Josh Reviews: Timeless by Gail Carriger

Timeless by Gail Carriger
Series: Parasol Protectorate #5
Published by Orbit
Published on: March 1st, 2012
Genres: Steampunk, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves
Pages: 386
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed

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Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss.

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.  

Timeless, as a finale, does a lackluster job.   Few, if any, questions are answered to satisfaction.   As if to spite its last book status, a whole ‘nother narrator is introduced to play significant second fiddle to Alexia.

This split plot line is not wholly unexpected.   In fact, since book two, the ‘Less books have made use of unneeded jumps in perspective.   But enough about the disadvantages!

All the favorite characterizations return with one or two important new (and fun) ones that put the fluff in kerf(l)uffle.   Four or five spectacular setpieces for perusal.   Another member for the Parasol Protectorate.

When one breaks it down like this, the entertainment value becomes clear; however, the sum of the parts, as I began to hint at, leads one to believe certain character arcs will be resolved which are most distinctly not.

Perhaps it has to do with my miscomprehension of the book’s genre.   Whereas I am encouraged to believe through the repeated invocation of tasks and goals I am reading a dramatic work, the presentation of nearly everything is saturated in gaiety.

Far be it from me to anticipate any gruesome consequences, etc. when the worst to happen will be social bungles and bad manners.

Bear in mind, there were many expectations riding on this entry. It was anticipated that the complete arc would wrap up in such a way as to recall its beginnings, handing out nice, warm, and fuzzy feelings all around.

Instead the ending leaves one quite out of the loop, as it were void from the proceedings without a definitive thought/keepsake/scene to take away.   Probably I am just being selfish and despairing of the potent loss when there was so much potential for me to have something to take away.

Consider all the setpieces from the previous entries and all the mishaps and because they do not add up, nary one is invoked as the curtain drops, one is left at one’s degenerate leisure.

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