The Parasol Protectorate

There are times when I cannot decide what I want to read. I have thousands of books at my fingertips just begging to be read, but my brain just doesn’t want to commit. In times like these I go to the library, pick a random book, and start reading. When the library is closed – I do the same thing, only online in e-book format. It is this process that led me to a new favorite series, The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger.

I was going to try doing regular reviews of this series, but I quickly realized that I wouldn’t be able to do it without ruining everything for you. Here is my attempt to explain without giving everything away.

Werewolves, vampires, preternaturals. Dirigibles. Steampunk. And, of course, parasols – as weapons. These are all things that come to mind when I think of this series.

Alexia Tarabotti is a 26 year old, half Italian spinster. Oh, and she has no soul. Lord Conall Maccon is the head of the Bureau of Unnatural Registry. Oh, and he’s a 200 year old werewolf pack alpha. I will spoil this part, the two end up marrying. I was really, really excited about that.  

In addition to our, two main characters there is also Professor Lyall, one of my favorite characters, who is Lord Maccon’s second, both in the pack and at BUR. There is Lord Akeldama, a good friend of Alexia’s and a rove vampire who is outrageous, but again I just love him. Another friend of Alexia’s, Ivy Hisselpenny is known for her ridiculous hats and Lord Maccon’s claviger (or werewolf follower) Mr. Tunstell, who isn’t expected to make the best werewolf ever known, but is very loyal and an actor. As the series goes on we meet Madame Lefoux, a talented inventor, vampires and werewolves of power – including those who work on the secret council to the Queen, and of course, the queen herself.

Throughout the first three books there are attempts at murder, kidnappings, a mysterious weapon that interferes with supernatural ability, meetings with templars… really all sorts of stuff happens.

I was hooked instantly. I expected when I started reading the book to read the first couple of chapters, see what the book was like, and then get some sleep. Instead, I started reading and did not stop until almost five in the morning. Less than twelve hours after finishing the first book I went out and purchased all three. That night I finished book two, the next day book three. See the pattern? Easy to read, fun and outrageous characters, story lines that kept me glued to the pages – what’s not to love?

Soulless, Changeless, and Blameless were fantastic. I absolutely loved these books – have I mentioned this enough? They were the first books I read that fit into the category of steampunk, and I can safely say that I will be reading more steampunk and I will be at the store the day the next book comes out waiting to see what happens next. This series has kept me on the edge of my seat during my entire reading experience and I suspect that the future books will continue to do the same. I definitely recommend these books, especially to those who love any sort of fantasy, vampire, werewolf, supernatural, steampunk anything.

In this series:
1. Soulless
2. Changeless
3. Blameless
4. Heartless (To be released July 1, 2011)
5. Timeless (To be released 2012)