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Changeless: 2 (Parasol Protectorate) Paperback – 1 April 2014

by Gail Carriger (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,307 ratings
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.

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  1. Book 2 of 5
    Parasol Protectorate
  2. Print length
    432 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Orbit
  5. Publication date
    1 April 2014
  6. Dimensions
    13.97 x 3.56 x 20.83 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    0316401773
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0316401777
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Product description

Review

"Changeless is the equal to Soulless: witty, sexy, graceful, and unpredictable. With a few more novels this delightful, Ms. Carriger will be challenging Laurell K. Hamilton and Charlaine Harris for the top of the New York Times bestseller lists."--Fantasy Magazine on Changeless

"Soulless has all the delicate charm of a Victorian parasol, and all the wicked force of a Victorian parasol secretly weighted with brass shot and expertly wielded. Ravishing."--Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians on Soulless

"Carriger debuts brilliantly with a blend of Victorian romance, screwball comedy of manners and alternate history. . . . This intoxicatingly witty parody will appeal to a wide cross-section of romance, fantasy and steampunk fans."--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) on Soulless

"Carriger has created a wonderfully detailed world that is just one step to the side of our own."--sfrevu.com on Changeless

"The dialogue is as smart and snappy as ever, full of intelligent humor and artful verbal sparring."--All Things Urban Fantasy on Changeless

"The second episode in the 'Parasol Protectorate' should win it even more fans. I'm already hooked."--Locus on Changeless

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger writes 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. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She resides in the Colonies, surrounded by fantastic shoes, where she insists on tea imported from London.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orbit
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 1 April 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316401773
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316401777
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 381 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 3.56 x 20.83 cm
  • Book 2 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Parasol Protectorate
  • Best Sellers Rank: 332 in Steam Punk
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,307 ratings

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  1. Gail Carriger

    Gail Carriger

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Gail Carriger writes comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance (and sexy urban fantasy as G. L. Carriger). Her steampunk books include the Parasol Protectorate, Custard Protocol, Supernatural Society, and Delightfully Deadly series for adults, and the Finishing School series for young adults. She is published in many languages and has over a dozen NYT bestsellers. She was once an archaeologist and is overly fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea. gailcarriger.com

    Subscribe to Gail's newsletter ~ The Chirrup! http://gailcarriger.com/chirrup

    See more on the author's page
  2. G. L. Carriger

    G. L. Carriger

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Gail Carriger writes comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance (and sexy urban fantasy as G.L. Carriger). Her steampunk books include the Parasol Protectorate, Custard Protocol, Supernatural Society, and Delightfully Deadly series for adults, and the Finishing School series for young adults. She is published in many languages and has over a dozen NYT bestsellers. She was once an archaeologist and is overly fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,307 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot engaging, with one review noting its many twists and turns. The writing is witty and sharp, making it easy to read, and customers enjoy the entertainment value, with one mentioning it made them smile and giggle multiple times. The characters are totally engaging, and one review highlights the well-developed female lead. The pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how it beautifully intertwines additional elements.

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PlotWitEntertainment valueReadabilityCharacter developmentPacing
17 customers mention ‘Plot’13 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, finding it interesting with many twists and turns, and one customer notes it's a perfect combination of supernatural elements.

"...The plot is interesting and the end of the book has a great new storyline set-up for the third book, Blameless - which I am now desperate to read!" Read more

"Book two with Alexia Tarabotti gets off to a great start in chapter one...." Read more

"...A wonderful witty read. The characters are totally engaging and a good story as well...." Read more

"...The only issue I had with this was the cliff-hanger nature of the ending. Apart from that it was a wonderful fun read." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Wit’15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's wit, finding the writing sharp and easy to read, with one customer noting its boundless sarcasm.

