Imprudence by Gail Carriger

 

The Custard Protocol

Prudence * Imprudence

Publish Date: July 19th, 2016
Series: The Custard Protocol

Format Reviewed: Audiobook
Author: Gail Carriger
Author’s Website
Author's Twitter
Wikia (has spoilers!)

Introduction

The Spotted Custard has returned from their adventure in India. Queen Victoria is, understandably, miffed with Rue. Dama is, also understandably, upset with her. The London werewolf pack is falling apart and something must be done about her father. Prim keeps getting engaged. Further, Rue's birthday means that she has come of age and has lost protection as a metanatural. To top it all off, Percy and Quesnel begin fighting over academic impoliteness, but the squabble unknowingly put the werecats in jepordy. To put it mildly, things could be going better for Rue. 

The Spotted Custard and crew goes off to warn the werecats. They are pursued by an unknown group, and Rue suspects it has something to do with a mysterious piece of equipment Quesnel has in the boiler room.   

Romance 

As Alexia puts it, her daughter is "progressive". She takes "French lessons" from Quesnel, if you know what that means. You know what I could have done without? All those French lessons. It was awkward listening to "first time" experiences in detail, over and over again. That's really my only criticism of the whole book. I just felt yucky listening to it, and if I wasn't gardening, I would have skipped those portions. 

Final Verdict

Perfectly fine fare, if you are alright with detailed passages about first sexual experiences. 

The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed

 

Publish Date: October 10th, 2017
Format Reviewed: Audiobook
Author: Amy Reed
Author’s Goodreads
My Review on Goodreads

Quick Review

Introduction

When Grace moves into a new town, she learns about a high school girl who was raped about a year prior. Horrified, she digs deeper. Nothing was really done about it. There were no consequences. She and her family moved away. Misogyny runs deep in the high school, and with her friends, Rosina and Erin, they start the collective known as the Nowhere Girls, in hopes of changing sexist culture. 

Characters

This book has a tonne of interesting characters. Grace comes to town because her mom was a former southern Baptist preacher, but after she fell off a horse and hit her head, she became more liberal and took up a position in this new town. Erin has Asperger's and loves marine biology and thinks she may be an android. Rosina is a lesbian and clashes with her conservative Mexican immigrant family. While the book starts off with three perspectives, it eventually does add more voices of various girls, some of the other Nowhere Girls, and some girls who have not joined. 

Overall Thoughts/Verdict 

This book does deal heavily with sexuality, consent, rape culture, and family dynamics. Ultimately, I recommend this book to older teens. However...I think we need to have these conversations with teens before they are ready to read this book. So in a way, this book affirms beliefs we (probably) already hold. If someone doesn't hold these beliefs, I don't see why they would pick this up, and I don't see this as changing anyone's mindset. It's still a fabulous book worth reading, though it does try to do a lot of things at once. I would have liked for the school to have changed in some regard, but it doesn't. With the exception of one teacher, we only see negative reactions from the school. The principle is a cartoonish villain besides the concept of generational misogyny. I still highly recommend it, though some readers may be put off by the themes.   

King of Always by Juno Heart

Black Blood Fae

Prince of Never * King of Always

Publish Date: August 24th, 2020
Format: ebook
Series: Black Blood Fae
Author: Juno Heart
Author’s Goodreads
My Review on Goodreads

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Introduction

Taking place after the first book, King of Always brings another romance from the land of Faery. Isla, a baker with a stubborn and independent personality, has decided to take a vacation in the land of Faery. Raff is the current crown prince and is seeking his fated mate. In the last book, he is so carefree and friendly, but now, the curse runs through him. He has become colder, meaner. When Raff and Isla meet, it's obvious they are meant to be together, but Raff isn't exactly likable all the time, and Isla doesn't like being ordered around by anyone. To top it all off, they are in the land of Faery, a dangerous place for humans, no matter how independent they are. 

Relationship

I really enjoyed reading about their relationship dynamics. Can you imagine having a smouldering hot crown prince with fire magic trying to woo you? Poor Isla, though. She doesn't want to stay in Faery. She wants to be a baker and she has dreams she wants to fulfill in the human world. Plus, she wants to marry for love! But there's something unique about Isla and her baking and her link to fire that can't be ignored.

Final Verdict

I definitely recommend this book to people who like happily-ever-after romances, enemies-to-lovers, and faeries. It was just as addictive as the first book, and we get to see Lara and Ever again as well. Also, this book makes me want to bake. I have been told I make a mean apple pie. So, snuggle up with some baked goods and enjoy this fabulous book!