Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate)

I was thoroughly entertained with Souless, the first book in Gail Carriger's series (The Parasol Protectorate) featuring Alexia Tarabotti and her oblivious romance with Lord Maccon, the alpha werewolf in London and head of werewolf/ghost/vampire investigations division. The humorous and zanny secondary characters were perfect for this lighthearted romance fare with a little mystery involved. I bought Changeless as soon as it was released and was disappointed. The zanny characters from Souless (Lord Akeldama, Professor Lyall, Madame Lefoux and best friend Ivy) lost their attractions in view of life threatening plot developments. Then I was particularly frustrated with the poor way Carriger handled the sorry cliff hanger ending with Lord Maccon getting an attack of stupid to end all stupidness (he is supposed to be head of an investigative unit?!) the ends with his foul rant & his throwing Alexia out of the house (where her life is endangered) because of her supposed infidelity.

I hate cliffhangers, but that is a dim memory now as I am blurring where Changeless ends and Blameless begins. In Blameless, Alexia has lost/loses her post in Queen Victoria's government, is abandoned by best friend Ivy and is ejected from her mother's house because of the social stigma of her pregnancy (all the while being subject of various assasination attempts.) In the company of Madame Lefoux, Alexia flees to the continent where she is no safer, as she continues to be the constant subject of vampire attacks as she travels from the north of France to the south (Nice) and then east to Italy. I found that each stop along the way was closer to a level in in a video game (where Alexia meets individuals at each stop, battles villains & wins a clue) than a well developed plot. Fleeing vampire assasins along the upper corniche, Alexia is rescued/captured by the Templars who want to use her as a weapon in their war against all paranormal creatures.

Alexia's imprisonment is suddenly reversed with a deux ex machina rescue first from the Captain (Major?) (who is the 3rd in command of the pack who has been anoymously tracking and attempting to guard Alexia) and finally Lord Maccon who arrives in the nick of time, saving the day. All has been forgiven by this time because of Conal's publication of his no apology apology in the papers (it was just spin, you know?.) Worse than cliff hangers, I despise the sheer juvenile nature of THE BIG MISUNDERSTANDING as a plot device. It plays a huge part in ruining this series for me as it rendered Conal & Alexia's marriage as a failed relationship that could not withstand adversity. The easy way it is all put back together again did not ring true with me. As Alexia, husband & friends all head back to London, I was finished with this series and didn't plan to read any more.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten that I had pre-ordered Heartless, the subject of this review. It arrived and I tried to get into it since I had paid for it. I adored Lord Alkadema previously and was glad that in Heartless, he has a significant role in the plot. Unfortunately Alexia as a character continued to grate on my nerves. I was irritated by her obtuseness especially when contrasted with the foreshadowing & other obvious clues that made solving the mystery too too easy. (Not a good idea for Carriger to do that, as I figured whodunnit & why almost immediately and then could not avoid thinking Alexia must be very dumb not to see it). Besides an uninteresting mystery, I was totally not charmed by the way Alexia put her life & life of her unborn child in danger while following up on her ridicuous investigation. Alexia no longer seemed intrepid and clever, but rather dull witted and "Too Stupid To Live". From that point, I fast forwarded through the book. Heartless = Predictable.

I will not continue ordering/reading sequels of the Parasol Protectorate. I've given the series 3 chances and it is clear that Souless was a one-off sucess and now the author is just milking the sequel for what she can get (which is less and less).

Gail Carriger's "Parasol Protectorate" series is one of the best steampunk series I've picked up in a long time. It's a splendid mix of supernatural fantasy, steampunk sensibilities, and Victorian comedy of manners, blending detailed worldbuilding with clever humor and suspenseful storytelling, as well as giving us a capable and witty heroine in the form of Alexia Maccon. "Heartless," the fourth book in the series, is no slouch in this department, and continues in the fine tradition of telling the story of London's supernatural community, those allied with it, and those who would pit themselves against it for their own purposes... and throws a few well-placed wrenches into things for good measure.

Alexia Maccon, wife of the Alpha of the Woolsey werewolf pack, has plenty on her plate at the moment -- not only must she tend to a reluctant new werewolf, deal with a sister who has suddenly joined the suffragette movement, and puzzle out what's going on with her inventor friend Madame LeFoux, but she's also heavily pregnant with a child that all the supernatural community seems to fear. In between threats on her life by London's vampire community and working out the turbulent past of her husband's pack, she encounters a mad ghost delivering a cryptic warning -- someone is plotting to kill Queen Victoria. Despite everything else on her plate, Alexia knows it's her duty as the queen's chief preternatural to track down this threat... but is she sniffing for clues in all the wrong places? Can she resolve the many problems on her shoulders to everyone's satisfaction, all while carrying a child that seems to terrify vampire and werewolf alike? And just what is the deal with the zombie porcupines anyhow?

Carriger's writing style is delightful, full of wit and humor and handling both the comedy and suspense deftly. She's done her homework on Victorian-era mannerisms and etiquette, creating a world that feels fully believable while integrating the steampunk and supernatural elements seamlessly. Her alternate England feels believable and fully realized, and I appreciate the attention to detail. And while the multiple plot threads weaving through this book could easily have overcomplicated the plot, they tied together well enough that I never felt the book was packed too full. A few matters are still not fully resolved, but there is one more book in the series that should hopefully answer the rest of the questions...

Alexia remains a fantastic heroine as well, sensible and logical but still relatable and with her own flaws and fears. The supporting cast are all delightful as well, and we get to learn more about the pasts and secrets of many of them, including Alexia's husband Conall and her inventor friend Madame LeFoux. As always, of course, Lord Akeldama remains a favorite character, and even shows a bit of a human side in this book.

A fantastic continuation of a favorite series, "Heartless" is a delightful steampunk read that sets the stage nicely for the final book in the series. I'm saddened that I'm nearing the end of this excellent quintet of books, but I intend to enjoy the ride however long it lasts.

The Good
Conall and Alexia’s romance is back on track and continues to be one of my favorite things about this series. They bicker throughout, but the affection is deep and comes through in every scene. Ms. Carriger still has a few plot twists left in her reticule and yes I continue to enjoy those twists and how they will impact the overall series. The writing really is so strong.

The Bad and Everything in Between
I couldn’t get Heartless by Kanye West out of my head whenever I saw the title of this book. Was it just me? Probably. *shrugs*

Seriously though, the secondary plotlines, in particular the one with Madame Lefoux wasn’t my favorite. The story dragged at parts and when the ending finally came ‘round, I was just ready for Alexia to have that baby. And yes, while I loved the writing, the only thing I wanted a little less of Alexia waddling, tottering, bobbing, weaving and basically being unwieldy while she’s pregnant. It was cute at first, and then I got tired of reading about it.

The Bottom Line 3.5 (yes I always round up) stars

I still love Conall and Alexia alot and the suspense part of the plotlines continue to keep me on my toes. The whole cast of characters, especially Biffy and Lyall, give me feels though I’ll admit series fatigue is kicking in a bit. However, not so tired that I don’t want to continue. I need to know how this all wraps up.

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This is the fourth book in the Parasol Protectorate, a series that I am still enjoying.

In this book, Alexia and Conall move forward with their plan to "live" with Lord Akeldama, trying to appease the vampires by removing the threat that Alexia's child may cause. Because I love Lord Akeldama as a character, I'm fine with this turn of events and am interested in seeing more of him. I also liked how this book touched on his strained relationship with Biffy. There's something about those two that I just adore, and I enjoyed reading more about them.

