Book Review: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title:  Soulless

Author:  Gail Carriger

Series: Parasol Protectorate #1

ISBN:  0316056634

Publisher:  Orbit

Pages:  P- 357

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):  Without a morsel of exaggeration, its publisher describes this debut novel as "a comedy of manners set in Victorian London full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking." At the center of Soulless's "parasol protectorate" is Miss Alexia Tarabotti, a young woman who lacks not only a suitor but also a soul. And those are not her only problems: When she accidentally kills a vampire, it begins a series of events that she must set out to resolve without the help of any proper authorities. A charming mass market original.

My Reveries and Ramblings: Alexia Tarabotti is the daughter of an Italian-making her tan, assertive, big-nosed, and curvy.  Unlike her mother and half sisters, she also happens to be soulless (the preferred term being preternatural).  After being attacked by a vampire, Alexia is forced to uncover the mystery behind recent vampire and werewolf disappearances.  In doing so, her relationship with the alpha of the London werewolves, Lord Maccon, intensifies in every way. 

       I loved this book.  Gail Carriger does a fantastic job twisting the paranormal into steampunk Victorian England.  This satire is filled with great characters, an interesting plot, and lots and lots of tea.  The protagonist, Alexia Tarabotti was born a preternatural, or without a soul.  By simply touching a vampire or werewolf, she can rid them of their supernatural abilities, or turn them human.  This only works if she is physically touching them; as soon as she removes her touch, they are back to their supernatural state.  Lord Maccon arrives right after Alexia kills her attacker with her parasol.  He is a Scottish alpha werewolf who finds Alexia to be a pain in his-well, you know what I mean.  Lord Maccon grows deeper feelings for Alexia-or rather, he comes to realize his deeper feelings for her throughout the first half of the novel.  He is accompanied by his Beta, Prof. Lyall.  Even though Prof. Lyall is a werewolf, he is the opposite of Lord Maccon.  Where Lord Maccon is rude, primal, and a bit wild, Prof. Lyall is well-mannered, civilized, and tame.   I loved Lord Maccon.  I really enjoyed reading the banter between him and Alexia. 

       The story is set in 19^th century (steampunk) Victorian England.  This novel had me laughing out loud.  Alexia, like everyone else at that time, is obsessed with manners and proper etiquette.  To her, the end of the world would occur when it ran out of tea.  However, she does realize the absurdity of her family and how they judge others.  Alexia’s family reminded me so much of the Bennet family in Pride and Prejudice.  There were also some similarities between Alexia and Elizabeth, not tons, but definitely some. 

       I would highly recommend this book.  Warning: there is a sex scene, kissing, some nudity, and a bit of blood.  

This book will be added to the Happy Holly Jolly Holidays Giveaway.  For more information on this giveaway click here.

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Book Review: Insatiable by Meg Cabot

Title:  Insatiable

Author:  Meg Cabot

Series:  Insatiable #1

ISBN:   006173506X

Publisher:  William Morrow

Genre:  Paranormal/Romance/Satire/Chick-Lit

Pages:  H-464

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):  Sick of vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her boss is making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn’t believe in them.

Not that Meena isn’t familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you’re going to die (not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does).

But not even Meena’s precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side . . . a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire-hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, he already is dead. Maybe that’s why he’s the first guy Meena’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena’s always been able to see everyone else’s future, she’s never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future . . .

If she even has one.

My Reveries and Ramblings:   Insatiable  is kind of a modern day sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  Meena, the protagonist, can sense how people will die.  As the world becomes obsessed with vampires, Meena, a non-believer, goes to a party where she meets Lucien Antonescu, a vampire prince.  Just as in Twilight, Meena finds it interesting how she can’t foresee Lucien’s death.  Their romance becomes filled with obstacles when murders involving drained bodies start occurring all over New York City.  As if that isn’t enough, Alaric Wulf, a vampire hunter, appears to exterminate Lucien.  However, things don’t go as planned.  He starts to fall for Meena. 

       I wasn’t sure what to call this novel.  It was a great work of fiction, but it had the feeling of a satire.  When Meena’s co-worker gets the promotion over her, she has to deal with the new vampire story line.  Meanwhile Meena is upset over the loss of quality of a once well-written show.  In Insatiable, Meg Cabot makes fun of the film and book industry’s obsession with vampires at the same time as participating in it herself.  I really liked this book.  Even though I’m totally team Lucien, I kind of wish that Cabot did more with the Alaric and Meena story line. Hopefully in the next book, it will be more of a triangle.  It was funny and romantic.  I can’t wait until the next one comes out.

* Spoiler Alert * If you haven’t entered Meg Cabot’s world of Insatiable than please don’t read on because there are spoilers.  If you have, than highlight the area below.

Okay, so first of all-it was hilarious how Meg Cabot is making fun of the vampire craze at the same time as cashing in on it.  Secondly- I wanted to slap Meena a few times- yeah, so what if your boyfriend is a vampire prince.  I would love it if I had a vampire prince boyfriend.  He’s rich, caring, sexy, etc.  What is so terrible about that?  So what if there is some danger mixed in-it makes life interesting.  Also, I think Alaric can be hot but I still like Lucien best.  Lucien is such a great name <3  I thought how Lucien kept saving Meena by putting her somewhere relatively safe during the battle scene at the end, was so cute.  

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