Gail Carriger - Romancing the Werewolf

Biffy, newly minted Alpha of the London Pack, is not having a good Christmas. His Beta abandoned him, his werewolves object to his curtain choices, and someone keeps leaving babies on his doorstep.
Professor Randolph Lyall returns home to London after twenty years abroad, afraid of what he might find. With his pack in chaos and his Alpha in crisis, it will take all his Beta efficiency to set everything to rights. Perhaps, in the process, he may even determine how to mend his own heart.
New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger presents a charming love story set in her popular steampunk Parasolverse. Featuring the long-awaited reunion between everyone’s favorite quietly capable Beta and the werewolf Alpha dandy who let him slip away.
This sweet romance is full of unexpected babysitting, holiday decorations, and no small amount of pining. Look for surprise appearances from popular side characters and the occasional strategic application of italics.

Comment: This novella is part of the world created by Gail Carriger, which started with the full length novel Soulless. I've loved that series although some of her other ones weren't as impressive to me. I had hopes this novella in a beloved "universe" would be amazing too.

In this story, Biffy is the new alpha of London's werewolves but he feels he's not dealing with things as easily as he once imagined. His having trouble to find his place in all this but he still tries, despite some issues he can't seem to control. 

However, after an absence of twenty years, Professor Lyall finally returns home so he can become the Beta the pack needs. He feels maybe his coming back might not turn out to be what he wants, which is to go back to where things were before he left but his position in the pack can't be dismissed. 

If only Biffy were the same person he was the first and only time they were together all those years ago...

I got interested in this book because it featured two characters I liked a lot in the original series. Fans of the Parasol Protectorate certainly are able to recognize Lyall and Biffy as recurrent characters from that series. Their paths are incredible to follow in that overall arc story so for those who haven't read the mentioned series, perhaps they should read that first, it does add a lot of meaning to some situations we have in this novella.

Still, in terms of plot, of course this is still readable and makes sense even without having read the previous stories. But for new readers, maybe some details won't make as much sense.

The plot itself is very simple since it addresses the new relationships between pack members after Lyall's return and a secondary issue which makes things move along, namely the strange finding of babies at the steps of the pack's house.

It's not difficult to follow this story nor is it complicated to imagine where it goes in terms of romance. I still think something more could have been done about the plot but it offered the necessary elements to be understood.

The writing is the classical Gail Carriger, very formal and wordy at times, in a very peculiar but funny way.

It's rather obvious the romance is the key element here. I was so anxious while reading the original series where they appeared and to think their story might not have a resolution - because their connection seemed quite amazing even if not really contemplating the "mates" notion. I think this novella isn't enough and I think a full length book would have explored some situations even better, like how much of a couple they can be in front of others and all that. 

There are several details mentioned while they talk and part of me did like the subtlety of their looks and longing but it would be amazing to have fireworks somehow, to better validate the strength of their feelings. I miss more romantic scenes besides the inferring we do while reading between the lines or following inner thoughts.

At the end of things, I just feel glad this story exists. It's not as perfect as I hoped for but Biffy and Lyall do seem a matching couple and I feel glad they found happiness with each other and are well accepted by their friends.

Grade: 7/10

G. L. Carriger - The Sumage Solution

Max fails at magic, relationships, and life. So he works as a sumage, cleaning up other mages’ messes. The job sucks and he’s in no mood to cope with redneck biker werewolves. Unfortunately, there’s something irresistible about the sexy muscled Beta visiting his office for processing.
Bryan is gay but he’s not out. There’s a good chance Max might be reason enough to leave the closet, if he can only get the man to go on a date.
Everyone knows werewolves hate mages, but Bryan is determined to prove everyone wrong, even the mage in question.
NYT bestseller Gail Carriger, writing as G. L. Carriger, presents an offbeat gay romance in which a sexy werewolf with a white knight complex meets a bad boy mage with an attitude problem. Sparks (and other things) fly.
The San Andreas Shifter books stand alone and do not have to be read in any particular order.
Delicate Sensibilities?
This story contains M/M sexitimes and horrible puns. If you get offended easily, then you probably will. The San Andreas Shifter stories include blue language, dirty deeds, and outright admiration for the San Francisco Bay Area. Not for the faint of heart/mouth/tongue…

Comment: I got very curious about this title when I realized it was by Gail Carriger, even if she chose a different pseudonym. I was used to her historical "voice" but got very interested in seeing how she would approach a contemporary sort of tale. I'm very glad I went for it.

