Soulless

The heroine is soulless – the book certainly is not.

An admirably determined and courageous young lady holds her own in a steampunk version of 19th century London where werewolves and vampires play an important part in society – and everyone knows they exist.

They simply belong to the Victorian upper class and try to fit their species typical lifestyles into a world somewhere between Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Werewolves and vampires: what’s not to like?

Alexia is *chef’s kiss* when I think of witty women who figure it out for everyone else. She’s clever and funny. She knows how to turn a polite phrase into an insult that sparks the action she wants the insulted to take. And she knows how to get a job well done. Though there are often times she doubts being desirable or wanted, she’s confident in her abilities and that her expectations are worth being met. I love how she always seems to put herself in the middle of trouble, but not without power.

Steampunk, romance and the supernatural—an unlikely mix of elements but they work in this story. The main character, Alexa, is assertive, independent and funny; well able to hold her own. We see this in the first scene, when she fights off a vampire with just her brass handled parasol and wooden hair pin. The other characters shine as well, and the situational humor and action will keep you engaged and smiling. 

When your soul affects how you deal with paranormal creatures such as vampires and werewolves that inhabit the world, the absence of one could be a benefit. Alexia Tarabotti is going to use that completely to her advantage. Delightfully detailed, humorous, and full of Victorian fashion and decorum, Soulless is merely the first installment in a series to explore.

For me, this book is a combination of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Jane Austen. It’s a wickedly funny steampunk romance between Lord Maccon, a captain of Scotland Yard, and Alexia, a spinster hell-bent on interfering in his latest investigation. Someone is illegally creating new vampires, and as Alexia’s involvement puts her in danger, Lord Maccon is obliged to work with her rather than continue the futile endeavor of working against her. The pair’s witty sparing is as sizzling as their chemistry, and the murder mystery element kept me on my toes! This novel was a joy to read, cover… show more.

I stumbled on this series by accident and rapidly devoured the lot. Alexa Tarrabotti has no soul and can remove the effects of the supernatural with her touch. Imagine the possibilities in an 18th-century London filled with vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. Amusing through social observation and full of wit, definitely recommended. 

A breathless comedy of manners and morals with a protagonist without a soul trying to navigate romance in a world that closely parallels our Victorian era but with intriguing differences, such as vampires and werewolves being a customary part of society? What’s not to like?

I met Gail Carriger at the World Science Fiction Convention in 2010, the year after Soulless was released and she’s just as delightful as the book: charming, knowledgeable, and a true tea aficionado. Soulless has continued the evolution of Steampunk and by adding comedy and romance to the world of steam and top hats it… show more.