Monday, February 6, 2012

Jessi Reviews Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title/Author: Soulless by Gail Carriger
Publisher/Year: Orbit, 2009
Where I got it: It was the first book I downloaded onto my Nook :) 
Why I read it: It's been on my TBR list for a while, and I've heard great things about it 


Synopsis: 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.

Review: LORD MACCON--how I love thee, let me count the ways!

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I will say that if this book is any indication of how my 2012 reading years is going to be--I'm going to have an awesome year.

There were so many things I loved about this book. First of all, Gail Carriger builds a phenomenally well-thought out supernatural world that parallels Victorian England. She really covers all her bases. This supernatural world has rules and structure--it puts other vampire/werewolf stories to shame. *ahem*

Her writing itself was a lot of fun to read, as well. Imagine Jane Austen with a bit of a modern twist. Gail's writing took a good story and gave it substance. This is, by no means, a serious book, but at no point did I feel like I was reading fluff. She really blended genres well, too. There was a little bit of everything here: historical fantasy, paranormal, steampunk, horror, suspense, romance. This being my first foray into the steampunk genre, I was pleasantly surprised, and I'll definitely be looking for more from the genre.

As if all that weren't enough, Soulless has an unforgettable cast of characters. Alexia, of course, is totally kickbutt. She is a beacon of Victorian propriety and decorum, but she is also completely independent and definitely not afraid to speak her mind. I loved that she would rather be alone and be considered a spinster than settle for someone with half her wit or someone who wouldn't view her as an equal. Lord Akeldama was another favorite character of mine--freakin' fabulous. Gotta give some props to Professor Lyall. I loved that at times it was like he was the only character acting with a level head. And Lord Maccon? Do I even need to go there? Totally hot. Totally Scottish. And totally perfect for Alexia. (And me, but that's besides the point). I'm telling you, I could see the steam rising from some of those pages! It probably didn't help that I was picturing him as  Jamie Dornan, aka Sheriff Graham from Once Upon a Time. Gail Carriger even does her villians well. I hated them all with a deep burning hatred, when it was Alexia's mom or the mysterious shadow man or the creepy wax man. That's when you know you have a good author on your hands.

If you want a book that will make you laugh, make you cry, tug on your heartstrings or make you fan yourself from all the steam, you will find it here in Gail Carriger's Soulless. I can't wait to start Changeless

18 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. This book has been on my TBR list for some time now. Thank you for the review, I will be moving it up the list of TBR books!

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  3. Mmmm. I may need to splurge on this one. It sounds REALLY fun. I have a huge weakness for Scottish men, especially fictional Scottish men. This is the first review I've seen for this one, and I see that there are several books in the series. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

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  4. I love this series. Glad you enjoyed the first one in the series!

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  5. Sounds great! Will definitely be adding this to my TBR pile!

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  6. This is one of my favorite books! And tho I love Jamie Dornan, I pictured Lord Maccon much BROADER somehow. He's just larger than life. I've never been able to cast him in my head.

    *tries to think of another role for Jamie*

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  7. I downloaded an excerpt of this one recently and was disappointed when it ended! I need to buy the book. I'm glad it's worth it.

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  8. PLus, how can you NOT love a series called The Parasol Protectorate? I've not read this one yet, but I have multiple coworkers who adore the series.

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  9. I LOVE this series! I'm anxiously awaiting Timeless to be released.

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  10. I'm just about to re-read the first four books in preparation for the fifth, which comes out next month - I can't wait! Gail is a GENIUS and you will not be disappointed with the rest of the series (or the pre- and post-PP spin-offs coming as well). Be prepared for more of the same! XD

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  11. Jane Austen with a contemporary twist? I'm drooling a little bit.

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  12. I love this book so much. I read it and loved it and finally bought it for myself just a couple of days ago (I read a library copy initially). Gail Carriger solidified herself as a favorite of mine simply by writing this book, and the genre-bending that she did only helped. I literally laughed out loud so many times while I was reading this. And I think you chose a parfect Lord Maccoon!

    The Parasol Protectorate is really in a class all by itself. So glad you liked it!

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  13. I'm actually looking forward to getting the first volume of the manga for Soulless. :) And she's going to be at a book signing in my area in March, woo-hoo!

    ~DJL

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  14. I read this last month and don't know why I've left the series on ym shelves so long! I'm keeping the others for when I need a light break from my review reading :)

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  15. I like the sound of this one! A supernatural world with rules and structure! That definitely would make for an interesting read! And I love Victorian books so this one definitely sounds like my type of read! Thanks for the great review :)

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  16. This is such a fantastic and creative series; I can't wait for Timeless. And Lord Maccon--drool!

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  17. I just read this myself and was pleasantly surprised. I did not realize that romance played such a big role but what a satisfying romance it was! Alexia and Lord Maccon are just so perfect for each other.

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  18. I really enjoy the Parasol Protectorate series. I'm looking forward to the newest one coming out this year :)

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