Observations about Heartless by Gail Carriger.....
1.) The cover is wack. The models on Soulless, Changeless, and Blameless looked like they could kick your butt, admonish your improper behavior and have a spot of tea all without missing a beat. The woman on the cover of Heartless looks like she'll burst into tears if you look at her funny. Wack.
2.) The humor is spot-on--Alexia waddling around London, thwarting would-be paranormal crimes with a massive pregnant belly barely slowing her down. The characters are brilliant--the effeminate vampires, lesbian steampunk inventor, over-protective alpha werewolf hubby, catty suffragette sister, and best of all the no-nonsense soulless heroine. The storyline has ups and downs....interesting investigations, fabulous climatic scene at the end with the octomaton rampaging through town, but also occasionally bogged down by too much paranormal political stuff. Pacing slowed a bit in the middle, was just perfection at the end. With a killer cliff-hanger.
3.) This series is straight up the most original, clever and humorous bit of storytelling in the romance genre. Although it is truly a mish-mash of romance, steampunk, paranormal, historical and comedy. It's quirky. It's well-written. It's got Penny's Seal Of Approval.
4.) I was heartily disappointed with the lack of romance in Blameless. Due to a totally exasperating misunderstanding, the hero and heroine were apart for the bulk of the book. Heartless was an improvement, although still not enough for my romantic inclinations. It is definitely a sexy story, but I just can't get enough of Conall the gruff and grumbly werewolf. More, more, more!!!!!
5.) Favorite lines....
"No wife. I mean to say, you are not exactly up to your usual galavanting about London with parasol at the ready, now, are you?"
Alexia glanced down at her overstuffed belly and then got that look on her face. "I am entirely capable."
"Of what, waddling up to someone and ruthlessly bumping into them?"
hee hee heeee.....
And I love this line, too. Leave it to Alexia to tell it like it is.
"Goodness," said an exhausted Lady Maccon, "are babies customarily that repulsive looking?"
Why yes, yes they are. ☺
Looking for an entertaining steampunky historical romance with a kick-ass sense of humor? Look no further.
Grade: A-
Pleasantly Pleased as a Peacock,
Penelope
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