In this story we meet a new pack of werewolves, in a world where there are all kinds of species and beings among the humans. The new pack decided to move to California because it's a place close to the water - and the alpha's mate is a merman - but also because it's distant enough from the prejudice of their past. However, to establish itself, the new pack must be registered officially and for that, the Beta Bryan goes to the office where those situations are dealt with and he meets a sumage, a mage who doesn't have much magic of his own. 

Max is a man used to loss and feeling down and he especially doesn't care about welcoming a bunch of wolves but he starts to change his mind when he meets Bryan and something about him makes perfect sense...

I'm really amazed by the way the author created this paranormal world. I particularly appreciate how she developed her werewolves into a group of people who care for one another and aren't only moved by rules or the mating instinct. Often, in shifter para normals, the attention isn't properly given to the pack rules, the pack dynamics and focuses on the elements and their need to find a mate. Although this is a fact here as well, I loved how each detail was seen to, how each decision made sense not only for each individual but also for the sake of the pack.

The story didn't start that amazing and I couldn't help but compare it to the author's other work, where her sarcastic voice is so obvious. It seemed this would be more alike the comedies she writes historically and somehow I felt that wouldn't be the way to go but thankfully, the characters started to become more and more alive and fleshed out and things developed steadily and so compellingly!

I think I was dazzled by the way the story developed in such a captivating manner.

All the paranormal details were good for me. I liked the notion of the world, I liked how many types of creatures/beings were mentioned, I liked how complex society felt like but not to a point I wouldn't enjoy reading. I think the author showed a great capacity to be organized and present a world very different from the usual but still showcasing her writing talent.

The romance is obviously one of the best details all around. I liked Bryan and Max as a couple, I liked how balanced their relationship was (at all levels) and how they got to know each other and trust each other slowly. Even the intimacy between them didn't feel rushed or a drive, it was simply an extension of their feelings. There were some situations where they acted rather silly but it just felt like a natural step in the process of falling in love, so....

Individually I liked them both, Max especially because he had a personality I could empathize with so I wanted him to succeed in embracing happiness and Bryan because he is a sweetheart who one can't help but wish all the best for.

All in all, I loved this book. The start wasn't as brilliant and there was one or two little details I'd change but for the most part I was amazed, in love with the characters and everyone's interactions and I'll definitely read more on this world, probably even the prequel to this story. Bring them on, mrs Carriger!

Grade: 9/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Gail Carriger - Prudence

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 Crumpet 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?  

Comment: Here's another book chosen for the alphabet challenge, this made a perfectly good P title.

I was also very curious about this story because I've loved the series that originated the appearance of this book/new series. The Parasol Protectorate was amazing, engaging, full of surprises and a style I really loved going through. I was so eager to have the same again with this story, featuring the child of the other series' main couple.

 

In this book, we meet Prudence, the daughter Alexia and Conall from the Parasol Protectorate had and that originated some twists in their series. Prudence is now a 20 year old woman always causing mischief and surrounded by her friends, decides to embark on a journey about tea, something very important to her and her second father, Lord Akeldama.

However, the journey isn't without some problems, meeting new people and challenges and even things Prudence couldn't anticipate.

But traveling to India isn't abut only Lord Akeldama's business...can Prudence do something to avoid scandals, international conflicts and the loss of precious tea?

 

Two things I need to say right away:

a) this is not like the series I loved so much and;

b) Prudence and her friends aren't as captivating as I hoped they would.