This book also touches on Madame Lefoux's feelings as a mother to Quesnel and in dealing with the aftermath of Angelique's death. Her latest mechanical invention is a physical manifestation of all of the feelings she has and the revenge she wants to take on those she feels took something from her in Angelique's death. This invention is also pretty cool, and I loved reading about all of the elements that Madame Lefoux had incorporated. As the story plays out, Madame Lefoux's future totally changes from what she's used to.

At the end of the book, Alexia finally gives birth to Prudence, her "infant inconvenience". I'm interested to see how Prudence changes things for Alexia and Conall and how this might affect her relationship with Lord Akeldama.

Overall, I'm still loving this series. This author has a way of writing these stories that keeps me hooked. I'm excited to read the last book, but I'm not sure I'm ready to be done!

I am so enamored with the audiobook narration of Emily Gray who has really brought to life all the characters. Unfortunately, the various voices and accents are now endlessly swirling in my brain. To exorcise this affliction or at least alleviate it, I shall subject you to a review in the unique stylings of Lord Akeldama, eccentric rove vampire, Potentate and London fashion pioneer.

My eager dumplings, listen closely. Now that the dust has settled on the tiny kerfuffle over the pregnancy of the delightful buttercup Lady Alexia Maccon, preternatural and wife to alpha wolf, Connal Maccon, she is acclimatizing quite nicely to the humble abode of Lord Akeldama which adjoins the recently acquired Woolsey pack London estate. The clandestine living arrangements are the only way to call a halt to the exhausting attempts at the dear Lady's life. After all, one can only keep a watchful eye for murderous ladybugs, indecorous assassins and distasteful poisons for so long. The poor profiterole is, however, beset by new challenges presented primarily by her ever increasing...girth. She is, after all, eight months pregnant. Only her mobility is inconveniently restricted, mind you. Her fiery and feisty spirit remains thankfully unchanged, even heightened somewhat by her stubborn resistance to such inconvenience.

In a transgression of proper etiquette, the delectable baklava is accosted by a ghost and warned about an imminent threat to the Queen. Being the Mujah member of the Queen's Shadow Council, Alexia springs –or rather slowly but decisively waddles-- into action. Her investigation unpleasantly necessitates prying further into her husband's past, particularly his old pack and the reason for his departure therefrom.

I hope you are not expecting me to bring you to my full confidence. Like a vampire, I am naturally averse to revealing secrets and I would be especially crestfallen should I inadvertently spoil the amusement of discovery for you. But I shall leave you with delectable nuggets for I derive much pleasure from the art of teasing. Suffice it to say that you shall learn rather interesting information regarding our sweet croquembouche's father, Alessandro Tarabotti; there is more to the unassuming Professor Lyall who we should all keep a much closer eye on henceforth; Ivy Tunstall indeed proves that she might be silly but not without depth; Madame Lefoux might have made her most dangerous contrivance yet. As exciting as all that may seem, more still awaits you in this scrumptious tale. Parenthetically, I do hope you haven't forgotten that nobody is quite certain of the nature of the expectant eclair's infant inconvenience-- will it be preternatural, supernatural, human or something else altogether?

I shall bid you farewell in the meanwhile. There are clothing ensembles requiring assembly. Chicanery cannot be properly undertaken in abysmal attire. So long for now, my enraptured mille-feuille.

I absolutely love the humour in Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series but I have to admit I found myself disappointed with the turn this series has taken. It started going downhill for me in Blameless thanks to Conall's absolute refusal to believe his wife hadn't cheated on him, considering Alexia's preternatural abilities he should have been more willing to accept that he was the father of her baby but instead he spent most of the book in a drunken stupor believing she had been unfaithful. I felt that Alexia accepted his rather lacklustre apology far too easily so I was really hoping that she would make him work a bit in Heartless.

I'm actually pleased that they've got their relationship back on track, in spite of a lack of much needed grovelling, but there were a whole bunch of new issues that annoyed me in this book. Alexia is now 8 months pregnant but instead of resting up like she's supposed to she is too busy fighting off zombie porcupines sent by the vampires to kill her. It seems that the vampires have put a target on her head because they are worried about what her child might become and now she's even more at risk than ever before. I'm going to keep this review fairly vague to avoid spoilers but I was really shocked with the solution they found to this dilemma, I just couldn't believe that either of them would consider it an acceptable option - especially a protective, possessive alpha male like Conall. I love Lord Akeldama's character and always find him amusing but I am not at all impressed with his new role in Alexia's life.

As if vampire assassination plots aren't enough for Alexia to contend with she has also uncovered a plot against the queen and while trying to uncover what is going on she finds herself digging deeper into Conall's past. I enjoyed this side to the story, there were some interesting revelations about the Woolsey pack and I was pleased to see the banter back on track between the main couple but I've reached the point where I'm bored of Alexia's nasty younger sister Felicity and I was really shocked by what happened with the Westminster Hive. Once again they seemed to get one over on Alexia and Conall, it seems like the werewolves are constantly losing out to the vampires and that doesn't really give me much confidence in Conall's alpha status. He just seems to have gone from being the one who everyone is afraid of to someone that the entire supernatural community can walk all over and that's incredibly disappointing to me.

I'm still interested to see how things play out in Timeless but unfortunately I'm no longer as excited over this series as I was through the first couple of books. Let's just hope the series ends on a high note.

After months of assassination attempts on Lady Alexia Maccon’s life, she is astonished at the solution to the problem presented her by her husband, Professor Lyall and Lord Akeldama. She has to give up her baby for adoption to Lord Akeldama, which will stop the vampire attacks on her? Her husband explains that both BUR and the pack of which he is Alpha, are stretched thin, keeping her protected. And by giving her child in the care of Lord Akeldama, the vampires will cease. Alexia is stunned. She may be soulless, but she is certainly not heartless! But pragmatic as she is, she sees the merit of the idea. So she agrees, on a few conditions. They are to move next door of Lord Akeldama, but Lord and Lady Maccon will secretly reside with Lord Akeldama as well. Alexia will not be separated from her child if she can help it!
And so it starts. Lord Akeldama does not only have to convert one of his wardrobe closets into a nursery, he will have to give another up as a bedroom for Alexia and Conall. Everything is settled, when miss Felicia Loontwill, Alexia’s half-sister appears. She wants to come live with Alexia again, as she has joined a suffragette organisation, and her mother is not pleased with that. Very reluctantly, Alexia agrees. She has not yet forgiven her sister for telling her personal secrets to the tabloids in the third book. Her sister is always complaining, and downtalking to Alexia, and now she wants to live with a werewolf pack?

And then a ghost, with little sanity left, is warning Alexia of a murder plot against the Queen! All the investigations BUR is doing, lead to nothing, so it is up to Alexia herself to find out the truth. Even if she is 8 months pregnant and Conall wants to keep her locked up in their room. Soon Alexia finds clues to the past, when Conall’s previous pack tried to poison the Queen, and Conall left them to come to London. Conall doesn’t want her to investigate, the past is best left behind and forgotten. But Alexia is determined. It is her job as the mujah to find out the truth and to protect the Queen. Everyone is busy, and there is no option left but the send her best friend Ivy back to Scotland for more information from Lady Kildair.

In the meanwhile, Genevieve Lefoux is acting strange, and appears to be exhausted. Her aunt is very close to dying for the second time, and it is heartbreaking to witness that. But what is she working on?

And Biffy, the latest werewolf, is not doing well. He cannot get used to being a werewolf, he is still in love with Lord Akeldama. He is fighting the change, which makes it worse for him, and more susceptible to the moon. Nothing Conall is doing seems to help much.

This fourth book in the series is very fast paced, a lot happens. Alexia never seems to have a moment of rest in it. But I loved it. Could not stop reading, I just had to know what happened on the next page, and the next. And the ending, brilliant.
Alexia is a really formidable character. Inseparable from her trusty parasol and its many options. She also takes her job as muhjah very seriously, taking care of the supernaturals in England in her own manner. Even though it is difficult to go about, and she is constant hungry and tired, she doesn’t give in. Matters have to be solved, and today.
There was not so much Ivy in this book, which is a shame. She is such a surprising character. At first I thought her a typical ignorant miss, but there is a lot more to her than meets they eye, something Alexia is finding out as well.
After the previous book, I was hoping for more information on Floote, the butler/secretary, and Alexia’s late father’s valet. Instead, we got some info about Professor Lyall, that really surprised me.

Again, there was not a predictable moment in the book. I love Gail Carriger’s writing style, her vibrant descriptions of all the steampunk gadgets and machinery, and her very original take on vampires and werewolves.

Is there an: “I hate Felicity” club? I want to join it. Such a vicious, opportunistic young lady. But at least, she gets locked up in the cellar in the end. I kind of hope she will be forgotten for a while …

9,5 stars

I have to say, this is probably my least favorite cover of all the books, but it is so nice to FINALLY see a series which does not change cover art halfway through. THANK YOU!! Love, love, love this series, and I am so very glad that the baby plot did not totally derail every other aspect of the plot. The pace was much better than book three, moving along at a nice clip. The action scenes were very well described, and I found myself unable to turn pages fast enough to find out what would happen next.

It was wonderful to get to know more about Lord Maccon, his pack, and his history. For those who have read Carriger's "Finishing School" series, you'll be slightly familiar with Sidheag's part in this story due to events that unfold in that series. It was nice to get the adult, "pack" side of it and fill in the blanks and give more insight. When reading about the plot in the "Finishing School" books, it was honestly a bit confusing for someone who had not read these "Parasol" books first and had a heads-up. Overall this aspect of the plot gave the pack members more dimension and layers, which is always a good thing.

I found myself liking Floote more and more while reading this book. The active but subtle role he has taken in the series is perfect. He's always in the right place at the right time, and his actions and commentary are priceless. Aside from the unexpected love of Floote, my favorite part of this fourth book was the way Carriger is able to take a trusted, "good" character, and turn them into a villain/enemy of sorts. This is done with a subtlety and skill that is impressive.

This is turning out to be one of the best series I have read in a very long time. I am so glad I gave it a chance, and I am excited to dive into the last book in the series, "Timeless".

** spoiler alert ** Don't get me wrong. I love these books (how else would I have gotten to the fourth novel?). But this book is so full of internal inconsistencies that I was growling (I am a vocal reader) in my endeavor to power through.

1) Why couldn't Akeldama and Biffy be together? Perhaps I missed that (if so add one star). So much of the plot centered around their failed romance. However, other than the "He's a werewolf and I'm a vampire" problem no reason is given. The main character is a preternatural married to a werewolf having an impossible super-baby. If any series is about breaking rules.... I mean at least give me comprehensive reason.
2) The whole "Professor Lyall stages a purposefully bad assassination attempt on the queen utilizing the bronze octopus members that are miraculously connected to Lafoux's aunt so that Maccon will kill off his beta, abandon his pack, and choose the Woolsly pack as a replacement" thing. And the tipping point of all this was, shock- of- all- shocks, Lyall was in love with our heroine's father and he died in a fight with the former pack leader. HOLY COINCIDENCES BATMAN! I mean the number of things that had to go right for this to happen (or wrong). How did Lyall know Maccon would abandon his pack? The previous books states that he could have killed all conspirators and and started his pack new. It took Lyall years to plot this. How did he know once abandoned, Maccon would choose his pack as a replacement? Sure it was the strongest but the dude is from Scotland, he might've wanted to choose a pack from there. Also why didn't Lady Maccon's butler inform her of all of this, as he clearly knew about it, thus saving precious days int he pursuit of a possible assassination attempt on the queen?! I mean the man is supposed to be logical. Sure it would put his mistress in an uncomfortable situation of knowing that her husbands beta caused his past troubles but if she didn't foil the assassination because she was going in the wrong direction then that probably would suck more.
3) Lafoux doesn't confide in Alexia about the plight of her son. Yeah that could've saved everything. And then if Alexia couldn't do anything about it then she could have gone all War of the Worlds on the hive queen's head. Seriously, everyone is acting illogically just so this story can happen.
4)After the dust settles and Alexia invites the hive in she I) doesn't use this great favor she gave them as a means of retrieving Lafoux's son to give back to her and instead II) gives Lafoux to them as a drone. First she says she might've been able to help Lafoux if she had only come to her and then she does the opposite, giving her to a hive known for it's murder attempts on her and her own unborn child as well as enlisting the help of her own family to betray her. This woman is supposed to be logical and pragmatic. Giving someone who can build weapons that can destroy whole cities to a conniving hive is not logical and appears to go against her logical nature.
5) Why does the pack have to leave? This is tangentially related to point one. First, they mention that the vamps and wolves are sleeping all cuddly with one another then it's "we can no longer abide in the same house!" Conceivably they all could live under the same roof. It would be an interesting end. If not then the countess would owe them big time. Hence, point 4sub one. The manor is in the werewolves name right? For a countess saying that something is hers because of legal documents then kicking people out because of an invite.... Also how could Alexia not have known that this would happen? Akeldama told her they had like three hours to choose a new hive location, the castle was two hours outside of town, ergo they would have to nest at the castle. Whether or not inviting them in would cause them to do so. The castle is far away from the crowd so wolves can run around. The vampires would have been trapped there.
6) Tone- I had this problem in book one when Maccon and Alexia were making out while she and he both knew that Akeldama was being tortured and killed in the next room. The tone of their banter was light hearted and silly. Not the right tone for the situation. Several times tone has been an issue here, most notably when Alexia is warning the countess the octopus is coming, everyone is in danger, and then we get a two page commentary on the designs of the tea set. I get that the author is aiming for a pseudo-Oscar Wilde approach at mocking Victorians but still. There is a time and a place.
In the end I felt that no one really progressed other than a few changes in address. Perhaps some side plot points will reoccur in the next book and I will reassess those that I tossed out of hand in this one. But the level of odd coincidences that had to exist for this story to occur is still troubling to me.

This was my favorite Parasol Protectorate book to date! I loved the plot, the characters' interactions with each other (a highlight was Ivy's induction into The Parasol Protectorate) and the action.

This installation moved at a faster pace than the other books in the series, and had a more involved plot. For me, Blameless (book three) was the low point of the series. It was transitional and lacking. I vowed I would try book four, but if it was not outstanding, I was going to be finished with the series.

I'm happy to say that Heartless was so good that I had absolutely no qualms about buying the final book, Timeless. (Although I am still highly perturbed that my library had the first two books but none of the others, and I have had to purchase the last three books, thus making for ownership of an incomplete series, which is a huge pet peeve of mine).

My two favorite things about this series are the writing style and the humor. Each book makes me laugh out loud, and there is also plenty of sarcastic satire as well. I love the way Carriger writes. The attention to detail in her prose makes this series stand out for me. I most especially love the vocabulary...a specific example escapes me at the moment, but these books are witty and I love that. Sometimes I have to use the "Look Up Word" feature on my Nook and I love a book that makes me do that.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the Parasol Protectorate series. These books are light-hearted, smart, and just a lot of fun!

How can each installment be harder to put down? Such incredible drama infused with Alexia's Victorian sense of propriety, keeping a smile on my face as each page turns. We had Lord Maccon's heartfelt description of the Kingair pack's betrayal last book, and this one puts another light on the subject, just as painful to witness and heartrending to behold. Mysterious Lord Akeldama is a mischievous rascal, as vampires are want to be, we ride along with Biffy and Alpha's pain (plus Lord A), waddle behind Lady Maccon, and fall in love with Professor Lyall. Or hate him, depending on your inclination.

This one is a gripper, you won't want to put off the read.

Alexia is back to investigating unnatural supernatural events and as usual, chaos ensues. She may be eight months pregnant but when a ghost warns her someone is after Queen Victoria, Alexia puts her monarch's life before that of her unborn child. I am still invested in the series but what once had me chortling now only elicits a smile.

The majority of this novel centres around the new breed of secondary characters and not really saving Queen Vic's life. Alexia has forgiven Connall but I have not so their behaviour doesn't really set my heart aflame. My beloved Lyall is not shown in a pleasant light but I did appreciate knowing more about him and the terrible burden he was faced with. Ivy and Madame Lefoux display hidden qualities while Lord Akeldama's excessive metaphors and similes meant I could have done without him. How are his drones able to show up at just the right time, all the time? Why didn't he warn Alexia of the dangers of Countess Nadasdy? When we do see Madame Lefoux she becomes the victim of not only Countess Nadasdy but also her erstwhile friend Alexia. Felicity becomes a suffragette which is admirable but her motivations are not explained and we are left hanging. I thought it was a missed opportunity as the suffragette movement was one aspect that actually occurred in the real Victorian era.

The plot was fairly pedestrian despite its outlandishness. The vampires are scared that Alexia will give birth to some freakish hybrid that will kill them all. The solution where Lord Akeldama adopts it is neat but resolved too quickly given the vampires' actions in the previous novel. Alexia also gives birth to the "infant inconvenience" so at least that is one situation wrapped up. The baddie was very easy to spot and yet Alexia was blind to it. She seems to have got pregnancy brain where she operates as if in a fog. We have zombie porcupines after Alexia this time rather than ladybugs and mechanical octopodes but I couldn't muster up too much enthusiasm. The problem with madcap hijinks in novels is that you walk a very thin line between humorous and tiresome. The humour in this novel was more laboured than in the others and at times missed the mark.

This really felt like a filler novel and I'm hoping that the series ends on a high. One minor quibble - why does the cover lady look so svelte and not eight months pregnant?

Heartless is the fourth installment in the Parasol Protectorate series. This series has been an wonderful journey into a world where werewolves, vampires, and ghosts are all productive members of society and all have special department in the government of Victorian England. Parasol Protectorate also introduced and new species in the supernatural set...well it's actually the exact opposite. Supernaturals in the set of the series are created from people that have an excess amount of soul. Their opposite is called a Preternatural or Soulless. Soulless can negate supernatural effects simply by touch.

Anyway, on with the concerns of this book. Heartless brings back the mystery and intrigue that was missing from Blameless. A ghost tells of a plot to kill the queen. Who the culprit is and the motive behind it is surprising and add significant depth to the character(s) involved. While the mystery is ongoing throughout the book there are a variety of other plot threads hanging in the background and all while Lady Maccon is severely pregnant. While the pregnant Alexia provides some amusing moments it can become a glaring issue in the way the book is read. I personally was not bothered by it as it seemed realistic, but I have heard others complain that it took away from the story for them. Many other characters that before acted as obstacles or merely existed in the background come closer to center stage in this book, some in good ways, others not so much. Ivy has really shown more as a character in this book even though she was only seen briefly. Felicity also shows up considerably more for what appears to be no reason at all until it all comes together at the end of the book. I truly can't wait read the final book in the series, Timeless.

I wasn't originally going to review this because I knew exactly what was going to happen - it was going to turn into a love fest about how much I adore this series.

Warning: Love fest ahead.

I mean, I adore it. It sits proudly on my favorites shelf next to the Bloody Jack series and the Hunger Games series. And I am going to list the reasons why, all of which appear in this novel.

It's absolutely hilarious. I laugh out loud every time I read it; from the plot to the thing Alexia says (and the phrase "infant-inconvenience" - I know what I'm calling my child if I ever get pregnant), I can't help but giggle.

The plot is fantastic. Is it slightly predictable? Yes, but it's supposed to be; it touches on the mysteries of old. You know how it's going to end, but you keep reading because it's just that damn good.

And then there's the plots with the individual characters and not just the mysteries, like the ones with Ivy and the ones with Lyall and the ones with Biffy and Akeldama, and I sit and squee because I love the characters so much and they're so nicely done.

And the characters. The CHARACTERS! Oh my parasols, how I love these characters. When this series ends, part of my heart will break; I haven't had characters I lvoe this much in a long time. Alexia takes after my own heart and I want an Akeldama to call my best friend and Maccon. Maccon, how perfect can one werewolf alpha lord husband BE!? I love him, I do, and I re-fell in love with him on page 193. (I have the UK version, so it may be slightly different from the American version. You guys will know when it happens, though. Hint: Alexia's sleeping at the time.)

This book is great! Really I haven't read anything like it, a pregnant heroine? Along with Vampires, Warewolves, and preternatural. How does she come up with this stuff? I mean, the labor alone, at the end of the book is crazy! (Hopefully that isn't to much of a spoiler)

Alexia is pregnant and still having murder attempts from the vampires, so Alexia only has one move, have a vampire adopt her baby so the assassination attempts go away. Not only that, but a ghost, on its last leg of existence on the brink of poltergeist, comes to Alexia and tells her someone is going to kill the Queen and Alexia must stop it. So, Alexia dives into the past of her husbands pack to figure out who might be trying to kill the Queen, and why.

Alexia is a great witty character. But it isn't just her. Ivy who is ever observant and always knows more than Alexia thinks, is just as entertaining.Ivy also has a few surprises up her sleeves. All the characters are wonderful and you get to see into some of their pasts a bit in this one, which is nice.

I can't wait for the next one!

There are so many secrets in this installation. It seems like everyone is hiding something, and Alexia needs to figure out what it is. She finds out things about her father, and those close to her. And I absolutely love Ivy in this book. She is always a source of quick laughs, and not as dull minded as people think.

We also find a possible solution to the vampires no longer being angry about Alexia’s infant inconvenience. (I swear if I had read these books while I was pregnant that would have been little bean’s nickname.) I loved how Alexia is always very practical, and tells her baby bump when it’s not a good time for her to come.

The shenanigans are endless, and we learn so much about various characters. Now on to read Timeless!

Another fun read from Gail Carriger and her Parasol Protectorate. Heartless is a great addition to the series. Book number four finds Alexi Tarabotti Maccon has been reinstated to her position as muhjah and is in the final weeks (months?) of her pregnancy. Although quite uncomfortable in her pregnancy, Alexi still manages to relocate her household to London and stumble upon a plan to kill the queen.

I listened to Heartless as an audiobook download and enjoyed it as much as I did the audio version of Blameless. Both books did have the same narrator, Emily Gray, so that would explain why I equally enjoyed both audiobooks.

The Parasol Protectorate continues to be an entertaining series to read. Carriger used this book to set up a couple of new story arcs to come in the next book or two and I am looking forward to finding out what happens.

The entire series is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
This installment spends a little more time on Professor Lyall and Lord Akeldama, and a WHOLE lot more on Mme Le Fou. The whole rolicking romp finales with Alexia being delivered and Mme LeFou being sentenced for felonies committed earlier in the book. This is about the fourth time that I have listened to it, but I only just now purchased it.
Emily Gray does a WONDERFUL job! Her interpretations of Lord Maccon and Lord Akeldama are truly inspired.

It seems that Alexia's unexpected (and hitherto considered impossible) pregnancy has thrown the supernatural world into something of a tizzy (now that her husband has removed his head from his nether regions long enough to realize that the child is indeed his and none other's). But it seems they have a plan. Lord Maccon, Lord Akeldama, and Professor Lyall, that is. They've been hatching their idea for five months, and have decided that now's a good time to let Alexia in on their little scheme. (Nice of them, considering it's her child they're talking about). In light of the fact that Alexia has become the target of numerous annoying and inconvenient assassination attempts, she must give the child up. To Lord Akeldama;s care.

Men!

Not surprisingly (except in the minds of the three gentlemen in question), Alexia does not fall in with their plan with handclapping and enthusiastic cheers. Rather, she's totally against it. What mother would wish such a thing, to give up her child from birth? Really, gentlemen, be serious! But, with time to think, she, as always, has a better plan, one that will have the same result and not get her thrown out of her child's life at one and the same time.

Alexia's idea is to relocate herself and her husband into the townhouse next to Lord Akeldama's, and to have a secret access to his home whereby they actually will live in his home, near their child, but for appearance's sake, their address will be next door. Simple, eh? The hive's fear centers around the child and what he or she may be capable of--namely their destruction. They feel that if said child were to be under Lord A's tutelage, said crisis could be averted. However, just because a decision is reached doesn't mean everyone has gotten the memo, and for now the attacks continue. Including one involving zombie hedgehogs.

Nothing in Alexia's life is ever easy. Young Biffy, formerly one of Lord Akeldama's drones (and the love of his life), now part of the Woolsey pack, is not adapting to his new condition well, and causes a great deal of trouble around the time of the full moon. Alexia's sister, Felicity Loontwill, has taken it into her head to espouse women's suffrage, and decides now, of all times, that she must be independent and free--while living with and dependent upon her sister. Madame Lefoux seems troubled to Alexia, but she isn't sure why and the inventor isn't confiding. Perhaps it is because her beloved aunt, Formerly Lefoux, the ghost, is about to end all existence at any time. But what is that derby-shaped contraption in Genevieve's basement all about?

Then there is the ghost who shows up unexpectedly with a message for Alexia, warning of danger to the queen. Just when Alexia is in need of her wits the most, she finds that her advanced pregnancy has addled them, not to mention her increased bulk makes getting about fairly difficult at times. Especially when under fire. But that doesn't keep her from impersonating a cook in search of unemployment, as she and Floote scuttle about the neighborhood, searching for clues.

Can anything else possibly go wrong in Alexia's life?

Of course it can...

The fourth volume in the Parasol Protectorate series is every bit as engaging as its predecessors, filled with the wit, the action, the suspense and the manners which we've come to expect from Gail Carriger. I have to say that as a mother, the solution which the gentlemen proposed at the beginning of the book set my teeth on edge. I understand why Alexia compromised as she did, but I would never be happy with such an arrangement, and I'd fight tooth and nail to keep my child. That being said, I have hopes that something will happen in the final volume to allow the family a normal life. That's a relative term, by the way, as we are talking about a preternatural and a werewolf here, and who knows what the child will be?

My next consideration of ponderance is why on earth Biffy and Lord Akeldama can't still be together, even if they are different species? Alexia and Conall manage quite well. It's a matter of the heart, and if they work at it, I don't see why it can't be done. Perhaps the answer will lie in the next book.

Gail Carriger has drawn her characters superbly. Each and everyone pops out at you distinctly; there's no mistaking one for another. Even the annoying ones, such as Felicity (whom I wish to beat down on a regular basis). At least we are spared the presence of Alexia's insipid Mama and the rest of her mindless brood. Please let that last!

Carriger has given new meaning and depth to the steampunk genre, combining it with paranormal romance and coming up with one whale of a tale. Alexia Tarabotti Maccon is one of the best heroines ever. Were I ever to find myself in a fight, I'd definitely want her on my side. And her hubby certainly gives new meaning to the phrase sexy beast!

I read somewhere that there's been a bit of dissension regarding the novel's cover. I must say that I quite like the colors, and think they are rather fitting. I also like the backdrop of Woolsey.

I highly recommend this series to everyone. I'm greatly looking forward to the next volume; I'm sorry that it will be the last. However, take heart. Another series is about to begin--The Finishing School. I'm sure it shall be great fun too! Rest assured, I shall review that as well.

This is the fourth installment in the Parasol Protectorate series is one of the best. Back to London and back in the middle of things Alexia is at her best. Love Biffy & Lyall progression and all of the side stories again. I thought the end was unexpected and funny. Lots of little things that I did not think were going to happen. As much as I though the second book was predictable this one was not at all. So great!

Lady Alexia Tarabotti (nee, Maccon) is eight months pregnant and under frequent attack from London's vampiric society. Her husband, Alpha werewolf and Scottish pragmatist, Conall Maccon suggests putting their unborn child up for adoption . . . to Alexia's dear vampire dandy friend, Lord Akeldama.

It's not the best of plans, but it is necessary to placate London vampire society and stop the attacks on her protruding-self. But the adoption will be purely for show - as Alexia and Conall intend to move into the residence next door to Akeldama, and keep up the pretence of adoptive bliss.

But Alexia's plans are interrupted by a forgetful ghost who has some important information to impart - mainly that there is a plot to kill the Queen and only Alexia can stop it.

Oh dear.

`Heartless' is the fourth book in Gail Carriger's `Parasol Protectorate' series.

I love Carriger's steampunk historical paranormal series. Thus far I haven't read an instalment I haven't adored, and `Heartless' is more of the same brilliance.

The last book, `Blameless', concentrated heavily on Alexia and her relationship with Conall - particularly because they were separated for so much of the book, and wildly miserable without each other. Carriger takes a different tact in `Heartless', instead bringing many of the beloved secondary characters to the forefront. In particular spotlight are Biffy, Lord Akeldama's old dove (now turned unwilling werewolf) and Conall's Beta, second-in-command, Professor Lyall.

I am a big Biffy fan, and in this novel we concentrate a lot on his uneasy transition into the werewolf pack. Poor Biffy was accidentally turned furry, and is unaccustomed to the rough and tumble life of the typical Woolsey werewolf. It has been months since his first turning, and he is still struggling with his moon-changes. Alexia cares a great deal about Biffy, both for Conall's role in his werewolf-status, and the simple fact that he was a particular pet of Lord Akeldama. In `Heartless' we learn a lot about the werewolf pack, through the eyes of its newest member. And, really, Biffy's struggles are heartbreaking; particularly where his pining for Akeldama is concerned.

Professor Lyall is the other focus of the book. For so long he has been a bit of a werewolf-wallflower, always in the background but never a main storyline. Well, all that changes in `Heartless' as Alexia uncovers some uncomfortable truths about her husband's old pack and best Beta. I loved all the curveballs regarding Lyall - Carriger really pulls out some interesting factoids that were, in hindsight, fairly obvious but made delicious when Carriger brings them to the forefront of Alexia's mind. . . I won't give anything away, but I think we'll be seeing a lot more Lyall in future books.

Now, I did love all of the concentration on two of my favourite second-fiddle characters, Biffy and Lyall. But I did sometimes feel that they were written at the expense of Alexia and Conall. Considering these two were bitterly separated in the previous book, I would have liked a few more scenes of loved-up bliss between them.

Carriger is quite partial to a cliffhanger, and `Heartless' is no different. The book ends on a rather explosive little twist. I don't know where the fifth book, `Timeless', will go with this inventive curveball . . . but I trust in Carriger completely and I can't wait to read where she takes her steampunk-spectacular next!

4.5/5

This is the fourth book in the Parasol Protectorate series by Carriger, the fifth book Timeless is due for release in March of 2012. I enjoyed this book, it was a good addition to the series, we get to learn more about Lord Maccon's past.

Alexia is eight months pregnant and not all that thrilled about it. She feels like a boat and her and her husband have to figure out some way to keep the vampires from hunting Alexia down to kill her and her child. To make matters even more complicated a ghost tells Alexia someone has a plot to kill the Queen, so Alexia is trying to figure that out. Then Alexia finds that Madame Lefoux is at work on some sort of diabolical device...but to what end?

All in all this was a fun and entertaining novel. While this book doesn't have the freshness of some of the previous books and Alexia seems a bit tired throughout (she is eight months pregnant) this was still a great read. As with the previous books, at times things get a bit outlandish and absurd (zombie porcupines anyone?), but it is all in all good fun.

It was great to learn more about Lord Maccon's past and how he came to be alpha of his werewolf group. You also learn a lot more about Lord Akeldama and the Vampire Queen.

Alexia remains witty and hilarious, Lord Maccon is sweetly in love with her and it was fun to read about their wonderful stable relationship (even if things do get a bit odd at times). Lord Akeldama remains outrageous and funny. All your favorite characters are here and then some.

The book is easy to read, fun, and very engaging. Fans of the series won't be disappointed. The book ends well but throws a little curve ball at the reader which involves Alexia's infant inconvenience; this will have readers dying to read more.

Overall a solid addition to this series. Fans of the series should be pleased. Alexia comes off as a bit tired at points, but is still witty and charming as she struggles to be eight months pregnant and is embroiled in all the other craziness that encompasses her life. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the fifth book,Timeless, when it releases next year.

I made the acquaintance of the Parasol Protectorate series with the first book, Soulless. Alexia Tarabotti, a misunderstood misfit preternatural resides in an alternate, steam punk Victorian England replete with foppish vampires and rustic werewolves. (The werewolves are, after all, from the wilds of Scotland.)

Soulless is a delight.

Despite the smart beginning to the series, I skipped the next two books because of unappealing (and disturbing) plot diversions. I picked up the third installment Heartless, a novel with ghosts, which, when it comes to the supernatural realm, is my focus area. But you knew that, right? Unfortunately, the ghost element was undeveloped as was the plot. Heartless features an amorphous threat to Queen Victoria with much running to and fro, a few costume changes, some vampiric empire saber...er, fang rattling, and several instances of flying dirigibles landing in the nick of time to whisk our heroine Alexia out of danger. The enigmatic husband/werewolf Lord Maccon was largely missing from the novel, and it was he who provided the delightful banter of Soulless.

Instead, a hugely pregnant Alexia races, or rather, waddles through dangerous streets and one claustrophobic hat shop gathering clues behind the threat to the queen. Granted, Alexia is in her eighth month of pregnancy. But still, every page was filled with tedious descriptions of the aforementioned waddling, not to mention toddling, swaying, limping, falling, and being hoisted. Let me just say, I have carried two babies to term, and based on Alexia's indisposition, I would have expected her to become the Octomom of England. (There is a mechanical octo-creature later in the book reminiscent of Spider-man 2.)

If you're looking for steam punk automatons and inventions, you'll find those in Heartless. If you're looking for a fun, light-hearted (and, at times, erotic) romp through Victorian steam punk environs, you can do no better than Soulless. However, at the risk of sounding heartless, I do not recommend Heartless.

First and foremost I'd like to thank Gail Carriger for bringing the Maccon's together again. Reunited and it feels so good! As I've said before, one of the highlights for me in this series is when Alexia and Conall are together. Their union just makes sense and I love seeing those two crazy cats together.

This has to be the best installment since the debut, Soulless, again due to the fact that Alexia and Conall are together. Alexia and Conall have a lot of page time together in Heartless and they did not disappoint. Conall was endearing as the husband who would fret over every thing his pregnant wife did then almost throw a hissy fit when Alexia would waddle off to fulfill her duties for the Shadow Council.

Alexia is as lovable even with her expanding girth (words straight from her mouth). She doesn't let being eight months pregnant hinder what she's been tasked to do. Even if that means investigating a lead from a ghost that just pops up in the middle of her parlor room. In Blameless, Alexia didn't act like how most women would when going through their first pregnancy. Let's just say she wasn't jumping up and down or displaying that pregnancy glow. In Heartless we do see a hint of the motherly love that Alexia is capable, especially when she speaks of werewolf pup, Biffy.

Now I usually love the side characters in this series but in Heartless I found myself not as enthused about one particular character, Lord Akeldama. Now I loved him from the moment he set foot in the series but in Heartless I found myself irritated with Alexia's exuberant Vampire friend. Ridiculousness is always welcome in my corner but sometimes you just get to the point where it's too much and I think Lord Akeldama reached it in this novel. And without giving away any spoilers, I really wasn't all too pleased about the arrangement Alexia, Conall and Lord Akeldama had made. And I'm not talking about them being neighbors.

Gail Carriger's novels are always such a delightful read. The Parasol Protectorate novels are highly entertaining, smart, and witty. The steampunk elements are well balanced and Carriger doesn't make you feel like you drown in with all the gadgets, gizmos and inventions. Alexia is pretty consistent character wise and she's one of my favorite heroines. If I were to put together a super group of book heroines, she'd be one of the lucky ladies I'd pick just for the sheer fact that she'd be utterly entertaining and keep all those tough chicks in line.

I didn't review the previous books in the Parasol Protectorate, but if I had, I would have rated them at four and five stars. Given that, I was surprised that I can only grant three stars to _Heartless_.

Before I get as to why that is so, let me just briefly lay out the plot. _Heartless_ finds the "preternatural" Alexia now in the final weeks of her pregnancy and with very limited mobility suddenly called upon to quash a plot against the Queen's life, find a solution to continual vampire attempts on her own life, deal with her French inventor friend's melancholy (and crazy ghost Aunt), cope with her much unbeloved sister taking up residence in her home, and integrate a very unwilling new werewolf into her husband's pack. As usual, all these tasks will be accomplished with the assistance (competent or otherwise) of her unflappable butler, "looming" husband, oblivious best friend, London's gayest vampire, great quantities of tea and the worlds most dangerous parasol.

Why does this mix work less well here than in previous books? The answer will involve

SPOILERS

First of all, Alexia seemed off her game in this book. Granted she is very pregnant, but that shouldn't have affected her wits. For some reason I never quite grasped, she becomes sure that the current attempt on "the Queen" must be tied to a failed attempt by the Scottish werewolves 20 years ago, and despite being told by multiple trustworthy people that it's very unlikely and no good can come from delving into that history, she bulls on. And in fact, there is no connection, and she learns things that make her very unhappy, ie: what everyone told her about the course of action was true. Now, clearly the sequence serves a purpose in the series meta-plot as important details about her father, husband, and other players are revealed, but by tying it all to a red-herring plot point, Carriger makes it all feel forced and unsatisfying. Surely the same facts could have been established in a more relevant manner?

Aside from wasting her time on a dead end, Alexia also seems much too oblivious to the consequences of introducing a swarmed vampire hive to her pack's castle. If the reader can pretty much predict the consequences (at least to the point of the hive not being able to leave if not that the werewolves will have to), then surely Alexia, who *lives* in the setting and is quite smart should be able to. She also misses clues about the emotional state of her inventor friend and her "son"'s strange absence.

This book also unwisely introduces (or at least I cannot recall it being stated in an earlier book) the concept that the location of vampire hives is secret. This is clearly nonsensical given that they host social functions constantly and that carraiges from all over London must converge there. However, even allowing that the way we allow that Lois never could tell Clark from Superman because of the glasses, it fails completely in that the London vampires have been trying to kill Alexia for months. It is one thing to keep someone's secret when you are nominally at peace, it is quite another to keep it (and for them to assume you will keep it) when they are making constant attempts on your life.

The ghost POV sections seem unnecessary to me as well, and really add very little to the book. (I'm also not clear why the ghost sees getting a message to Alexia as important).

That's not to say there aren't plenty of things to like about this book, for instance Alexia's complaint to her friend (more or less): "And creating an octomaton and rampaging across town was your first idea rather than talking to me?", the ongoing idea that Ivy is not as clueless as she seems and of course the sheer satisfaction of being able to consign one's sister to the dungeon.

Unanswered question 1 (or perhaps I just missed it): How *did* Biffy get out?

Unanswered question 2: Didn't anyone tell the cover artist that Alexia was very pregnant?

Heartless distills the best of Carrigan's writing so far. Believe it or not, Lord Akeldama is even pithier than before, and his couture miles more magnificent. (I know, we thought it wasn't possible.) Carriger has created fabulous characters with lovely whimsical traits and drives, and in this book, significantly more polished than those previous, they really shine. They positively bask in their individuality and in their relationships. The plot works, and there are no silly contrivances that seem to be simply calculated ploys for laughter and romantic angst. There's still romance and hilarity, mind you, it just works that much better.

Ivy is back--and readers, she is better than ever. Alexia's pregnancy brain and the solicitousness of her pack and butler are superb. The parasol protectorate is on a high in this book--if you loved the first book, and if you enjoy the idea, the banter, the laced civility and the sheer outrageousness of Ms Tarabotti, you'll be rolling with laughter and pleasure with this one.

I'd earlier said that Soulless was the best in the series--but that was before Heartless. Trippingly fun, delicious, and perfect with tea and treacle tart.

In this fourth book of the Parasol Protectorate, Carriger reminds me why I've kept reading this series: it's as good as the first book, `Soulless'.

In this one, the eight months pregnant Alexia finds herself on the move constantly and frantically, with attempts on her life and social engagements. Much is made of the physical inconvenience of her pregnancy; she waddles everywhere and finds her self over balancing and landing on her bustle. Cheap physical humor, but given that a Victorian lady of the upper classes was supposed to be dignified, it works. To add to her supernatural problems, Alexia's sister has moved in with her and become a suffragette. Alexia really would prefer to deal with death threats than her sister. She and Lord Maccon have moved in next door to Lord Akeldama, the new vampire potentate, because he will be adopting the child in her belly. Meanwhile, her friend Madame Lefoux is building... something.

While the first few pages are rather dull, after that things happen at a continual breakneck speed, all while Alexia tries to maintain social appearances. The dialogue is back up to par, and the climax of the story is truly great.

Alexia returns, very pregnant, in the fourth Parasol Protectorate novel to investigate a mysterious threat against Queen Victoria's life. She has nothing to go on but the mumbled words of an unknown ghost, but this doesn't discourage Lady Maccoon in the least. In between moving arrangements, assassination attempts, and ordered bedrest (no tea allowed--the nerve!), Alexia pursues the matter rather doggedly.

Heartless is funny, action-packed, and delightful--all of the things that readers have come to expect from a novel by Gail Carriger. After about thirty pages of introduction, readers will get right into the action of the story--and the mystery. Carriger's steampunk London continues to shine in this installment, and in between scolding her husband and unborn child, Alexia goes over almost every inch of it to find out who would want to kill the queen and why. The answers come with some unexpected twists and action that hit close to home, but leave the reader racing to the very end. Carriger crafts a satisfying conclusion that will leave the reader yearning for more--the final book the series, Timeless.

This was fantastically engaging and entertaining! Alexia's adventures are always highly original and just a touch dangerous, which makes them marvelous fun to read.
I particularly enjoyed her ongoing internal monologue with the infant inconvenience.

So I just finished Heartless today, and I have to say, Gail's written one of her best!

Beautifully witty and utterly charming, Heartless's cast of characters returns as zany and lovable as ever, with the heavily pregnant Alexia Maccon on the trail of another mystery: this time the potential assassination of a queen. Ivy Tunstell nee Hisselpenny returns, with her atrociously offensive hats, to lend a far stronger helping hand than in any of the previous novels, and Felicity Loontwill surprises the hell out of me with her featherbrained, nilly-willy, very real semi-betrayal.

But the real heartbreaking matter occurs around one Professor Randolph Lyall, whose very mild-manneredness hints at a deeply tragic past, and his quiet sensibilities quite broke my heart.

What intrigues me the most, however, is Lord X Akeldama. The meaning behind his surname creeps chills in my spine, and I wonder if his actions in Heartless hint at the beginning of a betrayal already. Conall Macon is as lovable and gruff as ever, but Madame Lefoux commits the most blatant treachery of all, and proves herself untrustworthy.

The greatest change, of course, is the much discussed infant inconvenience, who makes a sudden and startling appearance near the end of the book. Giving it away would be too much, but like Ms. Carriager, I too have done my research, and I have a strong suspicion of just what that baby is supposed to be.

A magnificent read and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The first 50 or so pages of Heartless worried me, because they were slow and dull. Then, Carriger brings an insane ghost - and a story problem - onto the stage and the novel takes off. With regard to action, swift plot changes, and thorough entertainment, Book the Fourth is almost as good as Book the First. Good enough for me to give both books five stars - a rating I do not dole out lightly.

All things considered, I'm glad I've stuck with this series. The characters are always lively and fun to spend time with. My only misgiving about Heartless was the pitiful situation Carriger leaves Madame Lefoux facing at the end. My heart actually ached for Lefoux and I hope Book the Next finds Lefoux untangling herself from the vampires. (See, that's how well-written these characters are that I'm actually worried for Madame Lefoux's safety - and she's a secondary character!)

If you have read the other Parasol Protectorate books, but not this one, go buy it. If you haven't read any of the books, go buy them all. You won't regret it.

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!

I *loved* 'Heartless'. My favorite book in the series so far with 'Soulless' just behind. Gail Carriger does not disappoint in this 4th installment of the Parasol Protectorate. Her characters are as charming and witty as ever trying to navigate the steampunk world Carriger has created. Where friends become enemies and enemies become friend-ly, one does not know what will happen as 'Heartless' progresses. All the reader must know, is Alexia is on point (even in her condition) and determined to get to the bottom of things. Carriger also opens up into the past of certain characters and one learns more about the complications love brings when one is of the supernatural set. Go get 'Heartless' right away and you can join the folk who are patiently waiting for the 5th and last installment, 'Timeless', to come out in March 2012!

Heartless is book four in The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger.

I have forgotten how good and hilariously smart these books were, ok with the exception of the previous book Blameless... nobody is perfect.

In this installment, eight months pregnant Alexia is running around London solving problems left and right, avoiding assassination attempts and trying to find out the truth about a tip received from an unknown ghost about a plot to kill the Queen. The infant-inconvenience makes things more difficult for her and funnier for us. It's not just her humongous size that makes her slow down and be tired. But more important is her appetite; everything reminds her of food and when Alexia is hungry, Alexia needs to eat.

It has got to the point that all member of The Pack are carrying food with them in case Alexia gets hungry. And don't even put a Treacle Tart in front of her, everything will pass to a second place after the tart.

I love Alexia and Lord Maccon relationship. Alexia is all proper and ladylike while Maccon doesn't care a bit for society rules. I love how much they enjoy their discussions, as much as their more private activities.

All the characters we love from previous books Lord Akeldama, Professor Lyall, Ivy Tunstall, Madam Lefoux, Biffy, Floote and even stupid Felicity are present in this book and a new and tiny one made his/her debut.
Some secrets from the past are shared and some others have been left to be discover. I really would like to know everything Floote knows and hope Mrs. Carriger would share his knowledge with us in the next and last installment of this series, Timeless.

One of my favorite scenes is when the Parasol Protectorate is officially created and its first member does her pledge to the secret organization. That scene was just perfect.