"...unique and physical as in the first book, not soppy and romantic, but funny and entertaining...." Read more

"...The Parasol Protectorate books are very easy reading, although I did need a dictionary on a few occasions!..." Read more

"...It was still witty, most of the time, well observed and definitely entertaining...." Read more

"...All with that delicious tinge of humour, which makes these books such a fun experience...." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Entertainment value’14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and enjoyable to read, with one customer noting it made them smile and giggle multiple times.

"...as in the first book, not soppy and romantic, but funny and entertaining...." Read more

"The Parasol Protectorate is a fun series with great characters that is simply enjoyable to read...." Read more

"...that delicious tinge of humour, which makes these books such a fun experience...." Read more

"...Really good holiday reads if you don't want something to taxing. I have no doubt I am going to enjoy the entire series." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Readability’10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent read.

"...Carriger handles this exceptionally well with a perfect balance of exactly what’s needed to settle you right back into the read like you’d never..." Read more

"...Still a good read which made me smile and giggle more than once." Read more

"I loved these books and have bought the sequels...." Read more

"Excellent, as always from Gail Carriger. I have read and re-read her books so many times...." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Character development’9 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters engaging, with one review highlighting the well-developed female lead and another noting the inclusion of gender fluid LGBTQ characters.

"The Parasol Protectorate is a fun series with great characters that is simply enjoyable to read...." Read more

"...It beautifully intertwines additional elements and situations with expanded character insights...." Read more

"...Alexia is a brilliant character, she is exactly what you've always wanted historical heroines to be - sassy, feisty and a minefield of ettiquette...." Read more

"...A wonderful witty read. The characters are totally engaging and a good story as well...." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Pacing’4 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one mentioning how it beautifully intertwines additional elements, while another notes how it provides lots of world-building.

"...It beautifully intertwines additional elements and situations with expanded character insights...." Read more

"...always wanted historical heroines to be - sassy, feisty and a minefield of ettiquette...." Read more

"...It has just the right mix of originality and fan-service when it comes to Steampunk, Romance and Supernatural beings...." Read more

"...Though I think this is slightly weaker than its predecessor, I'm glad I finally got round to it as it's still a lot of fun...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • P. Dhinsa
    5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant second book in series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This book continues on from Soulless, I think that the books do need to be read in order to fully comprehend the situation and understand how all of the characters fit into Alexia's life. Alexia still has her parasol, but now an upgraded James Bond version. For those who have not read the first book, the series is set in the Nineteenth century where werewolves, ghosts and vampires are the norm. Alexia is the only preternatural in London, a person without a soul, who with her touch can take away supernatural powers. Alexia is highly intelligent, half-Italian and too brown, too curvy and too exotic to be considered attractive in society. Still Lord Maccon (a werewolf alpha) finds her very attractive.
    Alexia is now married to Lord Maccon, and the relationship is still as unique and physical as in the first book, not soppy and romantic, but funny and entertaining. In Changeless we see many of the characters travel to Scotland to visit Lord Maccon's old pack. They are there to investigate a strange moving phenomena, where all supernaturals in an area lose their powers and stay mortal.
    I found this book to be even better than the first, the writing is witty and sharp. The plot is interesting and the end of the book has a great new storyline set-up for the third book, Blameless - which I am now desperate to read!
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Rob Ash
    4.0 out of 5 stars Slower paced but just as entertaining as book 1.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Book two with Alexia Tarabotti gets off to a great start in chapter one. Continuing series editions can be tricky: too much recap and reintroduction and you’ll alienate diehard readers, but not enough and the casual reader could end up lost and confused. Carriger handles this exceptionally well with a perfect balance of exactly what’s needed to settle you right back into the read like you’d never even been away.

    Instead of what could easily be considered a necessary chore, I thoroughly enjoyed being reacquainted with known characters and their world. It beautifully intertwines additional elements and situations with expanded character insights. All with that delicious tinge of humour, which makes these books such a fun experience.

    This addition to the series feels more relaxed than the first, it's not in too much of a hurry to deliver action or force plot. Forward progression is periodically put on hold as the author indulges in character antics and entertaining interactions. Unnecessary to the overall story, but these happenings are always amusing and a welcome expansion to the personalities we already love.

