Soulless

Soulless by Gail Carriger started with an interesting premise. In an alternative Victorian society, supernatural beings are generally accepted as long as they behave. The supernatural beings must register with a special group created to police them. This groups keeps track of any changes that could be problematic, as well as employs supernaturals to help investigate the problems.

Summary

Alexia Tarabotti is the opposite of a supernatural. Generally called a preternatural, she has the ability to make supernaturals, like vampires and werewolves, mortal when they touch her. This rare ability makes her feared or loved. Alexia becomes embroiled in a mystery when an unknown, new vampire attacks her. She must work alongside the alpha werewolf, Lord Conall Maccon, to solve the mystery of who created the new vampire and why. Alexia and Lord Maccon have a rocky relationship that signifies interest or hate.

Review

I enjoyed reading this book. The witty dialogue helped keep my interest. Though the story focused on the relationship between Alexia and Lord Maccon, it stills provided interesting side characters. The mystery almost seemed a side note, but the story stilled moved along at a good pace. This novel leans heavily to the romance side that includes some heavy kissing and innuendo. It also includes nakedness, but that nakedness related more to werewolf changing then kissing. I would say that this book is sort of clean. There is no sex until after marriage, but lots of foreplay.

While I felt this novel was interesting, I was not captivated nor motivated enough to continue the series. I enjoyed reading the dialogue between characters, but I did not particularly become attached to any of the characters. The story line did not give a real sense of the people or place.

Soulless by Gail Carriger is a fantasy romance novel. The mystery merely helps in creating a plot. I would recommend this novel to adults and mature young adults who enjoys a witty dialogue or fantasy romance.