Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

January 18, 2015 4.5 stars, Book Review 37 ★★★★½

Review: Soulless by Gail CarrigerSoulless by Gail Carriger
Series: Parasol Protectorate #1
on October 1, 2009
Genres: Adult SFF, Romance, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 373
Length: 10 hours, 52 minutes
Narrator: Emily Gray
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon
My Reviews in this series: Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, Timeless

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?

four-half-stars

Why-ever did I wait so long!?

I simply can’t believe that I’ve waited this long to dive into Soulless because it was hilarious and extremely fun. If you’re asking yourself why you haven’t read it yet – you should just stop right now and pick up a copy. Personally I already owned the print and so picked up the audiobook when I happened to listen to sample and adored the narrator Emily Gray. So when I couldn’t listen I was reading and vice versa. It made this a delightful one day read.

There’s no freedom like that of being a spinster

Miss Alexia Tarabotti is a spinster. Why? Because she’s half Italian, and has a stronger nose and darker complexion and sharper tongue then what is considered attractive by London’s social elite. And well – when that is the case no aristocratic man will ever want you – so says her mother, sisters and well – just about everyone. But her spinsterhood is a fact that she has quite resigned herself to and actually uses to her advantage. She does what she likes, is friends with whomever she pleases and has the sharpest tongue when she’s of a mind not to curb it. Which is frankly never. She even has a very special parasol that she had fashioned for her protection. And then there is the most important thing about her…she is soulless.

There is a mystery afoot!

Did I neglect to mention Alexia is also frightfully bored? She has been pestering the Lord Maccon the alpha werewolf in London who also happens to be the head of the head of the local Bureau of Unnatural Registry that she should be allowed to work for the Bureau given her special condition. When rogue vampires start showing up and solo vampires and werewolves start going missing Alexia somehow finds herself mixed up in all of it.

My dear she doth protest too much

Now here’s where things get saucy – not too saucy mind you because lets remember the time period this is taking place in. But you remember how sharp tempered I said Alexia is? Well it seems Lord Maccon rather likes that in a woman, along with all the other undesirable traits that the rest of society snubs her for. And eventually against his own personal judgement he lets her know just how desirable he finds her. Reading these two at their cat and mouse…or should I say dog and cat? – was so much fun. I’d have to say that their relationship did make me consider this book closer to being a paranormal romance versus urban fantasy and I enjoyed every minute of it.

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Tabitha (Pabkins)

When I'm in the zone I can flip book pages faster than the eye can see - screaming "More Input!" I'm a book, yarn, & art supply hoarding goblin who loves to draw, make toys and craft all sorts of creepy cute things. My current habit is to listen to audio books while I'm arting it up!
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37 Responses to “Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger”

  4. Melliane

    Oh I’m glad you had a good time with this first book. I love the series but I still need to read the last book. I confess that at the end I wasn’t sure that the sequel could be as good but it was really great! Hope you’ll enjoy the others too. Great review!
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  6. Lynn

    I loved this book! I started reading and for about 20/30 pages as I was dubious – then without warning it just struck me and I was hooked. TBH I haven’t finished the series – I think I’ve read 4 – should get on and finish it really but I waned a little on the last book!
    Lynn 😀
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    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      There us only five books, so you’re on the home stretch! I just started the fourth book tonight and I bet I’ll finish the fifth by next week. I’m trying to read a different book between each of these lol cause you know I still have to read my review books lol. I’m doing so well on my read personal tbr books challenge already this year!
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  13. Kirsty-Marie

    I am now asking myself the same question, when it first came out I thought it was YA, but then realised it was Adult so I didn’t buy it, but I’m really trying to read more Adult this year. And I love fun ones (especially when they’re hilarious, so read them quicker) and I don’t mind a little saucy, but really glad it isn’t too saucy, so out of my comfort zone.
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  14. Alise

    I remember picking this one up at the library but I never got to it before it had to be returned. Looks like I missed out on a good one though, so I’ll have to borrow it again 🙂 And ahh, the romance, loving the sound of it!
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