The Blurb :
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 damper 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?
My Review :
The Parasol Protectorate was a series I only started reading by accident. It wasn't even something I thought would be 'my cup of tea' but within pages of the first book, Soulless, I was addicted and fell in love with the whole cast of characters and the world they lived in. Now after five books the story of Alexia Tarabotti has come to an end. Timeless ends the series and ties up all loose ends. The story that leads us to the conclusion is however just as amusing, action packed and superb as all the books before it.
Two years have passed since Alexia gave birth and moved into Lord Akeldama's closet. The arrangement seems to be working well and I have to admit one of the funniest parts of this whole book is Prudence. Now a toddler she is hilarious and had me giggling and laughing out loud on many occasions. This lovely child really made the book and really seems to be influenced a lot by the vampire who has adopted her.
The rest of the book is pretty much filled with what fans have come to expect. Alexia being her usual demanding but delightful self and Lord Maccon annoying her by stripping off his clothes and turning into a werewolf in front of whoever is around. Then you have Ivy and her awful theatrics and hats while Floote manages to keep everything running smoothly but also shows his true colours. This time around Biffy takes a bigger role and of course Professor Lyall holds down the fort while the majority of the characters run off to Egypt.
As plots go this was a goody. There was quite a few surprises and twists but generally it all works up to Alexia getting answers and rounding things up. I enjoyed the trip abroad and loved being kept in the loop about the London side of things but missed Lord Akeldama just a little. He made a huge presence at the beginning but then he was hardly seen or heard from during the rest of the book which is very unlike him. Also I felt that Alexia's family could have made more of an impact. They always make for fun reading.
While I am sad to see this series end I am glad that the author didn't try and keep things going just to sell more books. This was an excellent story and the best Steampunk I have come across so far. The paranormal elements fit in nicely and the author has a brilliant eye for detail that makes the world even more inviting. I also have to give the author a huge thumbs up for her Britishness. As a Brit myself it is nice to see an author getting it right for a change.
If you haven't already read this series now is your chance to swallow it all up in one go. I highly recommend! However I warn you that you may have to laugh out loud so it is best to read this one at home and not out in public. Already reading the series? You can't miss this one. Don't wait for it to go down in price or put it off because you have so many other books to read. The story is too good to wait any longer.
I look forward to anything else this author brings out and am looking forward to the gossip about a follow-up series with Prudence and the Finishing School Series. Unfortunately we have a long wait before either appear on the shelves but they will be must buy, must read and will go on my pre-order list as soon as possible.
