Gail Carriger

Soulless

Sarah Sammis

Soulless by Gail Carriger is the first of the Parasol Protectorate series. It's a paranormal mystery romance mashup with some steampunk thrown in for good measure. The original series has spawned a graphic novel adaptation and a YA series.

The book like a parody of Crocodile on the Sandbank (assuming, though that Amelia Peabody and Evelyn are one person). Of course Elizabeth Peter's book is in itself a parody of the H. Rider Haggard books Peabody is such a fan of reading. Anyway, like Peter's book, Alexia Tarabotti is a spinster with a deceased father. Her father was Italian, a fan of improper but enlightening books. Alexia, has inherited from him — her looks (not a popular thing in Victorian England) and her soullessness.

The proper term used in the book is preternatural. A person's amount of soul determines how attractive they are to various paranormal groups — the two big ones in the British Empire being werewolves and vampires. Alexia can't be changed into either because when she's in physical contact with a paranormal, they temporarily lose their paranormal abilities (and become human).

Soulless introduces the reader to an alternate Victorian London where paranormal creatures live openly and are regulated. There's also the alternate technology — akin to the devices described by H.G. Wells and Jules Verne but expanded to fit the paranormal world. Finally, Queen Victoria has her own group of agents to keep watch on illegal paranormal activity. Think Torchwood, but call it BUR (Bureau of Unnatural Registry).

Although this book is primary about Alexia learning how her powers fit into the world of paranormals and BUR, and her finding romance, there's also a mystery. Paranormal creatures who are neither vampires, nor werewolves are rampaging in London. Therein is the true heart and soul of Soulless.

So although the series has been out for ages, I'm only now become a rabid fan. I have Stephanie, bookseller extraordinaire, at the Hayward Bookshop for that. See, I don't like the cover — I still don't. Bustle or no bustle, I want to realign Alexia's broken spine every time I look at it. Stephanie, though, patiently wore me down by asking every single time I stopped by the store if I had read the series yet. Eventually, I gave in. I'm glad I did. I'm about to start the third book, Blameless.

Condemned by society and her werewolf husband due to a pregnancy she cannot explain, Alexia Maccon - preternatural, tea aficionado - seeks an explanation for this "infant inconvenience" so as to cleanse her sullied reputation and prove her fool of a husband wrong. Preternaturals are a rare breed and the only history of their kind lies in Italy with the Templars, a group that once partnered with preternaturals to hunt down werewolves and vampires. Will Alexia find an explanation for her impossible offspring? Or do the Templars have other plans for the curious "Soulless One"?

Soulless: The Manga

Pity books 4 and 5 won't be converted. Book 5 really would do so nicely as a manga.

http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/...

Settling into her new life as the Lady Woolsey, Alexia finds her days quite challenging. Whether it is a regiment of supernatural soldiers camped out on her front lawn or the demands of being the Queen's "muhjah," there never seems to be a want of new hurdles to overcome. But when stories of supernaturals rendered normal by some unknown force begin cropping up, Alexia has a rather serious mystery on her hands. Can she root out the cause of this phenomenon, which smacks of some larger plot at work?

Vicky  Nuñez 

I've been hearing about this book for years now and I am so ashamed and sad that it took me this long to read it. 
Basically this book its like True Blood set in Victorian England. Vampires have come out of the darkness along with werewolves and ghosts.
And the main character, Alexia its a "preternatural", a being without soul whose touch makes supernatural beings human, but only while she touches them. 
Alexia is a spinster, because of her italian blood she is undesirable as a wife and this makes her so much charming because she feels like she does not have to put up a front to anyone because she is not marrying anyway. I loved her character she was the typical sassy girl without been annoying because it felt genuine. 
There is nothing that I didn't loved about this book and I wished all romances where this charming. 
Overall, a great recommended to all paranormal and romance lovers.

Rebecca C Wright

Wonderful...I will read this whole series over and over. Funny and well plotted. Overall and EXCELLENT book.

Victorian England but with werewolves, vampires and other supernaturals. Yes, please. Loved it. 

Megan BV

the manga

Courtney

This was just precious. All of it. The characters, the illustrations, the plot... Definitely worth picking up for an afternoon read!

Gillian Rose

Absolutely hilarious! The perfect mix of Jane Austen and supernatural creatures. Alexia is an amazing character and can't wait to read more.

Kayla Ndife

Soulless is vaguely a steampunk novel, but it appeals mainly to a feminine audience, mostly because of its focus on Victorian social etiquette, and the tense, budding romance between the preternatural heroine and a werewolf Alpha. 

I read the entire thing in the space of twenty-four hours, and absolutely loved it. It was not as thought-provoking as one usually expects most steampunk novels to be - China Mieville comes to mind - but it was fun and definitely is going into my “guilty pleasure” pile. It’s a quick read, and for anyone who just wants to read something clever, gets a kick out of the "posh" persona, and doesn't mind a little vicarious romancing, this is the one you want to snuggle up with during winter weather.

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. ***Also available as a manga adaptation***

Sade A

Soulless is one of those books you really shouldn't take all too seriously. 
The book doesn't even take itself seriously, which is not to say it's a bad book, but if you're looking for depth in plot or characters, 


well, you picked the wrong book is all i'm saying. It helps to know these things before you read the books.
You're welcome😊.

