Crossing Over: Historical Fantasies Full of Humor and Adventure

Hey all. It's been awhile since my last Crossing Over post. If you're not familiar with Crossing Over it's a feature that stemmed from my desire to recommend an adult book with crossover appeal based on a YA or sometimes Middle Grade book that are similar. I hate that we pigeonhole books into a specific age range and so I try to combat that. Plus it's basically an if you liked, then try but for crossover books. It runs once a month (usually) here and I pick the books based on the theme of what I'm reading. So this month my theme is historical mystery and honestly that was a pretty hard one for me. I feel like I don't read a ton of adult historical fiction and the ones that I do are very different from the YA I read. So I had to repeat a book. But it's been almost a year since I used it and the comparison is just so perfect I had to.

Jackaby by William Ritter
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This book is set during the mid-19th Century and is about a women who gets a job working for a paranormal detective. It does a great job combining all those elements together to make something you would not think would work but totally does. There's a great setting full of historical vibes, supernatural creatures, and a great mystery. The series definitely gets better and more complex as it goes on which makes it even more enjoyable.

But I think my favorite part of this book may have been the characters. This is a book that is full of fantastic and complex characters. Seriously, most of the characters in this book were incredibly fun and super likable. I instantly fell in love with Jackaby with his wit and Abigail for her sarcasm and pluck. Plus the secondary characters are all so delightful. And the romances. I'm not one for shipping but I ship these ships for sure.

Plus this is a book that is so much fun. It's full of action and adventure but it is also full of humor. I found myself laughing out loud while reading this book and it is the perfect palatte cleanser because it is just so fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously but if you're a historical fantasy, how can you.

In general, it's a good read and an interesting mystery. It's a done of fun and one of my all-time favorite series. If I have not done my job and convinced you to read it yet then you haven't been paying enough attention over the years.

Soulless by Gail Carriger
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This book is set during the mid-19th Century and is about a women who gets a job working as what is essentially a paranormal detective. It does a great job combining all those elements together to make something you would not think would work but totally does. There's a great setting full of historical vibes, supernatural creatures, and a great mystery. The series definitely gets better and more complex as it goes on which makes it even more enjoyable.

But I think my favorite part of this book may have been the characters. This is a book that is full of fantastic and complex characters. Seriously, most of the characters in this book were incredibly fun and super likable. I instantly fell in love with Alexia Tarabotti with his sass and Conall Maccon who is gruff and so kind. Plus the secondary characters are all so delightful. And the romances. I'm not one for shipping but I ship these ships for sure.

Plus this is a book that is so much fun. It's full of action and adventure but it is also full of humor. I found myself laughing out loud while reading this book and it is the perfect palatte cleanser because it is just so fun. It doesn't take itself too seriously but if you're a historical fantasy, how can you.

In general, it's a good read and an interesting mystery. It's a done of fun and one of my all-time favorite series. If I have not done my job and convinced you to read it yet then you need to read any of my Gail Carriger reviews because I've loved all of them

Besides the fact that both of these are historical  mysteries that involve paranormal elements, I would say that the main similarities are that they are light-hearted and fun. I really love books that don't take everything to seriously and can make me both laugh and be on the edge of my seat and these totally do that. Plus they combine so many things that shouldn't work and totally do. I love both series and totally recommend them.

Have you read Jackaby and/or Soulless? What did you think? What historical fantasies with crossover appeal do you like? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Timeless by Gail Carriger

*** This is the fifth book in a series, so if you haven't read these books, proceed with caution. But seriously, has my marathoning of the series not convinced you to read it if you haven't yet? No? Then I have failed you.***

Title: Timeless Parasol Protectorate #5 Written by: Gail Carriger Published: March 1, 2012 by Orbit (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: 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?

This series is over and I'm sad. My marathoning of it has taken a little over a month and I'm not ready to let it go. I may need to start reading Prudence right away! Because I really did love reading it. It's such a fun and thrilling series and the last book did not disappoint.

For one thing I love these characters so much. I was already attached to a few of them after reading the Finishing School books and I got quickly attached to the rest in these five books. Carriger definitely knows how to develop a quirky cast of characters and make them likable and complex. Every last one of the characters in this book is amazing in their own way. I loved learning more about them in the course of this book but there are still so many questions I need answers to.

As far as the characters go, no one makes a bigger impression that Alexia, the main character in this series. I loved her immediately and enjoyed her just as much five books later. She's the perfect strong female protagonist, tough, resourceful, and mouthy. But at the same time she's caring and reckless. I appreciated more than I thought I would seeing her as a mother. It was a different dimension for her. And on that note, Prudence? Baby Prudence was so fun. I am anticipating all the sass from her in the Custard Protocol, which I could not be happier about.

