Soulless by Gail Carriger

Soulless (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.

Reviewed by celinenyx on

4 of 5 stars

Share
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.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 September, 2011: Finished reading
  • 22 November, 2015: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • 22 November, 2015: Finished reading
  • 22 November, 2015: Reviewed