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    Heartless
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    Heartless
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    Heartless
    Audiobook11 hours

    Heartless

    Written by Gail Carriger

    Narrated by Emily Gray

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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, 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?
    HEARTLESS is the fourth book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.
    The Parasol Protectorate
    Soulless
    Changeless
    Blameless
    Heartless
    Timeless


    For more from Gail Carriger, check out:

    The Custard Protocol
    Prudence
    Imprudence

    Finishing School (YA)
    Etiquette & Espionage
    Curtsies & Conspiracies
    Waistcoats & Weaponry
    Manners & Mutiny
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHachette Audio
    Release dateJul 1, 2011
    ISBN9781609413668
    Unavailable
    Heartless

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    Reviews for Heartless

    4/5

    907 ratings83 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Pregnant lady running around London with werewolves, vampires, and high fashion? What's not to like?

      Alexia is up to all of her old tricks, only this one she has to to it while pregnant Keeping the vampire hives happy and not wanting to murder her baby. Figuring out an assassination plot on the queen. Keeping track of her werewolf husband and the rest of the pack.

      I liked how this book gave us enough info on the mythology without detracting too much from the plot. It set it up nicely for the final. Some of the points did seem rather repetitive, and a few of the big reveals were pretty standardly predictable. Overall a good continuation of the story, and I'll be happy to finish it out.
    • 4/5
      I am really loving this series and I’m sad that I only have one book left! I’ll be checking out Carriger’s related books as well and perhaps even a Manga?
    • 2/5
      2.5 stars

