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A review by missbryden
Competence by Gail Carriger
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