    These character indulgences can de-emphasise the importance and progression of the story and the reader’s focus on it. This isn’t a negative by any means, but it is different to what you usually expect from standard novels with their dedicated focus on driving the story to conclusion. Personally, I like to indulge in character personalities and their quirks, especially when they are as colourful as those Gail Carriger has created.

    I’ve said it many times before. Modern books are in too much of a hurry to get to the finale. I for one like to meander and drink in the world and its inhabitants. Nineteenth-century writing is utterly mesmerising for this technique, and I lament the lack of this style of writing in our time. So thank you, Gail Carriger, please meander to your heart’s content.

    Plot-wise the driving premise behind much of the goings-on in Changeless is intriguing, and I don’t think I’ve come across its like before. Although, since I’m not a fantasy reader, that may be an outlandish claim to make. A moving, widespread infection/affliction, affecting all supernatural beings, despite their kind or origin, really gets the mind ticking. I’m intentionally avoiding giving you specifics here, for obvious reasons. Although the title gives a pretty big clue.

    Negatives? If I were really pushed, I might say the driving story doesn’t expand a great deal, but for reasons previously given, I didn’t mind too much. I was also hoping for more of the original duo antics from the insufferable Lord Maccon and the long-suffering Lyall as we saw in book one. But hey, there are more books to come.

    Oh, one final thought, happenings in the last few pages utterly gutted me!
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  • Read Me
    5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure, werewolves and a passion for parasols!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 May 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Alexia returns in this second novel to Victorian London a happily married woman, still minus a soul and now the Alpha-in law to a large pack of werewolves. So when she awakes one morning to find her husband Lord Maccon shouting at their resident ghost about matters supernatural she decides to investigate for herself. She soon discovers that the werewolf and vampire populace are becoming human within a certain radius. A changeless werewolf is a vulnerable werewolf so concern all around - Alexia herself becomes under suspicion as her soulless state induces these very conditions. So in order to prove that she is not the cause of some new weapon she has to follow the source of this condition; leading her straight to the former pack of her husband in Scotland. Combine this with a French hat-maker, a scandal raising best friend, some attempts at murder and a fraught dirigible journey and Alexia's life gets very complicated.

    Alexia is a brilliant character, she is exactly what you've always wanted historical heroines to be - sassy, feisty and a minefield of ettiquette. Lord Maccon is still all roar and bluster with his amorous intentions towards his wife still a principal distraction for him. Their relationship is still based upon wit and some dashing verbal altercations. For me this is one of the main appeals of the novel (and the series) while the language and manners are all very proper and correct, Alexia and Maccon are both incredibly forthright and often rude with sarcasm knowing no bounds. Carriger's style of writing is detailed, after all this is the Parasol Protectorate and outfits must match accordingly with accesories. In keeping Alexia's new parasol has received a Bond-ish upgrade and now includes poison darts, acid and other tricks.

    The novel skips along at a good pace, each chapter leading you into the next until you realise you've read half the book! Its been a while since I read anything that left me grinning from ear to ear but Carriger manages it beautifully. If you like your history a little alternative, if you like your supernatural with a pinch of realism, if you think heroine's should do the rescuing as well as being rescued or if you just fancy something that will make you laugh out load every now and then - then this is for you. Read it's prequel Soulless snap this one up then order the next tile Blameless. Long may this series reign.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 May 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The first book was a gift and even before I finished I decided to purchase the second, third and forth books! A wonderful witty read. The characters are totally engaging and a good story as well.

    The Parasol Protectorate books are very easy reading, although I did need a dictionary on a few occasions! Really good holiday reads if you don't want something to taxing.

