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* BattleCouple: Alexia and Conall are formidable the few times they fight together. [[spoiler: Lyall and Biffy make a good team as well, though the 'couple' part comes later.]]
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* MamaBear: [[spoiler: Alexia and even [[LetsGetDangerous Ivy]] have their moments, but Madame Lefoux takes first prize for ''trashing the Westminster hive with a giant robot'' to get Quesnell back.]]
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* PapaWolf: Lord Maccon, sometimes literally.
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* MorningSickness: In ''Changeless'', [[spoiler: Alexia Tarabotti gets nauseous on a zeppelin]]. Naturally it's later revealed that [[spoiler:she's pregnant]].
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* MorningSickness: In ''Changeless'', [[spoiler: Alexia Tarabotti gets nauseous on a zeppelin]]. Naturally it's later revealed that [[spoiler:she's pregnant]].pregnant]].
* MrFanservice: Lord Maccon isn't shy about showing off in the manga. Being a werewolf tends to relax one's clothing standards.
* MrFanservice: Lord Maccon isn't shy about showing off in the manga. Being a werewolf tends to relax one's clothing standards.
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* GadgeteerGenius: Madame Lefoux.
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* GadgeteerGenius: Madame Lefoux.Lefoux, notable for creating Alexia's ParasolOfPain [[spoiler: and [[HumongousMecha the Octomaton]]]].
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* GadgeteerGenius: Madame Lefoux.
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* PowerCopying: [[spoiler: Baby Prudence can steal a vampire or werewolf's powers, provided she does this at night, stays within a certain range of her victim, and the victim doesn't die.]]
* PowerNullifier: the [[TheSoulless preternatural]] touch, which reverts vampires and werewolves to their mortal states. [[spoiler: Their remains will also do the trick, on a much wider scale.]]
* PowerNullifier: the [[TheSoulless preternatural]] touch, which reverts vampires and werewolves to their mortal states. [[spoiler: Their remains will also do the trick, on a much wider scale.]]
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* TheRenfield: Drones, who serve vampire hives as retainers before petitioning for the bite. The werewolf equivalents are called Clavigers.
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** Ivy's horrible taste in hats is often mocked.
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* BoobsOfSteel: Alexia's described as being well-endowed.
* HistoricalDomainCharacter: QueenVicky herself shows up, in part to induct Alexia.
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* WhatMeasureisANonCute: Most people seem to regard Alexia as plain and unattractive but to modern views she sounds very appealing.
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* WhatMeasureisANonCute: Most people seem to regard Alexia as plain and unattractive but to modern views she sounds very appealing. This is connected to ValuesDissonance.
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* BraveScot: Lord Maccon, who's a Scottish werewolf.
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* ChristmasCake: Alexia's been described as a young spinster.
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* ChristmasCake: Alexia's been described as a young spinster. [[spoiler:At first.]]
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* GreatOffscreenBattle: There are mentions of military activity in India, with a number of regiments arriving back in London.
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* GreatOffscreenBattle: GreatOffscreenWar: There are mentions of military activity in India, with a number of regiments arriving back in London.
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* MsFanservice: Alexia in the manga is sometimes seen either disheveled, in Victorian unmentionables or in at least one case outright nude.
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* ChristmasCake: Alexia's been described as a young spinster.
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* {{Gorn}}: The manga adaptation doesn't shy away from the more graphic descriptions of the novels.
* GreatOffscreenBattle: There are mentions of military activity in India, with a number of regiments arriving back in London.
* GreatOffscreenBattle: There are mentions of military activity in India, with a number of regiments arriving back in London.
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* HotterAndSexier: The manga doesn't shy away either from showing Alexia and company in more compromising and outright sensual lights.
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* TheyWalkAmongUs / BrokenMasquerade: The existence of vampires and werewolves are well known enough that the Her Majesty's government has a special department involving their concerns.
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----
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The first book in the series was given a {{manga}} adaptation by Yen Press.
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The first book in the series was is being given a {{manga}} adaptation by Yen Press.
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* [[spoiler: ButICantBePregnant: Alexia, since her husband is supposed to be infertile. Leads to MistakenForCheating because of it.]]
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* [[spoiler: ButICantBePregnant: [[spoiler: Alexia, since her husband is supposed to be infertile. Leads to MistakenForCheating because of it.]]
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* [[spoiler: HappilyAdopted: presumably Lord Akeldama's adoption of Prudence in ''Heartless'' will be this.]]
