Soulless – Gail Carriger
Orbit, 2009
384 pages
RRP: US$7.99
ISBN: 9780316056632

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Soulless is the first in a series of steampunk whodunits, The Parasol Protectorate, set in an alternate Victorian era, where werewolves and vampires have their own niches in Society just like the rest, and where the rules of etiquette apply to them just as much as everyone else. The heroine of Soulless is Alexia Tarabotti, is a spinster of the advanced age of twenty-six, whose prize possession is her trusty brass (but silver-tipped) parasol.

The story opens with Alexia being rudely attacked by a newly turned vampire who clearly has no idea about manners or the expectations of polite society. After accidentally dispatching him, Alexia is thrown more and more into the company of Lord Maccon, the aggravating and intriguing Alpha of the London werewolves.

This novel is well and truly written to appeal to lovers of the steampunk genre. The story is peppered with dirigibles, tea, clockwork, manners and fashion to enamour all but the very highest sticklers. Occasionally this went a little over the top, but generally there was enough tongue-in-cheek to amuse. There is enough humour and romance to add spice to the mystery of the disappearance (and appearance) of London’s rove vampires and lone werewolves.

I read this as an e-book, as it’s not available in Australia. It’s well-worth chasing down if you enjoy humorous romance mixed with mystery (and treacle tarts and tea, of course!)

The Orbit website on Soulless has a fabulous accompaniment to the book: a virtual Alexia paper doll with clothing and accessory choices to dress her up in! Changeless, the second in the Parasol Protectorate series, is due out in April 2010.