Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York : Orbit, 2010.
Description
"Alexia Tarabotti , the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently alseep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. The 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 souless can. She might even find time to track down her wayward husband - if she feels like it."--back cover.
Media reviews
Changeless, the sequel to the award winning debut novel, Soulless, is even more enjoyable than the first book, with more comedy, suspense and steampunk fun.
Garriger brings back her excellent writing skills, witty dialogue and lovely descriptions in this sequel to her first novel,
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Soulless.
Alexia Trabotti, now Lady Maccon faces a host of comical obstacles in this new addition to The Parasol Protectorate Series. In addition to waking up morning and finding her husband off to who knows where, she must deal with problems with her best friend, a troop of werewolves on her front lawn and another conspiracy taking place within the supernatural community.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member _Zoe_
Ugh. Please don't force me to read the next book in a series by introducing major new plot elements a few pages from the end and leaving them totally unresolved. I want to go on with a series because I'm enjoying spending time in that world, not because I was tricked by a cliffhanger ending. The
Of course, I'm more forgiving of these underhanded tactics when I've been thoroughly enjoying the reading experience up to that point. Unfortunately, I can't quite say that that was the case here. It took about half the book before I was really engaged in the story at all, and even then there were elements that irked me.
I read in an author interview that while Soulless was structured like a romance, Changeless was supposed to be more like a mystery. Unfortunately, I think that some of the silliness that worked so well in a lighthearted romance didn't quite hit the mark here. It was one thing for Alexia's empty-headed friend Ivy Hisselpenny to be concerned only with hats and manners when there wasn't really much at stake, or at least nothing that wasn't being concealed from her; but in the context of someone hanging on for dear life, at risk of plummeting to sure death at any moment, or when people were being poisoned or shot at, her absolute idiocy was just grating.
I also think that Changeless in general is lacking some of the interest of Soulless because the world is already established, and we mainly have to rely on plot and characters to keep us engaged now. One of the things I loved about Soulless was the unique setting and the descriptions of how vampires and werewolves were integrated into Victorian society.
Let me re-iterate here that these comments are coming from someone who absolutely loved Soulless. It's not by coincidence that I read Changeless as soon as it was released; I had been looking forward to this book for months. I'm sad to say that it was ultimately a bit of a disappointment.
And yet, when it comes to the final judgement, should you read this book? If you liked Soulless, of course you should, though I might advise waiting until September when the third book is released. And if you haven't read Soulless, I would highly recommend it. Even after being underwhelmed by Changeless, I'm looking forward to reading more of Carriger's work in the future.
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ending of Changeless just left me with a bad taste in my mouth.Of course, I'm more forgiving of these underhanded tactics when I've been thoroughly enjoying the reading experience up to that point. Unfortunately, I can't quite say that that was the case here. It took about half the book before I was really engaged in the story at all, and even then there were elements that irked me.
I read in an author interview that while Soulless was structured like a romance, Changeless was supposed to be more like a mystery. Unfortunately, I think that some of the silliness that worked so well in a lighthearted romance didn't quite hit the mark here. It was one thing for Alexia's empty-headed friend Ivy Hisselpenny to be concerned only with hats and manners when there wasn't really much at stake, or at least nothing that wasn't being concealed from her; but in the context of someone hanging on for dear life, at risk of plummeting to sure death at any moment, or when people were being poisoned or shot at, her absolute idiocy was just grating.
I also think that Changeless in general is lacking some of the interest of Soulless because the world is already established, and we mainly have to rely on plot and characters to keep us engaged now. One of the things I loved about Soulless was the unique setting and the descriptions of how vampires and werewolves were integrated into Victorian society.
Let me re-iterate here that these comments are coming from someone who absolutely loved Soulless. It's not by coincidence that I read Changeless as soon as it was released; I had been looking forward to this book for months. I'm sad to say that it was ultimately a bit of a disappointment.
And yet, when it comes to the final judgement, should you read this book? If you liked Soulless, of course you should, though I might advise waiting until September when the third book is released. And if you haven't read Soulless, I would highly recommend it. Even after being underwhelmed by Changeless, I'm looking forward to reading more of Carriger's work in the future.
