Heartless (Parasol Protectorate Series #4)

Heartless was a letdown. I enjoyed the last three books, and though I did find enjoyment this one, it left me more annoyed than satisfied. My biggest issue with the book was with Lord Akeldama. I'm sure I'm in the minority when I write that I don't like him; I never did. Yet, I tolerated him because he was never such a prominent character. However, he is in Heartless. Even that wouldn't bother me so much if he weren't used as deus ex machina. Sure, his drones scour London and discover much, but sometimes, what he knows is ridiculous, and the only explanation we're ever given is "I'm Lord Akeldama." Later in the book, his drones happen to be at the right place at the right time with exactly what Alexia needs. How? Because he's Lord Akeldama. The way the whole ordeal with Alexia and the vampires from the previous book was resolved also felt too convenient, too quick, and too clean to be anything but lazy writing. The red herring was a waste of time and words, and it's bound to make things messy in the next book unless Carriger decides to just brush it away as she did with the vampire threat. It's not a terrible book, and if you enjoyed the last three books, you might as well continue with this one. Just keep in mind that it is the weakest book in the series. Hopefully, Timeless will be better.

Alpha of the Woolsey werewolf clan, Lord Maccon worries about his eight months pregnant wife Lady Alexia. He is unconcerned about her crankiness and complaints of bunions growing in her womb. His trepidation is whether her Metanatural unborn may be the second known soul stealer. He persuades her friend vampire Lord Akeldama, who's relative Queen Zenobia is the first, to adopt the baby. When Alexia learns an assassin stalks Queen Victoria, she waddles over to protect her Highness. However, her quest is dangerous as she dodges quills from zombie porcupines, vampires who want her dead, Biffy the werewolf still howling for her mentor Maccon, and the worst her clueless sister Felicity. The fourth Parasol Protectorate Victorian fantasy (see Soulless, Changeless and Blameless) is a fun at times jocular (especially when the married couple discuss her "bunions") investigative tale. The heroine escorts readers through a different London filled with eccentric otherworldly species not found in a Dickens' novel. Although the story line is thin even with several subplots that never fully gel, fans will enjoy Alexia's pregnant pause as she sets out to protect the Queen. Harriet Klausner

AudioBook Review: Stars: Overall 4 Narration: 4 Story: 3 Alexia is now about eight months along, and she and Conall are back to their ‘pre-his-freak out and despicable behavior’ moments in the last few months. And yes, while he’s ‘trying’ to make up for his missteps (badly) that’s not the primary focus of Alexia’s day. See, there’s a ghost who may or may not be connected to reality with a warning: someone is going to assassinate the Queen, and Alexia still has vampires looking to assassinate her and her unborn child, even as Akeldama is back and trying to keep them back. When you add in more information about Lyall’s past, and a curious sidetrack into Madame Lefoux and her woes, as well as more ‘shine time’ for Biffy in all of his heartbreaking and conflicted glory. The story here was slower to develop, and information we’d not before had did manage to add layers and interrupt the pacing that has come to define Alexia’s earlier behavior and actions didn’t take hold until about halfway on. Backstories and information fill out the why of much of the earlier action, and some of the quirks (particularly with Akeldama) dance around the foppish and centimeters left of annoying: although it is clear that he’s truly enjoying his association with Alexia, even as his ‘pet endearments’ border on ridiculous. But, that’s for another time: there are mysteries to solve and a soon-to-be infant to be protected. And the plot takes off in twelve directions: all of them clever (even those I don’t agree with) and most of them carrying the silliness and joy that I expect from this series and Carriger’s writing. From the questions about the Woolsey pack to the traitor in the Queen’s vicinity, there are few moments that don’t delight in ways that I’ve come to expect. Emily Gray brings Alexia to life with her portrayal, and allows a tinge of ‘just this side of put on” for Akeldema’s voice, you can almost feel him strutting about in brightly colored clothes, tailored to perfection. From the sorrow and confusion from Biffy, to the questions and decisions to be made about Alexia’s baby, each moment was given the time and respect it deserves as a part of this series and characters that have come to be so important to those of us who are following the series. Possibly the least engaging (at least early on) of the series for me, I still can’t wait to see the next in the series! I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: al conclusions are my own responsibility.

