
Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating a sudden loss of social status or feeling unfairly judged by their peers. It is a sophisticated, witty adventure that addresses the pain of being cast out and the resilience required to clear one's name when the world turns its back. Alexia Tarabotti, a soul-less woman in a Victorian London filled with vampires and werewolves, finds herself scandalous and alone after a misunderstanding. She must travel to Italy to uncover the truth of her identity while maintaining her dignity and humor. Parents will appreciate the strong-willed protagonist and the emphasis on self-reliance. While it contains some mature romantic tension and action violence, it remains a smart, vocabulary-rich choice for high schoolers who enjoy historical settings with a fantastical twist.
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Sign in to write a reviewOccasional supernatural skirmishes involving vampires and werewolves.
Alexia is frequently hunted by vampires with intent to kill.
The book deals with themes of social ostracization, marital strife, and accusations of infidelity. These are handled with a blend of historical secularism and paranormal lore. The resolution is hopeful but realistic about the effort required to mend broken trust.
A teenager who enjoys historical fiction but finds it too stuffy, or a student who feels like an outsider because they don't fit into the 'norms' of their social group. It is perfect for those who appreciate dry wit and 'competence porn' where characters solve problems using their wits.
Parents should be aware of the 'inconvenient condition' (pregnancy) and the heavy drinking of Lord Maccon as he copes with his grief and anger. The romantic tension is present but largely PG-13. A parent might see their teen reacting to unfair rumors at school or feeling the sting of being 'canceled' by a friend group.
Younger teens will focus on the monsters and the action sequences. Older teens will pick up on the biting social satire and the complex emotional dynamics of a crumbling marriage.
Carriger's unique 'steampunk meets urban fantasy' world-building is unmatched, particularly her focus on social etiquette as a survival skill.
In this third installment of the Parasol Protectorate series, Alexia Tarabotti (Lady Maccon) is pregnant, a condition that should be impossible given her husband is a werewolf. Cast out by Lord Maccon and the Woolsey Pack, she flees London to avoid vampire assassination attempts. She travels to Italy to seek answers from the Templars, a secret society with their own dangerous agendas, while her husband spirals into alcoholism back in England.
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