Redhead Haze's Reviews > Poison or Protect

“Listen to me, my deadly little pearl. Choose love. Always choose love. If the decision is between love and anything else, choose love.”

This was an extremely enjoyable and catchy novel, with a strong and spirited female MC, romance, a bit of spice and some paranormal touches. It's the first book I've tried from Gail Carriger and it most definitely didn't disappoint.

From what I was able  to gather, this book belongs to her Parasol Protectorate universe and, before starting Poison or Protect, the first book in the The Delightfully Deadly series (stand-alone romance novellas), it is advisable to read The Finishing School series, as it takes place beforehand and describes the world better. However, I enjoyed this one without having read the prequel, since Poison or Protect can be viewed as a stand-alone.

"Always inspire ardor or terror – it matters not which, for in society, they share the same sauce."

》》The Plot《《

The notorious lady Preshea Villentia is invited to a house party in the countryside, outside of London, and hired for two jobs: protect the Duke and prevent his first-born daughter from marrying Mr Jackson.
Captain Gavin Ruthven, accompanying the upmentioned Mr Jackson, finds himself at the same house party with one mission: stop any assassination attempts on the Duke's life. Unfortunately, his main suspect is the unreasonably beautiful lady Villentia whose reputation precedes her.

“Are all the stories about you true, Lady Villentia?”
She frowned. “All the ones that matter, I suppose. Why? Are you curious about anything in particular? Like most ladies, I dearly love to talk about myself.”
“They say you’ve a poison you spread on your lips. That to kiss you would be deadly.”
“What rot – how could I keep from poisoning myself?”
“I would take the risk, even if it were true.”

》》Characters and Relationships 《《

The characters here reminded me a bit of Amanda Quick's novels: also historical steampunk romances, with females who knew what they wanted and refused to bow to the rules of society. I used to devour those in high-school, long before I've discovered GoodReads and I'm happy to see I can still enjoy this sort of writing.

▪️Lady Preshea Villentia

"Lady Preshea Villentia. The Mourning Star. Widowed too many times under suspicious circumstances, too smart to be caught, and too beautiful to be ostracized. She was like opiates – expensive, intoxicating, and deadly in large doses."

Trained as an assassin, extremely beautiful and definitely deadly, Preshea proved a very enjoyable MC.

▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven

"He smells like Christmas – fresh pine boughs and spices. What right has a man to smell so good?"

I swear he's a Hufflepuff. He's a huge Scottish cinnamonroll, tender but also a very well trained soldier.

▪️Captain Gavin Ruthven and Lady Preshea Villentia

“Lass, I want this clear – I’d apply for the position of fifth husband, if you’d permit.”
“Oh, yes? Here I thought you desired a long and happy life.”
“Aye, lass, but I’d as soon a shorter one with you than a longer one without.”

I enjoyed their banter a lot, as well as the way they were completing each other. Clearly a good match, a relationship that was very easy to follow and even easier to get fond of. One of my favorite moments with them was definitely their teasing the first time they were shown their rooms, on opposite sides of the same hallway, closely followed by them being interrupted by the ghost of Connie.

“You are very beautiful.”
“I know.”
“But, I’m thinking, damaged?”
Preshea smiled. “Better to say deadly.”

While I didn't really hold my breath while reading it, there was little to none character development and I can't say it's one of those really great love stories that inspire hope, it's definitely worth reading when you're looking for some historical steampunk romance with quick wits, enjoyable figures and a happy ending. I'm not in love with it, but I did like it and, therefore, encourage you to give it a shot.

“You are so verra bonnie.” His voice was roughened by need.
She opened her mouth to say something flippant, but…
“Aye, you know it weel. But you dinna know it from me.”