![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Soulless by Gail Carriger
Feb. 5th, 2011 07:59 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
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 is 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?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
The first book in a witty and engaging historical fantasy series with steampunk elements, this combines an original premise, good world-building and a strong-willed heroine armed with a deadly parasol to entertaining effect. It’s not a perfect book (and the depiction of Canterbury as a port was a particularly needless mistake) but it is amusing and well paced and I will be reading the sequel, CHANGELESS.
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 is 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?
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
The first book in a witty and engaging historical fantasy series with steampunk elements, this combines an original premise, good world-building and a strong-willed heroine armed with a deadly parasol to entertaining effect. It’s not a perfect book (and the depiction of Canterbury as a port was a particularly needless mistake) but it is amusing and well paced and I will be reading the sequel, CHANGELESS.
