Parasol Protectorate, Book 3
Synopsis: Quitting her husband’s house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.
Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London’s vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.
While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires — and they’re armed with pesto.
Review: Once we finish the second volume, we only want one thing, to get into the third to know the following events. I must say that we were left with a Lady Maccon in a really uncomfortable situation. And then of course our two heroes are both real strong heads! Yes this is true, they’re terrible, one as much as the other.
We thus find Alexia back home, and when I say that, it means to her mother’s home, after that Lord Maccon had dismissed her. Something that, I must say, makes her more than angry (and it is perfectly understandable). And when gossip and rumors begin to peddle about her and that everyone learns the story about her embryonic inconvenience as she calls it so well, Alexia quickly became the person to avoid for the whole society. And it starts with her own family who dismisses her as well. But this is not counting on the ideas of our heroine who is determined to go to Italy, accompanied by our dear Lady Lefoux and Floote to prove to her dear husband that she didn’t cheat on him. As for our beloved werewolf, he spends his days drinking and depressed about his wife, to the chagrin of Professor Lyall and his pack.
I was completely swept away by this book. It is much more addictive than the previous one and filled with action throughout the story. Alexia and her little band leads us in France and Italy, where we will discover new characters and new interesting inventions as always. Well I must say that nothing will be easy because as usual Alexia is really talented to find more trouble than she would have liked. And this time all the vampires want to kill her, which I must say does not change much in her everyday life.
I was really curious to see Alexia change in her father country and to learn more about her past. Indeed this man is mentioned on numerous occasions since the beginning of the series but we’re still in the dark about the person he really is. We finally learn a little more about him but nothing really important, but I do not lose hope, it may be the case with the next volume. Surprisingly this is another character who is at the center of our attention: Floote, the butler. And what a character! I was actually very curious about him and I’m waiting for the day that Alexia will actually decide for answers. We understand that in this novel, he is far from what he seems to be and he knows a lot more than we might have thought initially.
The meeting with the Templars was also very interesting and I think it is still far from finished (otherwise it would be too easy, does not it?). Finally you’ll understand that I enjoyed this new book, the plot is always exciting and Alexia is the most delectable. Now, I just need to get into the fourth volume to learn more.
blodeuedd
I liked it too, but I to think later books went a book meh
Melliane
I need to read them one day to finish the series.
Livia @ Butterfly-o-Meter Books
I’ve read the first two and LOVED them to bits, and I can’t wait to read this baby! It sounds so good, with all the action and traveling, and more occasions for Alexia to get herself killed, lol! She is good at getting into those kinds of situations xD
Melliane
I hope you’ll like it as well it was so fun!
Keertana @ Ivy Book Bindings
I’ve only read the first book in this series and, though I loved it, haven’t been compelled to read the next installments. So glad you enjoyed it, though! 🙂
Melliane
I understand, I was the same but i finally tried the others and was quite surprised.
braine
I think I should collect all the books first before I read the first one. From the wound of things, its impossible not to binge.
Melliane
I think it would be nice, like that you can read them all at once!
kim { Book Swoon }
I just picked up Soulless and I’m determined to start this series. Gail Carriger seems to have this unqiue way of writing humor into paranormal, plus the setting is something I love. I’m glad you’re enjoying this series Melliane 🙂
Melliane
Yes it’s different and really nice. I really like it. I’m curious to see what you think of it.
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
Yet another series I’m behind on Melliane! I read the first one and loved it, so I need to get caught up on book two and this one. Glad to know this was a solid installment and that Alexia of course gets herself in as much trouble as always:):)
Melliane
Yes they’re so fun! I hope you’ll like them all too.
Kirsty-Marie
I come across this series a while ago and thought they were YA. Glad this one was more addictive than the last, and I haven’t read any that’s gets set in Italy (even if it’s only for one book). Really want to go someday! 🙂
Melliane
LOL no, but she has a spin off YA series.
Mogsy
Ah, loved the first book of this, though I never got beyond it. I think I have to be in a certain mood – didn’t expect it to be so heavily focused on romance. I remember in the first book when she and Maccon were trapped in the dungeon, and then all of a sudden started making out and getting it on in the middle of the dirty floor. I was like, really, is this the best time? 😉
Melliane
LOL yes you’re right, I don’t remember the scene I confess so I can’t say but it’s true.
Heidi
I read the first book a couple of years ago, and I liked it but I wasn’t over the moon over it. I really think I need to give this series another chance after reading your review.
Melliane
I hope it will be better if you try the others.
kindlemom1
I love everything about the sound of this one. I have the first book somewhere and really need to read it. I even love the covers! So much fun!
Melliane
Oh you need to try it, I think you could like it too!
ShootingStarsMag
Sounds great. I really want to read this series. I need to get started sometime soon.
-Lauren
Melliane
oh yes it’s really fun!
anna@herding cats & burning soup
Oh I love when a book sweeps me away like that. I love her covers. Have been meaning to give her a go just never got around to it. :facepalm:
Melliane
it’s a cute romance with a lot of action, maybe you can like it too.
Tanja
I have seen this book around but I had no idea it was that good. I love the sound of it and Alexia sounds like a really amazing character. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I hope you’ll enjoy the next installment even more 🙂 Great review, Melliane 🙂
Melliane
yes it’s really nice, you should try it one day!
Silvia
You’re hitting a nerve here, Melliane…I’ve been thinking of reading this series for years, but I still haven’t bought the first instalment yet 🙁 I should probably remedy to that, huh? Thanks for the review!
Melliane
Oh you need to try it it’s a great one!
Lily
I have to admit i actually read the first installment in this series a few years ago but just never picked up the rest of the books becaus eof my ever growing TBR pile but you have me wanting to change that! Lovely review!
Melliane
lol it’s always really difficult when we have so many books.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I have the first 3 and haven’t read them.. yet! I so need to catch up. Glad you enjoyed this one. I love her YA series. So odd that I haven’t read the adult books yet.
Melliane
oh yes, I think you can enjoy them. Her YA series is the spin off series of this one.
Missie
I really really need to read this series!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
This sounds like such a fun series. I hope to get it one day. 🙂 Thank you.
Stephanie Faris
All I think when I look at that cover is, “Ooh, I want that umbrella!”
Melliane
lol it’s a realy useful tool!
LilyElement
I think I read book one in this series, but haven’t had a chance to read the rest just yet!!
Melliane
I hope you’ll be able to go back to them one day.
kimbacaffeinate
Melliane..I have the boxed set and have I read them..No. *facepalm* Need to dig them out and dust them off. Great review
Melliane
lol I hope you’ll like them the day you’ll read them too.
Jennifer Bielman
I always wanted to try this series out but I feel like I never see reviews for these books. Happy to hear they have been good so far.
Jessica @ Rabid Reads
GAH. This is another series I need to finish. I have all five books, but I’ve only read the first, and I LOVED it, so I have no idea why I haven’t read the rest of them yet. Thanks for the motivation 😉