    I have no doubt I am going to enjoy the entire series.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Eloise
    5.0 out of 5 stars Alter Mumienzauber und grantige Werwölfe
    Reviewed in Germany on 10 October 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Schon die ersten Seiten von Changeless (Brennende Finsternis) lassen erkennen, hier wird es wieder genauso absurd komisch wie im ersten Teil Soulless (Glühende Dunkelheit). Angereichert mit der gewohnt charmanten Prise Steampunk kommt der spitze Humor in Form britischer Trockenheit wieder frühzeitig in Fahrt und treibt die Mundwinkel in die Höhe. Skandalöse Kleidungsstile sowie der obligatorische Sonnenschirm, in dem sich ein ganzes Arsenal an tödlichen Waffen verbirgt und der ein bisschen an James Bonds Kollegen Q denken lässt, lassen darüber hinaus keine Wünsche offen.

    Während die Handlung dieses Mal etwas löchrig geraten ist, wurden die Figuren deutlich besser ausgearbeitet als im Vorgänger. Sie haben mehr Tiefe, mehr Persönlichkeit und wirken kurzum solide. Diese Nähe zu den Charakteren macht es einem leicht, sich von der Geschichte und ihren urkomischen Wendungen mitreißen zu lassen. Manch nervtötender Persönlichkeit möchte man da trotz ihrer Zierlichkeit gerne auch mal den Damenschuh in das fein zurechtgemachte Hinterteil treten.

    Auch sprachlich ist Changeless wieder ein Highlight. Im Gegensatz zur deutschen Ausgabe kommt im Original natürlich auch der schottische Akzent in voller Pracht zum Vorschein und strapaziert gemeinsam mit den hitzigen Wortgefechten die Lachmuskeln zusätzlich. Schon allein deswegen macht das Original noch mal eine ganze Ecke mehr Spaß. Daneben fällt auch immer wieder auf, wie intensiv sich Gail Carriger mit den Details zu ihren Romanen befasst, seien es nun die Verhaltensregeln und Manieren, wissenschaftliche und technische Erfindungen oder die Beschaffenheit viktorianischer Mode. Mit einer sichtbaren Liebe für all diese Details schafft es die Autorin, wieder ein lebendiges Bild ihrer Welt zu zeichnen, ohne sich dabei in ermüdend langen Beschreibungen zu ergehen.

    Mit Changeless liefert Gail Carriger erneut eine paranormale romantische Komödie ab, in der Geister, Mumien, zeterndes Weibsvolk und schottische Werwölfe in Kilts ihren großen Auftritt haben.
    Besonders fies ist jedoch die letzte Wendung und der damit verbundene Cliffhänger zum Schluss. Da sollte man sich unbedingt den 3. Band, Blameless (Entflammte Nacht), frühzeitig zulegen und bereithalten.
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  • BookishChick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Addicted to Carriger
    Reviewed in Australia on 11 January 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I am positively addicted to this woman's writing, Gail Carriger is the Houdini writer, you will read her book and disappear into another world, praying that the audience never finds you again! I can't thank her enough for giving me an escape when I needed one the most. I have no idea of the news in the real world, my family feels I'm rude and my house is in neglect but la, they will survive without me whilst I escape to the next book and the next, I shall be holidaying for weeks in the world this wonderful Carriger has created and I shall feel no remorse, not a lick!
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  • Stephanie C.
    4.0 out of 5 stars "What's wrong with you ? Are you ill? I forbid you to be ill, wife."
    Reviewed in France on 18 January 2012
    Verified Purchase
    La vie maritale offre à Alexia l'occasion de s'envoyer en l'air, par dirigeable, et de découvrir l'Ecosse et ses kilts, avec un aplomb tout à fait remarquable. Il faut dire que la paranaturelle a déjà frôlé la mort par deux fois, c'en est assez pour rouspéter et fourrer son nez dans les affaires de son mari, de plus en plus cachottier. Alors que tous deux affrontent son ancienne meute de Kingair, un phénomène d'humanisation frappe les créatures surnaturelles, sans raison valable. Comme c'est étrange ! De plus, la meute est rancunière et veut protéger ses secrets, mais Alexia n'en peut plus de faire semblant et brûle de mettre les pieds dans les plats. La connaissant, cela promet d'être virulent. Et de nouvelles rencontres, comme la modiste française, Mme Lefoux, aux allures excentriques, sèment le trouble dans l'esprit de notre héroïne, ça et les déboires sentimentaux de miss Ivy et la soudaine obsession lubrique de sa soeur Felicity, quel chantier ! Je ne sais plus si je suis amoureuse de l'univers de Gail Carriger, ou de ses personnages, ou de l'humour, ou même de l'intrigue bien fournie et mystérieuse, sans oublier le point final, crucial, mémorable, impitoyable. Tout ce que je sais, c'est qu'il ne faudrait pas attendre trop longtemps pour dévorer la suite. Miam !
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  • Alpha Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Jolly good!
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 April 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I am completely in love with Gail Carriger and her `Parasol Protectorate - Alexia Tarabotti' series.

