Soulless: Book 1 of The Parasol Protectorate (Orbit) (Parasol Protectorate, #1)

by Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti is labouring 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? Or 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 a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

***Also available as a manga adaptation***

• ISBN10: 1841499722
• ISBN13: 9781841499727
• Publish Date: 2 September 2010 (first published 1 January 2009)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Orbit
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[layawaydragon]

Finally on a reading streak and have a good feeling it will continue!

Instantly hooked me with her original and fun voice.

In a lot of ways, our beauty standards do have quite a lot of similarities with England's own at the time. It helps that our heroine is one of us that doesn't fit in for different reasons so we can relate while the Victorian views on Irish and Italian constitutions viciously keep us rooted in the silly side of the past. No one "darker" than an Italian is subject to their heinously racist views on brown skin, which is a sword that cuts both ways. But we all know sadly what it would be.

We do get the campiest, slyest vampire best friend, which is a boon that keeps on giving.

The world is an interesting take. It's nice to see someone play around the soul without it being religiously motivated or lightly-veiled propaganda.

I had this on my to-be read list because of this factor in the description for years. I didn't need the soothing rom-com until now and I feel saved because I "ignored" this book before. Henceforce, my TBR is no longer. It's my WILLING-to read book list.

Maybe I'm saving it for later, like a potion or ingredient in a game. Maybe times or I will change and I'll toss it like dated rubish.

But at this moment, I can say for sure my next to be read book is book two, Changeless. Because I already checked it out from my local library. And I will always love ebook borrowing.

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.

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

I need to be honest straight into this and say – Soulless is a bit silly.

This is a book about a declared spinster – a young Victorian lady in her twenties – who just so happens to have no soul. It’s an unfortunate side-effect of her birth, as her father is also soulless. She’s also half-Italian, which is a constant source of difficulty for her in civilized society. She doesn’t really talk about her preternatural state, but she does argue with werewolves, flirt with vampires, and stab people with parasols.

Really, Soulless is a typical cheeky paranormal romance with a steampunk edge, and that’s fine with me. This book is incredibly witty and fun to listen to. Gail Carriger’s writing is always fun.. While I usually roll my eyes at paranormal romance, but adding the snarky protagonist cinches it for me. Can I explain the logic of that? NOPE. But I really like it. It’s the same voice I liked in Just One Damned Thing After Another. Unfortunately, there’s no dinosaurs in Soulless.

There are werewolves with wonderful Scottish accents and very poor manners, so I do forgive the lack of prehistoric beasties.

With any novel of this sort, you get your assortment of quirky characters. And they are all delightful. There’s Ivy Hisslepenny, who is a proper gossip and loves living vicariously through her best friend’s adventures. Lord Akeldama is an eccentric vampire wholes apart from the hive and has exquisite, expensive taste. These are just minor characters and I love them. Alexia herself is high-spirited in all the best ways, tries to follow the rules explicitly and fails spectacularly, and you can’t help but to root for her.

Now, I will say, there are definitely moments where it’s blatantly clear this is not YA. There are scenes that are unapologetically graphic, particularly at the end of the novel. For those with, ah, more delicate constitutions, I would recommend Gail Carriger’s Finishing School series. Both series have the same wit, take place in the same world… one is YA and one is adult.

Usually, I would roll my eyes at the heated scenes. If this was a standard romantic novel, or something taking itself seriously, I would mercilessly tear the sex (or almost sex) scenes apart. But it’s not taking itself seriously at all, and shockingly these scenes somehow managed to further the plot. Which, I’ve got to be honest, I wasn’t expecting. The plot itself wasn’t entirely impressive – I think it is the voice and the characters the make this an entertaining read, but at the end of the day, there’s not a lot of substance to it.

So. This isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s a super fun little story with a lot of chuckles and impropriety and it’s delightful. A great read for when you need an amusing break from reality. And hunkish werewolves.

[Beth C.]

I read the Finishing School series first, simply because one caught my eye. Then, on the advice of a co-worker, I decided to read Soulless - but I *had* to wait until the pretty one came out ;) Frankly, right now, this was perfect reading. Light and fun and entertaining, and occasionally even giggle-out-loud perfect. Absolute escapist reading, with a fun story, captivating characters, and the promise of more to come!

[lisacee]

This was way more fun than I was expecting.

[Ace]

reread, first read in 2011

[celinenyx]

LOOK AT ME, I'M READING.

I forgot how wonderfully bizarre Soulless is. The snark is so strong. On reread I realize how little I actually remembered from the story - I could still recall the lovely romance between Alexia and Lord Maccon, but the entire plotline of vampires and werewolves going missing slipped my mind.

Soulless is a fantastic urban fantasy book, original in its combination of alternate history and paranormal elements, all in a well-written and funny package. Am looking forward to reading the other Parasol Protectorate books.

[annieb123]

I can definitely understand this being a 4 or 5 star book for people who enjoy light banter-y bodice rippers. There's just something about that type of sarcastic wittiness that annoys me all out of proportion. The book is absolutely full of anachronisms and trying-too-hard Jane Austinisms for me.

Worth the read, but annoying for me, personally. I feel like such a grinch for saying that. I can understand all the glowing reviews, it just wasn't for me.

[tellemonstar]

I enjoyed this. A full review to come later.

[Sam@WLABB]

I cannot lie -- I LOVED it! There are many reasons why I appreciated this novel

1. It made me laugh.....a lot.....like I was a little insane, but laughter is good for the soul.

2. Alexia - she is woman, hear her roar. To be so direct, forthright, and intellectual in the 19th century, bravo. I enjoyed her wit, her sarcasm, her strength and her weaknesses. I loved how she grew to appreciate her outside as much as her inside.

3. Lord Maccon -- a wonderful foil for the aforementioned Alexia.

4. Maccon and Alexia together -- they are like a comedy duo. When they shared the page, it was magic and hysteria.

5. This book was a bunch of things -- you had your paranormal, your mystery, your blood/guts, and your romance. What else could you ask for.