Review: “Soulless” by Gail Carriger

I have officially completed my first steampunk novel!  I have to say, I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I really liked this!  There is humor, love, supernatural beings, Victorian fashion, cool clockwork gadgets and plenty of gore.  The writing was very witty.  During the most gruesome of scenes, main character Alexia Tarabotti is able to maintain a staunch hold on her Victorian etiquette. 

The novel opens with Alexia being rudely attacked by a rogue vampire while taking her tea.  She kills the vamp with her wooden hair pin and trusty parasol.  This attack leads to a mystery involving the vamps and werewolves of London.  While vamps and weres are known and somewhat accepted by London’s human society, the humans are not aware that Alexia herself is a preternatural, she has no soul.  This makes Alexia a natural threat to the supernatural community, because she can neutralize their powers, in effect turn them into weak humans, with one touch.  Luckily for all involved, Alexia chooses the path of good manners rather than using her talents against anyone. 

Lord Maccon, Alpha of the local were community and head of the BUR (forgot what that stands for, but it is like a police division dealing with supernatural beings), is on the case to find out where this rogue vamp came from and why many vamps and weres have been going missing.  Meanwhile, Alexia keeps finding herself in the midst of dangerous situations.  Is it a case of wrong place/wrong time, or is someone actually hunting her? 

Overall, I give Soulless…

Plot – 3 ½ bookmarks

Character Development – 2 ½ bookmarks

Humor – 3 bookmarks

Love Story – 3 bookmarks

Fight Scenes – 3 bookmarks

Dream Cast (otherwise known as who I pictured while reading) – Gerard Butler (Lord Maccon), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Alexia Tarabotti), Elton John (Lord Akeldama)