Gail Carriger's Heartless and Timeless

[jhameia]

SNIFF SNIFF WHAT GREAT BOOKS I CANNOT THINK OF A MORE PERFECT ENDING TO A SERIES

Love how it bucked romance novel tradition too, in a sense.

I don't suppose anybody would be interested in talking about it with me? >_>

Comments

[februaryfour]

I read the series not too long ago. ^_^ Were you interested in anything in particular?

[jhameia]

Oh, how about EVERYTHING???

I'm currently in deep appreciation of the ending. Usually in romance novels that I've seen with one supernatural partner the solution is to have the mortal partner turn immortal, so it's nice to see a solution that trumps mortality.

[februaryfour]

Trumps? Mortality beat immortality here (x trumps y means x beats y). I liked it, because there was no way she was going to be immortal and he was either going to have to watch her age or somehow find a way to get through it--and he did. ^_^

I have to admit, I wish there were more of these characters. I do so love Biffy.

[jhameia]

Oops, typo'd there! But yeah, I dug it a lot. And it's an elegant solution too, giving supernatural people a chance to age if they ever decide to change their mind.

I love Biffy too! I squealed so hard when he and Lyall hooked up :OOOO

[crossedwires]

I didn't know Timeless was out already! (I'm pretty sure I've read Heartless...)

[jhameia]

Oh you MUST read Timeless! It's really quite interesting!

[phi]

I read Timeless as soon as it came out! I agree, perfect ending to the series.

[jhameia]

Very tidy! Although I wonder if there's something a bit lazy about how certain things were written, I don't know, I can't seem to put my finger on it.... Biffy, for example, has some almost Gary-Stu-ish elements in his arc that was too pat. I LOVE HIM though. I was actually sekritly hoping for a three-way Akeldama/Lyall/Biffy solution but OMG!

[phi]

Oh yes, Biffy. I adore him, but he has an Alpha form just a few years after he's turned? A bit too convenient, I think, but she kind of wrote herself into a corner by making Major Channing so dislikely. I think fans would have revolted if he had taken Lyall's place.

I would have loved some more explanation about why the Magical Negro Drifter (whose people allegedly never consort with westerners) was so keen to help Akeldama's friend. And how Akeldama ended up turned in Egypt but looks like a typical Brit. I'm assuming he was in west Asia for the Crusades when he was turned, but that might just be fanwanking.

[jhameia]

For the Crusades? I LIKE that theory. I've been wondering how blonde Akeldama ended up in Egypt to be turned by Matakara myself! I can buy that Akeldama was born and bred in Egypt though... blondes are rare in Egypt but not impossible given trade and whatnot, and as you said the Crusades. It seems to me that part of Akeldama's network extends far beyond England, and I wouldn't be surprised if he maintained ties with Egypt, despite his firm loyalty (of sorts) to England. They may also have their own reasons for not dealing with Westerners... might be they don't see Akeldama as a Westerner? (Especially since Akeldama's too old to really fit neatly into either category.)

Although, "He's stuck, my lord" is one of the best lines in the book.