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LibraryThing member GingerbreadMan
Hm, no, this was disappointing. What I enjoyed the most about Soulless was Carriger’s neat construction of a Victorian society where werewolves and vampires were integrated. It was organically and interestingly done, and told with a wit that masked a plot that perhaps wasn’t all that
The budding love story between Alexia and Maccon, motored by constant bickering and a lot of surpressed urges, was dynamic and fun in the first book. Here it is replaced with a hundred wink-wink descriptions of Maccon growling and getting rid of Alexia’s nightgown, Alexia swatting him pretending not to be aroused, followed by endless nibbling on her neck. It quickly becomes old. I’m not a big fan of explicit sex scenes, but here I find myself longing for a page long detailing of doggy style – if only to break the pattern.
Other over-used elements include Alexia’s friend Ivy (whom it really seems like Carriger doesn’t know what to do with, since she doesn’t add anything anywhere and is constantly explicitly ignored), easily one of the most irritating characters in fiction, constant references to our heroine’s plump figure and ample bosom and the strained witty banter between husband and wife.
It isn’t all bad. Carriger’s world building continues to be interesting, there is a good sense of tounge-in-cheek humor, and Alexia is still a rather fresh heroine. I just hope the next book (which I’ll read, but with some caution) will be less about patterns and more about story.
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breathtaking. Here the world is already more or less in place, and unfortunately this leaves me with a thin storyline (what actually goes on in this book could be summed up on a postcard, leaving room for doodles) and a cast that is more often than not one-dimensional.The budding love story between Alexia and Maccon, motored by constant bickering and a lot of surpressed urges, was dynamic and fun in the first book. Here it is replaced with a hundred wink-wink descriptions of Maccon growling and getting rid of Alexia’s nightgown, Alexia swatting him pretending not to be aroused, followed by endless nibbling on her neck. It quickly becomes old. I’m not a big fan of explicit sex scenes, but here I find myself longing for a page long detailing of doggy style – if only to break the pattern.
Other over-used elements include Alexia’s friend Ivy (whom it really seems like Carriger doesn’t know what to do with, since she doesn’t add anything anywhere and is constantly explicitly ignored), easily one of the most irritating characters in fiction, constant references to our heroine’s plump figure and ample bosom and the strained witty banter between husband and wife.
It isn’t all bad. Carriger’s world building continues to be interesting, there is a good sense of tounge-in-cheek humor, and Alexia is still a rather fresh heroine. I just hope the next book (which I’ll read, but with some caution) will be less about patterns and more about story.
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LibraryThing member tapestry100
Oh, Gail Carriger; I'm having a love/hate relationship with you right now. Well, maybe hate is too strong a word. I simply loved Soulless, but Changeless left me wanting. Wanting what, I'm not quite sure, but wanting something more. Don't get me wrong, Changeless had all the elements that made
We have all our favorite characters from Soulless with the introduction to a handful of new characters who may or may not have the best interests of Alexia Tarabotti at heart. Ivy Hisselpenny has a slightly larger, if not more empty-headed, role this time around (seriously, a good title for a book of her own would be Witless or Senseless). I did find that Alexia's immersion into the pack hierarchy was handled very well; I felt that her character has had some honest growth from the first book to this one in that respect.
The cliffhanger ending I didn't feel was entirely necessary, but since that seems to be the way of the literary world these days, it doesn't leave me entirely surprised. The entire element of the cliffhanger could have been left off for a couple of more books, and that's all I'm going to say on that subject.
All things considered, Changeless is still a fun read. It may not entirely hold up to Soulless as a whole, but it's a good companion and leads nicely, if not a little abruptly, into the next book. If you have already read Soulless and are wondering about Changeless, I might say to hold off until later in the year when Blameless is released, but don't let this review of Changeless dissuade you from reading Soulless. They are both clever, fun books that will leave you laughing out loud on several occasions.
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Soulless such a great read, but that's just it; it was all the same. I think the book suffered from what I call "Second Book Syndrome;" where the sophomore offering in a series still hasn't quite hit the stride of the rest of the series and is more or less riding on the coattails of the first book. I have all the faith in the world that Blameless (released in September) will make that hurdle and keep the story moving along.We have all our favorite characters from Soulless with the introduction to a handful of new characters who may or may not have the best interests of Alexia Tarabotti at heart. Ivy Hisselpenny has a slightly larger, if not more empty-headed, role this time around (seriously, a good title for a book of her own would be Witless or Senseless). I did find that Alexia's immersion into the pack hierarchy was handled very well; I felt that her character has had some honest growth from the first book to this one in that respect.