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* [[spoiler: HappilyAdopted: [[spoiler: presumably Lord Akeldama's adoption of Prudence in ''Heartless'' will be this.]]
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* [[spoiler: HybridMonster: baby Prudence, product of a preternatural and a werewolf, is able to turn into an infant werewolf or vampire when touched by Lord Maccon or Lord Akeldama.]]
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* [[spoiler: HybridMonster: [[spoiler: baby Prudence, product of a preternatural and a werewolf, is able to turn into an infant werewolf or vampire when touched by Lord Maccon or Lord Akeldama.]]
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* [[spoiler: OutGivingBirthBackInTwoMinutes. In the head of an octomaton.]]
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* [[spoiler: OutGivingBirthBackInTwoMinutes. [[spoiler: In the head of an octomaton.]]
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* [[spoiler: PregnantBadass]]
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* [[spoiler: PregnantBadass]]PregnantBadass
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* [[spoiler: WhatIfTheBabyIsLikeMe]]
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* [[spoiler: WhatIfTheBabyIsLikeMe]]WhatIfTheBabyIsLikeMe
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* ActionFashionista: Lord Akeldama's band of dandies are quite handy during the Hipocras club debacle. Alexia notes that their fine clothing is cut to hide their musculature. Likely their leader Lord Akeldama, being a very old vampire has plenty of combat skills.
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* ActionFashionista: Lord Akeldama's band of dandies are quite handy during the Hipocras club debacle. Alexia notes that their fine clothing is cut to hide their musculature. Likely their leader Lord Akeldama, being Akeldama is also shown to be a very old skilled fighter since he a lone vampire has plenty and one of combat skills.the oldest vampires in the series.
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* GreenEyedMonster: Felicity seems quite jealous of Alexia's socially excellent marriage. She also get jealous when Evelyn, who is younger than her gets engaged before her.
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* GreenEyedMonster: Felicity seems quite jealous of Alexia's socially excellent marriage. She also get gets jealous when Evelyn, who is her younger than her sister Evelyn gets engaged before her.
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* WhatMeasureIsNotCute: Most people seem to regard Alexia as plain and unattractive but to modern views she sounds very appealing.
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* WhatMeasureIsNotCute: WhatMeasureisANonCute: Most people seem to regard Alexia as plain and unattractive but to modern views she sounds very appealing.
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* DrivenByEnvy: FELICITY, she even admits such.
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* AFriendInNeed: Played with and averted.
* ActionFashionista: Lord Akeldama's band of dandies are quite handy during the Hipocras club debacle. Alexia notes that their fine clothing is cut to hide their musculature. Likely their leader Lord Akeldama, being a very old vampire has plenty of combat skills.
* ActionFashionista: Lord Akeldama's band of dandies are quite handy during the Hipocras club debacle. Alexia notes that their fine clothing is cut to hide their musculature. Likely their leader Lord Akeldama, being a very old vampire has plenty of combat skills.
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* AmazinglyEmbarrasingParents: Alexia's mother and stepfather. But mostly her mother. Even Felicity and Evelyn think so.
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* AmazinglyEmbarrasingParents: AmazinglyEmbarrassingParents: Alexia's mother and stepfather. But mostly her mother. Even Felicity and Evelyn think so.
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* TheFashionista: A male example in Lord Akeldama.
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* GreenEyedMonster: Felicity seems quite jealous of Alexia's socially excellent marriage. She also get jealous when Evelyn, who is younger than her gets engaged before her.
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* SpotOfTea: Is a novel set in Victoriana, for course tea time is lovingly presented.
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* {{Tsundere}}: Alexia, a combination of type 1 and type 2.
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* WhatMeasureIsNotCute: Most people seem to regard Alexia as plain and unattractive but to modern views she sounds very appealing.
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* AmazinglyEmbarrasingParents: Alexia's mother and stepfather. But mostly her mother. Even Felicity and Evelyn think so.
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* EatingTheEyeCandy: Ivy is very fond of looking at Tunstall.
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* SheCleansUpNicely: Alexia at one dinner party. Even her irritating mother admits that she looks nice.
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* [[MeaningfulName Meaningful Nickname]]: [[Prudence]] makes one for Akeldama since she shortens his name to be [[spoiler: a Portmanteau of the her words for [[HappilyAdopted her Mother and Father]]]].
