The Parasol Protectorate

O. K. at a total loss of what to write for a blog post this week I've decided to do a review.  My subject 'Souless' by Gail Carriger, the first of the Alexia Tarabotti novels.

Set in a Victorian London, like and unlike our own, where the main difference is that during the reign of Henry VIII vampires and werewolves integrated with human society, driving Henry VIII and Britain to be cut off from the Catholic Church of Europe.  Since then the supernatural set, as they are collectively know, have driven Britain to become the world power of the British Empire, the werewolves providing the muscle on the battle fields and the vampires advancing science about as fast as they can.

Enter into this interesting scene one Alexia Tarabotti, a preternatural i.e. she was born without a soul.  As such she can negate supernatural powers, although that is usually only an embarrassment, especially when she's involved in the 'killing' of an unknown vampire, as it draws far too much attention from the supernatural set.

Not long after she accidentally 'kills' the unknown vampire Alexia finds herself tangled up with a vampire Hive on one side and Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous and werewolf) on the other.  When the Queen herself becomes interested in the whole affair Alexia finds herself in rather more trouble than a proper English spinster should have to deal with.

Turns out not all of the British scientist scene are keen on allowing the vampires and werewolves as much influence as they have.

I love this book for the brilliantly drawn characters and the brilliant wit in the dialogue and description such as:

"Goodness gracious me," exclaimed Alexia, "what are you wearing?  It looks like the unfortunate progeny of an illicit union between a pair of binoculars and some opera glasses.  What on earth are they called, binocticals, spectoculars?"
The earl snorted his amusement and then tried to pretend he hadn't. "How about glassicals?" he suggested."

Although my out right favourite character has to be Lord Akeldama, a vampire who has an outrageous taste in clothes and the ability to speak in italics, most of the time.