Soulless by Gail Carriger Genres: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Steampunk
Published by Orbit on October 1, 2009
Pages: 357
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Emily Gray
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Also by this author: Curtsies & Conspiracies, Etiquette and Espionage, Waistcoats & Weaponry, Manners & Mutiny, Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Prudence, Imprudence, Competence, Reticence, Changeless, Blameless , Heartless , TimelessAlexia 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?
I really loved this series when I first started way back when it came out but I never finished all the books for some reason. There are only 5 so why did I quit? Not a clue…lol. Anyway I am happy that Barb said yes to trying this series when we were deciding on a new series to tackle after dropping Longmire. So once you read my review go on over to Booker T’s Farm and see what Barb thought!
Here is what I thought
I read this back when it came out so it’s been a while and I forgot how much I really enjoyed this as the characters are a lot of fun.
Alexia is a preternatural which means she doesn’t have a soul and she has an ability to take away a supernatural creatures abilities when she touches them. So she is not well liked by the werewolf and vampire communities. So she kind of gets into the spotlight after she kills a rogue vampire and the BUR get into the investigation.
Lord Maccon is part of the BUR and Alexia drives him crazy but sort of in a good way. He has never gotten over an incident that happened in the past between them involving a hedgehog! (There is a short story about the hedgehog and as much as I want to know I am not paying 2.99 for 15 pages!) Alexia wants to work in the BUR and so she wants to help but this gets under Lord Maccon’s skin also the fact that the vampire Queen wants to meet with Alexia.
Something is going on as vampires and werewolves are both going missing though an Lord Maccon is hindered by the pull of the full moon that is coming up. Someone is out to get Alexia so he puts protection around her but things don’t go well and lots of interesting things happen.
I just love the characters! Alexia is a very strange and quirky character and she makes me laugh. Lord Maccon is a brooding handsome werewolf and putting them together they are always getting into interesting situations, especially towards the end! LOL . The vampire Lord Akeldama is so flamboyant and funny. Her friend Ivy makes you want to roll your eyes but in a good way!
I am really glad to have read this one again and can’t wait to continue on with the series and this time finish it out! 🙂
The Narrator
Emily Gray is the narrator of this one and I thought she done a pretty good job. I can’t recall ever listening to her before for comparisons but I liked it.
It’s so hilarious that we both used the word flamboyant to describe Lord Akeldama. But man, is it true. It’s been a while but seems like we’re both excited for next month’s read. Switching was a good idea.
Well, it is a good word to describe him as…lol. 🙂 Switching was a great idea!
I’m glad both you and Barb loved this, cause now you’ll read the rest of the series!
I am so glad as well! 🙂
Curious to see what you think of the next one!
That makes me think I should be worried…lol.
Have you read her etiquette and espionage? I read book 1 and it was meh for me. I’m wondering if that’s her style and I’m just not into it or if this is different? I’m interested, but I wonder if the quirky characters that made you laugh are the kind that bugged me in the ettique and espionage? I’m glad you enjoyed it!