I swear I am in love with Gail Carriger! I’ve just finished reading Changeless, book two of the Parasol Protectorate and I’m basking in the bliss that is this book. If you haven’t read this series – oh please do! 

Victorian England is such a wonderful landscape against which the most delightfully diverse and charming characters play out their roles in protecting England and its many denizens from harm. The late 1800s was a time of steam engines, rail travel, scientific enquiries and endeavours – and a rapidity of change that often left the mannered world of the ton at a loss.  This contrast between the aristocratic and hierarchical society and a growing meritocracy based on intelligence, creativity and science opens up delicious opportunities for humour as both sides try to understand each other.  And, not content with dealing with what was a remarkable time in history as it was,  Gail Carriger has taken it further with a delightful steampunk polish so that dirigibles are an acceptable mode of travel and aethographic transmitters that have replaced the sadly disappointing telegraph!

But first let’s deal with tea. 

Start the book with a light and refreshing Lady Grey with a hint of orange. In this way you will revisit pleasurably with Alexia, now Lady Woolsey, and her often curmudgeonly yet adoring husband. A great threat is facing England - a mysterious wave of humanization affecting the supernatural community, destroying ghosts, rendering others mortal and threatening to damage the good of the Realm.

At this stage we need a slightly more bracing Prince of Wales tea, because the plot kicks up slightly, and Alexia reminds us of why we love her, such as when she meets Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings and promptly takes her parasol to him.

“How dare you! You impudent” - whack -  “arrogant” - whack- “overbearing” – whack – “unobservant pig!” (Go Alexia!)

In her indomitable way Alexia teaches us valuable lessons on her journey north, such as why it isn’t such a good idea to fall out of a dirigible, how to avoid poisons, how to survive increasingly silly friends and scheming sisters and above all the importance of keeping your parasol close. All concerning, indeed, however it was once we were in Scotland that I reached for a strong black Darjeeling! The plots, the sub plots, the machinations, the characters. Oh goodness – a bracing cup of tea was certainly called for!

There was such a wonderful ebb and flow to the plot of Changeless. There were times of action and danger, and then slower times when we could appreciate the science being developed and its dramatic impact. I loved the thought that went into the inventions – just as I loved the continuing and expanding cast of characters.

But above all it’s Alexia and her practical adherence to her priorities.

“Alexia sacrificed herself on the altar of wifely duty, enjoying every minute of it, of course, but still determined to pull him back and get on to the aethographer.”

So yes, even though we have a mystery to solve, the romance is still there! Conall and Alexia are a remarkable pair, different and yet alike in many ways.

He turned to frown up at her.”I hate it when you come over all correct.”
Alexia trotted down the staircase until they were nose to nose. She had to stand one step up from him to be so. She kissed him softly. “I know. But I am so very good at it.”

And after travelling so far with these two, and battling such dangers, Gail Carriger then pulls all of her hints together and gives us a cliffhanger that has outraged so very many readers. And why such outrage?  Well it’s because Gail Carriger has made us love these characters so deeply that we want the very best for them – and waiting for book three in September to see what happens next is going to drive us all crazy!

Really a pure delight!

Oh my giddy aunt! What a book! What an ending! How many exclamation marks can I use in one sentence!? Book 2 in the Parasol Protectorate is pure ‘wow’.

We continue do get a solid dose of the wit, style, humour and charm that was in Soulless as we continue to explore the world of the preternatural Alexia. I am, however, delighted to have Ivy play a stronger role, even at the expense of blindness. I am not positive, but I fear her taste is getting worse, and brighter...

Ivy had rejected the blue gown for a more excitable puce monstrosity, with multiple poufs of ruffles like so many taffeta puffballs, and a wide belt of bright crimson tied in an enormous bow above the bustle.

Changeless did have moments of moving a little slower, but this is partially because the familiarity of the writing style and story setting now that we’re into book two. But amongst the mystery to be solved we also get some wonderful conjecture and insight into a Victorian England not normally mentioned. The concept of society ladies having great ‘mummy unwrapping’ parties is just one such example and very cleverly written about with Alexia’s no nonsense style.

Gail Carriger is now on my automatic buy list, her writing is superb, with Changeless proving this. It is another highly original story, which beautifully blends a wonderful imagination with careful research, leaving no idea where the story starts and reality ends. The characters are believable and the situations feasible.

Even if you loathe historical romances, I would suggest you try this series. There is a little something in these for everyone: best of British black humour, historical accounts, romance, heat, action, plot, mystery... Changeless is just wonderful.