✏️✏️
ONWARDS!!!

So this book is purportedly about unfortunate, unfortunate Alexia Tarabotti (insofar as a book can be about a character simply because said character has more space and word count than most), why she's unfortunate? Well for one thing she's a spinster! at 26 no less!!-shocking!! (Victorian times must have been a terrible time for women) her regrettably bad fortune is compounded by the fact that she's part Italian *curse that un-pale European skin*. 
Anyways, she does things that, if we're being frank doesn't really contribute to shaping the plot in anyway (shit would have gone down anyways).
Was this book and the plot really about Alexia? I don't think so. Was i looking for a book with character and plot depth? 
The answer dear friends, is No.

So really, i get why people don't particularly like this book but i stayed for the humour (even though that got old at a point...i mean there's only so many times you can laugh at the ridiculousness of Brits in Victorian times) and romance (even though they indulged in it at questionable times).

Final Verdict? Stay for the Fun.

Becky A

Entirely delightful! Despite what the book itself says, I don't actually think Alexia was much of a detective -- she mostly gets kidnapped or falls into things without actually deducing anything -- but it was a really fun read and is the first time I've ever actually understood the appeal of werewolves.

Natalie

Connor 

Ari Gold

Valentina

I loved it. So fun and the banter between the two main characters was brilliant. It made me giggle and blush and it was just a FUN read. For a random charity shop pick up it’s been one of the funnest reads I’ve experienced in a while! Would highly recommend if you just want distracting fun!

Sarah Escorsa

What a fun new series! I love the world & characters Gail Carriger has created. Her writing is sharp & witty and the Parasol Protectorate books are delightful reads. 'Soulless' is actually my least favourite of the three books published so far, mainly because it features a bit too much romance for my taste. It looks like Carriger decided to drop this component in the following books and replaced it with more adventure, great dialogues & screwball comedy-type situations. If you liked 'Soulless', you'll love the next instalments in the series!

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 the first book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking. The Parasol Protectorate Soulless Changeless Blameless Heartless Timeless For more from Gail Carriger, check out: The Custard Protocol Prudence Imprudence Finishing School (YA) Etiquette & Espionage Curtsies & Conspiracies Waistcoats & Weaponry Manners & Mutiny

Bee 

Kelsi Proulx

3.5 stars.

This was a fun romp through a steampunk 1800s. I enjoyed Alexia and Maccon's characters. One thing that did bug me was how Alexia is such a strong independent spinster, yet when Maccon kisses her with no warning or permission, she seems completely ok with it. It just seemed a bit out of character to me.

I also have a bit of an issue with this author's writing style. Can't really put my finger on it, but for some reason, despite all of the action, it reads very slow (to me anyway). I just seems to drag a bit. Perhaps I would enjoy it more in audio. I did however enjoy the storyline and found the idea of the soulless quite interesting. The inventions were pretty cool too!

Sheila

Very campy, as substantial as cotton candy, but amusing enough to get me through the whole story and consider reading the rest of the series (not only because I have books 2 through 5 already downloaded onto my iPad). 

I found that I enjoyed it more the less I asked myself pertinent questions like, "If Alexia has no soul, how could she possibly feel love for another person?" and "If Alexia has no soul, is her sexual attraction to another being purely visceral?" because Carriger will not provide you with any remotely satisfying answers. This is a little disappointing, considering that Alexia's 'soullessness' is a substantial point of the main plot. 

I'm glad that this story didn't take itself seriously, because if it had I don't think I would've been able to finish it. Instead, there is some delightful slapstick humour and some of the characters (*cough*Lord Akeldama) are just made to be giggled at. 

I'll probably read the next instalment of the series, but we'll see what happens from there. vOv

Renee K Hopper

Starts slow but gets very entertaining. It was a good beginning to the series and I look forward to starting the next one.

Becky

This book, this entire series, had the potential for me to fall in love with it. I really enjoyed the characters and the story but didn't quite fall in complete and utter love with it. That's not a bad thing, though, too often I fall obsessively in love with a book series and begin binge reading and too soon I get bored. I don't know how to pace myself when I enjoy things that much, but this book seems to have encouraged sedately reading of the books. They will be books I buy if I see them, but I am not pulling my hair out waiting to get me hands on the next one. Maybe I am changing as a reader, but I think it far more likely it is the books themselves which encourage this attitude and I like it.

Nickie Mohler

Miss Alexia Tarabotti is a spinster, Italian, and, she has no soul. She is also very strong-willed and vocal. As if that's not enough, she is attacked by a vampire at a party! Carrying her trusty parasol, she fights back and wins, killing the vampire. This of course catches the attention of BUR (Bureau of Unnatural Registry). The investigation is led by the most infuriating werewolf Alexia has ever met. Can things get any worse? Of course they can! I loved this book! The characters are great, the story is great, and I loved the humor.

Christina M Masters

This is my second time reading this book and I just love Alexia Tarabotti. The books in this series are just so delightful and funny and I have been in a funk lately and this was exactly the kind of light-hearted fun read that I needed.

Lisa Collins

5 stars the first time I read it, 5 stars the second

Soulless

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