# Soulless

By Gail Carriger · The Parasol Protectorate, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/soulless-61cfbbb7/

A vampire attacks Alexia Tarabotti in Victorian London, and she kills him. Now Lord Maccon, a werewolf investigating for the queen, wants answers. Alexia's ability to cancel supernatural powers makes her hard to ignore as vampires begin disappearing.

## What makes it funny?

A vampire ought to introduce himself before attacking a lady. Alexia's concern for propriety makes even a fatal encounter sound like bad party behavior, with her parasol serving a much less genteel purpose.

### The comedy at work

Carriger keeps the rules of polite society in force while vampires and werewolves complicate them. Alexia and Lord Maccon's mutual dislike adds romantic friction to the investigation.

### Try this if…

The mixture suits readers who enjoy historical romance with supernatural mysteries and steampunk details. Readers in paranormal book groups also recommend Soulless in requests for funny supernatural romance.

### Good to know

The mystery includes gruesome material alongside the manners and romance. Readers recommend following Alexia's story through the five Parasol Protectorate novels in order.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy · Romance
- On the shelf: Paranormal romance
- Kind of humor: Parody · Situational comedy
- Story ingredients: Vampires
- Format: Novel
- Published: 2009

## Sources & further reading

- Publisher: [Publisher](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/gail-carriger/soulless/9780316071659?lens=orbit)
- Author commentary: [Author](https://gailcarriger.com/books/soulless)
- Reader discussion: [Reader discussion](https://facebook.com/groups/bookrecommendations/permalink/8545442742197130)
- Review: [Publishers Weekly review](https://www2.publishersweekly.com/978-0-316-05663-2)