Soulless

Soulless
Author: Gail Carriger
Series: Parasol Protectorate
Publisher: Orbit/Yen
How Received: library
Synopsis comes from the back of the book, because the summary was too amazing not to use.

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?

I'm thankful that we weren't doing anything in school yesterday, or I would have been in big trouble with my teachers. I couldn't put this book down. It's funny, engaging - if I could pick my perfect book to read, it'd be this one. Why?

First off, the concept is completely original. Roll the steam punk Victorian era in with werewolves and vampires, throw in a girl with no soul, scientists, and some romance, and you have Soulless. Move from there to writing with a distinct tone and style, which causes the reader to laugh and sit at the edge of there seat all at the same time. This ties directly into the characters - original, interesting, and completely engaging.

Just - love. To quote my Twitter: wordforteens found what will probably end up being her favorite book of 2010. And it's not even the end of January.

Overall Rating & Final Comments: 10/10. Buy it. Now. Do it. *holds receipt out* See? I did.
Cover Comments: Loving the font and the image and everything.
Author Comments: If you get a chance to read it, read Gail's bio in the back, or head on over to her website and read it. It's just as funny as the book.

The sequel to Soulless is Changeless, which will be in stores August 1. I'm super stoked for it! Seems like I'll be doing a lot of reading in August! (New Hunger Games book comes out then, too.)