As always, thoroughly enjoyable. I couldn't put it down. The only reason it's not getting the extra star is because the ending felt rushed. And not fully realized. 
 That's probably not fair. What, didn't I think enough happened?!? 
 I guess I was hoping to see the wolf pack welcome Sidheag, and the book ended just before that happened. I wanted so badly to see this odd, tough girl be treated as an alpha by these grown, destroyed werewolves. And Sophronia would stand back and observe and would say something like "Sidheag never looked in place at the Mademoiselle Geraldine's. She never excelled at anything but sparring with the sooties and Capt. Niall. Her stark clothes and starker personality didn't fit as an intelligencer. But with these werewolves, she fit. She became special. She really belonged." 
 That dynamic would be awesome to read, and instead I was just left sad. Sad because I know what happens to Niall. Sad because Sidheag has to wait so many years to get what she should have gotten at THIS point in time. Sad about what happened to Soap...even though I know ultimately it's the best thing. Sad that any of the books I love ever have to end. 
 Damn authors who make you love their characters! Damn them for making us care so much! 
 I find myself searching for other characters we know from the Parasol Protectorate series. Ivy always seemed suspect to me...like she knew more than she let on and her crazy hats and flightiness were just a front. Do these girls change names once they finish? Could Ivy Hisselpenny be Dimity Plumleigh-Teignmott? Oh, probably not. But I can't help theorizing. But I want to see them all! Maybe even a little young Alexia?? Maybe in the next book when Sophronia starts working for the dewan just a little earlier than she's supposed to?? Could she not run into Alexia? Could she not meet Conall Maccon in London?????? Or Professor Lyall and suspect him of being shiftier than he seems?!?!?!?!?!?!? 
 I love Gail Carriger's books. I may do a Christmas break reread.