Review: Souless by Gail Carriger

This Book Is About

My Thoughts On This Book

Souless is a very fun steampunk/alternate history fantasy novel with a slight Jane-Austeny aftertaste. I discovered it at Mysterious Galaxy on their steampunk endcap and the cover blurb caught my eye; “A Novel of Vampires, Werewolves, and Parasols.” It was the “and parasols” that got me. After reading the chapter excerpt in the front of the book I knew I had to have it. Bought it that night and finished it later that week.

What I really like about Souless is the author’s take on why the vampires, werewolves, and ghosts are what they are; too much soul. The supernatural creatures were all first humans who died and were kept from total dissipation by their excess of soul. This is contrasted by Alexia Tarbotti’s complete lack thereof, the side-effect of which is that her touch counteracts supernatural states and powers.

I also like how the author builds the various werewolf and vampire societies, giving thought to how they would structure themselves and those eager to become one of them. For instance, those who’ve begun the physical process of becoming vampires are called ‘larvae’. It’s also interesting that only female vampires, called hive queens, can create other vampires. And it’s uncommon for women to survive the ‘larvae’ stage to become full vampires.

And the supernatural all very scientifically explained in a Victorian naturalist sort of way. It’s nice to see a new take on the old stock vampires and werewolves.

Speaking of science, I rather like that it plays an important part in the plot. I also like that the primary way the era-flavored science enters the story is via the main character, Alexia, who, in addition to being a gentlewoman and a spinster, is also a bit of a bluestocking. I also like that she’s mostly bound by social norms and that her behavior is realistic for a gentlewoman of the time. Definitely helps support the historical regency novel feel of the book.

The scene that made my geeky little soul giggle is when Alexia is at a diner party and meets a man named McDougal (an actual, real period scientist) and discusses the possibility of weighing a soul (which McDougal actually experiment with).

I’ve grown hearty-weary with the traditional save-the-magic-kingdom fantasy trope, so I’m constantly looking for fantasy novels with something different. And Souless definitely has that, with its steampunk style and unique take on the supernatural.

Carriger also gave thought to how various countries would respond to the public knowledge of the supernatural. In her Britain the supernatural are respected members of society (even being gentlemen and aristocrats) because of the assistance they gave the King and the role they played in helping the formation of the C.of.E. In her America, however, the supernatural are feared and shunned when they aren’t burned or hunted down.

What really makes this fantasy novel fresh is its regency novel feel, though. The narration voice is third-person omniscient and smoothly switches who it’s following in a style reminiscent of that found in Jane Austen. And, though there’s a mystery and Alexia wants to find out what’s going on, the plot doesn’t have an investigation as its central driving force like most urban and urban-setting fantasy plots. It’s pretty easy to figure out where the plot’s going to end up, like a regency novel, so what keeps you reading is the exciting way the story gets there.

Rating & Levels For This Book

I Give This Book 4 Vikings out of five	Violence Level 3 Burning Huts out of five	Romance Level 2 Hearts out of five
# of actual vikings in book: 0 What do these levels mean? »	Humor Level 1 Smile out of five	Lust Level 3 Kisses out of five

Author and Publishing Information For This Book

Author & Book Details Title: Souless Author(s): Gail Carriger ISBN#: 9780316056632 Genre(s): Regency-style steampunk fantasy Edition Reviewed: First edition mass market Illustrations: N/A Page Count: 357 Part of a Series: Yes, book 1 of Alexia Tarbotti/Parasol Protectorate series

Publishing & Copyright Details Publisher(s): Orbit Books (a Hachette imprint) Copyright: 2009 In Print: Yes Original Language: English Published in Other Languages: No Find a Local Book Store »

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