorate series, you should immediately! For more fun and wit, visit the author's website.

Favorite Quote:

"Alexia felt a token to protest was called for at this juncture. 'I mean to say, really, I am near to developing a neurosis-is there anyone around that doesn't want to study or kill me?'

Floote raised a tentative hand.

'Ah, yes, thank you Floote.' " (p.337)

Cover Art Commentary:
The cover of Blameless is just gorgeous and goes well with the other covers from the series. I really like the contrast of the gray and red. :)

Overall Rating:

Changeless by Gail Carriger

*Warning: There be minor spoilers ahead!*

Book Summery:
Alexia Tarabotti, now Lady Maccon, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears -- leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.

But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her into the backwaters of ugly waistcoats, Scotland, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only a soulless can. She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it. -goodreads.com

My Review:
Again, this took me a while to get into before I fully enjoyed it. Although, I believe the delay was caused not due to getting accustomed to Carriger's writing style, but rather distractions in my day-to-day life, which did not allow me the proper amount of time to get settled into my "reading mode." However, once I was granted such time and lack of distraction, I found myself fully enveloped in the world of Lady Maccon and her companions.

Again, my favorite aspect of Carriger's writing are her characters. Alexia is a strong female lead, who is both an interesting and humerus narrator. I did sorely miss ProfessorLyall's predominant presence in Changeless, as he is one of my favorite characters. We do see quite a bit more of Ivy Hisselpenny and her many hats. We are also introduced to the french inventor Madame Lefoux, who is a wonderfully colorful addition. A bit more is revealed about Lord Maccon's past, which proves to be quite interesting as well.

Overall, once I was able to sink my teeth in, I found Changeless quite enjoyable. There is a bit of a mystery woven throughout the plot that makes for a truly interesting read. I enjoyed the dialog and interactions between the characters. Furthermore, Ms. Carriger has enabled me to enjoy steampunk more than I had ever anticipated I would. I can barely contain my anticipation for the third book in the series Blameless (rightly named, I think), which is due to be out this coming September. For those interested, other scintillating reviews for Changeless can be found at Jawas Read, Too! and Smexy Books. :)

My Favorite Quote:

"Really, Alexia, language. You sound like a fishmonger's wife!" said Miss Hisselpenny. "What's going on? Did your parasol just emit something? How untoward of it..." (p. 325)

Cover Art Commentary:
I really love the cover art of these books. They are both beautiful and original like the stories they contain.

Overall Rating:

Soulless by Gail Carriger

 


Book Summery:
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette. Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?-goodreads.com

My Review:
I honestly didn't think I would like this one at first. It took me about 70 pages before I finally got in the groove of reading through (a) Carriger's voice and (b) the Victorian setting. However, once I got into the right mode, it was near impossible to set this book down. I honestly don't think I would have picked up Soulless had I not read the reviews written over at Book Love Affair and Jawas Read, Too! Though they did not enjoy Soulless quite as enthusiastically as I did, I can honestly say that I would not have even bothered to pick up the series had it not been for their reviews!

Onwards to the review. What makes this book are two exceptional components: The first being the characters. First off, is our narrator Alexia Tarabotti. Alexia is a strong, intelligent, and witty female lead. The supporting characters are superb as well, and counteract Alexia nicely. A few of my favorites are Lord Maccon and ProfessorLyall, the alpha and beta males of the local werewolf pack. The second component is the setting of the story. Now I am certainly no history buff, but it seems that Ms. Carriger has done some rather intensive research in regards to this book. Again, I can't honestly say if the historical components of the story are historically correct, but they sure do add some wonderful color to the story.

All in all, I absolutely adored this story. It has a touch of various elements: the paranormal, science, romance, steam punk with some Victorian flair thrown in. When combined these elements produce an enthralling and original story. I absolutely can not wait to get started on Carriger's next book in the series, Changeless. For more information, check out the author's website.

Cover Art Commentary:
Like the story, this cover is most original. I love how the gray background make the fore-colors pop off the page.

Overall Rating: