Blameless (Parasol Protectorate, #3) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Mar 03, 2010 The Flooze rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal, owned, vanquished_2010, steampunk

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Killer ladybugs! Nightgowned knights! Floote fighting?! Not to mention lots of pesto…Blameless has it all!

Even though I haven’t been left in a tizzy by this installment (no cliffhanger this time, intrepid readers), I’m still anxious to get my hands on the next book. Ohhh, July--why art thou so far away?

Looking back, I’ll admit I had a few issues with the second in thee series, Changeless. It was entertaining, but compared to the shininess that was Soulless it faltered in terms of plot cohesion Killer ladybugs! Nightgowned knights! Floote fighting?! Not to mention lots of pesto…Blameless has it all!

Even though I haven’t been left in a tizzy by this installment (no cliffhanger this time, intrepid readers), I’m still anxious to get my hands on the next book. Ohhh, July--why art thou so far away?

Looking back, I’ll admit I had a few issues with the second in thee series, Changeless. It was entertaining, but compared to the shininess that was Soulless it faltered in terms of plot cohesion and consistency of character personalities. I‘m happy to say Blameless does not suffer from the same problems.

Swinging back and forth between the pack’s activities in London and Alexia‘s travels through the Continent, the story allows us to get a better feel for both. We witness the werewolves’ drama mostly through the eyes of Professor Lyall, a character whose steadfast and sympathetic nature I find rather impressive. The more I learn about him, the more I adore him. He’s a perfect foil for the boisterous, demanding personalities surrounding him. His understated sense of humor, keen mind and efficient manner make the pack scenes intriguing and I’m thrilled to see him get more page-time.

Alexia’s jaunt across Europe and the Mediterranean is equally interesting and rather action-packed. Her parasol and its many perks come in handy more than once, as she and her companions fend off vampires and religious zealots. In fact, the group does so much fleeing in this novel that I fully appreciate Alexia’s yearning for a large armchair in a quiet library.

In between assassination attempts, Alexia gains some insight into her own soulless state, as well as tidbits regarding her father‘s past. Carriger doles out the information as pieces of an intricate puzzle. Even though Alexia is progressing in her quest for knowledge, there’s still scads of room for speculation. We have a long way to go before we see the whole picture, but getting there is half the fun.

Speaking of fun, Blameless introduces more steampunk gadgetry for Alexia (and me) to drool over. Carriger weaves these elements into the story with just the right amount of detail. We can clearly picture the inventions involved without things getting bogged down in minutia. And what inventions there are! I foresee even more of them in the future now that Alexia has befriended yet another scientist--I’m looking forward to it.

Addressing the character issues I had with the previous book, I’m thrilled to announce that all of the annoying personalities have been put back in their rightful places. The Loontwills are scarce, placing Felicity and family squarely where they belong: as side characters who, in small doses, add a level of comedy and allow Alexia to showcase her defiant attitude. Ivy, too, plays only a small role and comes off all the better for it. Carriger has restored her to the woman we met in Soulless: loveably dippy, but capable of pragmatism and a bit of insight when the occasion demands it. Lyall goes so far as to wonder how much of her foolishness is simply for show--a question I never would’ve asked about the Ivy depicted in Changeless. Does the character variation irk me? Yes. Does it annoy me enough to harp on it? No, because this version of Ivy is preferable and much more in line with a friend of Lady Maccon.

On the whole, another worthwhile volume in the Parasol Protectorate series--one filled with daring escapes, tantalizing clues, emotional upheavals, and as always, wit to spare. La, my darlings, I can’t wait for the next! ...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Thenia rated it really liked it

Shelves: shifters, reviewed, paranormal, series, vampires, 2012

Another fun book starring Alexia Maccon, Soulless. Alexia finds herself the talk of the ton, disgraced and homeless and she faces everything with her usual matter-of-fact way and with the help of a few friends, old and new.

More attempts on her life running around Europe this time, more unsettling facts discovered and more complications caused by what Alexia's aptly named infant inconvenience.

I'm enjoying the audiobooks for this series, since the narrator brings every character to life with a un ...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Patricia rated it it was amazing

After the cliffhanger ending of Changeless I had to immediately start Blameless. From the first page this latest edition is non-stop action. On one hand Alexia has been thrown out by her husband, her family and most of London society including Queen Victoria herself after discovering she is pregnant. Werewolves cannot produce offspring, or at least that is what everybody is saying. Just when she needs him most Lord Akeldama also disappears. But with Floote, and Madame Lefoux, Alexia travels to I After the cliffhanger ending of Changeless I had to immediately start Blameless. From the first page this latest edition is non-stop action. On one hand Alexia has been thrown out by her husband, her family and most of London society including Queen Victoria herself after discovering she is pregnant. Werewolves cannot produce offspring, or at least that is what everybody is saying. Just when she needs him most Lord Akeldama also disappears. But with Floote, and Madame Lefoux, Alexia travels to Italy to find proof that her "infant inconvenience" could be produced by a werewolf and a preternatural.

I really enjoyed this story and finished it in a day because I just couldn't put it down. Alexia is magnificent and such a wonderful, strong female character. Nothing stops her and she is able to face even extreme danger with pluck and courage as well as sarcastic wit and intelligence. Of course thinking about her husband and the baby does bring her down on occasion, although not for long because she doesn't have time to become maudlin when she is constantly running for her life. Deadly ladybugs and vampires want her dead, and fanatical Templars and a German scientist want to use her and the baby for their own ends. Armed with her trusty parasol she faces them all with aplomb.

On the other hand Lord Maccon is wallowing in his own stupidity and grief over losing Alexia, Professor Lyall must keep the pack together and try to keep Conall from ingesting all his formaldehyde. My favorite part was the the subplot of Biffy, Lord Akeldama's favorite drone, which is so touching and even sad. I loved how danger, love and constant action is mixed in beautifully. There are just so many strong, lovable characters in this series that it is such a joy to read. Even the new and minor characters are not just thrown in without reason.

The ending was a little sudden, and Lord Maccon isn't really punished enough for his betrayal, but these two definitely love each other, and I can't wait for the next installment. ...more

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Oct 24, 2012 lia rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal-fiction

We pick up where we left off with Alexia pregnant and Conall think that the child is not his.

Banished from her mother's house, Alexia left for Lord Akeldama which turns out missing when she needed him most. Running out of option and wanted to prove Conall wrong, she decided to go to Italy to the Templars' headquarters. Templars are known for its hostility against preternatural yet they also known for their extensive archive on preternatural's history. So the best party to have evidence of the p ...more

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Oct 16, 2010 Cindi Kelley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-read

Kicked out the pack?! Blamed by her husband. All because she is pregnant. Alexia sets out to prove that this baby is Lord Maccon's child. And along the way, vampires are trying to kill her and the Templars kidnap her.
Enjoying this series immensely. I do hope the baby doesn't ruin everything in the next book. ...more

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Dec 09, 2018 Marla rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, anti-catholic, series, challenged, lgbt, girl-power, paranormal, vampires, historical-fiction, science-fiction

3.5 stars. This book switches between Alexia looking for answers and Professor Lyall, Woolsey Pack Beta, tending to his inebriated Alpha and Pack business. I like the relationship between Lady Maccom & Lord Maccom, but they were apart for most of this story and I missed their snarky interactions and I also missed the flamboyant Lord Akeldema. It was nice to get to know more about Prof. Lyall, but this wasn't my favorite book in the series.

Likes:
* Gruff, massive and devoted Lord Connall Maccon, f ...more

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Apr 16, 2010 Kimberly rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010

My two favorite characters from previous books weren't featured as much in this book like they were in the two previous books, so their absence was felt while I was reading. But it did give me a chance to get to know a character that has been by Alexia's side in all the books. This book felt like it was setting up the next book for more to the overall story.
Now I'll have to wait until NEXT SUMMER for the next book!
UGH! ...more

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