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A Whole Lot Of Fun Oct 4, 2009 (16 of 17 found this helpful)
I don't really think I've ever come across a book quite as quotable as Soulless, and right from the start it had me in a combination of giggles and "oh, I'm so going to have to remember that line" - it was a pattern that started very early on ("a vampire, like a lady, never reveals his true age") and continued right to the very end (I cannot post the quote as it is both spoiler and possibly NSFW). For all the dark and dreariness that does appear in a world populated by vampires, werewolves and London fog, this is a very humorous book with a great many wonderful lines. The best humour, naturally, comes from the interactions between Alexia and Lord Maccon, who are already familiar with each other, and his dislike of her at least somewhat relates back to an incident with a hedgehog - don't worry, folks, we do find out what the hedgehog incident actually was. And if you're a fan of UST between people who don't quite get along, you'll be more than happy to know it's absolutely dripping with the stuff.
Carriger has done a lot of clever world-building when it comes to her paranormal steampunk London, and the many people and beings who live in it. The organisation of this Victorian society populated by supernatural beings is well-displayed, with the relevant information coming out at the right time, and not being dumped on us all at once. Every author puts their own twists on the concepts of vampires and werewolves, and while for the most part she sticks to standards she adds her own flare to things - like how vampires have influenced fashion and the like (pale, my dears, is very much in). But the thing I like most is the concept of preternaturals, their historical role and their own unique abilities. It's quite fascinating, and I'll be keeping an eye out on how Carriger develops the concept in future novels - in the meantime though I was more than satisfied with how it went in Soulless.
There were two things that niggled at me, and which kept Soulless from reaching the full five stars I would have given it otherwise. The first was the name-jumping: in one paragraph a character would be addressed by title and surname in the narration, and then in the next it would just be the first name. Then it would go right back to the first way and continue jumping all the way through the novel. This mainly occurred with the main character, but other minor ones were similarly afflicted, and it made for a whole lot of distractions, thus taking me much longer to get into reading the story fluidly.
The other niggle was the repetition of some aspects. As I was reading along I was constantly reminded that Alexia was half-Italian and olive-skinned and was curvy and didn't have a tiny nose and that was Not Good in her world. I can understand that it was important as it marked her as different and odd in an outward sense (as her own preternatural abilities aren't something you can just see), but after a while it got frustrating enough for me to want to yell back "I KNOW!" when that repetition came up once again. Fortunately that lessoned over the course of the novel, but it was still very frustrating.
Apart from those two things, Soulless was an incredibly fun novel, and I'll be looking forward to May to read the next one, Changeless. In the meantime, if you like novels such as Pride and Prejudice and the Sookie Stackhouse novels, then Soulless might definitely be the book for you.
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Steampunk meets a lot of genres with a delightful result Sep 29, 2009 (8 of 8 found this helpful)
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 is being rudely attacked by a vampire to whom she has not been properly introduced! Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire, and 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? Who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
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This book is a mix of things and I fell head over heels for it. I had heard a lot about steampunk and after reading this I want more. I love a good alternate history/earth kind of book.
And yes I know I put up a lot of genres there, but there is a lot of different things in here, and how to tell what is what. Also I am first now getting the whole steampunk idea. What not to miss is that it's also comedic. It's so witty, and even if it's not laugh out loud haha, it has that witty streak through out the whole book that I often sat there with a smile on my face. I loved the banter between the main characters.
Alexia is a great heroine, witty, smart and not like her half sisters or other women. She is also soulless, a soulsucker as the vampires call her kind. She has been a spinster from once, her mother does not know about her condition, but because of her Italian look she has been on the shelf for 10 years. But she is quite happy there, and she has the freedom to at least try to do what she wants.
But then there is the nasty incident with a rude vampire who does not introduce himself instead he goes straight for her neck. Vampires have more manners than that since they, werewolves and ghosts now are a part of society. She is of course shocked and does what she has to do. here the book starts, and we get to meet Lord Maccon who she has come across now and then. The alpha wolf from Scotland who came and took control over the London pack. Rather rude, and very much a werewolf. Can she figure out things without running in to him all the time?
Lord Maccon, well yes I fell for him. He is all alpha, and the dance between those two is great, she has really succeeded with creating chemistry between them. They are so annoyed by each other, but at the same time there is something more there. Something a soulless really should not feel for a werewolf, because what would others say? How I wanted them together.
Werewolves. vampires and ghosts are a normal sight in England, an the rest of the world these days. In England they are a part of society, and it's a nice twist to it. The setting feels normal.
This is a great and funny book. There is the romance, the comedy of manners, and the insight in how things could perhaps have been. The main characters are lovely, and very rude. The side characters are nice, especially Lord Akeldama, her vampire, and very eccentric friend.
For lovers of paranormal, historical, urban fantasy, steampunk or romance, this is a book that I can recommend. It's a nice read, and I am so happy I was lucky to win it, and discovering yet another great side genre. With likeable characters, a funny story and that little bit of extra this is a good start to a series. The next book will be released in the spring of 2010, and I hope to hear more of this author in the future.
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Yep, you gotta read it Sep 30, 2009 (7 of 8 found this helpful)
Yes, this one's a must-read. Wodehouse meets Jane Austen meets Jules Verne in this uncategorizable, delightful book. You want to laugh? This is your book. You want to identify with a complex main character? Here you go. You want to read a love story, and to settle in for some comfort reading? Here's a book you'll be genuinely glad to read. . . and re-read. This one goes next to Pratchett on my shelf, for sheer fun value. Warning: there will be parasols!
