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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Fifth and last in the Parasol Protectorate urban fantasy series set in a steampunk London in the Victorian age.
My Take
I am so going to miss this series! Carriger constantly cracks me up with her comments and asides on Victorian high society as well as her observations on, well, everyone.
I love her description of the bathing chamber Lord Akeldama has created for Prudence. Then there's all the endearments Dama drops from "buttercup" to "dewdrop", "darling toggle button" to "puggle". I will so miss the giggles..!
Alexia is quite intellectual and looks forward to "subject[ing] her daughter to some controlled analytical tests". In some ways, she reminds me of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody with her matter-of-fact approach and her belief that she is always right.
It's an adventure of Prudence-catching and scientific discoveries for the Maccons. Biffy has his own life-changing [yes, more…] discoveries, but he does discover a new love. Just as Alexia learns that she must pay better attention to Prudence's words.
The Story
We open on bath night…Prudence's. A tragi-comedy Lord and Lady Maccon sort of escape in time for the performance of The Death Rains of Swansea. And, here Conall didn't think he'd get to enjoy himself…
It even becomes a very useful cover when the Maccons are forced to Egypt with their daughter for an audience with that ancient Vampire Queen which is itself cover for a much-needed investigation of the God-Breaker Plague out in the desert. And there's a suspicion that Alexia's father had his hand in this somehow!
The Characters
Lady Alexia Tarabotti Maccon is a, in the crudest sense, a soul sucker, a preternatural. One touch and any vampire or shifter becomes mortal, vulnerable. Lord Conall Maccon is the alpha of the now-London Pack and very much in love with his wife. Prudence is their daughter and a metanatural. One touch from her and the abilities shift; the one Prudence touches becomes mortal while Prudence becomes a baby vamp or wolf pup. It's an adventure as they discover her limitations and powers. Professor Randolph Lyall is Conall's Beta. Floote was Alexia's father's valet and he has faithfully followed Alexia from childhood home to married one. However, he has his own agenda.
Lord Akeldama is one of my favorite characters — he just cracks me up. A gay, ancient vampire very concerned with the cut of his coat who surrounds himself with drones who reflect his interests and are the most efficient gatherers of information. Lord Akeldama has the very latest in anything to ensure the most up-to-date gossip! To protect Prudence from assassination, Lord and Lady Maccon had to accept Dama as her official guardian. Biffy, a.k.a., Wingtip Spectator, a.k.a., Sandalio de Rabiffano, is adjusting quite well to his changes in life. It's a brief encounter with Mrs. Colindrikal-Bumbcruncher that ensures we easily see his strengths. And Carriger has new insights on his character further along. Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings is the London Pack's toffee-nosed Gamma. He and Alexia don't quite get on.
Ivy Tunstell, a.k.a., Agent Puff Bonnet, is one of Alexia's oldest friends and without any taste. Just witness her hats!! After marrying Tunstell, Ivy threw herself into her husband's theatrical world. I do love the sound of Mr. Tuntrinkle who plays the villain for the troupe.
Lady Sidheag Kingair is a rather crude alpha — of the Scottish Kingair Pack — and rather inclined to slash and bash her way in at her slightest whim. Mind you, she does have some good reasons.
Madame Genevieve Lefoux is still an inventor of marvelous gadgets and a member of the Order of the Brass Octopus, but, alas, the life changes forced on her in Heartless have driven a wedge between her and Lady Maccon. Countess Nadasdy is the queen of the now-Woolsey vampire hive. Queen Matakara is the oldest living vampire and she has issued a very commanding demand to the Maccons. Chancellor Neshi is her representative in the outside world. Felicity Loontwill is Alexia's selfish bitch of a sister — I do hope Biffy makes good on his "promise"! Zayed is the Drifter who comes to Alexia's rescue at Goldenrod's orders.
The Cover and Title
The cover doesn't blend. It looks more as if Alexia has been posed against a giant poster of ancient Egypt with its sphinx on the left and one of the pyramids on the right. I did like the dirigible hovering over the pyramid's point!
The title sums it all up for it is a Timeless adventure.
My Take
I am so going to miss this series! Carriger constantly cracks me up with her comments and asides on Victorian high society as well as her observations on, well, everyone.
I love her description of the bathing chamber Lord Akeldama has created for Prudence. Then there's all the endearments Dama drops from "buttercup" to "dewdrop", "darling toggle button" to "puggle". I will so miss the giggles..!
Alexia is quite intellectual and looks forward to "subject[ing] her daughter to some controlled analytical tests". In some ways, she reminds me of Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody with her matter-of-fact approach and her belief that she is always right.