The cliffhanger ending I didn't feel was entirely necessary, but since that seems to be the way of the literary world these days, it doesn't leave me entirely surprised. The entire element of the cliffhanger could have been left off for a couple of more books, and that's all I'm going to say on that subject.
All things considered, Changeless is still a fun read. It may not entirely hold up to Soulless as a whole, but it's a good companion and leads nicely, if not a little abruptly, into the next book. If you have already read Soulless and are wondering about Changeless, I might say to hold off until later in the year when Blameless is released, but don't let this review of Changeless dissuade you from reading Soulless. They are both clever, fun books that will leave you laughing out loud on several occasions.
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LibraryThing member clfisha
The newly married Lady Maccon heads to deepest darkest Scotland to with her trusty parasol to find out what's causing Supernaturals to come over all human..
Sometimes you read the 2nd in a series and wonder if you were severely deranged by loving the 1st one. Which I actually want to reread the 1st
Possessing of exactly the same in-jokes but not many new ones, a shockingly obviousness plot with so little of the action I enjoyed in the 1st one and no romance (heroine is now married). There is also no real sense of danger, all loved characters seem fated make it to the end, so where’s the much needed excitement in an adventure story?
Ok there are some new features; we get some new characters, a new location (a rather bland Scotland), airship travel and some new gadgets but nothing really engaged me until the end. Now the end promises a more interesting plot next time, with more to loose and some emotion so I am heading straight into the next one.
Time will tell whether I have fallen out of love with this series and whether I will recommend this book as a way of getting from A to C.
Sometimes you read the 2nd in a series and wonder if you were severely deranged by loving the 1st one. Which I actually want to reread the 1st
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to make sure that isn’t so.Possessing of exactly the same in-jokes but not many new ones, a shockingly obviousness plot with so little of the action I enjoyed in the 1st one and no romance (heroine is now married). There is also no real sense of danger, all loved characters seem fated make it to the end, so where’s the much needed excitement in an adventure story?
Ok there are some new features; we get some new characters, a new location (a rather bland Scotland), airship travel and some new gadgets but nothing really engaged me until the end. Now the end promises a more interesting plot next time, with more to loose and some emotion so I am heading straight into the next one.
Time will tell whether I have fallen out of love with this series and whether I will recommend this book as a way of getting from A to C.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
The second in her Parasol Protectorate series, Changeless by Gail Carriger is a fun romp through alternative Victorian times with soulless Alexia Maccom and her very masculine, werewolf husband , Conall. Better known as Lord and Lady Woolsey, Alexia is now serving Queen Victoria as the third member
Although still very much newly-weds, something has come up that requires their immediate attention. There appears to be a strange illness that causes both vampires and werewolves to lose their immortality and ghosts to disappear altogether. As this plague appears to shift locale and now appears to be heading to Scotland toward the home of his old pack, it isn’t long before Conall is on his way north. Packing her new parasol and assorted friends and relatives, Alexia follows.
Carriger continues her series in fine form, Changeless is a fun read, part fantasy, part romance, a little steam punk and always, a comedy of manners and morals. The author gives you an entertaining story played out by characters that are varied and interesting, spouting dialogue that is both engaging and humorous. Although Changeless had a very definite cliff-hanger ending, it was such an enjoyable read that I don’t mind the extra push to pick up the next book quickly.
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of the Shadow Council, which advises the Queen on all policies involving the supernatural. Conall is both the alpha male of the Woolsey pack and also holds a very important position with the Bureau of Unnatural Registry. Although still very much newly-weds, something has come up that requires their immediate attention. There appears to be a strange illness that causes both vampires and werewolves to lose their immortality and ghosts to disappear altogether. As this plague appears to shift locale and now appears to be heading to Scotland toward the home of his old pack, it isn’t long before Conall is on his way north. Packing her new parasol and assorted friends and relatives, Alexia follows.
Carriger continues her series in fine form, Changeless is a fun read, part fantasy, part romance, a little steam punk and always, a comedy of manners and morals. The author gives you an entertaining story played out by characters that are varied and interesting, spouting dialogue that is both engaging and humorous. Although Changeless had a very definite cliff-hanger ending, it was such an enjoyable read that I don’t mind the extra push to pick up the next book quickly.
