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Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3)

by Gail Carriger (Goodreads Author)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 13,040 ratings · 1,443 reviews

Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, t...more

ebook, 254 pages

Published September 1st 2010 by Orbit

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Sep 14, 2010 Mistress ~ ♠ Mistral's Kiss ♠ ~ (Mist) rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: speculative-fiction, steam-punk, series, fails-to-thrill-me-anymore

Souless was down right magical. Changeless had it moments but was all over the place. I probably would've have never finished it if a pal hadn't told me a spoiler connected to bk 3; that compelled me to push through so I could read Blameless. Blameless was slightly less irksome than Changeless, but still had whole sections where I had to force myself not to skim.

I'm not a big fan when slews of new characters are introduced, or too much focus on introduced side characters that don't significantly...more

16 likes · like · see review

Dec 03, 2011 Denae rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: the-fuck-is-this-the-fuck-was-that, sweet-sweet-luuuuurve, read-in-2011, challenge-1010-by-2020

I don't know quite how I would explain why I love Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series so much, but I really do. While not so good as the others, Blameless has that same mixture of wit and "d'aww" reaction that I enjoyed in the previous books. As always, Alexia is involved in crazy adventures and Conall rages about wildly. Well, that isn't all, but it does take up a fair amount. Basically, I continue to recommend these books to those who like Regency romances, even though these are set in...more

5 likes · like · see review

Nov 11, 2010 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: steampunk, romantic, historical-fantasy

3.5

Another fun and witty entry, though perhaps not quite as good as the others. Still, couldn't bring myself to give it anything less than 4 stars. I did still quite enjoy it - enough to finish it in two days.

I especially liked seeing so much of Professor Lyall and Floote.

Conall was forgiven too easily, but at least he realized how much of an ass he was and went to some lengths to make amends.

And, best of all, this one did not end in a dreadful cliffhanger, though there are quite enough thread...more

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Aug 30, 2010 Katie(babs) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When we last left Lady Alexia Maccon, she had been thrown out by her husband Conall due to her being pregnant. Seeing as Conall is a centuries old werewolf, there is no possible explanation for Alexia to be pregnant with his child. He comes to the conclusion that she cheated on him and turned her out. (Conall never stops to think that because Alexia is soulless, and when she touches a supernatural creature, she makes them human. So perhaps while they are intimate, there is a possibility he could...more When we last left Lady Alexia Maccon, she had been thrown out by her husband Conall due to her being pregnant. Seeing as Conall is a centuries old werewolf, there is no possible explanation for Alexia to be pregnant with his child. He comes to the conclusion that she cheated on him and turned her out. (Conall never stops to think that because Alexia is soulless, and when she touches a supernatural creature, she makes them human. So perhaps while they are intimate, there is a possibility he could get her with child). Alexia has no choice but to move back home with her mother, step-father and two annoying sisters who blame Alexia for their hardships in not finding any men to marry. Alexia is more than perturbed, not only by her husband's disregard, but the fact she's been saddled with an, "infant-inconvenience" as she calls the fetus growing in her womb. She can hardly keep anything down and her appetite has wasted away, another horrid side affect to her pregnancy. This is a woman who loves to eat and now she can't find joy in even that.

And the fact that Alexia is mark for extermination by the vampire community make things very hard indeed. She is almost killed by a group of mechanical ladybugs that infest her carriage. She captures one in a hat box and goes to see Madame Lefoux, a scientist, inventor and owner of a hat shop. Alexia has no one else to turn to, not even her good vampire friend, Lord Akeldama, who can give her sanctuary. He has gone missing, and now without the protection of her husband, Alexia and the baby she carries are marked for death. She needs to figure out how and why she has gotten pregnant so she can show her husband that she hasn't been canoodling with another man. She, along with Madame Lefoux, and her dead father's former valet, Floote, will travel to Italy, not only for Alexia's safety but to find her roots, since her father was Italian and a soulless like she is.