I was so happy to be reading a book where I really wanted to see the beloved characters that made me read non stop the other series, that it was with surprise I realized this cast wasn't like the other and I wasn't having fun...

 

The problem with expectations is that, when they aren't met, the reader always feels like it was misdirected or wronged somehow. I don't feel cheated but I admit I put a lot of hope in this simply because I truly enjoyed and loved the other series.

I also know each book should be praised or disliked on its own worth and not by comparing it to others, but in this case it was difficult not to.

I can't say I didn't have a slight inkling of doubt because I've read a book in another series, and that book wasn't the marvel I thought it would be, so this one was highly anticipated but not at 100% level, even more so because of the YA reference...

 

At this point, matching too many expectations, a missed hit with a similar book and not as great reviews out there, I got apprehensive but still wanted to see if all that was just noise. For me, it ended up being the disappointment I dreaded anyway.

 

My biggest problem is that I felt this book, or the actions the characters were taking and even everything surrounding their choices, conversations, etc, missed the amazingly perfect subtlety of emotion that the first series had and which I loved. I couldn't find much in this book that reminded me of how things used to be and how much I enjoyed reading about them. It's almost as if these characters, by being obviously different from the others, thus having different personalities, couldn't bother to care about things, as if their emotional answers didn't have to exist.

It just felt weird to read about characters that didn't bother to act in a way I thought it would suit them. I missed the emotional level I thought this would have.

 

The secondary characters - which I confess was part of why I wanted to read this - didn't strike me as engaging as that. I liked seeing some beloved characters and some interactions that surely will have repercussions and that will affect certain things and I'm very curious to read about that but to think I have to suffer through so many pointless passages to get to the good stuff...

 

Prudence and her circle of friends didn't leave a mark on me. I'm not very fond of them, they seemed very shallow and predictable and their actions revealed immaturity and a lack of concern for things...pretty much a sort of YA attitude I really can't stand for. Prudence is the key character, of course much of what happens goes through her but although I didn't despise her, I feel she isn't the type of person I want to read more about. I think this would be better if the focus was still on her parents.

 

I struggled a bit to finish the book. Many passages didn't have any appeal to me and the way things ended was almost exaggerated. This wouldn't be such a problem if more than half the book weren't silly and without real meaning, in my perspective. I totally respect the author's style, in fact it was that particular trademark that made me want to read her books, but in this book it's too much, things got a certain mocking tone that didn't have the emotional side to balance it like I thought it should.

 

All in all, I can't say I hated this but it certainly wasn't something I'll cherish. I might read the next book but it stopped being a priority and I'll certainly not spend too much on it and will wait for a cheaper paperback edition.

Grade: 5/10

Gail Carriger - Etiquette & Espionage

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. Temminnick 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 the 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.
Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail's legions of fans have come to adore. 

Comment: I've purchased this book several months ago. I had just finished the last of the Protectorate series by the same author and the way it ended was an indication that the YA series to come (this one) might be about a new character from that other series, someone I was eager to know as a protagonist. I got the book and only later did I realize no, this new series wasn't about that character and would be, in fact, a new series about something different. My letdown wasn't that huge because I loved the other series and would love to have something else by the author, even when I don't have any more patience for YA's books,  still stick to this one and went for it.

This book is all about a Finishing School and Sophronia is invited to join, mostly because of her mother's hopes she might learn to be a lady there. However, the school proves to be quite different from what Sophronia expected. Still, she decides to take a rick and welcomes what she is learning, even to help people she barely met. 

I feel conflicted. Actually I'm not sure what to think about the book. I've finished it and spent some good time with it but some days later I'm still unsure of what I thought about it.

It's true that the writing is as thrilling as I remembered from the Protectorate series but this time the action took place years before the other one and despite having some fun seeing some characters when they were children, it wasn't as amazing as that.