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LibraryThing member pacey1927
After being completely wowed by Gail Carriger's first book, "Souless", it stands to reason a follow up wouldn't be able to quite measure up. The book was still very enjoyable and it left on one of the most grabbing cliffhangers I have come across in my readings. Here newly married Alexia Maccon is
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investigating a paranormally abnormality where the supernatural creatures have lost their 'bite'. Vampires and werewolves find themselves human again. Ghosts are finally released from being tethered to their bodies and are able to move on. Alexia meets some new characters in this book over the course of her investigation. Some are quite strong additions that I would like to see in future stories. Alexia, her sister, her friend Ivy and several others follow Lord Maccon to Scotland which seems to be the source of this 'humanitization plague'. While the mystery was less engaging than the first, I have to say that Carriger did surprise me. There were a couple twists I didn't expect. Of course there were also a couple I did suspect from the get go. I loved the derrigible trip and the other steampunk gadgets. I think those pieces are a lot of fun. Also enjoyable was Miss Ivy's love triangle with a clavinger and Alexia's annoying sister. Now some negatives: Ivy was awkwardly dense and I know her cluelessness is part of the humor associated with using this alternate history/steampunk genre. More annoying was Alexia's thoughts toward her friend. She doesn't act like she is much Ivy's friend at all...there is no respect there this time and I did see that respect evident in "Souless". In this book, its almost like Alexia finds her friend too bothersome. I think this made Alexia's character come across as less likable this time around and that was a shame. There is a strong cliffhanger or teaser for the next book, however I didn't like that a major component to this mystery wasn't answered. Again, thats just annoying. Still there is enough uniqueness and joy to this series to keep me eagerly anticipating the next release as well as recommending the series to others. Show Less
LibraryThing member London_StJ
Changeless is a highly-enjoyable squeal to Soulless, the steampunk novel that introduces the parasol-wielding preternatural Alexia. Much like the previous novel, it seems that nothing can be truly peaceful for Alexia, but she is tenacious and stubborn enough to handle anything that comes her way.
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While several of the "mysteries" involved are evident early on, the emotional turn that takes place at the novel's conclusion caught me completely by surprised. Carriger has me hooked, and I am already looking forward to a third installment. Show Less
LibraryThing member bell7
*As the second book in a series, this necessarily has spoilers for the first book, Soulless. Potential readers beware!*
Lady Alexia Maccon, the new muhjah and wife to werewolf Conall Maccon, has a new problem to solve when London and its environs suddenly does not have supernaturals. The ghosts
I so enjoyed returning to the inventive world first encountered in Soulless. Alexia and Lord Maccon are as entertaining married as they were before - and their argumentative and stubborn natures stay quite true to their characters. While the first book had only a hint of flying airships and alternate technology, this one has a little bit more, and the introduction of some of the scientific alternatives in this world were fun. I'm very much looking forward to the next book.
Lady Alexia Maccon, the new muhjah and wife to werewolf Conall Maccon, has a new problem to solve when London and its environs suddenly does not have supernaturals. The ghosts
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disappear, and vampires and werewolves become mortal, generally in the environs of the Thames. Most disturbingly, no one knows why, though apparently their ancient lore suggests that this is not the first time something like this has happened. Lord Maccon travels to Scotland to try to work out the mystery, and Alexia soon follows when his Beta discovers that the plague - or whatever it is - appears to be traveling in the same direction as her husband.I so enjoyed returning to the inventive world first encountered in Soulless. Alexia and Lord Maccon are as entertaining married as they were before - and their argumentative and stubborn natures stay quite true to their characters. While the first book had only a hint of flying airships and alternate technology, this one has a little bit more, and the introduction of some of the scientific alternatives in this world were fun. I'm very much looking forward to the next book.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Well, that was nasty. I'm very glad I didn't read this series as it came out - that cliffhanger ending would have been extremely annoying. The story that actually completes in this book is quite good - Alexia and Conall both reveal a good deal about themselves, we learn more about the
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integrated-with-supernaturals society of this world, the danger is real and immediate and the many aspects of it unfold over the course of the book very nicely. Including an explanation of the octopus. But the final chapter does a good job of starting the next book, leaving the reader hanging. Fortunately I have the next book and can go right to it. If I'd been forced to wait, I'm not sure I would have bothered - that's a cheap trick. It reduces the value of the whole book, to me. Show Less
LibraryThing member paganpaul
A great follow-up to Soulless. The humour and dialogue are as fast and sharp, and the characters are evolving. Overall, the pace of the book is high and kept me on my toes, while I occasionally startled people with my laughter, as the book invites for that.
