Review. Tarrabotti's 1870 Britain

A Week of Parasol Protectorate

Our Heroine, Gail Carriger

By Gail Carriger

This is going to be a fun week of Steampunkery.

There will be Book Reviews of :

Soulless

Changeless

Blameless

And ode to a grand character.

Madame Lefoux

Lady Jen of In the Closet with a Bibliophile will be joining in the review fun!

Without farther ado:

Soulless

By: Gail Carriger

Series: The Parasol Protectorate #1

Publisher: Orbit

Paperback 357 Pages

Book Art: Incredibility Gothic, Steampunk, and Victorian!  We both adore it!

Tags: Steampunk, Paranormal Romance, Werewolves, Vampires, Adult

First Line: Miss Alexia Tarabotti was not enjoying her evening.

Concoction of a Review:

Mad Scientist:  This book had me hooked not only by the offer of vampires, werewolves, and parasols but from the first chapter I found the inky words to be utterly interesting. The writing style was a refreshing jump into a rippling cool spring. Soulless offers many different aspects from humor to steampunk to Victorian. What's not to like?

Jen: I'm in immense agreement! This was my first experience with a steampunk novel and ever since I've been hooked. Plus, the sexy werewolves had me in raptures and I loved every minute of the read.

Mad Scientist: With that being said I had a hard time putting the book down, my peaches and cream nose was literally stuck in this book. Unfortunately when I had to pull myself away *sigh*, I could not stop thinking about what was going to happen to Alexia next. Her forthright manner had me laughing out loud like a silly ninny, especially over a dreadfully tied cravat. Our Alexia is born without a soul, which happens to be a very rare happening. She is a sort of antithesis for the ones who have an overabundance of soul, like werewolves and vampires. I loved Alexia throughout the entirety of the book.

Jen: Oh my, I know exactly what you mean!  I started the book one morning at 11:00 a.m. and finished it that evening/ morning at 12:47 a.m.  I would have finishes it sooner if not for my 2 children and work that could not be put aside.  What a captivating thing Alexia Tarrabotti's 1870 Britain.  One of my favorite scenes is in the beginning where Alexia is trying to remain alive in the face of a dreadfully impolite vampire and is very worried about her treacle tart. After which she is joined by none other than Lord Maccon.

Mad Scientist: As a lady I do enjoy it when the fellow gets himself in a awkward position but I found myself feeling a tad sorry for the oh so lovely Lord Connoll Maccon. *Swoon* He is a piece of gruff Scottish man/werewolf flesh that makes even the most proper lady stumble. Their interactions were adorable, their chemistry impeccable. Poor Maccon *shakes head* how dare he assume to treat our beloved Alexia as a female werewolf mate. He had another thing coming.

Jen:  What else to expect from a 200 year old werewolf?!  Men can be so clueless at times.  Still, it was worth it to see him do some groveling.

Mad Scientist: Of course, my favorite part was when this spinster would be a ravishing hussy!

Jen:  That was definitely classic and one of my favorite scenes.  Although, I was with Maccon in the possibly beating of her mother (all you who've read it know what I mean!)

Mat Scientist: Steampunkery elements were to be had everywhere:

There was an abundance of gadgets, however, not to worry dearest readers. Lady Carriger provided the right amount of description to arm them with the knowledge needed without encroaching on the major technical elements that would bore even a vampire. The steam powered technology created a wonderful visual. You could just picture the cogs, gears, and springs working together.

Jen: Oh yes! I found those parts most interesting and that they also provided character development, oddly enough, for Alexia. I was glad she wasn't some ninny who must always be practical in her actions. That is to say, she almost enjoyed being a spinster because It gave her freedom to not be so seriously female. She could dabble in some more "manly" areas (manly for that period of time).

Mad Scientist: Fashion is all through the book. Including Alexia's dear friend, Miss Hisselpenny's outrageous hats.

Jen: The descriptions of those hats made me laugh out loud. More so, was Alexia's outright sayings to Ivy about the horrible concoctions Ivy liked to think of as stylish hats. Nothing like a lady who says what she thinks.

Still, I think the fashion of a Lord Akeldama that I found quite wonderful and amazing. There is nothing like a 1870's gay vampire to inspire a creative fashion sense. Plus, his use of italicized names was some of my favorite scenes.

*big sigh* What a wonderful novel of steampunkery!

Quotes:

"My dearest girl," said the vampire finally, examining Lord

Maccon with an exhausted but appreciative eye, "such a banquet. Never

been one to favor werewolves myself, but he is very well equipped, now, is he not?"

Miss Tarabotti gave him an arch look. "My goodies," she warned.

"Humans," chuckled the vampire, "so possessive."

"A vampire, like a lady, never reveals his true age."

"He is clearly bookish. I did not follow a single word of their

conversation at dinner last night, not one jot of it. He must be

bookish."

"Am I?"
"Are you what?," She peeked up at him through her tangled hair, pretending confusion.  There was no possible way she was going to make this easy for him.
"Your love?"
"Well, you are a werewolf, Scottish, naked, and covered in blood, and I am still holding your hand."
He sighed in obvious relief.  "Good.  That's settled then."

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