Italy is just as precarious as England, with vampire assassins following their every move and the religious group of the Templars who welcome Alexia, but with disdain. They believe Alexia is a demon and have a devious plan regarding her. With only her specially made parasol as a weapon, and her analytical thinking, Alexia, as always, must save herself.

Blameless is book three in Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series. The reason I read these books is because of the character of Alexia. She is so very adorable with her thinking and dry wit. This woman gets in to so much trouble and, even with the possibility of death breathing down her neck, all she can think of is food. The reason she loves Italy is because of the pesto. But unfortunately for Alexia, her child causes her a great amount of grief. She isn't sure how she should feel toward her unborn baby. She is fearful she doesn't have maternal instincts and may not care for her child. Her goal in finding out why she is pregnant moves along the story, and for once you see a more delicate Alexia. She's hurting a great deal because her husband has cruelly turned his back on her. Alexia maybe very vocal about Lord Maccon's fault, but he is the only one who has given her true affection, something she can no longer live without.

Now where do I start with Conall Maccon, the alpha of the werewolf pack of London? I'm deeply perturbed by his actions and the way he has treated Alexia. If you're expecting him and Alexia to have a great deal of interaction in Blameless, you will be very disappointed. I was peeved, not only by the way Conall is portrayed this time around, but when he comes to the conclusion how wrong he was about Alexia, it was very, very lacking. The word grovel comes to mind.

I was less than please in the outcome of Alexia and Conall's relationship because Conall didn't do enough, in my opinion, to have Alexia forgive him. The so-called grovel scene was unbelievably lacking. The man even has the nerve to be upset that Alexia didn't do enough on her part to try and make him believe her. I felt robbed in that sense and I hope in the next book that Conall will move Heaven and Earth to make Alexia happy.

Blameless is fun reading and I adore Alexia so much. I love her attitude, the way she looks upon the world and the non-stop loopy adventures she finds herself in. Even though one part of Blameless was less than satisfactory for me, I do look forward to Heartless and can't wait and see how the Maccons start a family.
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Dec 18, 2010 Shannon (Giraffe Days) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, fantasy, paranormal, shape-shifters, steampunk, vampires

I think the gloss is falling off this series for me. I had fun with the first one, and I do still enjoy the stories and the characters, but they are becoming more annoying and I'm finding myself less and less patient with Carriger's style and tone here. It's so exuberant and so determined to be silly. She rather belabours the point, especially in her trying "Britishness".

This third outing follows on from the dramatic ending of book 2, Changeless - which I won't spoil, not to worry! But it does...more

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 16, 2010 Donna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: steampunk, fantasy, library

Faced with private heartbreak and public scandal, Alexia loses her strongest protection just as she needs it the most. She leaves for Italy, hoping to avoid dangerous enemies and learn more about her preternatural state. Alexia's search might get her some answers, but it also leads to a new danger.

I enjoyed the travel and adventure aspects of this one, and it was nice to see the people Alexia left behind in England dealing with the threats on that end. But Conall's behavior at the end of the pre...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jun 10, 2011 Sho rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · like · see review

Sep 21, 2012 Renae M. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, urban-fantasy, steampunk, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, victorian

I didn’t want to read Blameless. Carriger had set herself up for all kinds of problems in the last scene of Changeless. This book was all set up to be a sort of mixed-communication/marital confusion plot, which I, honestly, do not care for at all. As a result, I honestly thought I would hate Blameless.

I actually didn’t.

Carriger really surprised me with the direction she took Blameless. It wasn’t even remotely annoying, and though there was definite Conall/Alexia unpleasantness, it didn’t take t...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: oldbooks-historicalfiction, vampires-werewolves-ohmy

I'm in the middle of this one and finding it most entertaining. Here's an example of the fun. Vampires are attacking Alexia and her friends:

The vampires pressed closer.