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Quirky, Fun and Adorable Steampunk (A+ Grade) Sep 29, 2009 (5 of 6 found this helpful)
Fans of Steampunk, rejoice. And better count those who adore Steampunk with a great romance that has a delightful, witty and very original heroine.This freshman novel is near perfect in its writing and storytelling. When a book such as Soulless brings forth such laughs and an abundance of happiness while you read, it is a true winner in my eyes.
Soulless is about Alexia Tarbotti, a twenty-six year old Victorian spinster who lives in London with her stepfather, mother and two sisters who embody incredible beauty. Alexia's mother never allowed her to have her coming out and placed her on the shelf at fifteen. Alexia has a dark secret because of her father. She is known as a preternatural, one who doesn't have a soul. Alexia has a heart and can feel emotions but because she has no morals, she uses reason and logic instead. As a preternatural, anytime Alexia touches a supernatural creature like a vampire or werewolf, they lose their abilities. Her kind used to hunt these creatures throughout time. And if Alexia is found out, it could go very badly for her.
Alexia's secret is about to come out because one night while she is at a ball, sitting alone in a library with her nose out of joint because there was no real food for her to eat, she is attacked by a vampire. Because she kills the vampire, she pretends to faint and is found by her nemesis, Lord Maccon, who is the fourth Earl of Woolsey and the Chief Minister in Charge of Supernatural Liaison for the Greater London Area. He works for the Bureau of Unnatural Registry and also happens to be Scottish and the alpha to the Woolsey werewolf pack. Alexia and Maccon don't get along because of an incident with a hedgehog that he blames Alexia for.
For some reason the vampire was starved and that was why he attacked Alexia. Because vampires live in hives and have queens, there should be no reason for a vampire to be so hungry and attacking the good people of London. Along with Maccon's beta, Professor Lyall, they begin an investigation and find out that both vampires and werewolves are disappearing. It looks like something dastardly is at play that could uproot the whole supernatural community.
Alexia will do some investigating of her own. She is very good friends with Lord Akeldama, a very witty and old vampire whose personality is as outrageous as his wardrobe. He gives her sound advice on where to go and who to be aware of. She also has her other good friend and owner of horrendous bonnets, Miss Ivy Hisselpenny to bounce ideas off of. Unfortunately, Alexia is in deeper trouble than she would have ever expected especially when the BUR offices are broken into and her file is stolen and Countess Nadasdy, the vampire queen of the Westminster Hive, warns Alexia that there are many who would like to eliminate her. Alexia is attacked too many times to count and Lord Maccon pops out of nowhere to protect her as well as kiss her senseless and dare to give her love bites around her neck for anyone to see.
Soulless is a rousing good time. The sights and sounds of Victorian England are shown so well here where you will be lost in the world of vampires, werewolves and mad scientists who have an obsession with octopuses. Not only is there a great deal of action but a wonderful romance between Alexia and Maccon that is too adorable for words. Gail makes sure to build up Alexia and Maccon's attraction for one another slowly to the point these two are ready to combust because they can't keep their hands off one another. Because Alexia is a proper virginal miss, she is still very innocent in the ways of courting and love. She knows the mechanics of attraction and the outcome due to some naughty books she has read that her deceased father owned. And watching Maccon come to grips with his uncontrollable lust and eventual love for Alexia is very sweet.
The mystery surrounding the supernatural disappearances is written so very w
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Clever, funny, and intriguing! Oct 18, 2009 (2 of 2 found this helpful)
I read a number of reviews of this book before reading it, so was prepared for it to be a thoroughly enjoyable book. I was somehow still not prepared to find myself carrying it around with me so that every time I had a spare 15 minutes, I could read another several pages. I was also not prepared to get far less sleep than I should have for a couple nights in a row, simply because I must know what happened next.
Soulless follows the story of Alexia Tarabotti, a spinster in her 20's with half Italian blood and no chance of getting married, who lives in Victorian England in an alternative history where vampires and werewolves are fully integrated into society. One of my favorite things about reading through this novel was to see what various aspects of Victorian social organization and etiquette were explained as a result of the supernatural influence. Miss Tarabotti is a rare "preternatural," a human with no soul, who therefore changes the supernatural set back into being fully human for as long as she touches them (the supernaturals, in this world, actually suffer from an overabundance of soul). Alexia is a delightful heroine - intelligent, witty, curious about her world, and willing to defend herself if necessary, as necessary, especially when she manages to have her trusty silver-tipped brass parasol with her (but hair sticks will do).
The novel's plot is a mixture of mystery, romance, adventure, and drama, all tied together with vivid characters and a generous helping of humor that left me giggling out loud several times. I found it a little bit difficult at first to get used to the lack of contractions in the language, but soon settled into it, and realized that the formality significantly helped set the scene and place the characters into a time and place that was certainly not here and now.
So here's the thing. My reading-for-pleasure usually involves fantasy or sci-fi, and this book only slightly fits into that category, being a fantasy/alternative history novel. I'm a big Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, but I've ever really read or watched anything else about vampires or werewolves. Most of my exposure to steampunk has been through a friend's New Year's Eve party and associated conversations. My British cultural knowledge is slim enough that I had to go look up exactly what treacle tart was. But I love a good book, and this was a delightfully good book that just kept getting better all the way through until the end. Fortunately, it looks like the 2nd book in the series will be coming out in May, so I don't have too long to wait to see what happens next.