LibraryThing member flemmily
I prefer this book to the previous, Soulless. It is a little less forced, and a little less gimmicky (although to be honest that may just be because the first book got me used to the gimmicks). I found it very funny, and Alexia was much more endearing. The crux of her character is the juxtaposition
The ending however, is like someone has slapped you with a glove and then spit in your eye. I actually kind of like an author who can let the whole plot fall apart in a way that makes sense, but it's still a bit shocking.
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between control and passion, and it is done perfectly in Soulless.The ending however, is like someone has slapped you with a glove and then spit in your eye. I actually kind of like an author who can let the whole plot fall apart in a way that makes sense, but it's still a bit shocking.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
Alexia, newly Lady Maccon, is adjusting quite well to being a wife as well as muhjah to Queen Victoria. Quite well that is, until she wakes up to an empty bed, an absent husband, a regiment of werewolves camped on her front lawn, and a mysterious humanity begins afflicting the supernatural
Not quite as entertaining as Soulless. Alexia, perhaps because she's continually referred to as Lady Maccon, comes off as more than a bit matronly and slightly bullying. Hopefully the next book will see a change - no spoilers, but I can't wait to see how Cariger resolves Alexia's inconvenient condition in Blameless.
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community. Alexia is, of course, convinced that with a bit of poking around she can get to the bottom of things, and parasol in hand sets out to do just that.Not quite as entertaining as Soulless. Alexia, perhaps because she's continually referred to as Lady Maccon, comes off as more than a bit matronly and slightly bullying. Hopefully the next book will see a change - no spoilers, but I can't wait to see how Cariger resolves Alexia's inconvenient condition in Blameless.
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LibraryThing member celerydog
follows on perfectly from Soulless. A frivolous romp enjoyed between two more serious reads. will definitely read Blameless.
LibraryThing member cmwilson101
Changeless is the second book in the Parasol Protectorate series. It revolves around Alexia Tarabotti, a soulless woman in an alternate Victorian England where supernatural creatures have been accepted by society. Alexia's husband is a werewolf, and she is an adviser to the Queen. Alexia is a fun,
The plot of this story revolves around a strange "normalization" of the supernatural creatures. Since she is known to be soulless, Alexia is a prime suspect. She sets out to prove that she is not to blame and to find out who is. There is lots of action, humor, and witty dialogue along the way.
A good, humorous read. The series is great fun.
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feisty, intelligent and gutsy woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. The plot of this story revolves around a strange "normalization" of the supernatural creatures. Since she is known to be soulless, Alexia is a prime suspect. She sets out to prove that she is not to blame and to find out who is. There is lots of action, humor, and witty dialogue along the way.
A good, humorous read. The series is great fun.
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LibraryThing member hoosgracie
This is a very fun series. This particular title included a bit more steampunk aspects than the first, but not to the detriment of the story. Really enjoy the mix of manners, action, Victoriana, and paranormal elements.
LibraryThing member soliloquies
The second in the Parasol Protectorate series and this is just as entertaining as the first. Alexia is now married to Lord Maccon and working for Queen Victoria. A strange occurrence has rendered the supernaturals unable to change and Alexia, Ivy Hisselpenny, Felicity, Tunstall and Madame LaFoux
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take a dirigible to Scotland. This does not make for a pleasant journey! Great writing, lots to enjoy and we are discovering more about these characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
(Because this is a sequel, there is a potential for spoilers. Reader, be warned.) In Soulless, Ms. Carriger introduces us to Alexia, a no-nonsense, Victorian-era female with a scientific mind and a unique relationship to the supernatural community. In Changeless, Alexia remains as lovable, and
Like Soulless, Changeless remains a satire of the Victorian era, masking the story of women trying to make it in a male-dominated society. The use of science and the "modern" gadgets is a slap in the face to society values and the importance of appearance.
The ending - my goodness, the ending. It is horrifying and heartbreaking. I had no idea I was so emotionally invested in Maccon and Alexia until the final chapter. I found the cliffhanger ending so upsetting, I could not sleep and was forced to get a happier book to help me settle down. Ms. Carriger is not afraid of taking chances with her novels, and nowhere is this more apparent than in how Changeless ends. I will be waiting on tenterhooks until the third in the series, Blameless, is released.
If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading the Parasol Protectorate series, enjoy steampunk, satire, or a good old-fashioned romance, I highly suggest picking up the series. Alexia is a character that everyone needs to experience!