"Now, see here, couldn't we discuss this like civilized beings?" Alexia, ever one for form and courtesy, was in favor of negotiations whenever possible.

None of the vampires responded to her request....

Alexia thought this dreadfully boorish. The least they could do was answer with a "No, killing is all we are interested in at the m...more

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May 25, 2012 Sue CCCP rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-written

4.5 Stars

My full review: http://coffeecookiesandchilipeppers.b...

As with the second book, Changeless, we see Alexia’s world expanding. Geographically, we move through France and Italy, which allows us to see how these two cultures have reacted differently to the total acceptance of the supernatural races that we see in Britain. This increases the complexity of the world quite significantly, especially once we get to Italy, which has little resemblance to our version of the country. The Italians...more 4.5 Stars

My full review: http://coffeecookiesandchilipeppers.b...

As with the second book, Changeless, we see Alexia’s world expanding. Geographically, we move through France and Italy, which allows us to see how these two cultures have reacted differently to the total acceptance of the supernatural races that we see in Britain. This increases the complexity of the world quite significantly, especially once we get to Italy, which has little resemblance to our version of the country. The Italians actively seek out and destroy any supernaturals that they discover, using the magical properties of pesto to protect themselves. The whole idea that pesto is a way to make a person unpalatable to both races is simply delightful and indicative of how Ms Carriger’s fiendish mind works.

We also see a massive expansion in Alexia herself, and I do not mean in the size of her abdomen. As a preternatural, she had always assumed that she was basically heartless, but here we see that she feels emotions very deeply indeed. She is totally distraught by Conall’s rejection and refusal to believe her. She finds this all the more frustrating because she cannot think of a reason why she should be able to be pregnant by a man who is basically dead. Her grief and frustration turns to anger and she holds onto that fierceness whenever she falters. It is also very touching to see how she develops feelings for the ‘infant inconvenience’ as time goes on and she starts to become more comfortable with the idea of her situation.

Conall is given a rather minor role, which mostly consists of drinking vast quantities of formaldehyde in order to stay insensible. However, this allows the wonderful Professor Lyall to shine as he takes control of the Pack, tries to support his Alpha and solve the mysteries of the ladybug attacks and the disappearance of Lord Akeldama. To add to his troubles, various powerful werewolves attempt to steal the Alpha position whilst Conall is unavailable. Of course, Lyall rises to the challenge wonderfully and it was nice to see him acting independently. The same could be said of Ivy, who steps in to run Madame Lefoux's hat shop during their trip to Europe. She is now married to Tunstell and we see her being sensible and thinking for herself, which reminds us why Alexia chose her as a friend in the first place. Even Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings manages to develop and become less of an irritation.(less)

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Aug 19, 2011 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Now that's more like it! I freely admit that when I started this book, I didn't have very many hopes for the story, beyond a conclusion to the "cliff-hanger" from Changeless. I was pleasantly surprised to get so much more than that.

The easy, charming, undeniably witty writing that so captivated me in Soulless was back with a vengeance. I found I was once again pleased to be running alongside Alexia, Floote, Madame Lefoux, Lyall and Conall. They were true to their first introductions (and a bit m...more

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Aug 02, 2011 David Edmonds rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2010, read-2011, steampunk, signed

Gail Carriger, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: La Diva Tarabotti. Lord Akeldama. Pesto. Formaldehyde. Templars. Biffy. Floote. Lord Maccon. "Parassault." Killer ladybugs. Vampires. Werewolves. Seriously, I could just go on and on and on about how I love Gail Carriger. And what do all of these tidbits (and more!) add up to? The latest, delicious volume in the Parasol Protectorate series.

Spoilers Ahead!

Blameless, the latest offering from Gail Carriger in her Parasol Protectorate series,...more

9 likes · like · see review

Sep 14, 2010 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: steampunk, paranormal-romance

I have been waiting for this book since that evil cliffhanger in book 2, the one that had me craving this book. It may not have been an evil cliffhanger in this book, but I still want book 4. But the wait, oh so long.