The toddler couldn't be less interested in the importance of scientific discoveries, for all her mother tried to explain them. It was, Alexia felt, a troubling character flaw."Poor Biffy!
It's an adventure of Prudence-catching and scientific discoveries for the Maccons. Biffy has his own life-changing [yes, more…] discoveries, but he does discover a new love. Just as Alexia learns that she must pay better attention to Prudence's words.
It looked — Biffy shuddered in utter horror — like an…umbrella!I rather liked how Carriger wrapped this up. A tidy end for the Maccons with a promise of ongoing life for everyone.
The Story
We open on bath night…Prudence's. A tragi-comedy Lord and Lady Maccon sort of escape in time for the performance of The Death Rains of Swansea. And, here Conall didn't think he'd get to enjoy himself…
It even becomes a very useful cover when the Maccons are forced to Egypt with their daughter for an audience with that ancient Vampire Queen which is itself cover for a much-needed investigation of the God-Breaker Plague out in the desert. And there's a suspicion that Alexia's father had his hand in this somehow!
The Characters
Lady Alexia Tarabotti Maccon is a, in the crudest sense, a soul sucker, a preternatural. One touch and any vampire or shifter becomes mortal, vulnerable. Lord Conall Maccon is the alpha of the now-London Pack and very much in love with his wife. Prudence is their daughter and a metanatural. One touch from her and the abilities shift; the one Prudence touches becomes mortal while Prudence becomes a baby vamp or wolf pup. It's an adventure as they discover her limitations and powers. Professor Randolph Lyall is Conall's Beta. Floote was Alexia's father's valet and he has faithfully followed Alexia from childhood home to married one. However, he has his own agenda.
Lord Akeldama is one of my favorite characters — he just cracks me up. A gay, ancient vampire very concerned with the cut of his coat who surrounds himself with drones who reflect his interests and are the most efficient gatherers of information. Lord Akeldama has the very latest in anything to ensure the most up-to-date gossip! To protect Prudence from assassination, Lord and Lady Maccon had to accept Dama as her official guardian. Biffy, a.k.a., Wingtip Spectator, a.k.a., Sandalio de Rabiffano, is adjusting quite well to his changes in life. It's a brief encounter with Mrs. Colindrikal-Bumbcruncher that ensures we easily see his strengths. And Carriger has new insights on his character further along. Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings is the London Pack's toffee-nosed Gamma. He and Alexia don't quite get on.
Ivy Tunstell, a.k.a., Agent Puff Bonnet, is one of Alexia's oldest friends and without any taste. Just witness her hats!! After marrying Tunstell, Ivy threw herself into her husband's theatrical world. I do love the sound of Mr. Tuntrinkle who plays the villain for the troupe.
Lady Sidheag Kingair is a rather crude alpha — of the Scottish Kingair Pack — and rather inclined to slash and bash her way in at her slightest whim. Mind you, she does have some good reasons.
Madame Genevieve Lefoux is still an inventor of marvelous gadgets and a member of the Order of the Brass Octopus, but, alas, the life changes forced on her in Heartless have driven a wedge between her and Lady Maccon. Countess Nadasdy is the queen of the now-Woolsey vampire hive. Queen Matakara is the oldest living vampire and she has issued a very commanding demand to the Maccons. Chancellor Neshi is her representative in the outside world. Felicity Loontwill is Alexia's selfish bitch of a sister — I do hope Biffy makes good on his "promise"! Zayed is the Drifter who comes to Alexia's rescue at Goldenrod's orders.
The Cover and Title
The cover doesn't blend. It looks more as if Alexia has been posed against a giant poster of ancient Egypt with its sphinx on the left and one of the pyramids on the right. I did like the dirigible hovering over the pyramid's point!
The title sums it all up for it is a Timeless adventure.
karrama's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book as I had the previous escapades of our fave paranormals, but I could not get into it. It occurs to me that Alexia and her menagerie jumped a steam driven shark on the boat to visit the Vampire Queen. I have children myself, but found that I wanted to escape into a world without such difficulties. As the plot hit, though, the story picked up.
jobustitch's review against another edition
3.0
A really tidy wrap up to the series. I am not happy that the series had to end, especially now that I am hooked on the characters. The resolution with Ivy was not satisfying, but maybe the author plans to start a series with her. In any case, I enjoyed the ride. Thanks, Ms. Carriger for a fun, fun series.
eryal's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this ending to the series, and while I am sad to be to the end, I feel the author wrapped up the books rather well. There are still unanswered questions, but I don't think those questions would be answered even if the series was continued.
All in all, I would (and have) recomend this series to anyone who enjoys the supernatural, steampunk, or tea-time era London.
