Kari C. reviewed on 9/7/2010 + 77 more book reviews

This is the 2nd book in the Parasol Protectorate series. This book is not as good as the first book.

The good: The werewolves, vampires and other assorted creatures are very interesting. I love how the Victorians have protocols on dealing with all of them. The steam punk aspect of the book is well done. I still love Carriger's writing style. The story was decent.

The bad: The author seems to have looked at everything that people liked about the first book (the writing style, Alexia's analytical style, the clashes between Alexia and her vapid sisters and her friend with the horrible hats) and decided that since that's what made the first book work, that's what this book needed as well. However, it doesn't quite work out as well in this book. Especially when getting some of those aspects into place (like having the sister in Scotland) were a bit of a stretch in the story. Everything felt a bit more forced in this book.

I was quite upset about the ending. I can understand, and enjoy, cliffhangers and even unhappy endings. However, such a thoroughly unhappy and life changing event doesn't belong at the end of a book, but at the beginning of one.

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