Spoilers from previous books will follow.

Alexia has moved in with her horrible family after Conall threw her out, that wicked beast, but then he is dead, and she is pregnant. To get to bottom of this she heads to Italy and to try to get some answers from The Templars, who hunts all...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jun 18, 2012 Cedar rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, ghosts, werewolves, romance, steampunk, urban-fantasy, paranormal, english

I love the whole world that has been created in The Parasol Protectorate, however.... It's so annoying when you start a review with a however! For me I felt that this book lacked some of the humor through observation that the previous two had.

Alexia is still her stubborn self, coated in tight fitting corsets, figure flattering dresses and one ugly but useful parasol, however for one so observing, it is disconcerting to see her not notice the advance of Madam Lefoux's advances. In saying that wh...more I love the whole world that has been created in The Parasol Protectorate, however.... It's so annoying when you start a review with a however! For me I felt that this book lacked some of the humor through observation that the previous two had.

Alexia is still her stubborn self, coated in tight fitting corsets, figure flattering dresses and one ugly but useful parasol, however for one so observing, it is disconcerting to see her not notice the advance of Madam Lefoux's advances. In saying that why does Madam Lefoux, for all her trouser dressing, top hat wearing splendor need to be gay? It feels as if stereotypes were laid in the second, and stuck to by the third.

As for the 'infant-inconvenience' as Alexia referred to her 'condition' through the book.... Inconvenient being that its sparked a mass of homicidal humans and supers chasing in its wake, across continents and from the wilderness to 'orange' Florence... All without the support of her Lord Maccon, oh my, big swoon sigh...

So where oh where would the little wolf be??? At home, drunk for the best part of most chapters. By the time that the two star crossed characters (sarcasm people) reunite there is definitely a little let down with how that played out. Yes he did care the whole way through (some people may have forgotten that) as when he thought her guilty as sin, he still sent a wolf to shadow her journey, and 'save' her at times of imminent despise, and did turn up at the end... I didn't want grovelling, just maybe maybe a little more feeling behind what was the reason for the whole drive of the book in the first place. Just felt a bit last minute.

Again the character that Gail Carriger seems to give most love and care to is still outstanding, and that would be Professor Lyall, who balances the illogical of the book with his logical approach. He is, for me, one of the highlights of the whole series, and does not disappoint in this one either. Also it is Prof. Lyall that gives Ivey her due, noting her intelligence, and the fact that maybe she just likes to play the blonde...

I have a gripe to make; what is with Alexia's selfish disregard of the friends and family around her? Through each novel we have seen her poke fun at Ivy, make statements of her stupidity, and complain of her fashion and gossipy ways, yet Alexia herself loves a good gossip with Lord Akeldama??? Secondly in this book, she turns to Lord Akeldama to find solace however he has relocated without telling her anything, except a random code with a cat... She gets annoyed at this and never worries about him, one of her closest friends???

Last thing (promise, on this book at least ;) the whole serious is touted as Steam Punk.... yes its set it the correct time, yes there are a few inventions that are mentioned, however most are things that already exist in today (and in today's last century England) that have just been made more nonsensical... Example glassicals (glasses) / ascension room (elevator).... a very goofy looking version of today's glasses / a very noisy jolty version of today's elevator / lift. If you are looking for a steam punk novel, read this, but just not for that purpose. The book does have little inventions peppered throughout, though they are not thick in the field.

So the important question: Would I read the next novel in this series??? Yes I've already ordered it...

I love Gail Carrigers world, and even though was not impressed with this one, I think that was partly because there was too much going on, and therefore Carriger didn't spend as much time developing the characters as she did in the previous two novels. Its still a cool idea, still cool settings, and despite Alexia's selfish ways I still like her. I like Prof. Lyall, and Lord Maccon. In fact I like them all... Gail can we be friends?

