2 Bloggers 1 Series - Soulless

So I'm thrilled to say that Stormi and I finally broke down and decided on a new series to buddy read.  Longmire just wasn't cutting it so when Stormi recommended this new one, I jumped on it as it's been one I've wanted to read for a long time.  And it's a testament to a good decision because normally it was taking us all month to get through the Longmire books because we didn't really want to read them.  Both of us managed to read this first book in the first week - and I'm pretty sure we both enjoyed it.  So read on for my thoughts and then make sure you visit Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!

TITLE: Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)

AUTHOR: Gail Carriger

PUBLISHER: Orbit

PUBLISHING DATE: October 1, 2009

FROM GOODREADS: 

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?

MY THOUGHTS: Wow did I really enjoy this book.  In fact, so much appealed to me that I really don't know where to start. 

First of all we have the setting.  I love the London backdrop and the slight changes which Carriger has made to history and society - mainly in the form of supernatural beings which I consider a win-win all around.  Next we have the characters, which I'll get further into later.  And lastly, we have a pretty decent mystery.

The book starts off with a bang with Alexia Tarabotti, one of our MCs, is at a luncheon and is forced to kill a rove vampire who is trying to make her brunch. Soon afterwards, it  is discovered that the lone wolves and vampires are suddenly going missing and Lord Maccon, who runs the BUR (the Bureau of Unnatural Registry) is trying to find out what is happening.  Alexia loves to butt in where she isn't really involved so she also takes it upon herself to try and figure out what is going on. 

I have to admit that the characters are what sealed my love for this book.  In her mid-twenties, Alexia is already considered a spinster.  And the fact isn't helped much by the way her mother and step-father treat her.  Everyone has all but given up on her.  However, Alexia's problems run deeper than that.  She is has no soul which means her physical contact with any supernatural being renders their abilities moot.  For example, a vampire loses his fangs and a werewolf is transformed back into their human form.  All for as long as Alexia is touching them.  Then you have Lord Maccon.  He and Alexia have crossed paths many times and while on the surface it seems they can't stand each other, the reader is soon clued in differently.  There's also a cast of side characters who are almost as interesting.  One of my favorites is Lord Akeldema, a flamboyant vamp who is one of Alexia's closest friends.  There is also Ivy Hisselpenny who is almost always described by the ugly bonnet on her head.

Needless to say this book has action, mystery and sexual tension galore.  There were times I wanted to smack Alexia, but was then touched by how vulnerable she could be when it comes to matters of the heart.  It also has it's fair share of supernatural creatures, both new and old.  I was struck by the similarities between this and the Veronica Speedwell series.  There were some of the same elements but with a different cast of characters.  Well, that and all of Veronica's villains have at least been human.  If you love urban fantasy, supernatural creatures, wonderful banter and a solid cast, then don't wait any longer to pick this book up!

RATING: 4 PAWS