Timeless

The Parasol Protectorate, the Fifth

By: Gail Carriger

Narrated by: Emily Gray

Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2012 Gail Carriger (P)2012 Hachette

Critic reviews

2010, Alex Award, Winner

2009, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, Winner

"The world of Timeless is a unique recipe of steampunk and fantasy spiced with light sprinkling of romance. Its setting is rich for characters to romp about in, but the unbridled playfulness of the language and dialogue shines brightest."—Miami Herald

So Very Much To Love In This One!

Witty and charming, as expected, though more humorous than I recall past books in the series. The chaos at the train station, then boarding the steamer for Egypt was so well told I felt I was there watching. An understated favorite moment: when Biffy tosses Felicity out on her ass and makes it clear she’ll not be admitted to any decent drawing room in London again, ever. Lots of action and mystery, and romance. Definitely my favorite of the series and a wonderful ending: exciting, romantic, AND all the loose ends tied up. <3 Narrated by the fabulous Emily Gray. It's worth listening to the whole series just to appreciate this final volume.

house cleaning happiness!

I just love this series! Its fun but still has enough story to make it worth listening to and look forward to the next book. Emily Gray is doing a lovely job of narrating and her Lord A is perfect. I like my steampunk done witty and light and Gail nails it. Perfect to listen to while cleaning the house, it will make you laugh and keep you scrubbing dishes even when its your least favorite chore!

A nice close to the series

Where does Timeless rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I will listen to it again

What other book might you compare Timeless to and why?

I cannot think of anything really. It is a steam punk novel and a series. It was better than the alchemy of stone and as it was not from the perspective of anatomist on it was more relatable.

What does Emily Gray bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emily did great voices allowing you to really hear when a character was speaking. Her emotion tended to be accurate and expressive. Her accent helped set the story in the correct region.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cry easily so yes I cried as well as laughed.

Any additional comments?

This was my first steam punk series. I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the flaws with the characters as well as the connection between them. The mysteries were always new but could relate to others within the series.

Rockin' The Umbrella!

Loved The Book! Can't wait for the next one... Never a dull moment!

The denouement arrives

I've enjoyed the Parasol Protectorate stories, and we finally get many of the loose ends tied up together and the story most emphatically ends. [The author's blog indicates she is working on a sequel series centering around the next generation, but Alexia's saga is clearly wrapped up.]

Alexia and Conall now have a toddler on their hands, and what a handful. Legally, she is being raised by Lord Akeldama and his drones, but the birth parents are always on hand (as foretold in the 4th book). Then a comes a summons for little Prudence to attend an ancient vampire hive queen in Egypt...and Ivy Tonstil comes along as the cover story. There is a separate storyline with the werewolf pack back in England, mostly focused on Biffy and Prof. Lyall.

There are a couple of unexpected twists, and it is clear that Gail Carriger is tying up many of the loose ends from the earlier books. The story itself is enjoyable and the ending is amusing and worth waiting for. My biggest regret is that there is not nearly enough Lord Akeldama in this story, but we can't always have everything.

I'm still mixed on Emily Gray's reading. Some voices clearly pose a challenge to her, but that doesn't seem to interfere with this particular story. Her narration did not detract from this story, but I don't know that it added all that much, either.

Excellent End to an Excellent Series

By far my favorite series with supernatural incorporations. Simple, witty, and very attention-grabbing. I recommend 100%. This book ends well and wraps up all ends very nicely.

Pointedly Entertaining

Love the whole series! Humor, wit, adventure, and decorum expertly balanced for a highly entertaining listening experience. A fabulous series, indeed.

It's safe to like Gail Carriger!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Previously I had said Lord Maccon, but little Prudence provides some competition for my heart in this one.

Any additional comments?

The author had me crying for about an hour and I almost didn't like her for it. In the end I would say it's safe to like her now! This is my favorite book series ever; I cannot wait for the Prudence series.

loved it

it was so much fun. I was very happy to listen to it. enjoyed the performance

An end with great fun

The final book in the Parasol Protectorate series, Timeless was probably my second favorite book out of the five. Alexia and her little family have been living with Lord Akeldemar and they’ve all adjusted to the life of adapting to one another as well as dealing with little toddler Prudence who’s metanatural powers allow her to take on the form of a werewolf or vampire if she touches one of their kind.

Highlights
– a trip to Egypt!
– a corny play starring Ivy Hissellpenny
– babies! And a toddler Prudence who is good at wreaking havoc with her ability to steal the preternatural essence from werewolves and vampires
– secrets and betrayals revealed!
– a murder most foul and an MIA butler
– we get to read from Biffy’s perspective, I loved him!
– a new romance to root for (one of my favorite parts of the book)
– a very old sad looking Queen
– heartwrenching moments!
– more excellent narration, especially loved the narration of little Prudence.

Overall, I definitely recommend the Parasol Protectorate books, especially on audio. They were such a whirlwind of fun that I’ve already snatched up the books in the authors young adult spin off Finishing School series that takes place in the same world.