_magorso's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
buffy_garden's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I had high hopes for this book initially, but I feel like it lost steam towards the end. Maybe that's because it's a series and it wanted to leave the reader wanting more, but I felt ready for it to end. I really enjoyed the writing and the characters and wish it would have been a stand alone book. Also felt some the the characters/ characterizations were offensive and outdated.
laurareadstoomuch's review against another edition
4.0
This is super cute story about Alexia Tarabotti who is an older Italian "spinster" very set in her ways - happy to be single, and very apt to get involved where people don't think she should. Alexia doesn't have a soul - which means that a simple touch from her turns a werewolf, vampire, etc - human for the time being. When she accidentally kills an attacking vampire (who shouldn't be attacking) she gets herself caught up in the middle of a religious/scientific plan to end all supernatural beings and has to partner up with her enemy/friend Scottish Lord Maccon, a werewolf - and the head of the BUR. They, of course, are perfect together and fight crime together (kind of). Super cute - victorian, historical romancy, crime fighting, strong female. Great read. good banter
falcarragh's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
How can an author produce such a horrible piece? I have read 'The Finishing School' series and was amazed. So I thought I'd give this a try. Now I'm considering to toss the book into the paper bin. So there might be some use of it.
I despise it when people create worlds with rules to just ignore them. A few examples..,
- A werewolf can smell the bloodline of a vampire but is tricked by bloody humans and some chloroform?
- A werewolf in charge of an investigation is not taken additional precautions fully aware how many supernaturals have been abducted. And sends out no warning?
- The best informed vampire is 'surprised' by the same old white mans group? He'd stay home alone when other vampires in the same situation have been disappearing?
- Scientist who want to know all about prenaturals but then leave her alone with a werewolf? Not watching? Not documenting? And thereby theaten to lose their biggest hope of eliminating supernaturals?
- Smexy time during a life threating abduction while your best friend is being tortoured?
The whole book is full of plot holes and inconsistencies. And characters without a clear agenda.
It saddend me, because I was so excited to read more by this author. This was most definitely one of the wotrst books I've read in the past decade.
I despise it when people create worlds with rules to just ignore them. A few examples..,
- A werewolf can smell the bloodline of a vampire but is tricked by bloody humans and some chloroform?
- A werewolf in charge of an investigation is not taken additional precautions fully aware how many supernaturals have been abducted. And sends out no warning?
- The best informed vampire is 'surprised' by the same old white mans group? He'd stay home alone when other vampires in the same situation have been disappearing?
- Scientist who want to know all about prenaturals but then leave her alone with a werewolf? Not watching? Not documenting? And thereby theaten to lose their biggest hope of eliminating supernaturals?
- Smexy time during a life threating abduction while your best friend is being tortoured?
The whole book is full of plot holes and inconsistencies. And characters without a clear agenda.
It saddend me, because I was so excited to read more by this author. This was most definitely one of the wotrst books I've read in the past decade.
kmmk21's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ashnight's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. I was laughing at all the interactions between alexia and Conall. I do wish there was more to the hedgehog part of the story. Cannot wait to read more of their stories.
saluki's review against another edition
4.0
A fun Victorian paranormal mystery/romance. Not very steampunky but lots about Victorian manners and ettiquette.
Alexia is a feisty, smart, curious and opinionated 'spinster' who is preternatural... a rare human with no soul who can nullify supernatural powers with a simple touch. Great armour too when she's attacked by a vampire and inadvertently kills him. It's soon apparent that new vampires are being made while older ones are vanishing. Queen Victoria appoints alpha werewolf Lord Maccon to investigate and meetings between Lord Maccon and Alexia are a test of wits and patience; he being rough and gruff and Alexia trumping most arguments through intellect and reason. Their bickering and banter is such fun. Yet:
"He has been mad for you these many months, ever since you prodded him in the nether regions with a hedgehog."
Really. Not always the Victorian lady, then.
"That woman," Lord Maccon spat,"is definitely alpha and most certainly female.”
Astonishing. And parties? Pah! She's only there for the food. Got to love her.
And, the side characters are likeable too, none moreso than flaming vampire Lord Akeldama whose personality is infectious. But there's much more to this vampire than meets the eye.
Solid fun start to the series.
Emily Gray narrates the audiobook and does a great job of distinguishing accents and characters, and good pacing during action scenes. A perfect fit for the crisp, clipped yet sometimes playful or even haughty tone of Alexia. I don't think I direct accents in my head without it being phonetically spelled, so Lord Maccon's Scottish dialect wouldn't register true if I'd read the book. I'll definitely be continuing the series listening to the audiobooks as it added that extra enjoyment.
theatomicpirategirl's review against another edition
4.0
Victorian steampunk adventure with vampires, werewolves…and wait? What’s that? A soulless heroine with sass and spunk? Where do I sign up?
All you publishers sure know how to get this girl to pick up your book and read it, and that is with cover love. The title was catchy, set in a unique print. You show us our hero, Alexia Tarabotti, looking fierce and strong with her awesome umbrella and misty gray London background. Thankfully, this was not just case of cover love…the story was actually very good.
We follow Alexia around as she gets involved in the case of vampires appearing without a hive and werewolves disappearing. Alexia is unique in the paranormal world as she is soulless, and being soulless, she as the ability make a vampire and werewolf temporarily human. As long as she is in physical contact with the individual, they are human. Which proves to be most handy when near the end of the book Ms. Tarabotti is kidnapped and all sorts of shenanigans go down.
Alexia Tarabotti is an interesting and fun character, filled with proper Victorian values that she up holds to the letter, but does tend to push the envelope when it comes to Lord Maccon. Their interaction is fun and light hearted at first, but then turns all hot and steamy rather quickly and from out of absolutely no where. Alexia’s family did make me laugh in their ridiculousness and how they tend to embarrass Alexia.
I did have a hard time at first getting into this book and it could have been the writing style. However, the action and mystery picked up and the villains were a nice balance of mustache twirling bad guy and smart and clever dastardly evil doers.
This was a nice read that made the flow and combination of steampunk and paranormal. The ending left me with an arched eyebrow and glad that I had picked up this book from the library. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
All you publishers sure know how to get this girl to pick up your book and read it, and that is with cover love. The title was catchy, set in a unique print. You show us our hero, Alexia Tarabotti, looking fierce and strong with her awesome umbrella and misty gray London background. Thankfully, this was not just case of cover love…the story was actually very good.
We follow Alexia around as she gets involved in the case of vampires appearing without a hive and werewolves disappearing. Alexia is unique in the paranormal world as she is soulless, and being soulless, she as the ability make a vampire and werewolf temporarily human. As long as she is in physical contact with the individual, they are human. Which proves to be most handy when near the end of the book Ms. Tarabotti is kidnapped and all sorts of shenanigans go down.
Alexia Tarabotti is an interesting and fun character, filled with proper Victorian values that she up holds to the letter, but does tend to push the envelope when it comes to Lord Maccon. Their interaction is fun and light hearted at first, but then turns all hot and steamy rather quickly and from out of absolutely no where. Alexia’s family did make me laugh in their ridiculousness and how they tend to embarrass Alexia.
I did have a hard time at first getting into this book and it could have been the writing style. However, the action and mystery picked up and the villains were a nice balance of mustache twirling bad guy and smart and clever dastardly evil doers.
This was a nice read that made the flow and combination of steampunk and paranormal. The ending left me with an arched eyebrow and glad that I had picked up this book from the library. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series.