Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, book 1) by Gail Carriger
Genre: Steampunk
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Soulless (1)
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?
Review:
Gosh, I'm in love. Everything about Soulless hits all the good spots. While it's not over the top steampunk, it has enough flavor to spice up a world that is now aware of the supernatural and has taken different steps into the future from our known history. To me it makes perfect since the technology would take slightly more colorful steps. Not to mention that Alexia Tarabotti is an amazing lead. She may be a spinster due to her Italian blood and dead father, plan looks, too voluptuous—no it’s not actually called that in polite society—and smarts; she's a proper English lady. Well, as proper as she wants to be. She tells things how it is most of the time which may be shocking, but she's always polite about it. Come on how can you not love a book that has the utmost politeness while the lead is being strapped up for torture?
It might take readers a moment to fall into the swing of the British “accent” of the book, but it's like any good BBC show. Once you catch on the rest is magic! For me one of my most favorite things about the British is their humor, made all the more awesome because of the historical time period of the book. While it could get annoying that the amazing Alexia is a spinster and everyone—especially her family—keeps informing her about her undesirable qualities Carriger does a wonderful job bringing humor and just enough depth to make it understandable for the time period. (And personally makes me happy those days are gone for women. In the most part.)
Lord Maccon is Alexia’s rake. Come on he’s a Alpha werewolf, high ranking, powerful, smart and on top of all that Scottish. Boom! What a combination. Not to mention when Alexia and Maccon are tossed together. They’re bickering flirting is cute and the mystery of the hedgehog warms my heart. With smiles. What I like more is that Maccon can’t understand why no one would want her. While reading this with a friend she stated that she didn’t understand why Maccon could see how amazing Alexia was, but Alexia despite all her brains agreed with everyone that she would be a spinster forever. But it was clear to me with society, her friends, and most importantly her family mentioning her faults constantly I’m amazed she turned out as awesome as she did. Even the most amazing characters have personal doubts, what’s true character strength is to eventually get past them. (And personally I did not think it was that big of a deal. Just over thinking. Yeah, I know me saying that.)
I did have a problem with The Queen telling Alexia that she had great investigation skills, when the plot/mystery just falls into her lap and everyone is simply pulled in. Really it's a bunch of dandies that deserve all the praise this time. However, I can forgive it this time around. Because the humor, sophistication, paranormal elements, and the historical romance-investigation feel of Soulless is perfect. Even if I still don't quite understand why Alexia is classified as soulless in the long run . . . and other obvious paranormal related questions are ignored. That's for another book.
Overall Soulless is pretty darn close to perfection. Don't let the British accent of the book intimidate you. It always saddens me when readers can't embrace other flavors of English. (Yes, I'm thinking of my beloved Kate Forsyth.) Soulless is the ultimate in genre blending with urban fantasy elements, mystery, historical romance, comedy, and tea. (Tea had to be mentioned at some point!) Alexia is a fantastic leading lady and Lord Maccon is one sizzling gentleman werewolf. The Parasol Protectorate is clearly going to be a wonderful addiction.
Sexual Content: Actually for be so proper. It’s got the goods. Wink. Plenty of sexual humor, some homosexual themes, and such.
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!
| Previous book(s) in series: | ||
| Reviewed on BW: | Amazon: | Goodreads: |
| Soulless (1) Changeless (2) Blameless (3) Heartless (4) Timeless (5) | Soulless (1) Changeless (2) Blameless (3) Heartless (4) Timeless (5) | Soulless (1) Changeless (2) Blameless (3) Heartless (4) Timeless (5) |
No comments:
Post a Comment