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hilarious, as ever. She continues to thwart convention and insists on maintaining her "masculine" opinions and interests. This time, her marriage to Maccon provides plenty of laughable, and yet tender, scenes. They make a wonderful couple, as theirs is truly a partnership in life and in love. Like Soulless, Changeless remains a satire of the Victorian era, masking the story of women trying to make it in a male-dominated society. The use of science and the "modern" gadgets is a slap in the face to society values and the importance of appearance.
The ending - my goodness, the ending. It is horrifying and heartbreaking. I had no idea I was so emotionally invested in Maccon and Alexia until the final chapter. I found the cliffhanger ending so upsetting, I could not sleep and was forced to get a happier book to help me settle down. Ms. Carriger is not afraid of taking chances with her novels, and nowhere is this more apparent than in how Changeless ends. I will be waiting on tenterhooks until the third in the series, Blameless, is released.
If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading the Parasol Protectorate series, enjoy steampunk, satire, or a good old-fashioned romance, I highly suggest picking up the series. Alexia is a character that everyone needs to experience!
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LibraryThing member beingruth
All in all a solid sequel to Soulless. I liked the further exploration of werewolf dynamics and I'm a bit of a sucker for cross-dressing women (not Alexia, another character). The pacing was good and it left some openings for the next book(s) (and not just the obvious need for an sequel that comes
There were some things that weren't explored at all, which was a little disappointing or some that didn't lie quite smoothly. But on the whole, entirely worth reading.
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up at the end).There were some things that weren't explored at all, which was a little disappointing or some that didn't lie quite smoothly. But on the whole, entirely worth reading.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
It was an enjoyable read. Nothing too deep, and a bit predictable, but enjoyable. I still do not like how Alexia and her husband seem to get it on every chance they get, but it is much better than the last book. I solved the mystery and discovered who the traitor was about half way through the book
I think I liked this book better than the first, the characters were well rounded, and the ended (not including solved mysteries and traitor) was a surprise. Again, I won't buy the next book, but if I see it in the library, I will check it out.
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- for someone who is as smart as Alexia, she was really quite stupid about the way she tried to solve this mystery.I think I liked this book better than the first, the characters were well rounded, and the ended (not including solved mysteries and traitor) was a surprise. Again, I won't buy the next book, but if I see it in the library, I will check it out.
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LibraryThing member Tilinka
As with the first book, adored almost everything about it!
My only gripe is a minor one. It appears that Ivy, who was admittedly a bit featherbrained and oblivious-in-a-practical-way in the first book, but who could easily be read as having a rather subtle-yet-deliberate wit, has turned into a
Still, despite all that, I greatly enjoyed reading this one and look forward anxiously for the next installment.
My only gripe is a minor one. It appears that Ivy, who was admittedly a bit featherbrained and oblivious-in-a-practical-way in the first book, but who could easily be read as having a rather subtle-yet-deliberate wit, has turned into a
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complete and thorough babbling idiot in this book. I suppose affairs of the heart could be to blame, but it got a rather annoying to the end.Still, despite all that, I greatly enjoyed reading this one and look forward anxiously for the next installment.
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LibraryThing member silentq
Sequel to Soulless, this novel felt like the plot was more compact, possibly because only a few new characters were introduced this time. Alexia and her recent husband, a werewolf and earl, are presented with a wave of normalisation sweeping across London. Ghosts are excorcised and vampires and
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werewolves are suddenly mortal again, as if Alexia was touching them with her preternatural skin and cancelling their supernatural abilities. But this effect seems to emanate from something, which soon starts moving north. Alexia meets an inventress who I hope will be a recurring character, and not just because Madame Latour flirts shamelessly with Alexia. :) I loved the special outfits that they had to wear while flying in an airship. The next book, Blameless, is out later this year, I'm looking forward to reading it as well. Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
Much better than the first book in the series, this book was ebgrossing and highly humorous.
LibraryThing member GirlMisanthrope
Quite an excellent installment in the Parasol Protectorate series. Carriger is gradually world-building here. In hindsight,[Soulless] clearly established the major characters and basic outline of the author's London. [Changeless] is a meatier story, with twists and turns and plenty of mystery. I am
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even more endeared to Alexia Tarabotti and to Lord Maccon. The biting wit, searing humor, and dark comedy is even better here. I look forward very much to [Blameless]. I am casting the movie in my head..... Show Less
LibraryThing member saramllr
Who wouldn't love a book with dirigibles? This series is charming, sexy and often laugh out loud funny. I hope Ivy returns in the next book, I would dearly miss her hats.