All in all, I would (and have) recomend this series to anyone who enjoys the supernatural, steampunk, or tea-time era London.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
*sighs*The last book in the Parasol Protectorate. Boy, I will be missing this series a whole lot, the characters, the world (though thankfully Gail Carriger is still writing books in this world). I hope that we will still see Lord and Lady Maccon in other books, or Biffy and Lyall.
This book has a time skip of two years. Prudence is now a precocious little toddler, and just when everyone thinks it is time for some peace and quiet, Sidheag pops up, there is werewolf trouble. And if it can't get even more complicated Alexia gets an invite from the vampire queen in Egypt to visit her, and of course bring Prudence. One can't just say no to a vampire queen, so they have to pack up.
And so the book is split up in two parts. Alexia, her hubbie and kid, and her friend Ivy and her hubbie and kids and their theatre troupe are going to Egypt (they need some sort of excuse why they are leaving London, and what better way than to have the theatre troupe go on a tour in Egypt). While Lyall and Biffy stay at home and figure out things from their home + make sure Sidheag isn't doing anything that may bring trouble. I loved both of these POVs. Biffy and Lyall's because I have been shipping them for a while and I just wanted to see them get together. And Alexia's POV because well first of all Alexia, but second Egypt! My favourite country in the world, I still hope to one day visit it.
Of course like the other books there is some silly drama, and I disliked the way it was solved. The drama involves something that Alexia kept from her hubbie, namely what happened so many years ago to his old pack. I am still doubting if it was a good idea to hold it from him, but then again... I can also so see why she never told him. My lord, Lord Maccon is such a drama queen at times. Instead of just talking it over he gets super-angry and then just leaves. Whut?
We also find out more about Alexia's dad (a real mess that guy was), about the Plague and why it is spreading (it was quite interesting to read when they found out what was causing it/how it was spreading). Plus we see a new queen and learn a whole lot about her (poor thing, I can imagine she may want to see Alexia and her kid). Of course there are also enough other exiting things happening. This whole book will keep you on your toes, well, sometimes also throwing you off your toes when you laugh at some of the things that happen (like that show by Ivy, her hubbie, and their theatre troupe). :P
I am also happy to read that Ivy has twins now. Congrats! With of course names typical for Ivy and her hubbie. :P
The ending was fabulous, I was really happy with how everything turned out, it was a bit of a drastic solution, but I think it worked wonders. Even if it means a lot of adapting for all parties involved.
Plus with certain things said, I was just awwing and cheering. That was so sweet of Conall. I was already thinking he may just do that, considering how much he loves Alexia.
Yep, I really enjoyed reading these books. Great characters, wonderful story. Definitely would recommend the series to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book has a time skip of two years. Prudence is now a precocious little toddler, and just when everyone thinks it is time for some peace and quiet, Sidheag pops up, there is werewolf trouble. And if it can't get even more complicated Alexia gets an invite from the vampire queen in Egypt to visit her, and of course bring Prudence. One can't just say no to a vampire queen, so they have to pack up.
And so the book is split up in two parts. Alexia, her hubbie and kid, and her friend Ivy and her hubbie and kids and their theatre troupe are going to Egypt (they need some sort of excuse why they are leaving London, and what better way than to have the theatre troupe go on a tour in Egypt). While Lyall and Biffy stay at home and figure out things from their home + make sure Sidheag isn't doing anything that may bring trouble. I loved both of these POVs. Biffy and Lyall's because I have been shipping them for a while and I just wanted to see them get together. And Alexia's POV because well first of all Alexia, but second Egypt! My favourite country in the world, I still hope to one day visit it.
Of course like the other books there is some silly drama, and I disliked the way it was solved. The drama involves something that Alexia kept from her hubbie, namely what happened so many years ago to his old pack. I am still doubting if it was a good idea to hold it from him, but then again... I can also so see why she never told him. My lord, Lord Maccon is such a drama queen at times. Instead of just talking it over he gets super-angry and then just leaves. Whut?
We also find out more about Alexia's dad (a real mess that guy was), about the Plague and why it is spreading (it was quite interesting to read when they found out what was causing it/how it was spreading). Plus we see a new queen and learn a whole lot about her (poor thing, I can imagine she may want to see Alexia and her kid). Of course there are also enough other exiting things happening. This whole book will keep you on your toes, well, sometimes also throwing you off your toes when you laugh at some of the things that happen (like that show by Ivy, her hubbie, and their theatre troupe). :P
I am also happy to read that Ivy has twins now. Congrats! With of course names typical for Ivy and her hubbie. :P
The ending was fabulous, I was really happy with how everything turned out, it was a bit of a drastic solution, but I think it worked wonders. Even if it means a lot of adapting for all parties involved.
