Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate) (edition 2009)

3.5 stars. This was fun.. A little heavy on the romance, but I didn't mind that too much. There was also a lot of wit and humor to balance it out, so it never became annoying. Plus, let's face it, as much as I try to deny it... I'm a chick, I like a little romance. It sets my heart all a flutter, and that's not such a bad feeling.

Plot wise, it wasn't as action pack as most paranormal stuff I've read before. But that's probably just because I've really only read Urban Fantasy type paranormal stuff, and this is more straight up paranormal (maybe even PNR?). But even still.. It was engaging and moved along quickly. Overall it was a quick and fun romp in Victorian London, complete with period language (which may or may not be accurate, I have no idea and I don't really care), period attitudes, and lots of bustles and prude groping.

I'll definitely read the next in the series when I'm up for another light and entertaining semi-romancey read. ( )

An enjoyable light read. And quite funny at times, there's something rather absurd about a Jane-Austen like society with werewolves and vampires in it. Miss Tarabotti is a delightful heroine, quite practical and unafraid to stand up for herself. I thought there was a bit too much fondling at inopportune moments, but other than that it was quite entertaining. ( )

Suspend disbelief and prepare to have fun!

This is a *Regency romance, set in Queen Victoria's time in a parallel universe where supernatural beings (vampires, werewolves, ghosts and suchlike) have come out of the closet and are an accepted enough part of society that they can be peers of the realm, and a Shadow Parliament is held in Westminster during the dark hours. They also have a dedicated ministry, BUR (the Bureau of Unnatural Registry). Scientists, however, are regarded with suspicion.

The story, though it focuses on the relationship between Connal Maccon (head of BUR) and Alexia Tarabotti, is a mystery about lone werewolves and vampires disappearing and new ones appearing; but these don't seem to know the basics that their type should, and they don't live very long. Naturally, our two heroes investigate.

Thankfully (for me) I found the characters (being a Scottish werewolf and a half Italian soulless spinster) more three dimensional than those of genuine Regency romances. While she is by no means a Jane Austin heroine, Miss Alexia Tarabotti has common sense and curiosity on her side (as well as being soulless, and thus impervious to the touch of supernaturals). The antipathy / attraction between Lord Maccon and Alexia was based on prior acquaintance (see the hedgehog incident) and not something that happened the first time we see them meet, so it was believable.

I'm glad I succumbed to all the LT recommendations about this book. It's light and fun (not to mention the numerous descriptions of the various foods Alexia gets to eat) and a little bit erotic - this is definitely not a YA book. I understand, though, that the romance isn't quite so prominent in the other books in the series, and her next series (set prior to The Parasol Protectorate is classified as YA).

Off to the library to look for the next in the series!


* yes, I know; but apart from a couple of mentions of bustles and Queen Victoria, it feels like a Regency romance - which also encompasses my usual complaint of the details not being faithful to the period.

Three and a half stars.
( )

Soulless is the unusual mashup of a Victorian mystery with a cast of paranormal characters and a bit of romance all thrown in together. Alexia Tarabotti has nothing going for her. Her father was Italian (gasp!), she is unmarried and definitely falling into the category of being a spinster, and she has no soul - not figuratively, but literally. But having no soul in a London filled with vampires and werewolves is actually not a bad thing, since being soulless neutralizes supernatural abilities (who would guess?!). The story continues with a bit of mystery, heavy romance, and many tongue-in-cheek laughs. Fun and light. ( )

Another great book by Gail Carriger. After reading[b:Etiquette & Espionage|10874177|Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School, #1)|Gail Carriger|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331952557s/10874177.jpg|15789500] earlier this was another pleasant venture into the world of the steampunk supernatural. This book takes place in the same world and the same historical time as the other.

The two main characters are very likeable and well they get on each others nerves which makes for some amusing scenes. I kinda want a hunky werewolf, and the concept of being soulless was intriguing. ( )