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Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-paranormal

Reviewed by Rebecca for www.BookChickCity.com - 3.5 Star on the blog.

*This review contains spoilers for the ending of Soulless and Changeless*

BLAMELESS by Gail Carriger picks up where Changeless left off, with preternatural Alexia pregnant and cast out by her werewolf husband, Conall Maccon.

As the news of her pregnancy is published in the local papers (with the implication of infidelity), she is then cast out by her family and forced to seek the help of loyal butler Floote, inventor Madame Lefou...more

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Aug 30, 2010 Kerstin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: steampunk, werewolves-shifters, vampires, read-in-2010, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 10, 2010 Lady Valee rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy

This book was just TERRIBLE! Definitely the worst I have read in quite a while. I'm only giving 2 stars to it because I still love the characters and the sense of humor the author has, but seriously this book was so not worth it. Since page 1 to the last one I was praying for it to end faster. It took me forever to finish it and only because I just could not stand any of the pages in it.

First of all, there is NOT any romance in this installment. The previous ones had not much as well but this on...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Corrina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read my full review at wadingthroughbooks.wordpress.com!

It’s nice to see Alexia’s renowned pragmatism break down a little here. She is deservedly furious with Conall for not believing in her truthfulness and fidelity, but she is also very hurt. Conall is likewise hurt and too proud to admit it, preferring to delve into Professor Lyall’s store of formaldehyde to quite thoroughly pickle himself. Fortunately for Alexia’s pride, Conall is the one who has to apologize since he was the one totally in...more Read my full review at wadingthroughbooks.wordpress.com!

It’s nice to see Alexia’s renowned pragmatism break down a little here. She is deservedly furious with Conall for not believing in her truthfulness and fidelity, but she is also very hurt. Conall is likewise hurt and too proud to admit it, preferring to delve into Professor Lyall’s store of formaldehyde to quite thoroughly pickle himself. Fortunately for Alexia’s pride, Conall is the one who has to apologize since he was the one totally in the wrong, and Alexia savours that apology. I am amazed that Alexia manages to refrain from whacking her husband on his furry head with her parasol, so matter how richly he deserves it. Alexia and Conall have a wonderful relationship–they both remain exactly who they are, and they prove in this book that while they can live without each other, they can’t do it well, and they’ll bloody well drive everyone around them crazy until they get back together. When they’ll still drive everyone around them crazy. Oh well, can’t have everything, and the quarreling is really better than the crying and drinking, and how Alexia handles the situation.

We continue to learn about preternaturals and Alessandro Tarabotti’s life, but mysteries remain (of course they do, there’s two more books in the series!). Alexia is determined not to like her infant-inconvenience that has so thoroughly messed up her life (like mother, like daughter apparently), but it is a part of her and of Conall, so she reluctantly loves it even though it is putting her off her food.

It is an entertaining as ever to see the Templars’ reactions to Lady Alexia Tarabotti Maccon, especially when they take her prisoner. She may be only a woman, and a pregnant, aristocratic one, and without any powers like fangs or superhuman strength, but woe betide the one who thinks that makes her weak, stupid, or easy to control! Alexia is an excellent example of the oft-discussed and even more oft-misunderstood strong female character. She is not a strong female character, she is a strong character who happens to be female. She has a lot of flaws (a lot a lot of flaws), but she also has her strengths, and when she makes mistakes she whacks people over the head with her parasol until they are fixed. Now if only all problems were so easily solved…

This book, and this series, are excellent for people who love Victorian satire and characters who kick ass very politely.
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May 17, 2013 Madeline Knight-Dixon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If I only had one word to describe this series, it would be fun.Everything about them is fun. The characters are fun, the plot is fun, the hilarious English-ness of the main character is fun, just the entire novel. It’s such a pleasure to read because of its levity, while still focusing on a compelling plot line.