Plus with certain things said, I was just awwing and cheering. That was so sweet of Conall. I was already thinking he may just do that, considering how much he loves Alexia.
Yep, I really enjoyed reading these books. Great characters, wonderful story. Definitely would recommend the series to everyone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
premium_huhn's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Im letzten Band der Parasol-Protectorate-Reihe, Timeless, reist Alexia mitsamt ihrem Mann, Tochter Prudence und Ivys Schauspieltruppe nach Ägypten, auf Einladung der ältesten Vampirkönigin der Welt. Während sie sich im Land des Gottbrecher-Fluchs die Sonne auf die Nase brennen lassen, schlagen sich Beta Professor Lyall und Jungwerwolf Biffy in London mit der Anführerin der schottischen Werwölfe herum, deren Beta erschossen wurde und die nun gerne wüsste, wer dafür verantwortlich ist.
Ich finds so spannend, wie unterschiedlich die Geschmäcker sind. In einer anderen Review las ich, wie oll andere das London-Zeug fanden und dass sie nur hier waren der niedlichen Prudence wegen und der ganzen Plotsachen in Ägypten. Was soll ich sagen - mir gings, wenig überraschend, genau andersrum. Ich mag keine Kinder in Romanzen und auch wenn Prudence durchaus nicht übermäßig stört - interessant fand ich sie auch nicht. Diese ganzen Fluchangelegenheiten in Ägypten fand ich merkwürdig, die Auflösung des Geheimnisses ... etwas dämlich. Und das Ende ... imperialistisch? (Also ehrlich .. die älteste Vampirkönigin der Welt war nicht in der Lage, ihren Anhängern zu kommunizieren, dass sie gerne eine Nachfolgerin zeugen und dann abtreten würde. Stattdessen dieser ganze elaborierte und fehleranfällige Plot. Also wirklich. Es ist amtlich - Vampire in diesem Setting tauschen ihr Gehirn offenkundig gegen eine Walnuss aus. Und da sie es in all den Jahrtausenden nicht gebacken gekriegt hat alleine, kommt Alexia ums Eck und befördert wieder eine ihr nahestehende Person in diese Position - die prompt alle Vampire dieses Hives nach London verlegt, da haben die armen Ägypter kein Mitspracherecht. Yeah well. Meh. )
Ich war eigentlich nur noch da wegen des London-Plots mit Lyall (den ich immer noch fangirle) und Biffy. Ich bin ja all in für übertrieben tragische Hintergrundgeschichten und die beiden delivern!
Das Ende hat mich schmerzlich mitgenommen. ;_; - Bis ich entdeckte, dass es eine kurze Folgenovelle zu Lyall und Biffy gibt. Die hab ich auch gleich gelesen, dazu dann mehr in der entsprechenden eigenen Review. Die anderen Reihen in diesem Universum werde ich aber eher nicht lesen, zumindest nicht jetzt. Sie beinhalten, wie ich fürchte, zu wenig Lyall um eine weitere Lektüre aus meiner Sicht zu rechtfertigen.
Insgesamt eine ganz nette Reihe. Das Setting ist cool, einige Figuren sinds zweifelsohne auch. Die Plots sind etwas dünn und die Figuren gewinnen bei aller Erzählerei leider nicht unbedingt an persönlicher Tiefe. Waren fünf schöne Bände, aber ich denke, damit reichts dann auch.
Ich finds so spannend, wie unterschiedlich die Geschmäcker sind. In einer anderen Review las ich, wie oll andere das London-Zeug fanden und dass sie nur hier waren der niedlichen Prudence wegen und der ganzen Plotsachen in Ägypten. Was soll ich sagen - mir gings, wenig überraschend, genau andersrum. Ich mag keine Kinder in Romanzen und auch wenn Prudence durchaus nicht übermäßig stört - interessant fand ich sie auch nicht. Diese ganzen Fluchangelegenheiten in Ägypten fand ich merkwürdig, die Auflösung des Geheimnisses ... etwas dämlich. Und das Ende ... imperialistisch? (
Ich war eigentlich nur noch da wegen des London-Plots mit Lyall (den ich immer noch fangirle) und Biffy. Ich bin ja all in für übertrieben tragische Hintergrundgeschichten und die beiden delivern!
Das Ende hat mich schmerzlich mitgenommen. ;_;
Insgesamt eine ganz nette Reihe. Das Setting ist cool, einige Figuren sinds zweifelsohne auch. Die Plots sind etwas dünn und die Figuren gewinnen bei aller Erzählerei leider nicht unbedingt an persönlicher Tiefe. Waren fünf schöne Bände, aber ich denke, damit reichts dann auch.
mariathelibrarian's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0