At one point, I considered dropping this series, and <i>Competence</i> makes me glad that I didn't. There's been some white savior shit in this series, but this one's lighter on the plot, avoiding that mistake with a plot that barely registers, and heavier on the romance. It's humorous, irreverent and full of kissing, which is what I liked best from Carriger anyway.

The prior books were about Rue and Quesnel, but they've settled into happy couple status and the POV has shifted to Tunstell siblings Prim and Percy. The central element of <i>Competence</i> is Primrose Tunstell's relationship with were-lioness Tasherit. Before this book, there's been some flirting, but Prim's been engaged and determined to live a society-approved het lifestyle, despite being rather obsessed with Tash's general hotness. A steampunk with an f/f ship that's pretty damn adorable? SIGN ME UP. Oh wait, I already signed up.

Even more awesome, there's a background romance between a canon bisexual male and transgender female, neither of them white. After the first couple of books feeling so incredibly white for books about traveling the globe, it's so satisfying to get this out of <i>Competence</i>. I will say I was a bit confused by the second ship solely because I thought Carriger was setting that guy up for Percy. So I hope she doesn't kill off Anitra later or something because girl's too cool for that.

Super fun with a surprising amount of rep! Admittedly, I didn't like the Rue/Quesnel news from the end, but other readers will (and I should have seen it coming given the Soulless series' plot points).