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* [[MeaningfulName Meaningful Nickname]]: [[Prudence]] [[spoiler: Prudence]] makes one for Akeldama since she shortens his name to be [[spoiler: a Portmanteau of the her words for [[HappilyAdopted her Mother and Father]]]].
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* BiTheWay: Channing confirmed [[spoiler: Lyall]] has had mostly female lovers in the past despite only having male lovers in the series. Other characters of mention would be Boots (Mentioned by Akeldama while implying the above), Angelique ( For being[[spoiler: Quesnel's biological mother]]), and [[spoiler: [[DisappearedDad Alessandro]]]].
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* CampGay: Lord Akeldama with his dandy fashions and effeminate manner of addressing people. He has a harem of male drones (all CampGay themselves) although he's in love with Biffy.
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* CampGay: Lord Akeldama with his dandy fashions and effeminate manner of addressing people. He has a harem of male drones (all (most being CampGay themselves) although he's in love with Biffy.
* [[MeaningfulName Meaningful Nickname]]: [[Prudence]] makes one for Akeldama since she shortens his name to be [[spoiler: a Portmanteau of the her words for [[HappilyAdopted her Mother and Father]]]].
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* PutOnABus: Madame Lefoux's son Quesnel in the third book.
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* PutOnABus: Madame Lefoux's son Quesnel son in the third book.
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* StraightGay: [[spoiler: Lyall, although it's implied [[BiTheWay he may be bi instead - pretty much confirmed in the fifth book]].]]
* SuicideBySunlight:
* SuicideBySunlight:
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* [[spoiler: PregnantBadass]]
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* ParasolOfPain: Alexia's weapon of choice, though her updated model she got from Madame Lefoux is also commented on averting the [[ParasolOfPrettiness typical secondary trope]] while still being [[AwesomeButPractical quite useful]].
* [[spoiler: PregnantBadass]]
* [[spoiler: PregnantBadass]]
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* VampireInvitation: When the residence of the Westminster Hive is destroyed, Lord Akeldama refuses to invite the now-homeless vampires into his home because that act would mystically "sign over" his home to them. [[spoiler: However, he's willing to let Alexia make that mistake -- largely because it forced the Westminster Hive to relocate to Woolsey Castle outside of London.]] It's implied that this may not be the ''only'' way; when Countess Nasdasny is told that there is a new home for the Hive, her question is "who do we have to kill".
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* ItsAllAboutMe: ''FELICITY''. Her pettiness is PlayedForLaughs at first, but as the series progresses she turns out to be such a ManipulativeBitch that, [[LampshadeHanging as noted by Biffy]], she borders on pure evil.
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* ItsAllAboutMe: ''FELICITY''. Her pettiness is PlayedForLaughs at first, but as the series progresses she turns out to be such a ManipulativeBitch that, [[LampshadeHanging as noted by Biffy]], she borders on pure downright evil.
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# ''Timeless'' (March 2012)
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# ''Timeless'' (March 2012)
''Timeless''
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* ItsAllAboutMe: ''FELICITY''. Her pettiness is PlayedForLaughs at first, but as the series progresses she turns out to be such a ManipulativeBitch that, [[LampshadeHanging as noted by Biffy]], she borders on pure evil.
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***[[spoiler: The aether connection, rather than soullessness as our universe would call it, seems proven when Alexia falls in the drink and loses her ability to change werewolves back to human. Aether/water are opposites, and she reverted to 'natural' human in water.]]
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**[[spoiler: Though partially subverted by the fact Lord and Lady Maccon still end up doing most of the parenting. The adoption is a political sop to the vampires.]]
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* ArcSymbol: The brass octopus, and cephalopods in general. Also the broken ankh. The former definitely crosses over into SigilSpam territory, and the two collide rather spectacularly in Timeless, with the [[spoiler: giant octopus in the sands of Egypt, formed out of preternatural mummies.]]
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* ArcSymbol: The brass octopus, and cephalopods in general. Also the broken ankh. The former definitely crosses over into SigilSpam territory, and the two collide rather spectacularly in Timeless, ''Timeless'', with the [[spoiler: giant octopus in the sands of Egypt, formed out of preternatural mummies.]]
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--> '''Professor Lyall''': You have behaved, I would go so far as to say, badly. I suggest a well-crafted apology and an extended session of abject groveling.
--> '''Lord Maccon''': I am ''not'' a groveler!