But while the characters are amazing, that's just the tip of he iceberg for this series. I continue to be incredibly impressed by the depth of this world. In every book we explore one more facet of the supernatural and steampunk Victorian era. It's such a perfect combination of Urban Fantasy and Historical Fiction. And the corner of the world we got to experience her was fascinating. I loved going to Egypt and learning more about the God-Breaker Plague, among other things. It combines history, mythology, and fantasy in such a brilliant way which I really enjoyed. Although I do still have a ton of questions about stuff.

And the plot too here was really compelling. It may not have been as thrilling as some of the other books but it was definitely engaging. As always there was an interesting mystery element that kept me guessing and a good amount of action scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. I also think it did a really good way of wrapping up the series by bringing back up and resolving elements that were introduced much earlier in the series. It didn't totally have an overarching plot point but it was complex enough that I enjoyed the callbacks and ultimate resolution.

All in all this was a really great read and a good ending to a series that I loved. It's been such a fun and exciting series to read. I wish I had read it years ago when I was first introduced to it but I'm glad that I took the time to read it now.

To be honest, I loved t so much that I'm not ready to let it go. I kind of want to now terra the Finishing School series and then read Prudence. Or maybe I'll read all the short stories! Oh Gail Carriger, I wish I knew how to quit you. No I don't. I never want to quit you!

I give Timeless by Gail Carriger 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you haven't read this series you absolutely need to. I totally loved it. It is the perfect comnbination of humorous and thrilling, history and fantasy. I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it enough.

Have you read Timeless? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Heartless by Gail Carriger

*** This is the fourth book in a series so if you have not read Soulless, Changeless, and Blameless proceed with caution. But seriously, read them because I am obsessed with this series and I'm only marathoning it now.***

Title: Heartless Parasol Protectorate #4 Written by: Gail Carriger Published: July 1, 2011 by Orbit (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.  Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

So good! This book was oh so good! This may have just outpaced Soulless as my favorite book in this series. It was really phenomenal. I have been marathoning this series for the past few months and I am absolutely loving it and this book is the perfect example as to why.

I have always absolutely loved Gail Carriger's books for the characters and that was totally the case in Heartless. You will often find me complaining about books with large casts of characters being confusing and it hard to keep the characters straight and that is not the case here at all. There's a massive cast of characters here and they are all memorable, unique, and amazing. I honestly get excited when someone comes back into the story because they are so fun and quirky. And of course I loved this one because two of my favorite secondary characters, Lord Akeldama and Madame Lefoux, had a bigger part in the book and the eventual plot development (more on that later). We also got to learn a lot more about some of the characters which made them all the more engaging and interesting.

However the focus of the book is of course Alexia. I am absolutely in love with her as an MC. Her voice is specific and in the course of four books I have become so enamored with it I think I'm adopting some of her speech patterns. But honestly, a person could do worse for a role model than Alexia Maccon. She is brash, tough, and intelligent. She gets up to all kinds of adventures and even being nine months pregnant she didn't let that stop stop. I just love how tough, resourceful, and kickass she is. I'm a fan, big fan.

Speaking of adventures, this book is so full of them. There are some serious shenanigans in this book. Like all the rest of the books in this series, the main plot is full of mystery and adventure. But I think my favorite thing was that it slowly developed into a really thrilling conclusion. I mean it really all some together during the last couple of chapters in the most interconnected and inopportune way. I was actually stressed out by how it was all going to be resolved, that's how exciting it was. And the even better thing about this plot was how it is self-contained and so subtly connected to the larger plot of the series. There were so many unexpected callbacks to previous books and I could not have been more excited about that.

A lot of why I think it all connected and that those callbacks were so interesting because this is a series with a truly amazing world. This is a series with tremendously complex world. I keep saying this but it keeps being true, it shouldn't all work together but it does. The steampunk, the historical elements, and the supernatural elements all combine to make something complex and interesting. But there is also a real history to this world. It's honestly no surprise to me that there are two separate spinoff a from this series, one prequel and one sequel, because the world is so well-formed. In this one we learn so much about the past, including more than one surprise and twist. It's a little strange to me because I have read the Finishing School series before and the fore have knowledge that readers who read the series in release order don't have but it still had me intrigued and surprised. But then again, I love this world so much that the more I learn the better.

I'm really loving this series and am so glad I decided to take the time to finish it after years of wanting to read it. It a seriously thrilling and hilarious read with amazing characters, a plot full of adventure, and an intriguing world. This book was amazing and I can't wait to read the last book to find out how it all ends!

I give Heartless by Gail Carriger 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy! I have been marathoning this series and every book I tell you to buy it so this one should come as no surprise. But in the rare case that you have not completed or started this series yet, do that now. It is such a fun and action-packed series with amazing characters. I am loving it.

