Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger
Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate #1)
Gail Carriger
Release: October 1, 2009
Buy Kindle version: here
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 3.5 Stars
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 a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.
I have to admit I went into this book with some high expectations, some of my favorite people loved this book. Unfortunately, I did not find myself enamored with it, tho I did find some enjoyable qualities.
Soulless is about a woman, a spinster at the ripe age of mid twenties, who was born without a soul. This unique quality allows her to basically turn supernatural beings back into human (or close to it) with simply a touch. The story is set in past London and covers the mysterious disappearances of both vampires and werewolves. In addition to finding herself mixed up in the dangerous case of disappearances, Alexia has to deal with the annoying but sexy Lord Maccon.
I started reading this because it came so well recommended and because I convinced my local book group that they should give it a try. The first four chapters of this book were really hard for me to sit down with. I kept starting it only to put it down and then grudgingly pick it back up again. Once I got past the first four chapters and into the mystery of the plot it was a bit easier to sink into.
Redeeming qualities – the characters. I really enjoyed the sense of humor and personality that the author was able to give to all of the characters in this story. Both main characters and side characters were interesting and well fleshed out. I also really enjoyed the unusual properties of the supernatural beings, including the unique theories of being soulless.
As for what I didn’t like, I am honestly having a hard time finding a way to put it into words. At times the story seemed to drag on and at times it seemed to not be quite drawn out enough. The overuse of adjectives in the writing was distracting and I often found myself using the dictionary function on my Kindle. I don’t know if it was the time period or the “steampunkness” of it, but something just did not resonate with me and I wasn’t pulled in and fascinated. I do like the idea of the world, I think I just have a time picturing and relating to it.
In the end I did enjoy the plot even with guessing who the “bad guy” early on. I also enjoyed the characters and interactions between them. I don’t regret reading it and will be picking up book two to see if I fare any better with the world after more time with it. My only regret is convincing book club to read this one as their first venture into paranormal fiction.
Book 2 of the Parasol Protectorate Series, Changeless, will be released on March 30 2010.
FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.
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5 Responses to “Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger”
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It is funny how some books work so well for some and not so well for others. I loved the dialogue in this book. I just think she wrote with such a unique, cute voice. And the relationship between h/h was so sweet imo. But, I have read some reviews that mirror yours.
Hopefully your book club will try another PNR!
I’ve yet to read anything “steampunk”. I thought I’d give this one a try. I’ve read reviews both favorable and unfavorable so I’m interested to see for myself.
“At times the story seemed to drag on and at times it seemed to not be quite drawn out enough.”
I just finished reading a novella that did this and it was frustrating. I kept hoping the author would find a rhythm.
Great honest review KV!
KV I’ve seen this around the blogsphere, I don’t think I’ve read a steampunk novel yet. I’m not sure if this one is for me, I need a story that keeps me entwined all the way through, otherwise I get bored and will peruse Elloras’s Cave
This one has gotten a lot of mixed reviews. I still haven’t read any steampunk, and am not sure I’m up to it yet. This is one of those books I feel like I should read just to see if I like it or not.
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