--> '''Lyall''': It is possible to learn many new and interesting skills in one lifetime.
--> '''Maccon''': *after consideration* Grovel, you say?
--> '''Lyall''': Grovel, my lord.
--> '''Lord Maccon''': I am ''not'' a groveler!
--> '''Lyall''': It is possible to learn many new and interesting skills in one lifetime.
--> '''Maccon''': *after consideration* Grovel, you say?
--> '''Lyall''': Grovel, my lord.
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* AlliterativeName: Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings.
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* BigEater: Both the Lord and Lady Maccon, especially when the latter is [[spoiler:pregnant.]]
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* RepetitiveName: Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings.
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* Bifauxnen: Madame Lefoux always wears masculine clothes anyway, but spends some time in the third book pretending to be a man with the help of a fake mustache.
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* Bifauxnen: {{Bifauxnen}}: Madame Lefoux always wears masculine clothes anyway, but spends some time in the third book pretending to be a man with the help of a fake mustache.
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* Bifauxnen: Madame Lefoux always wears masculine clothes anyway, but spends some time in the third book pretending to be a man with the help of a fake mustache.
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[[quoteright:157:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/soulless-gail-carriger-book-cover-art_598.jpg]]
The Parasol Protectorate is a series of books by author [[http://gailcarriger.com/ Gail Carriger]]. It is primarily a Supernatural Adventure Romance, set in an alternate Victorian London with heavy steampunk elements. In the world of the Parasol Protectorate, not only are vampires, werewolves and ghosts real, but they are instrumental in British politics, fashion and scientific advancement.
The books concentrate on the adventures of Alexia Tarrabotti, a 'plain', sometimes scandalous, half-Italian 'Preternatural' who has the ability to negate supernatural abilities by touch; Lord Conall Maccon, Scottish werewolf and pack Alpha and their friends and colleagues. These adventures include custom-made weaponised parasols, rogue scientists, dirigibles and 'glassicles'.
The first book in the series was given a {{manga}} adaptation by Yen Press.
----
!!Novels
# ''Soulless''
# ''Changeless''
# ''Blameless''
# ''Heartless''
# ''Timeless'' (March 2012)
!!The books show examples of:
* ActionGirl: Neither Alexia nor Madame Lefoux shy away from kicking ass.
* AlliterativeName: Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings.
* AlternateHistory: Pretty obviously, really.
* ArcSymbol: The brass octopus, and cephalopods in general. Also the broken ankh. The former definitely crosses over into SigilSpam territory, and the two collide rather spectacularly in Timeless, with the [[spoiler: giant octopus in the sands of Egypt, formed out of preternatural mummies.]]
* BadassBookworm: Professor Lyall. He's small for a werewolf, and a complete nerd (his professorship is in reference to his expertise on the breeding habits of sheep), but he's the most graceful transformer anyone's ever seen and he's the Beta of Woolsey pack, which means very few other werewolves in England can outfight him. He's also one of the oldest werewolves in England, older than both the dewan and Lord Maccon. that's gotta count for something.
* BattleButler: Floote, in the third book, turns out to be quite a handy shot. Later, in book four, we find out that most of the the clavigers are [[spoiler:trained how to subdue and capture their werewolf masters.]]
* BelligerentSexualTension: Alexia Tarrabotti and Lord Conall Maccon. During their first meeting, Miss Tarabotti "prodded him in the nether regions with a hedgehog" (he sat on it) and it only went downhill from there.
* BetaCouple: [[spoiler: Ivy and Tunstell]]
** Also [[spoiler: Biffy and Professor Lyall]], in Timeless. [[spoiler: Pun intended.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: In book three, a masked figure ([[spoiler:really Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings]]) saves Alexia from certain death by vampire on numerous occasions.
** Lord Maccon and Floote in the final battle in Timeless.
* BlessedWithSuck: Pretty much sums up Biffy's reaction to becoming a werewolf. And then, in ''Timeless'', [[spoiler: he spontaneously develops Anubis Form, a power only held by Alpha werewolves ... after learning that Alphas have this bad habit of going bugnuts insane as they age.]]
* [[spoiler: ButICantBePregnant: Alexia, since her husband is supposed to be infertile. Leads to MistakenForCheating because of it.]]
* CampGay: Lord Akeldama with his dandy fashions and effeminate manner of addressing people. He has a harem of male drones (all CampGay themselves) although he's in love with Biffy.