Have you read Heartless? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Blameless by Gail Carriger

*** This is the third book in a series so if you have not read Soulless and Changeless proceed with caution. But seriously, read them because I am obsessed with this series and I'm only marathoning it now.***

Title: Blameless Parasol Protectorate #2 Written by: Gail Carriger Published: September 1, 2010 by Orbit (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: 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, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.  While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto.  BLAMELESS is the third book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Another fantastic book in the Paradol Protectorate series. I am absolutely spying through these book. They are so fun and the perfect combination of action, adventure, mystery, and silliness.

For one thing, I just adore these characters. I have become so attached to them in the last three books (7 books for some of you count the Finishing School series). First and foremost I love Alexia. She really is such a spitfire. She's sassy, intelligent, and resourceful. I love seeing her in action and she continues to make me smile. Lord Maccon too is fantastic despite the fact that he was very frustrating in this book. I still love him and love their relationship. I can't wait to see them develop, especially as parents.

I also really enjoy the secondary characters here. Some of my favorite from the Finishing School series are still favorites here like Madame LeFoux, who will always be Vieve to me. I feel like there is still more to learn about her and I like learning it. Same thing with Lord Akeldama who was only minimally involved but affected the book in a big way. In this book too we got a lot more of Professor Lyall which was really interesting as well.

But the characters are not the only interesting thing about this book. This is a book full of action and adventure. By now I should expect the hijinx and shenanigans that this series is capable of and yet it still manages to surprise me. This is a plot where you have to expect the unexpected. There was a lot of different perspective and storylines here but in the end they came together in a complex and interesting way that was full of thrilling moments that had me surprised and enthralled.

But I will say, this felt like a middle book. As far as the pacing of the larger story it did feel a little bit basic. There was a lot of attention spent on something that I'm sure will come into play later but it didn't feel like it was enough to fell a whole book. It felt a little bit like filler or the kind of book that serves as a bridge between books. These kind of books are needed for the series as a whole, but when you're reading them it can seem a little stunted. I'm ready to continue on with it though.

And I'm also ready to explore more of the world. I continue to be blown away by how well Gail Carriger is able to create a world and a setting that brilliantly combines elements of historical fiction, steampunk, and supernatural fantasy. It shouldn't all work together but it does. It works to make a fascinating backdrop for the story. There was a lot of focus on preternaturals here and this kind of scientific approach to them that the book has been touching on and was explored even further. I'm also so curious to learn more about what their child will be and what they will be capable of as they only are just starting to explore that and why the other supernatural set, particularly the vampires, are not happy about this. I know there is more to learn and I am really excited to learn it as the series develops.

I am really loved this book and I'm definitely enjoying this series. I'm so glad that I'm finally taking the time to read it and I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm so invested in these characters and it's a series that is full of action, humor, and mystery.

I give Blameless by Gail Carriger 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you are following along with my marathoning of this series you will know that I am loving these books. If you are late to the party like me and you like steampunk or supernatural fantasies then get your hands on these books.

Have you read Blameless? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Changeless by Gail Carriger

Title: Changeless Parasol Protectorate #2 Written by: Gail Carriger Published: April 1, 2010 by Orbit (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Alexia Maccon, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears; leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.  But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. So even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can. She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.  CHANGELESS is the second book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

I am totally loving this series. I mean that really is no surprise, I loved this author's YA series and it's set in the same world (which is fantastic). Changeless is a great sequel that expands on the world and plot of the series in an interesting way.

My favorite thing about this series is the characters. Every time I marvel at how amazing the characterizations are in these books and Changeless was no exception. We got to spend more time with some of the fantastic secondary characters from the first book like Ivy, who is so ridiculous and silly in the best possible way. I can't help but laugh at her. We also got to see more of the characters who I know very well from the Finishing School series. Some of my favorites had appearances, some in a big way. I was so excited to see Vieve again. I loved her in the Finishing School books and seeing her as an adult is so amazing.

But the real star here is of course Alexia. I totally adore her. She's totally my kind of woman, sassy and tough with a mouth like a sailor. She's up for any adventure and will attempt to solve any mystery but is far from perfect with those sorts of things. I'm loving getting to know her in this series and seeing her in action. Same goes for Lord Maccon. In Changeless we get to see Lord Maccon in a bit of a vulnerable state as he has to return to Scotland and his former pack (shout out to Sidheag and Captain Niall). I love the two of them separately but together they perfect. The banter, the flirting, the kissing scenes. I'm not usually one for those sorts of things but here I like. But I think a lot of that stems from the fact that I really love both these main characters and want to see them succeed.

