Heartless: The Parasol Protectorate, the Fourth

The fun is BACK. I think it is the best book in this series. It was a very quick ride all the way through. The last chase scene in London and to Lord Maccon's castle was exciting and reminded me of Testujin 28go a Japanese classic animation.

I also loved the part where Lord Maccon tried help and shield poor Biffy to adjust to werewolf life. One of the funniest scene is when he tries to explain to Alexia why Prof.Lyall cannot be Biffy's lover, "he's too beta." Fortunately for me this made sense, but for Alexia it did not. I don't think she ever understood. LOL

I was also happy to see a lot of Lord Akeldama and enjoyed his overly dramatic words and acts. I was also impressed with Lord Akeldama's intricate and complex scheme from the beginning to the end. What political savvy! Well done.

As for the baby wow what a XXX!

Now I can look forward for more with anticipation!

This book is hilarious. Do not take it serious. It is Steampunk meets PG Wodehouse and Urban Fantasy crossed with Jane Austen. I love her and even my 60 year old mom who hates Vampires loves all the books start with Soulless and then continue to Changeless then Blameless and now Heartless. Emily Gray is one of the best narrators out there. The only downside to this novel is that I have to wait until March to find out what happens next.

I've already said in other reviews how entertaining and consistent this series is. I *love* it and will listen to these books over and over. Heartless had some impressive twists, an absolute blindside, and an adorable addition to the family. Time to download the last book!

After the last book in the series I was not looking forward to this one....I am eating my words right now. I honestly think that besides the first book, this was definately one of the best. I am proud to say that I am throughly looking foward to the release of the next book Timeless in a few months. I can't wait

I love this serious, Emily Grey is a fantastic narrator! The only thing i'm questioning in this book is the pronunciation of Lord Akeldama's name. It was pronounced (a-key-el-da-ma) for the first three books and now its being pronounced (akel-dama). I just thought it was strange that they would change it up for the fourth book. Odd, isn't it?

Humorous, light-hearted, well-read

The octomaton storming London, and the loss of the parasol!

Alexia's drawn out and chaotic labor.

Alexia's devotion to the pack, and especially Biffy.

I would suggest you read the first three books before listening. (Hopefully they are recorded soon!) The characters, plot and world of the novel might not be very clear without this fore knowledge.

The parasol protectorate is back and formalized. In Heartless, Alexia spoils a regicide scheme and gestates while dodging vampire conspiracies. This installment of Gail Carriger???s brilliant series also illuminates Mr. Tarabotti???s past. All of the loved and favorite characters are back. Specifically, Professor Lyall, Biffy, and the infant inconvenience take center stage, but Felicity, Ivy, and Major Channing also divulge their own special brands of insight, and the Macon passion shines through the narrative. All in all, this is an excellent addition to the series and is a ???must listen???. I cannot wait for Timeless! Emily Grey is also back and competent as ever.

Gail Carriger's writing style is clean, and seamless. The plot progresses in a series of cameo's, introducing you into Carriger's world. It feels as if an absurdist steampunk comic book has been buried in layers and LAYERS of etiquette, and this is the result, The concerns of propriety are convincing of the English upper class in this alternate history's time period. The book values the tragedy of scuffed boots, or the scandalousness of a smudge on a man's face, as it does a murderous rampaging multi-story anthropomorphic contrivance.

Fancy words are used, and you'd definitely come away from this novel inclined to exercise a greater portion of the English language. The idea of werewolves caring about their crevats, or the state of their parlors, or executing the fluff necessary to function in Carriger's high London society, I have trouble buying into it.

Emily Gray's voices can get high pitched. The tone's convincingly reflect the physiognomy of the character (annoying characters SOUND so f'ing annoying). It's often hard to tell who is speaking, her accents and tones rubber band around.

This book DESERVES a 5/5 on story at least, but I just couldn't take the slow crawl, the weak plot arch, extensive character descriptions/backdrops, long-winded hedging dialogue, and all the impersonal focus on etiquette. Perhaps, if there had been a break, where some 'middle-class' or 'lower-class' or for me 'normal' people had been involved, I would be biting at the bit to read on, in this series, but it's just not for me.

May be an excellent read for you, though, especially if you're into monarchy reads, steampunk, or high society mysteries. Carriger has written a pretty original alternate history world, in this series, and she never breaks from it.

Loved it! I'd even pay for it with real money. Great series and excellent narration!!!!

Wow! That was boring! There was absolutely no story to this "book". Ninety-nine percent was the overly-detailed descriptions of the heroine's life as a pregnant woman. One percent mentioned the other characters briefly but usually while they were discussing fashion and home decorating. There was also no mystery. Nada. Someone mentioned the queen's life was in danger and that was it. Undoubtedly it was supposed to set up the next book, but give us something worth our time, please! Again, Wow! That was boring!