Goodreads Synopsis:
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations.
First, she has no soul. Second, she’s a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.
Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire–and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.
With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London’s high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
My review:
Soulless by Gail Carriger is the first in the five book Parasol Protectorate steampunk series. It’s quite a mixture: a steampunk, Victorian, paranormal romance, fantasy, vampire, werewolf, mystery! In which Miss Alexia Tarabotti, a preternatural who has ‘no soul,’ sets off a chain of events by killing a vampire with her much loved parasol. Highly recommended – really enjoyed this. It had me laughing out loud a lot, generally sniggering in various rooms in our house, and even in public places… I had to stifle my hysterical laughter whilst drinking a cup of tea in Starbucks!
This was my first experience of reading a Steampunk novel, and I have to say it did make me want to read more in this genre.
I enjoyed the characterisation, even the subsidiary characters were well fleshed out and entertaining, but I particularly enjoyed the hilarious love scenes between the strident, confident, Alexia, and Lord Maccon, Earl of Woosley, a Scottish alpha werewolf and head of the B.U.R, (The Bureau of Unnatural Registration.) Lord Akeldama, the fashionable vampire with his male harem, was a positive treat. Equally, I loved Mrs. Loontwill, Alexia’s mother, her two idiotic stepsisters, Evylin and Felicity, and Floote her long suffering butler.
More than anything this novel is full of FUN, and FROLICS. If you want a light-hearted read that will make you laugh and keep you laughing this is the one. If you want a serious read then I suggest you avoid this like the plague!
My rating: 4 stars
DISCLAIMER: “As of 13th September 2017 we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
My opinions are my own and any reviews on this site have not been swayed or altered in any way by monetary compensation, or by the offer of a free book in exchange for a review.
Buying Links
Amazon UK Kindle: http://amzn.to/2fblk3F
Amazon UK Paperback: http://amzn.to/2fbNLhO
Amazon UK Hardcover (available 20 Feb 2018): http://amzn.to/2w7jKa1
Authors Website: http://www.gailcarriger.com
Have you read Soulless? Do let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear what you think of it.
Bye for now, Happy Reading!!!
Gail Carriger is a true talent! I have either read or listened to all of her books but Imprudence, and they are hysterical and fabulous! I have reviewed a couple of them too. I’m glad to see someone else enjoy them!
Most definitely, she’s a wonderfuly talented writer. So glad to find another fan!
Oh no, not another steampunk, Victorian, paranormal romance, fantasy, vampire, werewolf, mystery! Just kidding! It sounds like a unique read. I already have a number of books on my shelf to get through, but at some point, this might be a good book to take a look at.
Glad the review piqued your interest. By the way your comment ended up in my spam folder. I’ll be reblogging Hugh’s post about how to sort out this issue. It might be an idea to check your spam folder too!
Thanks for letting me know. I’ll check out my spam folder and see if there’s anything in there.
Thanks Bun. It’s a bit of a pain… Hope your comments aren’t being zapped too 🙁
I’ve had problems with that in the past, but at the moment, most of them seem to be getting through, thank goodness. 😀
Hope it doesn’t keep happening! It’s a bit of a pain! 🙁
I had such fun with this series too. 🙂 … And what a great cast of secondary characters
… but the covers. What were they thinking? Almost everything looks great, but the posture of the model? I got a cramp in my neck just looking at them.
Fab review Marje. You may have just piqued my interest in Steampunk! 🙂
That’s great Debby.By the way I just found your comment in my spam folder. May be an issue going on here. Will be reblogging Hugh’s post about how to sort out this problem. It might be an idea to check your spam too.
I check my spam every day, because I’ve had my share of WP woes too and still finding it difficult to comment on many blogs, which means, those bloggers have a problem with their Askimet too.
Yes this sounds quite a widespread problem. It’s very frustrating!
For sure! We all have more things to do than be techsperts! 🙂
I’ve never read any Steampunk nor even heard the term until I started blogging. I thought those books would be very dark and heavy so to hear your moments of laughter was a revelation. She sounds like a great writer and thanks for this excellent review.
Me neither! Yes really recommend reading this. A good introduction perhaps to steampunk though I am definitely no expert!!