Timeless: Book 5 of The Parasol Protectorate

Gail Carriger

Mar 2012 · Parasol Protectorate Book 5 · Hachette UK

About this ebook

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a dampener on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

***Also available as a manga adaptation***

Ratings and reviews

"Timeless" is the 5th book in 'The Parasol Protectorate series' by Gail Carriger. I was not familiar with this series and had no idea what to expect. I do not usually listen to vampire books but the cover of this one caught my eye. I found the tale fascinating. There are vampires, ghosts and werewolves galore in this tale. Lady Alexia Taraotti Maccon and her daughter are summoned to Alexandria, Egypt. Matakara demands their presence. The family packs their bags and head to Egypt by steamship. There are several other high energy threads woven into the plot. The wolf pack is working on the God-Breaker Plague mystery. The ending of this book brings all the threads together and ties them up in a pretty bow. While this book is a paranormal mystery it is filled with romance and wit. The plot is fast-paced and kept me eagerly listening. I very much enjoyed the character of Alexia. She is amusing, independent and snarky. Her daughter Prudence is quite a handful and she sort of reminds me of mine except without the fangs. I felt as if I had been dropped into the middle of a series (which I was). These books need to be read in order to truly understand the nuances of the characters. I do intend to go back and read the first four books in this series. If I understand correctly, this is the last book in this series. I am sad to see this series ends just as I find it. Something about this book vaguely reminded me of the 'Amelia Peabody series' by Elizabeth Peters. Perhaps Amelia and Alexia have similar personalities.

Screwball comedy and witty banter coupled with excellent storytelling make for an enjoyable read. I loved the whole series.

About the author

Ms Carriger began writing in order 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.