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? Through all of Lord Maccon's brooding manner, Professor Lyall's shocking revelations, Lord Akeldama's sweet talk, Felicity Loontwill's sisterly nagging, Madame Lefoux's odd experiments, and Mr. Rabiffano's (aka "Biffy") unsettling transformations, Alexia is about to pop due to the 'infant-inconvenience'. Plus, if she's is not using her "condition" to her advantage among her's husband's pack or having tea & sweets with her friend, Mrs. Ivy Tunstell, Alexia is out collecting spectral samples, investigating Kingair assassination attempts, and jaunting about on BUR business with her trusty "harmonic auditor resonance disruptor" (pg. 74) Yet, can this 'Alpha Female' handle a supernatural death treat thrown into the mix with all the daily chaos already going on in her life full of Westminster Hive and Woolsey Pack troubles? Lady Alexia Maccon is at it again. . . being her usual nutty, obsessive, and constantly-on-the-go self but now eight months pregnant. She's back in London and spending lots of time with her yummy Alpha husband, something I sorely missed in the last couple of books. Expect lots of silly scientific references and proper Victorian-era mannerisms that really spice up Carriger's Protectorate's world as well as getting a glimpse of the newest member to the Woosley pack near the end of the book. Plus, many past characters make appearances throughout the tale and many past stories are revealed from more than one pivotal figure. Overall, good fun! Likes: Alexia has really grown into her role as 'Alpha Female' in commanding the pack as well as being a loving wife to Connall, something that's sweet to see since witnessing her less-than-confident spinster self from Book #1 Dislikes: Ugh....Lord Akeldama PLEASE lay off some of those nick-name endearments, it's almost too sickeningly sweet!

Really enjoy this series, now I have to wait until March 2012 for Timeless. Alexia is amazing as always even with the infant inconvenience slowing her down. Not my favorite book in the series but definitely enjoyable. I'm still partial to Blameless. There are some big surprises unintentionally uncovered in her ongoing investigation that caught me totally of guard. As always the characters are wonderfully charming. So just read it already, because you have to meet her baby!

One of the things I love about the Parasol Protectorate series is how Gail Carriger parodies different types of Victorian literature with each volume. Heartless is the Sherlock-Holmes-style mystery of the group and boy is it a good mystery! I certainly didn't figure any of it out. Due to certain circumstances that occur throughout the third book, which I will not spoil for those who have not yet read it (though what are you waiting for?!), Alexia takes up residence in a town house next door to Lord Akeldama (delightfully foppish rove vampire), or so it will appear to the everyone. She's actually residing in Lord Akeldama's second best closet. However, not long after moving in they are alerted to a plot to kill the Queen and thus, as muhjah, Alexia embarks on a hunt to solve the mystery. As I said, the mystery is a good one, particularly as it reveals some very interesting facts about Alexia's father and about an assassination attempt that fans may remember being previously mentioned. It's also lovely to be back in London again with both the werewolves and vampires of the town. Whilst I loved Changeless and Blameless, I did miss the Westminster Hive and the interactions between Conall (when he's sober) and his pack. Speaking of pack interactions, we really get a closer look at the relationships of the Woolsey pack, which is something I really enjoyed, especially with how Conall is trying to handle the unexpected new member they gained at the end of Blameless. The story's climax is brilliant. It is full of drama with so many things happening that you just can't put it down because you want to know how it is all resolved. There were some things I found a little sad (don't worry; it's not what you might think!) but at the same time I am desperate to see how the new situation that arises from it will play out in the final instalment. Timeless cannot come out soon enough!

