Soulless by Gail Garriger
Series: Parasol Protectorate #1
Genre: Steampunk
Pages: 373 (Ereader)
Source: Purchased
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Currently $.99 on Kindle!!
Description:
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.
My Rating:
My Review: Alexia Tarabotti stumbles into an intriguing mystery when she accidentally kills a vampire who is unaware that she has no soul. Curious about this turn of events and hounded by Lord Moccan, Alexia sets off to discover what is going on with the paranormal creatures. This is no easy feat when she must consider Victorian Age social norms and events. Soon the paranormal creatures start disappearing and strange creatures come after Alexia and the stakes become much higher. Together, Lord Moccan (alpha Were and head of the BAU) and Alexia are on a race to save the paranormal creatures.
I just wrote about Alexia yesterday and I love love her! I enjoyed the proper English appropriate for the time, but I also loved that she was the heroine dashing to save the day. Well not quite dashing, but she is quick to jump into her carriage. Lord Moccan and all the rest of the paranormal creatures all had their own personality and I loved their interactions with each other. This was my first experience with steampunk and I didn't know what to say. I didn't really notice the gadgetry but I loved the alternate historical account. It was like learning about an entirely new world in a context that you understand. I look forward to continuing this series.
Overall, a great steampunk introduction with great characters and an intriguing mystery.
