Meat Cute (Parasol Protectorate #0) by Gail Carriger Published by Orbit on October 30, 2012
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Steampunk
Pages: 800
Goodreads
From the comedic mind of New York Times bestseller Gail Carriger comes the much requested prequel short story to Soulless.
Alexia Tarabotti attends what appears to be a very dull London party, until the new werewolf Alpha turns up, is unconscionably rude to her, and sits on a hedgehog.
Don't miss this charming novelette featuring the very first encounter between the Parasolverse's most popular power couple, preternatural Alexia and supernatural Lord Conall Maccon.
Look out for cheeky appearances from other much beloved characters, not to mention the strategic application of a certain wicker chicken.
"This intoxicatingly witty parody will appeal to a wide cross-section of romance, fantasy and steampunk fans." ~ Publishers Weekly, starred review (Soulless)
Alexia has been described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Jane Austen!
A Note On Chronology
Set in the spring of 1872 this story occurs just prior to events chronicled in The Parasol Protectorate series (featuring Alexia and Conall) and after those in Defy or Defend. Alexia also appears briefly in Romancing the Inventor, and Conall and England’s most scandalous wolf pack are referenced in The Finishing School series. Want more hot gruff werewolf gentlemen and practical tough ladies? Try How to Marry a Werewolf.
This is a quick read at 9000 words (about 15 printed pages) available in print only as part of Fan Service (collected Supernatural Society omnibus). It is best read if you are already familiar with Gail Carriger's gaslight universe and comedy of manners style, as it was written specifically with her fans in mind.
The Parasol Protectorate Series
Soulless
Changeless
Blameless
Heartless
TimelessAlso by Gail Carriger set in the Parasolverse
The Curious Case of the Werewolf that Wasn’t
The Finishing School series (start with Etiquette & Espionage)
The Delightfully Deadly novellas
The Parasol Protectorate series
The Supernatural Society novellas
The Custard Protocol series (start with Prudence)
The Claw & Courtship novellas (try Defy or Defend)
As G L Carriger
The San Andreas Shifter series (start with The Sumage Solution)
The 5th Gender
Freaking Gail does it again. We asked and she delivered, the Hedgehog Incident is finally here at last. If you love the Parasol Protectorate then you’ll want this little ebook short in your collection. Welcome to MEAT CUTE. If you’ve read SOULLESS, you’ll know there was an incident involving a hedgehog prior to the start of the series, but no more than that.
Well now you do. It’s funny, endearing, and sets up Conall and Alexia’s relationship perfectly. With Gail’s signature wit and a wink at the audience here and there I was so glad this little short story is now part of the Parasolverse.
An extra benefit for fans of Gail’s Finishing School series, MEAT CUTE features two beloved characters from that series as they “intelligence” their way into making sure our hero and heroine meet. Thank god for Wicker Chickens.
Like many of Gail’s stories, this one begins at a party. I love Gail’s parties. Especially when the characters involved aren’t the typical party types. Awkward meets society expectations. Perfect. Werewolves? Even better. A curmudgeonly alpha and an overly curious Preternatural? Gold.
This is the perfect prequel story for the series, and takes place between her previous short story THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE WEREWOLF THAT WASNT… and SOULLESS. I wish Gail would release a physical collection of these two, with maybe a few new short stories. Wink wink hint hint. the only physical version that exists is in the limited run special of FAN SERVICE, a collection featuring this story and 2 of her novellas. Sadly I missed out on that beauty for my collection.
If you love Gail and want every little piece of her Parasolverse this story is a must have. Or at least a must read. Especially if you are also the Finishing School fan.
What’s your favorite Carriger book? Share your pick in the comments.
From my shelf to yours,
Erin
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