      I had a hard time getting into this and, unfortunately, there wasn't too much I liked about it. The storyline did absolutely nothing for me and I wasn't as amused by Alexia's antics this time. I really like when Alexia and Connall have a lot of face time together, but they were apart most of the story. I didn't like Madame Lefoux's part in the story and I didn't care for the way the book ended. It's very doubtful that I will be reading the next book, which is disappointing as I liked the previous books in this series.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book! Yet again Gail Carriger weaves a tale with sass, mystery, fun, and supernatural elements. I really enjoy Alexia as a character and it's really fun to see her progress through adulthood, dealing with marriage, pregnancy, and being involved with supernaturals. The plot yet again thickens in this one and I can't wait to see how this series wraps up!
    • 5/5
      Lots of fun. Who could resist a heavily pregnant Alexia in battle with a mechanical octomaton?
    • 3/5
      Great fun as usual! Alexia always becomes embroiled in such complicated misadventures. There's quite a bit of stirring up the paste the Woolsey pack and also Alexia's father. A bit chaotic at the end and the consequences were a little obvious but still enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      There are times when Victorian sensibilities delight me, and times when it makes me want to bang the book against something hard. I was ready for some major vampire staking by the end of HEARTLESS, and the politic solution to the issue by no means assuaged my bloodlust. And poor little Prudence, what a name. And adoption!? I've got some social issues with all of these machinations, despite the fact that Carriger does her best to make sure that the beating heart below it all is something modern readers can relate to. Don't get me wrong, I loved this book. I laughed out loud, commiserated with Lady Macon's dirigible size, and can't wait to read more of the series. But heavens to Betsy, I would have been out for blood.
    • 3/5
      Another exciting addition of Alexia's ongoing adventures now with baby!
    • 4/5
      Read on October 13, 2011I love this series...steampunk machinations, mysteries, paranormal critters, and humor. It's kind of perfect. It's also nice to have a female protagonist that isn't ditzy & dumb, she actually thinks through a problem (of course, being soulless helps) and solves it. There are stumbling blocks along the way, but Alexia figures it out eventually and without any crazed emotions.(Spoiler if you haven't read the previous books)In this installment, Alexia is 8 months pregnant. Vampires want to kill her and someone else wants to assassinate the Queen. Alexia style antics ensue and a good time is had by all. (Also a tiny spoiler)Can't wait to see what happens next with the new living arrangements...I love the switch and think it'll make for some good times in the book.
    • 4/5
      I think this is my favorite book in the series so far. I laughed a lot.
      Though I did see some of the twists coming.
    • 4/5
      If you're looking for something light and fun with a sarcastic/tongue-in-cheek tone that has a mixture of steampunk and paranormal elements, this could be the book you're looking for. It probably doesn't stand up heavy analyzation; but I found it to be a fun, lighthearted read that had me laughing out loud in several places. In addition to its sense of humor, I appreciated the fact that despite being part of a series with a continuing storyline, the book could pretty much stand on its own. The experience is naturally a bit richer if you've read the books preceding this one, but it isn't necessary for following the main storyline. Overall an excellent sequel that lives up to its predecessors.
    • 4/5
      Alexia and company head to Egypt for some more fun with the soulless. This book is full of more secrets and deal with issues relating to Alexia and her merry band of supernatural beings. A nice filler novel, working our way up to Timeless. . Sure, there's no real depth to this series, but that's not what I'm looking for when I'm reading these books anyway.
    • 4/5
      Another highly enjoyable book from Gail Carriger. It's more a fun summer romp than a ponderous literary novel, but that's just what I love about it. The fun and the silly: brass octopii, werewolves, fancy cravats and silly hats. There were some good character revelations in this one, though I felt like the fall out should have been higher for the plot development that occurred at the end. I'll assume it gets explored in the next book. In general, that's my only real complaint with this series: reprocussions for actions and events are never as weighted as they could have been. I see it as keeping with the light-hearted fare the book excels at, but a little dark realism would be a nice touch, here and there.
    • 4/5
      If you enjoyed the previous books, this one continues the story, taking it out of London to Egypt to visit the vampire queen. Fun as always.
    • 5/5
      As usual, there's a conspiracy going on and the only person who has a mind logical enough to figure it out is Alexia. Also, someone is trying to kill her. This is my favorite Parasol Protectorate book besides the first one. The last book was weak but in this one Alexia is at her best. Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) goes to hell in a handbasket but Alexia is there to calmly pick up the pieces. I love Alexia, and Lord Maccon. I love Lord Akeldama. I love Ivy. I love hating Felicity. All sorts of history comes to light during the course of this book. It would be an excellent ending to the series, if it wasn't for The Thing That Happens At The End. Which means the next book has the potential to be even better.
    • 4/5
      I thought the plot of this one was not as strong as the others, but the characters make up for it. Alexia, at eight months pregnant is a treat.
    • 3/5