Then there's the fact there's no real action in the book. We see Sophronia and her friends in their adventures at school and there's a sort of mystery to solve but it's all so wrapped up I didn't feel as expectant to see it end as I do in other books.

I really don't know what to say about this book. It was good in terms of writing and environment with all those elements of steampunk and paranormal that the author does so well, and for that alone the book is worth it, but the action isn't special and as it's YA there's no romance to flavor things up, so... I wasn't very impressed with what I think should be strongest point in the book, the story itself. I'm still curious to see what might happen in following books and if other characters we know will show up, but I'm not eager for it and will probably wait until later to get it.

Really unsure of what to say about it...sometimes you really have no clear words or thoughts about a book...I didn't hate it, I just liked it enough, that's all.

Gail Carriger - Timeless

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?

Comment: This is the last book in this series. The author has said there will be another series with these characters in the future, but things as we know them are over with this 5th installment.
In this story Alexia is summoned to Egypt with her daughter to meet the oldest vampire Queen alive and it's something she can't say no to, so they go with Lord Maccon and Ivy Tunstall's troupe as an excuse. While in Egypt, Alexia is faced with too many things happening and in the end it's surprises after surprises.
I've said before I love these books. The action makes sense and is brilliant in a very perfect way, considering the strength of the characters that might overshadow the plot, but everything works so well, it's amazing.
In this book we follow Alexia and her group to Egypt and also the remaining pack in London. Two different groups facing two different challenges and it's perfect how well everything is matched. I was completely caught by surprise over some things and let me tell you, when an author manages to lead you through a certain path ans still show you things don't have to be the same old thing, then we have a winner. It's still something I can't get past, this bubble of surprises that caught me unaware but very happy too. There are three things, in terms of plot, that I wasn't expecting at all, that I never imagined not even in my daydreams and speculations and I'm positively happy with it because not only the book made me turn page after page but is making me eager to read more about it in the future, when the author writes more.
I won't tell spoilers, but this book promises and delivers everything we could hope for.
One thing is consistent the relationship between Alexia and Connall, they fight, they kiss, they have arguments but they love each other and it's so god to see. Their daughter is interesting and smart and if she's smart to be the lead protagonist in the upcoming series in this world, than she will be a great one.
I can't say much without ruining the book for those who haven't read, but I assure you it's great and a great "end" for the series, I loved this book.

Gail Carriger - Heartless

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?

Comment: The next adventure of Alexia Tarabotti brings us a very pregnant Alexia still trying to solve many things at once. She has to deal with her sister's new look at life, her husband's pack issues, poor Biffy's state of mind, the vampire's attacks, the giant octopus destroying London and a warning from a ghost. All this while 8 months pregnant.
In this 4th book we have many surprises. We finall see who was behind the Kingair plot to kill the queen, and the revelation coming from there is a shock. Besides Biffy and the pack are still having issues and Alexia feels the need to help. Then she finds out who wants to kill the queen and because of knowing that she takes a decision that will affect the state of her house.
I was very surprised with so many interesting information that shows up in the book, I loved it. Everything has a reason and the whys of those seemed credible to me. We have some more insight into some of the secondary characters, some things I didn't expect but I was so much more happy for it, because things aren't as predictable as they might look.
Then there's the author's subtle ways of dealing with serious things, although many parts of the story are filled with comic tidbits or situations, all things are serious and are treated with true feeling, in a very subtle way. I liked this a lot.
We also see her child being born and this also brings some shock, something I can't wait to be adressed in the next book.
It's obvious the author is tidying things to end the series in the next book. But she's doing it well, in a sensible way, and it feels like she's coming to a perfect end, let's see. I'll be sorry to see its end, but she will publish a new series in the future connected to this one, so it won't be a final goodbye. So far, the series is close to perfection, so I'm happy.

Gail Carriger - Blameless

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.