So after the super cliff-hanger that the second one ends with, this novel takes off running right from the beginning. There is hardly a page wasted. While it’s almost impossible to talk...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Tonileg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, ya-reads, vampire-porn, mystery

Third novel in this series and I am devoring it quickly because I must know if Lord Maccon is as big a jerk as he seems after his terrible scene at the end of the last novel, changless.
Lady Maccon, Alexia is doing her best to keep her chin up while her real friends are making themselves known (the minority) and her real enemies and careless acquaintances are rejecting her (the majority). Even Queen Victoria suspends (indefinitely) her post in the Shadow Council. Not to mention her best vampire f...more Third novel in this series and I am devoring it quickly because I must know if Lord Maccon is as big a jerk as he seems after his terrible scene at the end of the last novel, changless.
Lady Maccon, Alexia is doing her best to keep her chin up while her real friends are making themselves known (the minority) and her real enemies and careless acquaintances are rejecting her (the majority). Even Queen Victoria suspends (indefinitely) her post in the Shadow Council. Not to mention her best vampire friend, Lord Akeldama has disappeared when she has so many questions, like why are all the vampires trying to kill her? Did she make some faux-pas. Although Alexia should have gotten used to people trying to assassinate her since it seems to happen every other month or so.
Alexia decides it is a good moment to take in the trip to the continent, as any one escaping scandal in London high society will do to hide until the scandal blows over. She takes with her Madame Lefoux and her secretary Mr Floote (an all human team endeavor).
In the meantime, Lord Maccon is drowning his sorrows in liquid refreshment in order to not think about how his wife cuckolded him. Once he comes around to sober sanity he must send out his formal apologizes because Alexia was always true to him, it is only they find themselves in a unique position.
Professor Lyall in the mean times is keeping the Woolsey werewolf pack in order as well as the BUR offices and investigating the missing Lord Akeldama. So Lyall is very busy.
The trip to the continent is quite violent and I find that Alexia is fast and responsive even though she has a bun in the oven making life difficult. I love the evolution of her ambivalent feelings for the child, she hates it, then ignores to finally accept it. Really the timing is great as the last Maccon human as just turned into a werewolf so it is time to make another Maccon (human?). There were the usual overabundance of plot twists, but the writing is so clear and smooth that it goes down easy. Another good story!
374 pages although the story is 355 pages and there is a chapter of the next novel attached.
3 stars(less)

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Nov 26, 2012 Tom rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

OK, so I may have spent most of Thanksgiving break reading this series... Hey, they're fun reads.

My one complaint is that I feel that maybe the plot is getting stretched out needlessly across multiple books. The author could probably have compressed 'Changeless' and 'Blameless' into one book without losing much. There is a major ongoing plot arc that runs through both books (and, I suspect, into the next). Because of this, the books don't really stand on their own, plot-wise. I think speeding t...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Elaine rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, steampunk, vampires, were-animals, 2stars

I'm trying to recall if I've ever been angry at a book the way I am angry at Blameless. Rarely does a spectacular first-in-a-series such as Souless fall so far from grace in the subsequent installments in the series.

Where to even begin? I hate, loathe, abhor, and detest Conall. I can't even adequately describe it. He is, without a doubt, the worst. After turning out his pregnant wife and calling her all manner of horrible names, he has the nerve to get drunk and be generally useless. How lovely....more

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Oct 09, 2012 Hp Tan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Honestly a 3.5 starred review, but having given Changeless 3 stars, I did so wanted to make it up somehow, and Blameless was, in my opinion, better than Changeless was.

Like many, I can't believe how easily Alexia forgave Lord Maccon -__- I mean, I thought those reviewers expected grovelling, etc., but now I see their point... There was almost no mention of the hurt and despair that Alexia had felt, rather disappointing in that aspect. The Lord Maccon grovelling is always a pretty sight.