      Eh. Alexia gets into a new kind of trouble - or, I suppose, trouble happens around her. She's hugely pregnant for most of the story, and generally highly annoyed at the inconvenience, while dealing with a wide variety of plots. It starts out with the vampires trying to assassinate her - well, her child, which means her too, and a plot to solve that - Lord Akeldama will adopt the child as soon as it's born, which apparently soothes whatever fears the vampire has. Then there's the plot to kill the queen, reported by a half-mad ghost; investigating that comes up with a lot of very interesting information, particularly about the old plot that had Lord Maccon break with his pack and take over the Woolsey pack. Madame Lefoux has her own plot going; silly Ivy turns out to have unexpected depths; Alexia's sister Felicity turns out to have new shallows - and then the plots braid together, illumination comes, and at the price of the destruction of a few portions of London and the expulsion from Woolsey of the Woolsey Pack, matters are solved. More or less. Oh, and the child is born, with some very interesting abilities. The ideas are great, the writing is OK, the language is a little too precious for me. It's an interesting universe, but not one that draws me in very much. The most interesting parts, to me, dealt with bonds and connections, and the need to release them - Professor Lyall, Biffy, Madame Lefoux and her boy, Alexia's father... Glad I read it, but I doubt I'll reread. And I now intend to read the next one - again, once will probably be enough.
    • 5/5
      In this fourth book of the Parasol Protectorate, Carriger reminds me why I’ve kept reading this series: it’s as good as the first book, ‘Soulless’. In this one, the eight months pregnant Alexia finds herself on the move constantly and frantically, with attempts on her life and social engagements. Much is made of the physical inconvenience of her pregnancy; she waddles everywhere and finds her self over balancing and landing on her bustle. Cheap physical humor, but given that a Victorian lady of the upper classes was supposed to be dignified, it works. To add to her supernatural problems, Alexia’s sister has moved in with her and become a suffragette. Alexia really would prefer to deal with death threats than her sister. She and Lord Maccon have moved in next door to Lord Akeldama, the new vampire potentate, because he will be adopting the child in her belly. Meanwhile, her friend Madame Lefoux is building… something. While the first few pages are rather dull, after that things happen at a continual breakneck speed, all while Alexia tries to maintain social appearances. The dialogue is back up to par, and the climax of the story is truly great.
    • 3/5
      Still a fun, quick read.
    • 5/5
      This has to be the best installment since the debut, Soulless, again due to the fact that Alexia and Conall are together. Alexia and Conall have a lot of page time together in Heartless and they did not disappoint. Conall was endearing as the husband who would fret over every thing his pregnant wife did then almost throw a hissy fit when Alexia would waddle off to fulfill her duties for the Shadow Council. Now I usually love the side characters in this series but in Heartless I found myself not as enthused about one particular character, Lord Akeldama. Now I loved him from the moment he set foot in the series but in Heartless I found myself irritated with Alexia's exuberant Vampire friend. Ridiculousness is always welcome in my corner but sometimes you just get to the point where it's too much and I think Lord Akeldama reached it in this novel. And without giving away any spoilers, I really wasn't all too pleased about the arrangement Alexia, Conall and Lord Akeldama had made. And I'm not talking about them being neighbors.
    • 4/5
      A romp. The misunderstandings between Alexia and Maccon frustrated me in previous books...but I find I miss them here. The book is a bit middle-of-the-series-ish in a way the 2nd and 3rd books weren't, but was amusing enough that I read it in one sitting and didn't mind the lack of major plot developments terribly. "While our heroine awaits the birth of her baby, complications ensue."
    • 4/5
      As Lady Alexia Maccon expects her child, a threat against the queen has to be investigated, resulting in a lot of mysterious sleuthing and madcap adventures. A worthy addition to the series with a most intriguing ending. I'm definitely going to be looking for the next one!
    • 4/5
      The story was a little choppy, but overall quite a fun entry in the series. Alexia is very pregnant and still investigating supernatural matters in Victorian era London.
    • 4/5
      Lady Alexia Maccon returns in another incredibly witty, fun novel from Gail Carriger. After all her adventures, Alexia finds herself heavily pregnant and the subject of an investigation, as the child of a soulless and a werewolf is a highly rare thing. Despite her pregnancy, Alexia finds herself in trouble yet again, and must investigate a death threat against the queen, all while dredging up things from her husband's troubled past. It's up to Alexia to protect Queen Victoria and to fight off the vampires and others who want her baby.Complete with zombie porcupines and other wondrous mechanical inventions in a re-imagined Victorian England, Heartless is another excellent offering from Carriger and, in my opinion, better than the last novel in the series -which seemed to slump somewhat. Alexia is back and better than ever. Sad to see that the next book in the series is the last one, but I'm excited to read it.
    • 3/5
      I rejoined Ms. Alexia Tarabotti as she waddled her way through London society heavy with the "infant inconvenience" and still the favoured target of the vampire hives. What else do I have to say about this?I don't want to get to much into the plot as it is the fourth in the series. Let me just say that if you are looking for the right mix of humour, adventure and rapier wit, draped in rich satin, hatted with superb millinery skills and scented with a dash of steampunk tech wielded by a cross-dressing, debonair French inventor of the Saphic persuasion, then this is the book for you.The parasol protectorate is the perfect salve for anyone who feels frazzled by daily demands. Okay. So recommended to everyone.
    • 4/5
