That Inevitable Victorian Thing

(Probably 2.5, rounding down - shelved on fantasy because I don't have an alternate history category)

Well, this was a book. I've had it out from the library since December and just could not get into it (to be fair to the book, I also had a baby in that time period, so it's not entirely the book's fault). I picked it up because I loved the cover design and the title amused me, but I don't think the actual book lived up to that, sadly. The worldbuilding and alternative history of the British Empire was intriguing, and it kind of feels like the author was more interested in that than in the characters - all three of the main characters were pretty flat to me, and I couldn't really get into their heads. Part of that may have been the narration, which is this semi-Victorian tone that I actually liked, but put them all at a remove. I don't know - there was plot, but things all seemed wrapped up quickly and without a whole lot of angst or drama, which would be great in reality but doesn't make for great reading. Like, I don't know, if I were realizing I were a lesbian or intersex and all my plans for the future depended on marrying and having children, it seems like there would be a bit more drama, even if it's just internal conflict. Also, the quick little "oh, no one has periods, that's why Helena didn't know" bugged me, and I don't know why, exactly. Also, I just didn't really care about August at all. This book wasn't offensive or anything, I just wanted it to be more than it was, I think.