Who Would Like This Book:
What a romp! "Soulless" is a witty, sharp, and delightfully irreverent blend of paranormal fantasy, Victorian comedy of manners, and a dash of steampunk. Readers who enjoy smart, snarky heroines will fall in love with Alexia Tarabotti, a no-nonsense spinster who just happens to be soulless - and who’s not afraid to take on vampires, werewolves, and the rigid rules of high society. The banter between Alexia and werewolf Lord Maccon is hilarious and the worldbuilding - where supernaturals are integrated into polite Victorian society - is a fun twist for fans of genre mashups. Lovers of romantic tension, quirky characters, and tongue-in-cheek humor (think Jane Austen meets Buffy with a steampunk umbrella) are sure to have a great time.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the book’s romance elements a bit too prominent, and weren’t as enchanted by the slow-building plot or the frequent emphasis on Victorian social norms. If you’re seeking heavy steampunk machinery, epic world politics, or a darker, more serious tone, you might feel let down - this story leans more into comedy, witty dialogue, and courtship shenanigans than high-stakes action. Also, those looking for nuanced exploration of race and representation might find the frequent references to the heroine’s Italian heritage and complexion repetitive or awkwardly handled. And if romance isn’t your thing, the budding relationship in the foreground may not be up your alley.
About:
In the book "Soulless" by Gail Carriger, readers are transported to an alternate Victorian England where supernatural beings like vampires and werewolves are accepted members of society. The protagonist, Alexia Tarabotti, is a unique character who is soulless, meaning she can neutralize supernatural abilities by touch. The story follows Alexia's adventures as she inadvertently kills a vampire and is drawn into investigating the supernatural occurrences in her society, leading her to partner with the brash and handsome werewolf leader, Lord Maccon. The plot is filled with mystery, humor, witty dialogue, and a touch of romance, set against a backdrop of steampunk elements and a Victorian London filled with paranormal intrigue.
The writing style of "Soulless" is described as witty, engaging, and fast-paced, with a blend of fantasy, steampunk, and romantic elements. The characters, especially the strong and sassy heroine Alexia, are praised for their depth, humor, and chemistry, making the story a delightful mix of comedy of manners, urban fantasy, and romance with a modern and feminine twist.
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Has Romance?
The romance in the book is substantial and plays a significant role in the storyline.
From The Publisher:
Buffy meets Jane Austen in the first book of this wickedly funny NYT bestselling series about a young woman whose brush with the supernatural leads to a deadly investigation of London's high society.
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?
Soulless is the first book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.
Ratings (173)
Incredible (26) | |
Loved It (67) | |
Liked It (41) | |
It Was OK (27) | |
Did Not Like (11) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (337):
Read It (177) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (104) | |
Did Not Finish (10) | |
Not Interested (45) |
5 comment(s)
Was fun. I would say it’s like half a soul but make it more supernatural, more gender norm-y, and slightly problematic. I really did like half a soul tho and this had a lot of the same things I liked from that character and humor wise, but I wouldn’t reread this one. It was good for what it was
Soulless was a bit hard to get into for me at first, but I really enjoyed the book. Alexia, a preternatural, who can remove sup powers by touch, is a spinster in London high society. The relationships between her and Lords Maccon and Akeldama were very funny.
A paranormal, steampunk, potboiler romance, with steamy scenes oddly shoehorned in. The writing is sometimes clunky, but I enjoyed it for all that. I'm not rushing out to get the next in the series.
Everything about this book felt watered down to me: the romance, the danger, the humor (which often watered down the danger, in fact), the steampunk elements. Alexia acts very boldly and confidently, but we are told she is insecure. I believe this series is on its fifth book, so Carriger is obviously doing something right. It just wasn't for me.
This had me giggling the whole way through. Alexia is hilarious and Conall is not far behind. That said, there's not a huge amount of romance and their relationship is more prone to volatile banter than anything else. I do love that Conall constantly defends her to everyone - including her own family. I loved the rest of the cast of characters, Ivy, Professor Lyall and Lord Alkeldama. I enjoyed the steampunk setting and the paranormal elements - particularly that of Alexia who is "soulless". I love how concerned she is with good manners. The mystery was intriguing and I had a great time following along as they investigated. 4.5 stars, rounded to 5.
What can you read after
Soulless?
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