      Summary: Lady Alexia Macon is exceedingly pregnant, which would be trial enough without the constant attempts on her life perpetrated by London's vampire community, who fear what her baby - the offspring of a soulless preternatural and a werewolf - will become. But with a plan in place for the baby to be adopted (at least in name and outward appearance) by Lord Akeldama, powerful rove vampire and Alexia's friend, things have come to an uneasy truce. That settled, Alexia's life is quickly thrown into turmoil again when she receives a warning from an insane ghost that she must protect the Queen. But from who... or what?Review: I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The best part about it - apart from the general fun, lighthearted, slightly silly nature of the series as a whole, and the worldbuilding that continues to be inventive but believable, was the sense of balance. In previous books, the various elements and characters have not always been perfectly balanced. Either things are too steampunky, or not steampunky enough; or focusing too much on action without enough focus on the mystery, or vice versa; or shunting one character or one relationship to the background of the story. It's never been enough to make me dislike the books, but there's always been a slight feeling that part of Carriger's story has gotten away from her. That's not the case in Heartless, however. The mystery, action, character development, and steampunk quirkiness were all given their due space, and all fit together quite neatly. The characters each got an appropriate amount of screen time as well, and I loved some of the little secrets that were revealed along the way, and how they cast a new light on the rest of the series. I particularly loved Biffy's continuing storyline; it would drag down the tone of the book if it were front and center, but as a secondary plot thread it does a great job at injecting a little seriousness and pathos into the book, keeping it from becoming entirely frivolous. The only thing that I thought was off in this book was the very ending; it's played like a huge cliffhanger, but it's actually something that I figured out about a book and a half before. Still, I had a blast reading this book, as always, and am eagerly looking forward to March, when I can get my hands on Timeless. 4 out of 5 stars.Recommendation: There are enough callbacks to things from earlier in the series, not to mention a lack of expository worldbuilding, that you really should start from the beginning, but the series as a whole is just plain ol' lighthearted fun.
    • 3/5
      I have enjoyed all the Parasol Protectrate books I have read and "Heartless" is no exception. However I have to say that I was someone disappointed in this book. It truly feels like the author was moving around chess pieces so that everything is in a new position for the next book (or maybe for the new series she has just announced which will be able Alexis's child). The actual mystery ends up being very unfulfilling. The real point of the book is that big changes have come. Characters change homes, people find themselves now living amoung other people, characters get differnt jobs, some characters even find themselves with new parents. Many of these changes I really liked. I think there is a lot of room for more stories with some of the changes and I think several of these changes have made things better for some of my favorite characters. However, I do not like what is perhaps the biggest change, one that involves Alexia's baby. I am holding out hope that there is actually a great plot in store that will involve this change and it will end up fine, however. I just don't feel like it was something the characters would do. It didnt' feel natural coming from them. One other thing I didn't like was the treatment of Biffy and Lord Akeldama and their relationship. Biffy's has a big change to cope with since the previous book and I don't see why that has to change everything in his personal life. I just adore both of these characters and want them happy.Now that I have all that out of the way, I should mention that I did really enjoy this book. The characters were as perfectly charming and witty as I have come to expect. I adore Ivy in this book. Here (all too brief) scenes were a hoot. Alexia was also a lot of fun in her very pregnant state! And the twists at the end in regards to the baby sound fantastic! I can't wait to see what happens there! It certainly seems like this baby will make an interesting character in her own right.Overall: This book is fun and well worth reading. I never disliked the book but I did not personally like all the changes we are introduced to in regards to the characters and set up. I remain optimistic however as to what the future holds in store for the final book in this series and the others that will be set in this world.
    • 4/5
      Not as fun or charming as previous books in the series, though I still love the relationship between Alexia and her doting, werewolf Alpha husband.
    • 4/5
      Once again I enjoyed this addition to the series. It was very action packed and interesting with an octoman, the grand scheme of the babies potential adoption by Lord Alkeldama, fire, dirigible landings at a party what a grand entrance, the hive swarming and what to do about punishments and the birth of the baby. Whew.. It was fully action packed and very enjoyable
    • 5/5
      Alexia Maccon is eight months pregnant and weary of vampires trying to assassinate her. Her "infant-inconvenience" is bound to be particular as the production of a soulless and a werewolf. However, there are plenty of other things to keep Alexia engaged as she wobbles about London. A mad ghost delivers news to her that the queen is in danger. Madame Lefoux is working on yet another dangerous and perplexing product. And the vampires--well, even the enigmatic Lord Akeldama is in for a surprise or two.This series is such a joy. It's a steampunk romp in the purist sense, bordering on ridiculous at times yet never losing its sense of fun. I can't help but admire Alexia for enduring so much mischief while so very pregnant. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, yet creates a very peculiar dilemma to be confronted in the next and final book of the series.