Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1) (2009)

 HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2025

by Gail Carriger

In an alternate version of Victorian England, beings such as vampires, werewolves, and ghosts have been accepted into civil society. 

No longer relegated to the shadows, they have integrated into the class-conscious British system. 

In author Gail Carriger’s world, these supernaturals, who derive their nature from an excess of soul, exist in contrast to a much rarer type of being that has no soul at all, the preternatural, who are actually able to neutralize their special abilities through physical contact. 

Gail Carriger

Enter Alexia Tarabotti, a preternatural who gets caught up in the investigation of certain disruptions in the status quo of supernatural society. 

She also makes the acquaintance of Lord Maccon, the alpha of the local werewolf clan, with whom she becomes increasingly close.

"Alexia Fights Vampires in London" (Japanese)

 This book has a very good story.

"Glowing Darkness" (German)

 My enjoyment was decreased by Carriger’s tendency to linger over the cozy, romantic aspects of her tale, but this also highlighted how the difference between paranormal romance and the type of story I prefer may be largely a matter of emphasis.

"Heartless" (Russian)

 The story has many episodes of violence and terror, but Carriger moves through those quite efficiently, spending far more time and wordage on intense eye contact and flirtatious conversations. Had the plot remained exactly the same with more or equal emphasis placed on those harder-edged aspects, I could see myself being entirely satisfied. Nevertheless, I do believe I will come back for another installment at some point.