Comment: The third book of Alexia Tarabotti's series by Gail Carriger.
I just had to read this book right after the previous one because the way it ended. I was so furious with Lord Maccon because of what he did and said to Alexia. He accused her of betrayal and it was something so shocking I just couldn't wait a month to see how things would develop after this.
I was sad because they seemed such a great couple and I wouldn't expect something like this from him. Obviously, the author didn't mean to separate them, so the whole book shows us how sad and miserable they both are without the other and how out of character they seem because they miss the other. These clues made me believe we would have a great scene when they finally meet again and made peace. I was slightli disappointed whrn Alexia forgave Conall rather quickly, like all the words were explained by his personality. I think it would be better for both of them if we could have seen some more emotion into that scene.
Anyway, apart from this small detail, I enjoyed the book, it has an interestinf take on how to measure a soul even in the middle of all those problems Alexia faces in her trip to Italy (in order to find an explanation to fact she's pregnant and Conall doesn't believe her).
I also loved seeing some other characters and I was very surprised to what happens to one of them. I can't wait to see what hapenns next.
The author has said the series will only have 5 books. I can't believe there's only two missing for me to read, this is a great series and I'm enjoying myself a lot with it. By the way, I love the covers so far and this third one is amazing, I love the strong red with the gray behind, very beautiful.

Gail Carriger - Changeless

Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, 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 to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.
She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

Comment: This is the second book in Gail Carriger's series. It's a mixture of romance, steampunk and paranormal. I enjoy it quite a lot.
In this book Alexia is married to Conall and they married life seems perfect, even with the yelling when waking up. I was very happy to see them so well, I was anxious to see them together now that the courtship was over and they were a married couple. I'm happy to say the chemestry between them keeps steady.
In this book Alexia is faced with the issue of shapeshifters not being able to change shape, so after her husband leaves for Scotland, she follows and it's there that she finds out why the problems have started and how to end them.
I'm used to the language now so it no longer seems awkward to me. This bothered me a bit in the first book but it's something one gets used to. I was also happy to see Lord Akeldama again, he's amazing. In this book Ivy, Alexia's friend also does something out of character but in the end I was happy for her.
Some new characters showed up in this book and were an important part of the plot. I'm satisfied to see the world won't revolve around Alexia and Conall.
The world is very funny and its very interesting to watch things happen and imagine them in victorian times, all the machines and way of behaviour, an excellent mix.
In the end of the book something so unexpected happened and I was so shocked I couldn't believe what I was reading so I couldn't wait and had to read the 3rb book right away.
Comment is next.

Gail Carriger - Soulless

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 is 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?

Comment: I have had this book in my TBR list for more than one year. Yes, and lots of other books have been there for a long more, I'm hopeless.
Anyway, I finally read it. I have a friend who prefers fantasy above any other genre, although she reads UF and romances too. She said this book was very, very good and it had a strong story, so that was why I decided try it, and thankfully she was right.
Alexia has no soul which means she can neutralize the supernatural of everyone who isn't human. This also means she can be a danger to some species who might feel threatened by her power. Alexia is a vitorian lady, a spinster, and a very assertive disposition, and often has arguments with lord Maccon, the werewolf alpha and someone she's attracted to.
The attraction is mutual and Lord Maccon sees past her power and attitude and sees a woman he's developing feelings for.
I enjoyed their "fights" a lot, it's so funny to see them walking around each other, and everyone else who knows them thinks they're perfect for each other, but themselves. The evolution of their relationship is perfect, I think.
However, some troubles appear because some vampires and werewolves, specially the loner ones, are missing more and more and something must be going on. What happens is a danger for all of them, but in the end Alexia and Lord Maccon save the day.
I loved all the secondary characters, some of them will certainly offer interesting developments in the following books. I also like the author's style and all the mix of romance and steampunk and paranormal, all together make an interesting balanced mixture.
The language used is the only think I couldn't help notice, I mean, it was well done but usually in regency or historical novels I can put aside the fact it's there, but in this case, I guess it's too remarkable. Not in a bad way, just enough to be noticed.
Anyway, I'm still happy with the book and will read the next one in november.