* CinderellaCircumstances: Alexia's family life is similar to this, even if she has a stepdad rather than a stepmom. Nobody in the family likes her much, and she has two pampered half-sisters that [[ParentalFavoritism everyone likes better]], and she's TheUnFavourite.
* DeadpanSnarker: Several, but Professor Lyall is the most obvious.
* DisappearedDad, MysteriousParent, and DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou: Alexia's dad. He wasn't the type to stick around for a child anyway, but even if he'd wanted to, he couldn't have. He's got to have some kind of amazing backstory, but so far we haven't heard most of it.
** [[spoiler: Alessandro Tarabotti was the product of a Templar breeding program, the goal of which was to create hunters who could track and kill the supernatural. After leaving Alexia's mother, he was killed by a werewolf Alpha who he took on to protect the love of his life.]]
** [[spoiler: We also know that two preternaturals almost physically repel each other due to the nature of their abilities.]]
* EagleLand: The second variety. America is an ignorant hellhole for supernatural creatures; vampires and werewolves alike are shunned, scorned, hunted and killed.
* EmergencyTransformation: [[spoiler: Biffy]] in book 3 and [[spoiler:Ivy]] in book 5.
* FirstEpisodeSpoiler: Alexia Tarabotti [[spoiler: gets married]] at the end of book 1, and learns [[spoiler: she is pregnant]] at the end of book 2. Given that the main plot of book 3 involves her trying to prove [[spoiler: she could be pregnant by her allegedly sterile husband]], it's nearly impossible to describe without giving away the plot twists of book 1 and 2.
* GaslampFantasy
* TheGrovel, twice.
** In ''Soulless'', Lord Maccon treats Miss Tarabotti in a way that is considered a sign of high respect and romantic interest in his native culture, but in the culture they're both currently living in it's the height of rudeness.
--> '''Professor Lyall''': You have behaved, I would go so far as to say, badly. I suggest a well-crafted apology and an extended session of abject groveling.
--> '''Lord Maccon''': I am ''not'' a groveler!
--> '''Lyall''': It is possible to learn many new and interesting skills in one lifetime.
--> '''Maccon''': *after consideration* Grovel, you say?
--> '''Lyall''': Grovel, my lord.
** In ''Blameless'', after Lord Maccon publicly accuses Alexia of cheating on him, [[spoiler: he prints a retraction and apology in the newspaper.]]
* [[spoiler: HappilyAdopted: presumably Lord Akeldama's adoption of Prudence in ''Heartless'' will be this.]]
* [[spoiler: HybridMonster: baby Prudence, product of a preternatural and a werewolf, is able to turn into an infant werewolf or vampire when touched by Lord Maccon or Lord Akeldama.]]
* ItsPersonal: What finally convinced Professor Lyall that something really needed to be done about Lord Woolsey.
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: The reason why [[spoiler: Alessandro Tarabotti took on the Alpha werewolf who killed him. Against the protestations of said beloved.]]
* LastMinuteBabyNaming
* LateArrivalSpoiler: The back cover blurb for book 2 gives away the plot twist at the end of book 1, and the back cover blurb of book 3 gives away the plot twists for books 1 and 2. Tough luck for those who want to read the entire series at once.
* MediumAwareness: "He also seemed to speak predominantly in italics."
* MorningSickness: In ''Changeless'', [[spoiler: Alexia Tarabotti gets nauseous on a zeppelin]]. Naturally it's later revealed that [[spoiler:she's pregnant]].
* TheNicknamer: Lord Akeldama.
* NoodleIncident: The Hedgehog Incident (for a while, at least).
* ObfuscatingStupidity: After two and a third books of everyone thinking her nothing but TheDitz, Professor Lyall realizes Ivy might be a little more sharp than she lets on. In book four, Ivy reveals that she's actually known about a lot more for a long time.
* OldRetainer: Floote. His loyalty to his dead master extends to [[spoiler: running a long-distance supernatural extermination mandate in Egypt on his orders.]]
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: Biffy's full name first comes up in the fourth book [[spoiler: Sandalio de Rabiffano]]
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: Ghosts fade away as their bodies decay and cannot venture too far from them. They are addressed with the title of "Formerly (name)". Their bodies have to be preserved but they can't be simply immersed in formaldehyde because it interferes with their ability to exist as a ghost.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Vampires usually live in hives, centered around a queen who has the power to change new vampires. They are tended by drones, humans who serve in hopes of one day being changed into vampires themselves. Only a vampire queen can turn humans and make them drones. Vampire queens also can't leave their home unless they're about to be killed, and have only a few hours to find another permanent home.
