Monday, July 30, 2012

Soulless: Parasol Protectorate, Book 1

Author: Gail Carriger
Year:  2009
Publisher: Orbit
Pages: 365

Alexia Tarabotti lives in a steampunk version of London. She's a spinster with an Italian father (this is bad) and she has no soul. It's a unfortunate condition that she inherited from her father. In Alexia's London, vampires and werewolves and other supernaturals are out in the open. Alexia's "gift" allows her to neutralize a supernatural's affliction i.e. if she touches a vampire, he loses his fangs and becomes human as long as she's touching him. At a dinner party, Alexia accidently kills a vampire. The sullen Lord Maccon (head of BUR and a werewolf) investigates and he and Alexia butt heads.

This was a creative and enjoyable story. Carriger crafts one of the most detailed and believable stumpunk societies that I have come across. I want to visit this world. Alexia is a likable character. I love way she's always thinking about the food being provided at parties and how inquisitive she is about things. The whole story was a bit reminiscent of a Jane Austen story. It had that feel about it - except the romance was steamier.  :)

This book was the perfect way to relax on a weekend afternoon when I didn't want to think too hard about what I was reading.

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