The other fantastic thing about this book is the plot development. Once again this was a book that is full of action and adventure. It really is never a dull moment for Alexia. Even something so normal as travelling to Scotland because a fight for her life and it made for a thrilling read. But this is also a book that was full of mystery but a subtle kind of mystery. There are clues to hunt for and a truth to be revealed but it wasn't a totally shocking reveal but little things from earlier in the book impacted things in a big way later, which I enjoy. And I will say that it kind of felt like a totally new series. Many of the plot points and threads from the first book were not really revisited and instead new things that I am assuming will impact later books were brought up. It felt a little like a restart rather than a sequel. But on the whole it was a really great story.

But the thing that did get readdressed and expanded on here was the world of this series. I love the way this series effortlessly combines steampunk and supernatural elements into a historical setting and that's exactly how I felt here. In particular, the steampunk elements were turned way up. There was much more talk about technology and inventions here (hello, Vieve was there) which was really cool. There was also much more to learn about preternaturals and their effects on the supernatural set. I loved learning about what Alexia can do and am excited to learn more as the series develops. There was also even some political elements as Alexia takes on the role of muhjah for Queen Victoria's Shadow Cabinet and some werewolf pack dynamics as she is now alpha female. It all shouldn't work together but it does.

All in all I am absolutely loving this series. It is honestly just solidifying how much I adore Gail Carriger's work. She writes amazing characters, thrilling plots, and fascinating worlds and does it all with charm, wit, and humor. These books are simultaneously lighthearted and complex and I am totally pumped to keep reading.

I give Changeless by Gail Carriger 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If for some reason you have not finished this series and have only read the first book, let me assure you the second one is amazing. If you are looking for something fun and interesting and you are a fan of either steampunk of supernatural mysteries, check this series out. I'm loving it.

Have you read Changeless? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title: Soulless Parasol Protectorate #1 Written by: Gail Carriger Published: October 1, 2009 by Orbit (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.  Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire—and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.  With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?  SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

I have wanted to read this book for a very long time. It's been on my TBR for years. Like I learned about it when Borders were still around (RIP Borders) and yet it took me this long to read it. But I am so glad I took the time to read it because it was seriously fantastic.

I have previously read Carriger's YA series which, while written later, takes place chronologically before this series. And honestly, it was great to jump back into Gail's writing. It's full of humor, adventure, and mystery.

One of the things I loved this book is how effortlessly it combined so many different things to create a unique and compelling world. First and foremost, this is historical fiction set in the Victorian era. It addresses so many of the themes I love about books of that period especially when it comes to women and their changing place in society. But it also had great supernatural element. This is a world inhabited by vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. Carriger makes all of that seem both ordinary and interesting with complicated history, lore, and rules around the creatures which inhabit high society along with humans. And finally, it's a steampunk world. There wasn't too much of those elements but it added another interesting wrinkle to the book. But on the whole it all work together to create something so fascinating.

The plot too was absolutely fascinating. This is a book full of action and adventure. Our main character is constantly finding herself in some kind of scrape that she has to either fight her way out of or use her intellect. It made for an interesting plot and kept me on the edge of my seat. It also had a ton of mystery. Little things throughout the story all let up to a big reveal at the end which wasn't super surprising but did keep me engaged.

But I think the best part of this book was the characters. Carriger really knows how to write some quirky and fun characters. First we had our main character of Alexia Tarabotti. And I instantly fell in love with Alexia. She was such a fantastic tough female protagonist. She's sassy and spunky in the best possible way. I love that she's not afraid to show how physically tough she can be put at the same time it is her brains and resourcefulness that helps her more often than not. I also love that she has a mouth on her and that it often gets her into as much trouble as t gets her out of. She doesn't totally fit in with the society types but that just made me root for her even more. I honestly loved her.

I also loved the secondary characters. I of course rekindled my love for Lord Akeldama in this book. He was one of my favorites from the Finishing School series and it was fantastic seeing him a lot more here. And there were a few more characters from the Finishing School series that pop up and it was fun seeing them again (I'm sure most people had this in reverse). But I would be remised if I didn't also mention Lord Maccon. I am not one for romantic moments but I loved every second of this relationship. The flirting, the kissing, the scandalous moments. It was all amazing and had me swooning. I think a lot of that had to do with the banter between the characters and also the fact that I really enjoyed Lord Maccon. He's gruff and no nonsense but also really caring and sweet. I am a fan. Big fan of all these characters.

Soulless was an absolutely fantastic read and a great book that effortless combines history, mystery, and fantasy. It's hilarious and full of action, the characters are amazing, and the world is so engaging. I wasn't planning on reading the rest of the series right away but it's so good that I think I'm hooked and need to read it all now.

I give Soulless by Gail Carriger 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you are like me and you have been wanting to read this series but haven't taken the time, change that. This book was amazing and I can't wait for more. If you are a fan of steampunk and haven't checked this out or are looking for a good historical fantasy I definitely recommend this series. 

Have you read Soulless? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!