Book Review: Changeless (Parasol Protectorate, #2) by Gail Carriger

Changeless is the second book in the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. Alexia Maccon, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears; leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria. But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. So even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can. She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

I enjoyed Changeless both more and less than the first book, Soulless. While I was glad to see some serious character growth and a few more familiar names from the Finishing School series, I felt a little disappointed in that I saw the big surprise at the end of the book coming, although Alexia’s surprise at the reveal was priceless. The mystery of what the supernatural plague of “humanity” is and how it works is solid, and the introduction of new characters intriguing, I felt like there was a bit too much left unresolved at the end. The of course simply had my overeager for the next installment rather than really angry.

The Parasol Protectorate series is my favorite kind of literary candy. The story is fun, exciting, and often unexpected. I love that Alexia and her varied friends and companions offer highly entertaining dialogue (both shared and internal) that often has my chuckling or rolling my eyes at the less intelligent characters. I have already started listening to the audiobook of the third book, Blameless, and love the reader’s talent. I almost wish I had listened from the beginning, because the voices and inflections she uses adds a special quality to the story. I love it!

I highly recommend Changeless and the entire Parasol Protectorate series to everyone that enjoys a fun and unique read. The combination of wit, paranormal characters, steampunk, and suspense is very well done.