Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2) – Gail Carriger
Hachette Grand Central, 2010
374 pages
RRP: $14.99
ISBN: 978-031-607414-8

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Like the first instalment in The Parasol Protectorate, Changeless is a lot of fun from cover to cover. It follows the inimitable Alexia Tarabotti as she sashays through this steampunk Victorian society inhabited by vampires and werewolves.

Now married to Lord Maccon, Alexia is faced with a new challenge. Her husband left for Scotland without her, and the rest of Maccon’s pack return from war on the Continent in order to camp on her front lawn. To add to her indignity, a strange affliction is affecting London’s supernaturals. They are affected as if touched by a preternatural like Alexia: the vampires and werewolves suddenly become human and the ghosts are exorcised. There’s only one thing for it: head to Scotland by dirigible!

Unfortunately she acquires an entourage, her best friend Ivy (excerable taste in hats), her sister Felicity (simply excerable) as well as her maid Angelique and her husband’s valet, claviger Tunstall. Amongst this circus Alexia develops a friendship with the intriguing Mme Lefoux and narrowly escapes tumbling to her death off the deck of the dirigible. And that’s all before she even reaches Scotland and meets her in-laws!

Changeless is 374 pages of witty repartee and pretty politeness. Well, politeness from everyone except Alexia really; she’s known for being blunt and proud of it. Some of the mysteries from the first novel are explained, such as the enigmatic octopus, there is some new and interesting technology, and a shocking twist at the end which makes me even more eager to get my hands on Blameless, the next instalment. It is supposed to be released this month, so keep an eye out for it.