Blamele...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Joshua Burns rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

Managing to make up for the habbernabberies of its predecessor, Blameless only falls short in that these books were not combined into one super book. It is safe to say that this will be a series warranting revisiting if only for the inordinately alliterative Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings and the descriptions of hats. To be more specific about how this book improves on its predecessor: it does not hustle us out the back door with an aching cliffhanger,...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Caroline rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, series, fantasy, romance, paranormal

Interesting plot but starting to feel a bit repetitive. Unfortunately, I think I am wholly to blame. I read an interesting article the other day about our culture's propensity for instant gratification combined with mass consumption when it comes to movies and books. The marathon sessions in which one reads an entire book series or watches an entire season's worth of tv episodes seem like a good, even great, idea. "I want it all and I want it now!" Unfortunately, like a child that tries to eat t...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Olga Godim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-scifi

An enjoyable romp, although logic is lame at times. Alexia, estranged from her husband and under a death sentence from the vampires, leaves England for Italy. But the vampires’ minions find her everywhere. How? The author doesn’t specify.
On the other hand Alexia, resourceful as always, comes out of those encounters invariably the winner – with the help of her friends and her stuffed with armaments parasol. Some of her escapades are so absurd that you can’t help laughing, even though the heroine...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Laurie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

‘Blameless’ is the third installment in the Parasol Protectorate series. In this one, Alexia Maccon is on the outs with her husband, on the run from mechanical ladybugs, dismissed from the Shadow Council by Queen Victoria, and chucked out of her mother’s home. Her friend Lord Akeldama has fled London himself. All she can think to do is seek the help of the Knights Templars, who might have some explanation as to the physical state she is in, which started the entire ruckus. This turns out to be b...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Cornerofmadness rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Honestly, this was more 2.5 stars than 3. This series is sliding quickly. The whole story seemed like a bridge to something. It picks up where it left off, with Alexia pregnant and thrown out of her husband’s home because he’s a werewolf and everyone knows that werewolves and vampires are the undead. They can’t father children. All of London society has turned on her for being slutty, and just like at the end of the last book almost no one thinks ‘hey, as a soulless preternatural who turns the s...more Honestly, this was more 2.5 stars than 3. This series is sliding quickly. The whole story seemed like a bridge to something. It picks up where it left off, with Alexia pregnant and thrown out of her husband’s home because he’s a werewolf and everyone knows that werewolves and vampires are the undead. They can’t father children. All of London society has turned on her for being slutty, and just like at the end of the last book almost no one thinks ‘hey, as a soulless preternatural who turns the supernatural human, might not making love with one turn them human enough to father a kid.’ Professor Lyall is finally beginning to think that way but Lord Maccon, alpha and Alexia’s husband, has been drunk for nearly a month since he threw Alexia out.

She decides to go to Italy especially since the vampires seem out to kill her and her ally, Lord Akeldama is missing in action. In the company of her father’s retainer, Floote and her lesbian steampunk inventor extraordinaire, Alexia goes off to keep safe and to see if she can track down any other record of a child like her ‘infant-inconvenient.’ It’s possible the Knights Templar might know but they’re as likely to kill her as help her. In the meantime, Lyall has to get Maccon sober enough to talk to sense to before his wife is killed.

It’s mostly just a chase story as Alexia is on the run from start to finish. It’s not bad but honestly there are plot holes you could drive a truck through. The whole above thing with the preternatural turning the supernatural human is just one of them. Another major one is that Floote knows that Italy is dangerous for Alexia. He knows what the Templers did to her father, having been among them for years (it was hinted Floote could have been one of them). He doesn’t warn her other than to say it’s not a good idea. How about a ‘hey, THIS is what they did to your dad and your kind in general.’ Also the entire biology is off for the pregnancy unless you want to play the barely human card. She can’t be more than eight weeks pregnant, ten on the outside given the time line in the last two novels. Fetal movements aren’t felt until nearly the fifth month, about eighteen weeks in so she shouldn’t be feeling half of what she does.