    I ate up her first book, `Soulless' - and I have to admit there was a small part of me that wondered if Ms. Carriger could capture lightening in a bottle twice. Well, `Changeless' undoubtedly proves that - yes - she jolly well can!

    In this book we learn some very dubious and interesting things about the late Mr. Tarabotti, Alexia's father. Carriger also reveals some very large tidbits about Lord Conall Maccon and his old Highland werewolf pack.
    Alexia continues to impress and my fictional girl-crush grows. She is such an unconventional leading lady for this 18th century London setting - she is a veritable Amazonian warrior in trim-lace, and she's back to her wonderfully witty self in `Changeless'.

    Ms. Carriger also introduces a cast of new and wonderful secondary characters. There's the wonderfully androgynous inventor, Madame Lefoux who is hired by Lord Maccon to create a weapon-parasol for Alexia. Lefoux is a really fantastic character; Alexia and readers are never entirely sure if we can trust her, but we like her nonetheless. She wears men's clothes - cravats and top hats - and it's positively delicious to read her not so subtle flirtations with Alexia, which Alexia is completely clueless about.
    Then there's Alexia's stepsister, Felicity Loontwill, who crashes Aliexia's investigations and is foisted upon her as a traveling companion. Felicity is deliciously devilish, and lives up to the `evil stepsister' cliché.
    One of Lord Maccon's werewolf military leaders is also introduced - Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings. If the name sounds pompous, the man himself is even worse. He has only a small role in `Changeless', but it generates the most laughs and I sincerely hope he becomes a series regular.

    Of course Lord Connall Maccon, London Alpha, is back and sweetly gruff. He and Alexia are completely smitten and adorable, their scenes are an absolutel delight.

    Vampire toff Lord Akeldama also returns, along with his italic-speak and sweet endearments; "daffodil!". He is definitely a favorite of mine, along with his `delicious' drone, Biffy. These two enter a scene and hilarity ensues!

    The writing itself is an absolute treat; scrumptious and voluptuous. Carriger's prose reminds me of Oscar Wilde, with a dash of Joseph Heller, Jane Austen, H G Wells and Jules Verne thrown in for good measure. Her writing is an absolute feast. And the best thing is that Carriger's love of the `Steampunk' sub-genre is unmistakable. It's clear in her describing a dirigble, `glassicals' and a new invention of a dirigible-attached teapot. She loves this alternate reality and her writing of this modern 18th century is a delight because her love of the genre is infectious.
    I am crazy about this series. So far this is the only Steampunk I've read, and I do keep meaning to wade deeper into the Steampunk waters... but I'm afraid the bar has been raised to such great heights by Ms. Carriger, that anything else I read in the sub-genre will fail dismally by comparison.

    `Changeless' is wonderful, of course. But the ending will send fans reeling. Don't read the blurb for book #3 `Blameless' until you've read `Changeless'... because there are BIG, HUGE spoilers.
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  • Trixi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
    Reviewed in Italy on 11 December 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely love this serie: the characters are funny and the book is well written. It is fresh and original.
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