Soulless: Neck-nibbling tongue-in-cheek paranormal romance

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Imagine what would happen if P.G. Wodehouse and Jane Austen got together and wrote an urban fantasy novel. Gail Carriger did (that’s how she describes this novel) and the result is a delightfully amusing paranormal romance. Soulless is the story of Alexia Tarabotti, who has the social misfortune of being a spinster with a dead Italian father; not having a soul is just an additional burden to bear. Then she gets attacked by an ill-mannered vampire. That’s when Lord Maccon gets involved. He’s the Queen’s officer in charge of investigating the paranormal, and just happens to be a werewolf. And gorgeous.

I giggled through almost the entire book. From the first few pages, it is obvious that Soulless was written with tongue planted firmly in cheek. While the story may not break new ground when it comes to Regency romance novels, the inclusion of the paranormal, which is thoroughly and convincingly a part of the history of the British Empire in this alternate world, is exceptionally well done. The different cultures of both vampire and werewolf society are well-imagined and have interesting implications for how the two cultures interact with each other and human society.

Soulless is an entertaining novel. It is definitely a romance novel (and I got tired of having Lord Maccon “nibble” on Alexia’s neck — really, can you imagine a huge werewolf nibbling?) but the paranormal elements are also central to the story. I recommend Soulless as a fun read for anyone who wants their romance served up with an otherworldly flavor and a large helping of humor.

~Ruth Arnell

This is a fun silly story that feels like one of those highlander romances set in Victorian England. Some sort of melding of Karen Marie Moning and Jane Austen, if I’m even allowed to say such a thing. It is definitely a romance and it definitely requires a lot of suspension of disbelief, but it will hit certain readers just right. This is Carriger’s debut and not as smoothly written as her later YA series, FINISHING SCHOOL, but still worthy of attention.

~Kat Hooper

The Parasol Protectorate — (2009-2014) Publisher: Alexia Tarabotti is laboring 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 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? Soulless is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.