LibraryThing member rexrobotreviews
Changeless by Gail Carriger is breathtakingly brilliant. I am enamored with this series and this is only the second installment. Carriger had me drooling over book three, due out in September, with an excerpt from the next book. If you haven't read Soulless, the first in the series- do it. And
So- the ending. THE ENDING. It has me in a fit- threw me into a whirlwind! It is heart wrenching. It left me heartbroken, sad and crazily anticipating the next book. I mean, I never could have predicted or even thought this ending was possible. What an excruciating way to end a book! All of this meant positively, of course... even though it's achingly painful waiting for book three. :) I'm still not over the cliff hanger, obviously.
Alright, back to Alexa Tarabotti, Conall and the crew. Their story starts off three months after Alexa marries Conall. There is a slew of humdrum problems to deal with. Ugh- The entire military regiment camping out on her front lawn and her irritating sister coming to stay with her... But Alexa is settling in just fine as a new wife and adviser to Queen Victoria. Uh oh, spoke too soon. Conall scurries off one evening without telling Alexa- and coincidentally a plague has over come London and left London about the same time as her hubby scampered off. Now Alexa must set out after her husband on a trip to Scotland, hopefully she can figure out why London was afflicted. What is going on here?! Why has all of London's supernatural residents become stricken with morality?
THIS is steampunk at its best! All the necessary elements are here- exquisite details, impeccable devices. Yes, devices. Dart guns. Glassicals. Air-Travel Dirigibles. Wireless Transmitters. Wait until you read about the parasol that was designed exclusively for Alexa- an inventors dream. Haha, it holds a bundle of secrets... a steampunk version of Inspector Gadget. Speaking of Inspector Gadget- we've been introduced to a woman who dresses like a (very fashionable) man. How scandalous. The new characters introduced here are strong and so easy to visualize. I'm smitten with the secondary characters- ah- the Professor and Lord Akeldama coming together to save the day? Icing on top of my cake.
I have not even come close to putting how amazing this book is into words, so just start this series! Move it up to spot #1 on your TBR pile! Brace yourself for the brilliance that is the ending of this book- it is astonishing, jaw dropping- ugh, is it September yet!?
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warning- don't read the blurb for book three until after you have read the first two! Major spoilers.So- the ending. THE ENDING. It has me in a fit- threw me into a whirlwind! It is heart wrenching. It left me heartbroken, sad and crazily anticipating the next book. I mean, I never could have predicted or even thought this ending was possible. What an excruciating way to end a book! All of this meant positively, of course... even though it's achingly painful waiting for book three. :) I'm still not over the cliff hanger, obviously.
Alright, back to Alexa Tarabotti, Conall and the crew. Their story starts off three months after Alexa marries Conall. There is a slew of humdrum problems to deal with. Ugh- The entire military regiment camping out on her front lawn and her irritating sister coming to stay with her... But Alexa is settling in just fine as a new wife and adviser to Queen Victoria. Uh oh, spoke too soon. Conall scurries off one evening without telling Alexa- and coincidentally a plague has over come London and left London about the same time as her hubby scampered off. Now Alexa must set out after her husband on a trip to Scotland, hopefully she can figure out why London was afflicted. What is going on here?! Why has all of London's supernatural residents become stricken with morality?
THIS is steampunk at its best! All the necessary elements are here- exquisite details, impeccable devices. Yes, devices. Dart guns. Glassicals. Air-Travel Dirigibles. Wireless Transmitters. Wait until you read about the parasol that was designed exclusively for Alexa- an inventors dream. Haha, it holds a bundle of secrets... a steampunk version of Inspector Gadget. Speaking of Inspector Gadget- we've been introduced to a woman who dresses like a (very fashionable) man. How scandalous. The new characters introduced here are strong and so easy to visualize. I'm smitten with the secondary characters- ah- the Professor and Lord Akeldama coming together to save the day? Icing on top of my cake.
I have not even come close to putting how amazing this book is into words, so just start this series! Move it up to spot #1 on your TBR pile! Brace yourself for the brilliance that is the ending of this book- it is astonishing, jaw dropping- ugh, is it September yet!?
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Awards
Prix Julia Verlanger (2013)
Locus Recommended Reading (2010)
Language
Original publication date
2010-03-30
Physical description
388 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
9780316074148
Local notes
Parasol Protectorate, 2
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Carriger |