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Werewolves must change into mindless monsters at the full moon, and only the older ones can bear the touch of sunlight. They are as allergic to basil as vampires are to garlic. They are tended by clavigers, humans who serve in hopes of one day being changed into werewolves themselves. They are also just as dead as vampires.
* [[spoiler: OutGivingBirthBackInTwoMinutes. In the head of an octomaton.]]
* [[spoiler: PregnantBadass]]
* PartialTransformation: Anubis Form - the head-only transformation necessary to change new werewolves. Not possessed by all Alphas, but Lord Maccon has it, and, as of Timeless, so does [[spoiler: Biffy.]]
* PutOnABus: Madame Lefoux's son Quesnel in the third book.
** [[spoiler: TheBusCameBack in a big way in the fourth book.]]
* QueenVictoria: Occasionally appears on the page.
* RunningGag: The unfortunately named Captain Featherstonehaugh, whose only contribution to the stories is to be engaged to a different person every book.
* ShipperOnDeck: Professor Lyall performs this function twice.
** He encourages Lord Maccon and Alexia's relationship, mostly because he's tired of their pussyfooting around.
** And at the above couple's wedding, he pushes [[spoiler: Ivy and Tunstell]] together.
* ShutUpKiss: Used in ''Soulless'' as the next step in the BelligerentSexualTension.
-->She jerked back. "What are you...?"
-->"Only way to keep you quiet." He grumbled, taking her chin in a firmer grip and planting his mouth atop hers once more.
* TheSoulless: Alexia Tarabotti was born without a soul, but she does not find her condition troublesome. She studies philosophy "to compensate for her natural lack of morals", and uses reason instead of spirituality to be a good person. Souls in this universe are a quantifiable possession — those who have large amounts, such as artists and musicians, are more likely to survive the transition into werewolf or vampire, while those who have none at all, such as the protagonist, can actually neutralize others' powers when in physical contact with them.
** There's no evidence other than in-universe religious dogma that the measurable "soul" is in any way related to the religious concept of a soul - from the in-universe scientific theories, it seems to be all a matter of how the body interacts with the "aether" which exists in this universe.
* SpiritedYoungLady: Alexia shows the wit and intelligence of this trope.
* SteamPunk: Dirigibles are simply one example.
* StraightGay: [[spoiler: Lyall, although it's implied [[BiTheWay he may be bi instead - pretty much confirmed in the fifth book]].]]
* SuicideBySunlight:
* UrbanFantasy: Yes, it really does count as this.
* [[spoiler: WhatIfTheBabyIsLikeMe]]
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The Parasol Protectorate is a series of books by author [[http://gailcarriger.com/ Gail Carriger]]. It is primarily a Supernatural Adventure Romance, set in an alternate Victorian London with heavy steampunk elements. In the world of the Parasol Protectorate, not only are vampires, werewolves and ghosts real, but they are instrumental in British politics, fashion and scientific advancement.
The books concentrate on the adventures of Alexia Tarrabotti, a 'plain', sometimes scandalous, half-Italian 'Preternatural' who has the ability to negate supernatural abilities by touch; Lord Conall Maccon, Scottish werewolf and pack Alpha and their friends and colleagues. These adventures include custom-made weaponised parasols, rogue scientists, dirigibles and 'glassicles'.
The first book in the series was given a {{manga}} adaptation by Yen Press.
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!!Novels
# ''Soulless''
# ''Changeless''
# ''Blameless''
# ''Heartless''
# ''Timeless'' (March 2012)
!!The books show examples of:
* ActionGirl: Neither Alexia nor Madame Lefoux shy away from kicking ass.
* AlliterativeName: Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings.
* AlternateHistory: Pretty obviously, really.
* ArcSymbol: The brass octopus, and cephalopods in general. Also the broken ankh. The former definitely crosses over into SigilSpam territory, and the two collide rather spectacularly in Timeless, with the [[spoiler: giant octopus in the sands of Egypt, formed out of preternatural mummies.]]
* BadassBookworm: Professor Lyall. He's small for a werewolf, and a complete nerd (his professorship is in reference to his expertise on the breeding habits of sheep), but he's the most graceful transformer anyone's ever seen and he's the Beta of Woolsey pack, which means very few other werewolves in England can outfight him. He's also one of the oldest werewolves in England, older than both the dewan and Lord Maccon. that's gotta count for something.