But the most annoying thing is the constant comments about Alexia’s weight. If she’s going to be fat, then don’t put a stick figure on the cover. If she has a few extra pounds, quit with the comments. I counted five references to her weight in the first twenty pages and to the end we have this gem. ‘He made the most delicious huffing noises when she cast herself swan-like on top of him. Well, perhaps more like a beached sea-mammal-like than swan-like.’ Seriously, it’s just rather insulting and annoying (and seeing it this context I think I’ll stop calling myself a whale, too. It looks self pitying and offensive.)
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Jun 25, 2012 Gail rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm going to copy the same review to the last four books of this series. It is rare that I read a series one right after another because I usually lose steam or interest. This series is the exception. I've edited the first one to reflect the fact that I enthusiastically read the whole series one after another. Well developed characters, a narrative that ends satisfactorily with the most of the ends tied up nicely but not conclusively. You are happy to live in the notion that these wonderful char...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Caly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbt-characters, lycanthropes, steampunk, strigoi, england

Words cannot express how much I love this series. I finished Changeless and wanted to strangle Conall so badly that when my Da decided to go to the city to go to Lenscrafters, I pleaded to go to Barnes & Noble to pick up Blameless.

The book did not disappoint at all. While the side characters aren't necessarily fleshed out as I would like, we get so much more explanation about preternaturals and supernaturals, the Templars, The Order of the Brass Octopus -- and why the series is called The P...more Words cannot express how much I love this series. I finished Changeless and wanted to strangle Conall so badly that when my Da decided to go to the city to go to Lenscrafters, I pleaded to go to Barnes & Noble to pick up Blameless.

The book did not disappoint at all. While the side characters aren't necessarily fleshed out as I would like, we get so much more explanation about preternaturals and supernaturals, the Templars, The Order of the Brass Octopus -- and why the series is called The Parasol Protectorate.

In this foray into the world of Lady Alexia Tarrabotti Maccon, she has been ejected from Woolsey, and living at home until news of her condition reaches polite society. She is forced to leave London, her position as muhjah and the protection of both pack and Queen removed. She decides to head to Italy to try and discover more about preternaturals and her condition from the people who know best -- the Templars. This is only hurried on by the desires of many vampires to kill her, and homicidal clockwork ladybugs.

She is accompanied by the loyal Floote and the irrepressible Genevieve Lefoux, while Ivy Tunstell (Yay, my little shipper heart was much pleased) takes over Genevieve's shop in their absence.

Meanwhile, Conall has been living in a state of inebriation from drinking formaldehyde (which reminded me of the habit of marijuana smokers soaking their joints in the stuff for a similar effect) leaving the Pack in disarray and in the overworked hands of Professor Lyall. Add to this the worrying complete and total disappearance of the usually impossible-to-ignore Lord Alkeldama, and the fact that pesto was created as a weapon against vampires and werewolves and this book is a fantastic hard-to-put-down read.

A lot of reviewers were against how quickly Alexia reconciled with Connall, but I found it appropriate, especially since she let's it be known that she's far from done -- and his distance was hurting her terribly.

Oh, and it led to a brilliant quote I think describes Alexia perfectly:

"Couldn't I just whack him once? Just a little one, over the head? He would hardly notice."

I love Alexia.
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About Gail Carriger

Ms. Carriger writes steampunk urbane fantasy comedies of manners to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. She then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She now resides in the Colonies, surrounded by a...more

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Quotes from Blameless

“I mean to say, really, I am near to developing a neurosis - is there anyone around who doesn't want to study or kill me?"
Floote raised a tentative hand.
"Ah, yes, thank you, Floote."
"There is also Mrs Tunstell, madam," he offered hopefully, is if Ivy were some kind of consolation prize.
"I notice you don't mention my fair-weather husband."
"I suspect, at this moment, madam, he probably wants to kill you."
Alexia couldn't help smiling. "Good point.” — 70 people liked it

“I have died and gone to the land of bad novels.” — 69 people liked it

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Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3)

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