Scan barcode
sklus's review against another edition
5.0
I would read the phone book if Gail Carriger wrote it. I'm just in love with the world she builds and all of her characters. I wasn't thrilled when I found out that Prim and Percy were going to be the main focus of the story, but the book was a blast. I love Percy and found Prim's arch to be really interesting. Also, really good LGBT and non-white representation for a Victorian novel, or almost any other novel for that matter. I excitedly wait for the next book in the series regardless of who the focus is on because I'm obsessed.
morkskittar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nonesensed's review against another edition
5.0
Primrose, daughter of a vampire queen, sister of a hopelessly science-obsessed brother, and friend of a preternatural dirigible captain, has been stranded in Singapore while said dirigible sinks. For company she has only an amorous werecat. It's a rough time, all right? They might not even have decent tea here!
A fun romp! I enjoy the characters, the romance is cute, and I love the found family that's been built up across the series. The "person who tried to murder me is now part of the crew and we're having tea and banter" trope is my kind of thing, so this is a good time for me. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll definitely enjoy this one!
A fun romp! I enjoy the characters, the romance is cute, and I love the found family that's been built up across the series. The "person who tried to murder me is now part of the crew and we're having tea and banter" trope is my kind of thing, so this is a good time for me. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll definitely enjoy this one!
badseedgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I have not visited this series in a couple years. Although they are silly, frivolous books, I have loved all the series in this world.
themahtin's review against another edition
In this book the chapters switched back and forth between the perspectives of several of the main characters, which was a nice difference. I didn't care much for what turned out to be the group's mission in this one, but the story of their travels was nice...
dinnureads's review against another edition
5.0
I thought that this books is solely going to be about Primrose and that's why I kinda put it on hold and didn't read it straight after the 3rd book.
jerricarae's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
missbryden's review against another edition
4.0
Second read:
I think I like this better the second time around. I have more sympathy for Primrose and Percy as point of view characters, versus Rue in the first two books and Rue is more entertaining from others’ point of view. I love Prim and Percy’s sibling interactions.
Lady Maccon’s giving them a mission seems clearer this time round, yet I was still disappointed by how little time was taken up interacting with the “new” supernatural creatures, and still wished we could follow them on their further journey.
First read:
From memories of first two Custard Protocol books, I haven’t warmed to the new or newly grown up cast of this series as much as Parasol Protectorate or Finishing School. Except maybe to Percy. Having been fond of Ivy and Alexia in the first series, and used to them, I can’t get behind their children’s perspectives of them.
I enjoy how the characters are differently perceptive about things. Percy sees much that the others don’t and surprises them which surprises himself that they don’t see it, but then he can’t tell when he’s hurt someone’s feelings when in scientific pursuit of information. I like Prim’s practicality and want to fit with the time and place and its properness.
I was more interested in the characters towards the end, especially enjoying the sibling interaction.
From the previews I thought the time and events in Singapore would take up more space but after a quarter of the book they’re already on their way to South America, which is mentioned in the cover blurb but not in others. Also, a plot, a story-long problem is not especially clear. It’s been suggested by one of the crew's correspondents that they go help another different kind of vampires, not that Prim “uncovers rumors” as in the cover blurb. I don’t think I’m usually too bothered about seeing where a plot is going, but maybe I am more so in the absence of really attaching to the characters.
They don’t land in Peru until almost three quarters through the book, having followed the information for the vampires. More of the book is the journey. Admittedly in other stories I have sometimes felt there should be more about the getting there and not just skipping to the being there.
Spoilery ahead
There isn’t much time spent with the Pishtacos at the end, and I expect there’s a lot of history packed into what is said about them and by them, and I want to know it all, especially when it’s a culture less known to me!
On one hand I like how Percy’s explained and that it seems to be accepted that he doesn’t seem to need a companion/love, but at the same time I want to see the lady who would work just right with his personality. Or maybe see him settled more into the family of the Spotted Custard, as Primrose has recognized that she’s built, and not see him being without community in some way.
my Pinterest board of references
I think I like this better the second time around. I have more sympathy for Primrose and Percy as point of view characters, versus Rue in the first two books and Rue is more entertaining from others’ point of view. I love Prim and Percy’s sibling interactions.
Lady Maccon’s giving them a mission seems clearer this time round, yet I was still disappointed by how little time was taken up interacting with the “new” supernatural creatures, and still wished we could follow them on their further journey.
First read:
From memories of first two Custard Protocol books, I haven’t warmed to the new or newly grown up cast of this series as much as Parasol Protectorate or Finishing School. Except maybe to Percy. Having been fond of Ivy and Alexia in the first series, and used to them, I can’t get behind their children’s perspectives of them.
I enjoy how the characters are differently perceptive about things. Percy sees much that the others don’t and surprises them which surprises himself that they don’t see it, but then he can’t tell when he’s hurt someone’s feelings when in scientific pursuit of information. I like Prim’s practicality and want to fit with the time and place and its properness.
I was more interested in the characters towards the end, especially enjoying the sibling interaction.
From the previews I thought the time and events in Singapore would take up more space but after a quarter of the book they’re already on their way to South America, which is mentioned in the cover blurb but not in others. Also, a plot, a story-long problem is not especially clear. It’s been suggested by one of the crew's correspondents that they go help another different kind of vampires, not that Prim “uncovers rumors” as in the cover blurb. I don’t think I’m usually too bothered about seeing where a plot is going, but maybe I am more so in the absence of really attaching to the characters.
They don’t land in Peru until almost three quarters through the book, having followed the information for the vampires. More of the book is the journey. Admittedly in other stories I have sometimes felt there should be more about the getting there and not just skipping to the being there.
Spoilery ahead
Spoiler
I am intrigued over the discussions of reforming soulless Rodrigo with philosophy; it reminded me of how Alexia, as mentioned in Parasol Protectorate, (set herself) studies to form her ethics in place of soul, but disturbed by how they’re wondering how they can lead him to righteousness when all understandings of religion seem to be only where it's gone wrong, where Christianity has been badly carried out.There isn’t much time spent with the Pishtacos at the end, and I expect there’s a lot of history packed into what is said about them and by them, and I want to know it all, especially when it’s a culture less known to me!
On one hand I like how Percy’s explained and that it seems to be accepted that he doesn’t seem to need a companion/love, but at the same time I want to see the lady who would work just right with his personality. Or maybe see him settled more into the family of the Spotted Custard, as Primrose has recognized that she’s built, and not see him being without community in some way.
my Pinterest board of references