* BattleButler: Floote, in the third book, turns out to be quite a handy shot. Later, in book four, we find out that most of the the clavigers are [[spoiler:trained how to subdue and capture their werewolf masters.]]
* BelligerentSexualTension: Alexia Tarrabotti and Lord Conall Maccon. During their first meeting, Miss Tarabotti "prodded him in the nether regions with a hedgehog" (he sat on it) and it only went downhill from there.
* BetaCouple: [[spoiler: Ivy and Tunstell]]
** Also [[spoiler: Biffy and Professor Lyall]], in Timeless. [[spoiler: Pun intended.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: In book three, a masked figure ([[spoiler:really Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings]]) saves Alexia from certain death by vampire on numerous occasions.
** Lord Maccon and Floote in the final battle in Timeless.
* BlessedWithSuck: Pretty much sums up Biffy's reaction to becoming a werewolf. And then, in ''Timeless'', [[spoiler: he spontaneously develops Anubis Form, a power only held by Alpha werewolves ... after learning that Alphas have this bad habit of going bugnuts insane as they age.]]
* [[spoiler: ButICantBePregnant: Alexia, since her husband is supposed to be infertile. Leads to MistakenForCheating because of it.]]
* CampGay: Lord Akeldama with his dandy fashions and effeminate manner of addressing people. He has a harem of male drones (all CampGay themselves) although he's in love with Biffy.
* CinderellaCircumstances: Alexia's family life is similar to this, even if she has a stepdad rather than a stepmom. Nobody in the family likes her much, and she has two pampered half-sisters that [[ParentalFavoritism everyone likes better]], and she's TheUnFavourite.
* DeadpanSnarker: Several, but Professor Lyall is the most obvious.
* DisappearedDad, MysteriousParent, and DaddyHadAGoodReasonForAbandoningYou: Alexia's dad. He wasn't the type to stick around for a child anyway, but even if he'd wanted to, he couldn't have. He's got to have some kind of amazing backstory, but so far we haven't heard most of it.
** [[spoiler: Alessandro Tarabotti was the product of a Templar breeding program, the goal of which was to create hunters who could track and kill the supernatural. After leaving Alexia's mother, he was killed by a werewolf Alpha who he took on to protect the love of his life.]]
** [[spoiler: We also know that two preternaturals almost physically repel each other due to the nature of their abilities.]]
* EagleLand: The second variety. America is an ignorant hellhole for supernatural creatures; vampires and werewolves alike are shunned, scorned, hunted and killed.
* EmergencyTransformation: [[spoiler: Biffy]] in book 3 and [[spoiler:Ivy]] in book 5.
* FirstEpisodeSpoiler: Alexia Tarabotti [[spoiler: gets married]] at the end of book 1, and learns [[spoiler: she is pregnant]] at the end of book 2. Given that the main plot of book 3 involves her trying to prove [[spoiler: she could be pregnant by her allegedly sterile husband]], it's nearly impossible to describe without giving away the plot twists of book 1 and 2.
* GaslampFantasy
* TheGrovel, twice.
** In ''Soulless'', Lord Maccon treats Miss Tarabotti in a way that is considered a sign of high respect and romantic interest in his native culture, but in the culture they're both currently living in it's the height of rudeness.
--> '''Professor Lyall''': You have behaved, I would go so far as to say, badly. I suggest a well-crafted apology and an extended session of abject groveling.
--> '''Lord Maccon''': I am ''not'' a groveler!
--> '''Lyall''': It is possible to learn many new and interesting skills in one lifetime.
--> '''Maccon''': *after consideration* Grovel, you say?
--> '''Lyall''': Grovel, my lord.
** In ''Blameless'', after Lord Maccon publicly accuses Alexia of cheating on him, [[spoiler: he prints a retraction and apology in the newspaper.]]
* [[spoiler: HappilyAdopted: presumably Lord Akeldama's adoption of Prudence in ''Heartless'' will be this.]]
* [[spoiler: HybridMonster: baby Prudence, product of a preternatural and a werewolf, is able to turn into an infant werewolf or vampire when touched by Lord Maccon or Lord Akeldama.]]
* ItsPersonal: What finally convinced Professor Lyall that something really needed to be done about Lord Woolsey.
* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: The reason why [[spoiler: Alessandro Tarabotti took on the Alpha werewolf who killed him. Against the protestations of said beloved.]]
* LastMinuteBabyNaming
* LateArrivalSpoiler: The back cover blurb for book 2 gives away the plot twist at the end of book 1, and the back cover blurb of book 3 gives away the plot twists for books 1 and 2. Tough luck for those who want to read the entire series at once.
* MediumAwareness: "He also seemed to speak predominantly in italics."
* MorningSickness: In ''Changeless'', [[spoiler: Alexia Tarabotti gets nauseous on a zeppelin]]. Naturally it's later revealed that [[spoiler:she's pregnant]].
* TheNicknamer: Lord Akeldama.
* NoodleIncident: The Hedgehog Incident (for a while, at least).
* ObfuscatingStupidity: After two and a third books of everyone thinking her nothing but TheDitz, Professor Lyall realizes Ivy might be a little more sharp than she lets on. In book four, Ivy reveals that she's actually known about a lot more for a long time.
* OldRetainer: Floote. His loyalty to his dead master extends to [[spoiler: running a long-distance supernatural extermination mandate in Egypt on his orders.]]
* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname: Biffy's full name first comes up in the fourth book [[spoiler: Sandalio de Rabiffano]]
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: Ghosts fade away as their bodies decay and cannot venture too far from them. They are addressed with the title of "Formerly (name)". Their bodies have to be preserved but they can't be simply immersed in formaldehyde because it interferes with their ability to exist as a ghost.
* OurVampiresAreDifferent: Vampires usually live in hives, centered around a queen who has the power to change new vampires. They are tended by drones, humans who serve in hopes of one day being changed into vampires themselves. Only a vampire queen can turn humans and make them drones. Vampire queens also can't leave their home unless they're about to be killed, and have only a few hours to find another permanent home.
* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: Werewolves must change into mindless monsters at the full moon, and only the older ones can bear the touch of sunlight. They are as allergic to basil as vampires are to garlic. They are tended by clavigers, humans who serve in hopes of one day being changed into werewolves themselves. They are also just as dead as vampires.
* [[spoiler: OutGivingBirthBackInTwoMinutes. In the head of an octomaton.]]
* [[spoiler: PregnantBadass]]
* PartialTransformation: Anubis Form - the head-only transformation necessary to change new werewolves. Not possessed by all Alphas, but Lord Maccon has it, and, as of Timeless, so does [[spoiler: Biffy.]]
* PutOnABus: Madame Lefoux's son Quesnel in the third book.
** [[spoiler: TheBusCameBack in a big way in the fourth book.]]
* QueenVictoria: Occasionally appears on the page.
* RunningGag: The unfortunately named Captain Featherstonehaugh, whose only contribution to the stories is to be engaged to a different person every book.
* ShipperOnDeck: Professor Lyall performs this function twice.
** He encourages Lord Maccon and Alexia's relationship, mostly because he's tired of their pussyfooting around.
** And at the above couple's wedding, he pushes [[spoiler: Ivy and Tunstell]] together.
* ShutUpKiss: Used in ''Soulless'' as the next step in the BelligerentSexualTension.
-->She jerked back. "What are you...?"
-->"Only way to keep you quiet." He grumbled, taking her chin in a firmer grip and planting his mouth atop hers once more.
* TheSoulless: Alexia Tarabotti was born without a soul, but she does not find her condition troublesome. She studies philosophy "to compensate for her natural lack of morals", and uses reason instead of spirituality to be a good person. Souls in this universe are a quantifiable possession — those who have large amounts, such as artists and musicians, are more likely to survive the transition into werewolf or vampire, while those who have none at all, such as the protagonist, can actually neutralize others' powers when in physical contact with them.
** There's no evidence other than in-universe religious dogma that the measurable "soul" is in any way related to the religious concept of a soul - from the in-universe scientific theories, it seems to be all a matter of how the body interacts with the "aether" which exists in this universe.
* SpiritedYoungLady: Alexia shows the wit and intelligence of this trope.
* SteamPunk: Dirigibles are simply one example.
* StraightGay: [[spoiler: Lyall, although it's implied [[BiTheWay he may be bi instead - pretty much confirmed in the fifth book]].]]
* SuicideBySunlight:
* UrbanFantasy: Yes, it really does count as this.
* [[spoiler: WhatIfTheBabyIsLikeMe]]
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