The story unfolds with Alexia (our heroine) trying to escape another tedious party she has been forced to attend when a vampire, who fails to introduce himself decides she looks like a tasty snack and what's a girl to do if not to defend herself, which ultimately results in the poor vampires demise and the introduction of Lord Maccon a rather rude and temperamental werewolf who is to investigate the vampires death. Alexia is rather perplexed by the vampires behaviour as well, as they are usually well mannered members of society and decides to investigate this unusual behaviour herself. Will she be able to do all this without running into the deliciously tempting and infuriating Lord Maccon.
This book is charming and witty and wonderfully funny. Alexia is a great heroine, she is smart and feisty and has a wicked mouth on her, she can out-wit the most distinguished members of society. I love the interactions between her and her mother and sisters, they are complete opposites and play off each other perfectly. Alexia is a spinster in the eyes of society, too old to be considered marriage material but she is also what is known as soulless, she has no soul a trait she inherited from her father as well as her Italian looks, Alexia has the ability to turn vampires and werewolves into their human form, an ability that a lot of society is interested in. Some may consider being a spinster a bad thing however Alexia doesn't she loves the freedom it allows her, the chance to be able to do and learn as much as she wants.
Lord Maccon is exactly how I imagined a Scottish Lord of that time to act. He is gruff and irritable but utterly charming, for me he is a wonderful example of both an alpha werewolf and a period gentleman.
“These feelings you engender in me, my lord, are most indelicate. You should stop causing them immediately.”
He is demanding and him an Alexia have a great chemistry, its definitely a love/hate relationship between the two of them, they are constantly fighting their attraction towards each other and their witty banter is charming and I was aching for them to hurry up and get on with it.
Gail Carriger created a great setting for these books, it's an alternative reality set in the Victorian era, its the perfect blend of steampunk and fantasy. Even though there are a few historical inaccuracies, with it being a steampunk book that can easily be forgiven. Werewolves and vampires being a common occurrence at dinner parties, people are more concerned with being a perfect hostess then what they are. It was a nice change to the usual vampire/werewolf stories.
Carriger bought to life the Victorian era for me and even though it was an alternative setting I really felt like it was a wonderful representation of that era, the wit and sophistication created a light and humorous story that was such a joy to read. It had a perfect blend of gothic atmosphere mixed with a very eccentric British behaviour
A funny and scintillating story that doesn't take its self too seriously. If you're looking for an urban fantasy with something a little different then this is the perfect book for you.
My rating: 3.5
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