Gail Carriger's Heartless takes us right back into the thick of things with Alexia and her chaotic life! She is in fact eight months pregnant with the infant-inconvenience as she names it and is having a trying time trying to solve mysteries and helping out poor Biffy the reluctant werewolf (bonus points if you can guess where I snagged that title!)! Alexia has a lot on her plate, dealing with supernaturals wanting to kill her because of her unborn child and what it might be, trying to figure out who has an out for the queen, and dealing with her crazy sister, it's shocking that's she able to maintain her sanity at all! But alas she does! Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series is by far one of my most fave steampunk series. It was my first one and I just fell in love with it! Alexia is a very witty character! What made me a little bonkers was the fact that she is strong female heroine of her time and yet she was against the women's suffrage movement, it was just mindboggling! The pacing was done rather well as we follow Alexia around as she tries to figure out who is trying to kill the queen and the answer is even more shocking than I imagined! I love the characters in this series from Alexia and her smart-mouth wit, to Lord Akeldama's flamboyant attitude to even Conall and his werewolf tendencies! He's a brute at times but a lovable brute! The ending was surprising as well, although some of it I predicted in a vague sense, but it still wraps things up nicely and leaves you wondering what kind of trouble Alexia will be getting into next! If you're wanting to get into the steampunk genre but are having a hard time, you should definitely give the Parasol Protectorate series a try for it is definitely one of my faves! Click here if you want to read my review of Soulless. Overall rating 5/5 stars

Oh my! Where to begin? There are too many wonderful things in this book to cover them all and do so without giving away any major plot points or spoilers! First of all, let's begin with the absolutely lovely change in tenor in Connall and Alexia's relationship. In the past, they've relied heavily on barbed comments and physical affection to communicate their love for each other. In book four, we finally see them learning to communicate through words. I'm so happy to see this evolution in their relationship. While the humor of their earlier exchanges was delightful, this new aspect of their relationship is far more realistic and enjoyable for the reader . They are now truly believable as a couple. It's nice to see Connall's affectionate and gentle side when it comes to tending to his wife. As always, Carriger is a master at juggling the several relationships she's established throughout the series. There were a few heart-wrenching moments for poor Biffy as he struggles to adapt to his new life in the Woolsey Pack. But again, Lord Maccon's newfound softer side comes in to play here, which is quite sweet. I was so pleased to learn more about Professor Lyall. I had always wondered certain things about him, and Ms. Carriger does not disappoint in providing him a suitable and complex background. Madam Lefoux gets considerable page time, but that being said, I felt like she was here and there and gone again without really contributing much substance to the story in the earlier pages. However, that might have been exactly how Ms. Carriger wanted it. The inventor's flighty appearances and distracted demeanor are a direct result of something that occurs later in the book. So, her harried appearances are quite believable when you get the pay off at the end. Speaking of relationships, one of the most interesting aspects of the book is how - over time - the Woosley Pack and Westminster Hive become more and more intertwined. I'm fascinated how these two groups, who have been enemies, are slowly becoming. not friends, but at least tolerated allies. The evolution of this relationship has been slow and steady. Kudos to Ms. Carriger for making it a highly believable event when it finally comes to fruition!

Surprisingly, enjoyed this more than the rest.

Heartless is so much more than the first three. This series just gets better. Alexia and her werewolf husband are having a conflict. These two strong willed characters drive the plot as we all learn more about their world. Alexia can be a dominant female and she is great for a this time period.

I just adore this series. Gail Carriger so wonderfully captures the flavor of Victorian London with wonderfully distinctive characters. These books brilliantly cross several different genres - steampunk, werewolves, vampires and Queen Victoria - oh my! Alexia Maccon shares the same fortitude of character, inquisitiveness and flawless manners that make Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody so endearing. A delightful way to exercise my vocabulary of four and five syllable words. Most highly recommended.

The fourth volume in Carriger ' Parasol Protectorate series is a fun and exciting romp. I love how Carriger ties up loose ends from the previous books, as well as events from the prequel Finishing School series; she's even laying the groundwork for the next generation's adventures. Recommended to fans of the previous books in the series. I can't wait to read Timeless. -- lyradora

The series is a quick and fun read! It is a silly take on werewolves and vampires in turn-of-the-century England.

Like most series, there was a lull in the story in book 3. I just didn't feel the characters like I did in book 1. But, there back in full force in book 4. Love the chemistry between the 3 main characters. Can't wait for book 5, but hate for it to be the end.