Soulless

Soulless (2009) Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti doesn’t have a soul.

This isn’t a particularly well known fact, since the only people who can recognize this are the supernatural–vampires, werewolves etc. But when she is attacked by a vampire at a ball, she is (quite willingly) drawn into an intrigue, against the wishes of Lord Macon (werewolf and head of the BUR) to whom Alexa finds herself attracted, against her better judgment (after all, she is a spinster).

This book was rollicking good fun. It’s an alternate Victorian England where supernatural creatures have come out of the closet and are regulated by the government via the Bureau of Unnatural Registry (which of course employs werewolves and vampires and ghosts).

The story is part supernatural fantasy, part alternate history, part steam punk, and part mystery. The characters were extremely entertaining, and I enjoyed the way that Alexia’s soulless state allowed her to act in ways that would normally never be considered by a Victorian spinster. The mystery was good, and held together very well, and the world building was excellent.

If you’re looking for something different to read, then I highly recommend checking out Soulless.
Rating: 8/10

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