My final thought: After a little bit of a disappointment with Blameless, Mrs. Carriger restored my faith in her with Heartless. This is one of those books you cannot judge by its cover, because (in my opinion) the cover is hideous but the book is great. (I don't know why they change the format of the cover; the previous covers were thousand times better.)
Heartless is a funny, entangling book with a good plot, some twist and turns and very interesting and different characters.
The steampunk factor is perfectly balance with the story, it doesn't feel overwhelming or steals the spot from the characters.
In my opinion Heartless is the best book in the series and I can't wait for March of next year to read Timeless.
This book is not a stand-alone and it should be read as part of the series and the series should be read in order.
I recommend this book and this series to all Steampunk lovers, or paranormal historical fans or anyone who would like to read a nice, different and fun book.

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.

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!

This episode of the Parasol Protectorate isn't up to the best of the series, but it isn't the worst either. Alexia is in fine, if ungainly, form and the language as always is a pleasure to read. I would have enjoyed the story a bit more if there had been a bit less eight-month-pregnant ungainliness, in fact. Presumably this was realistic, but not a huge benefit to my enjoyment of the action.

Some of the plot felt a little erratic but that actually reflects Alexia's state of mind fairly well.

I was also a bit put out by the handling of the situation with Biffy and Lord Akeldama, as well as the situation with Madame Lefoux. The sheer amount of Akeldama we get here helped offset that, however. He's a wonderful character. We also get a good bit more Lord Maccon than in the previous book, thank goodness.

I suspect that the proliferation of favorite characters would make this a bad place for a new reader to start, but I wouldn't have recommended any but the first book for that anyway.

[Originally posted at DarkUrbanFantasy.]

The .vampires are at it and our heroine must track down who is at the bottom of attempts on the life of one of the important people in the area. A ghost reluctantly gives clues to help. Unique story done very well.

Few things in life are more delightful than a new Alexia Tarabotti book. In HEARTLESS, the best installment since the debut, every single page is embellished with equal parts wit and farce. The Parasol Protectorate series, a comedy of manners set in a paranormal steampunk Britain, chronicles the adventures of Lady Alexia Tarabotti and her latest escapades involve attempting to thwart as assassination plot on the Queen, keeping the local vampire hive from killing her yet again, and finding a solution to a former vampire wannabe's unwilling induction to the werewolf pack...all while eight months pregnant.

I'm going to be using the word delightful a lot in this review because it so perfectly describes nearly every aspect of HEARTLESS from the absurdly charming characters, to the outlandishly entertaining plot, and the endlessly witty--and thoroughly British--writing. Never a dull page, never a flat line, and never a wasted opportunity for preposterous frivolity. All of the characters we've grown to love and loath over the series are present in HEARTLESS, most prominently Lord Akeldama, Biffy, and Professor Lyall. We learn a number of very revealing details about the latter as well as Alexia's father.

One of my complaints about the last two books was how little page time Alexia and her husband shared since their relationship and interaction was one of the things that made the first book so fantastic. I have nothing to complain about on that point in HEARTLESS. Alexia and Conall are together in nearly every other scene. I loved watching him fuss over her because of her pregnancy and then grit his teeth when he had to let her run off--or waddle off as Alexia called walking at eight months pregnant--into potential danger.

The end of HEARTLESS was unbelievably good. So much is set up for the next book, specifically regarding the infant-inconvenience. Exactly what kind of baby will a preternatural and a werewolf have? I would never have guessed and I'm predicting it will add significantly to the already very unique mythology in this series.

Overall, book four in this indomitably clever and charming series, is as delightful as I hoped. The fifth book in The Parasol Protectorate series is called TIMELESS and will be published on March 1, 2011. It is currently the last book planned in the series, but I will always hope for more. We will be getting a spin-off YA series set in the same universe twenty-five years earlier called The Finishing School series. The first book is tentatively titled ETIQUETTE & ESPIONAGE and will be published in 2012.

Sexual Content:
Kissing. References to homosexuality. References to sex

Now eight months pregnant, Alexia Tarbotti, Lady Maccon, is still protecting Queen and country with her fancy, yet practical parasol. You see a mad ghost was inconsiderate enough to pop up in her house and relay a death threat against the queen. Unfortunately, the only clue focuses on her husband's past and no one in the pack wants her to investigate. But practical and dedicated, she searches in the past for the perpetrator of the current threat.

Full of interesting twists and betrayals, Heartless is another great book in the Parasol Protectorate series. The spotlight of treason shines on everyone from friends, family and pack and the truth is downright inconvenient for Alexia and the babe she carries. I loved the zombie porcupines, the dirigibles and especially the rampaging octomaton. My small compliant is once again, the alpha, Lord Maccon doesn't act particularly alpha-ish and I miss the witty banter between Conall and Alexia so wonderfully done in Soulless. That small personal preference aside, Heartless is quite well done!

The `infant inconvenient' doesn't slow Alexia Tarabotti Maccon down; well, maybe it slows her down but it doesn't stop her from investigating a threat to the Queen. Figuring out which Queen, though, is a problem. Heartless is another wonderful Parasol Protectorate novel with the usual interesting mix of supernaturals and clockwork inventions. The characters become more evolved in each book of the series and Gail Carriger keeps the uniqueness going with wit and compassion. I'm really looking forward to the next in the series, Timeless, and the addition of the child.

Welcome to the world, Baby Maccon! All I can say is how typically Alexia it is to have her baby in this way. I’ll be very interested to see how the new little bundle of joy affects Pack life and the storyline.

I think I want to be Alexia Tarabotti. Live next door to a glamorous vampire (I hope Austin Scarlett plays him if there's ever a movie), tea and cakes on command, loving husband who becomes less of a barbarian with each passing book, drones to help pick out your clothes and dress you.

This is definitely Carriger's best book to date. As a writer she's really maturing and so the awkward passages from the previous books have all but disappeared, and the characters are becoming more complex and interesting. I am thoroughly enjoying the series--I just hope Carriger moves on to something else before she runs out of -less adjectives!

If you have already read the earlier three books in the series, and enjoyed them as I did, then "Heartless" is worth reading. It is a good read. It is worth reading just for the revelations!!!

It took me longer to read "Heartless" than the other three, as this is a somewhat more serious and thoughtful story written like a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The basic outline of "Heartless" is that a mad ghost gives Lady Alexia Maccon a warning that the Queen is in danger, so naturally Alexia investigates. It is her job to do so; after all she is on the Queen's Shadow Council.

"Heartless" has small pieces of the stories from all three previous books as part of the back story, as well as a new story.

Carriger is the only author in history to write a fictional series that stays as consistently wonderful with each book. I hope she is immortal and this series never ends.

I thought the side characters were fleshed out but in this book they are given a labyrinth of back stories that I could be happy being lost in for the rest of my life. What with all the violence and pretty lace, who could say any differently?

An excellent addition to the series, Heartless ties in plots from earlier books for some very interesting character revelations and plot developments. In Heartless, Alexia is not letting the infant inconvenience stop her from tracking down the latest threat to the kingdom - an assassination plot against Queen Victoria. In the style of Sherlock Holmes, Alexia puts her investigation skills to the test to scour out not only the assassin, but also gets to the bottom of the mysteries surrounding some of the characters closest to her.

Ms. Carriger is quite the character as is exhibited in her trilogy of the parasol protectorate. they are fun to read and think are the best of the genre. the silly vampires, masculine werewolves, vitorian england and all, are entertaining with a ribald twist. it will be fun to see more of this series.

The Parasol Protectorate is best read in sequence - there are 5 books that I know of, and a new series starting. This was still welcome reading, just not as much fun as the first three (available in an omnibus at reduced cost).