Review of Timeless by Gail Carriger

Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: March 1, 2012
Series: The Parasol Protectorate #5
Buying Links:  Amazon     The Book Depository

***The blurb and the review contain spoilers for the previous books. The review does not contain spoilers for this book.***

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.


Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

Teaser:

"This is not good. Given half a chance, she'll kill him before we extract any additional information out of him."

"Not to mention that it's a bad idea to eat one's domestic staff."

The two men looked at one another and then, by mutual accord, began to strip out of their clothes. At least, Biffy consoled himself, BUR agents were accustomed to such eccentricities.

Professor Lyall gave up about halfway through and simply sacrificed his wardrobe to the cause. Biffy watched him run after the Alpha...However, Biffy did spare a few moments to divest himself of his favorite waistcoat and cravat before shifting form. The trousers and shirt could be replaced, but not that waistcoat; it was a real pip.

Reviewed By: Bea

My Thoughts:

The first third or so of this book was light on plot but funny as heck, I could hardly stop laughing. But as the action picked up, so did the pace and we got some meat to the story, without losing the humor. The book wraps up some loose threads, sets up new story lines should Carriger decide to return to this series (it's the last one, though two spin-offs are planned) and is a good end to the series.

Carriger takes some intriguing twists and turns, with only a few predictable moments. I wish we had seen more of Akeldama but I loved the interactions between he and toddler Prudence. Alexia has mellowed slightly, even to the point of relaxing standards a tiny bit where young children are concerned. Despite that slight mellowing, Carriger still gives us the comedy of manners that we've come to expect. Conall is, well, Conall. The two of them have a big misunderstanding, every romance needs one you know, but this one had been brewing for a bit and arises naturally from events in previous books so I didn't mind it too much.

I loved seeing the changes in Biffy and Lyall, although I didn't completely buy into what Carriger did with Biffy. I haven't read the other books in a while but it seems to me that Carriger didn't sufficiently set up what happens with him in this book. We learn more about Floote, and about Alexia's father in this book, and Ivy has occasional moments of brilliance.

While not an excellent book, it was very very good, and nicely concluded the series.

I received a paperback from the publisher for review.