Soulless

by Gail Carriger
Soulless cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Steampunk
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 6598
  • Added: 2025-11-26
  • Updated: 2025-12-13
  • ISBN: 9780316071659
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2009-10-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Alexia Tarabotti is a unique young woman in Victorian London, not only because she is soulless but also because she is a spinster with an Italian heritage. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is attacked by a vampire, leading to a series of bizarre events. After accidentally killing the vampire, she attracts the attention of the enigmatic Lord Maccon, a werewolf investigator sent by Queen Victoria. As Alexia navigates the treacherous waters of London's high society, she must use her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers to uncover the truth behind the mysterious happenings. The story is a witty blend of comedy, manners, and steampunk elements, set against the backdrop of a world where vampires, werewolves, and dirigibles coexist with tea-drinking aristocrats./n/nThe narrative is filled with humor and charm, as Alexia's sharp wit and unconventional abilities make her an unlikely heroine. As she delves deeper into the mystery, she must confront not only the supernatural threats but also the social expectations of her time. The book is the first in the Parasol Protectorate series, offering a unique and entertaining take on the paranormal romance genre.

Reviews
Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2014-02-27
entertaining 3.00

The book offers an entertaining mixture of Victorian England, werewolves, and vampires, along with romance. It is well-paced and enjoyable, especially for a debut novel.

Kara Babcock found Soulless to be an entertaining mixture of Victorian England, werewolves, and vampires, along with a touch of romance. She particularly enjoyed the well-paced narrative, which makes it a delightful read, especially considering it is the author's debut novel. The reviewer appreciated the unique blend of genres and the engaging characters, making it a standout in the paranormal romance genre. The book's humor and wit add to its overall appeal, making it a fun and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    If what you desire is an entertaining mixture of Victorian England, werewolves and vampires, and romance, then Soulless has all of that

    It has a certain charm and wit that makes it a delightful read

    Especially for a first book by the author it's quite well paced

Lynn's Books · 2011-03-02
delightful 4.50

The book is an insane mix of history, romance, comedy, and the paranormal. It is a fun and engaging read with a great heroine.

Lynn's Books loved Soulless for its insane mix of history, romance, comedy, and the paranormal. The reviewer found the book to be a fun and engaging read, with a great heroine who stands out in the narrative. The blend of genres creates a unique and entertaining story that keeps the reader hooked. The reviewer appreciated the witty one-liners and the engaging characters, making it a memorable read. The book's humor and romance add to its overall appeal, making it a delightful and enjoyable experience.

Quick quotes

    It really is an insane mix up. There's history, romance, comedy, paranormal

    It is a fun and engaging read with a great heroine

    The blend of genres creates a unique and entertaining story

elitistbookreviews.com · Alan · 2009-10-19
fantastic 4.00

The book is a pure and simple fun read that pokes fun at itself and its subject matter. It's a jolly good time from start to finish.

This book is a fantastic blend of humor and steampunk elements, making it a standout read. The author has a knack for poking fun at the genre and the story itself, which adds a layer of enjoyment. The characters are lovable and the mystery is well-crafted, making it a delightful read. The protagonist's cranky demeanor adds a unique touch to the narrative. The book is a jolly good time, filled with laughter and engaging storytelling.

Quick quotes

    It is just pure and simple fun.

    It is a book that pokes fun at itself and it's subject matter liberally, and has a jolly good time doing it.

    The protagonist's cranky demeanor adds a unique touch to the narrative.

The Book Smugglers · 2009-10-02
fascinating 4.00

The paranormal aspect of the book was fascinating, particularly the idea of a “soulless” protagonist. The blend of Victorian England, werewolves, and vampires creates a unique and engaging narrative.

The Book Smugglers found the paranormal aspect of the book to be particularly fascinating. They loved the idea of a “soulless” protagonist who has the ability to nullify supernatural powers, which adds a unique twist to the story. The blend of Victorian England, werewolves, and vampires creates a rich and engaging narrative that stands out in the genre. The reviewer appreciated the well-crafted world-building and the intriguing dynamics between the characters, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    I think that the paranormal aspect of the book was fascinating

    I loved the idea of a “soulless” protagonist who has the ability to nullify

    The blend of Victorian England, werewolves, and vampires creates a rich and engaging narrative

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