Soulless is a salaciously ebullient omega to the Parasol Protector series of books. Miss Alexia Tarabotti is an urbane pragmatic heroine with a erudite sagacious bluestocking intellect. While expatiating the her life and adventures, Mrs. Gail Carriger is adroit in her writing of late 18th century. The novel is virtuoso as an example of SteamPunk Romantic fiction.
Alexia's mother, step-father, and two half-sisters have convinced her that she is ugly and unwanted as the story begins. Mrs. Carriger is bravura with how she expatiates Alexia's interpersonal relationships. Her mother is far from fitting, say, the stereotype of the wicked stepmother in some fanciful fable. Her sisters are still mean except it is easy to see how they are a product of their environment mostly.
I disagree with Mrs. Carriger in how truly 'alone' such an avatar would be. Seemingly other eccentric and deviant compatriots the Alexia should be acquainted are mentioned as existing, however she fails to see them in her future. For instance, it is only in the fourth book that Alexia begins developing her own information gathering spiderweb with her oldest friend Ivy.
However, all authors are limited by their own perception of the world around them. I far from mean any disrespect it simply is pragmatic. :)
Naturally a solution is easier said than done; However if I were to suggest an example: I think it is entirely reasonable that other Academic students would keep in contact with Alexia as their lives changed. These 'scientists' would be a valuable information gathering source. There is more in my mind but that would be getting off topic.
Alexia has deep seated flaws in her psyche, however she does evolve and grow with the world around her. The novel essentially begins in the middle of 'Alexia's story. Even near the end of the book the reader is learning her interpersonal verity of the past.
The significant other to Alexia is Lord Conall Maccon, an Earl, therianthropic wolf who is in charge of the government agency responsible for managing the supernatural element in London and England as a whole. Both characters have alpha personalities and so history that Mrs. Carriger skips with beginning the novel is backfilled with the two characters challenging each-other constantly. The novel begins as their amorous emotions swells over how much they challenge each-other, that being a great deal.
I highly encourage those reading this far into this post to at least get this first book and begin reading. Whether you enjoy steampunk, science, fantasy, or romantic fiction I abundantly ken that ye will enjoy the story as much as I do
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The purpose of me reading this particular novel is to help me understand Steampunk and romantic fiction. With writing my own stories I am very exuberant with all the old Victorian era words Mrs. Carriger uses. I bookmark them after I look their meaning up. I am fascinated with how she literally writes as if Alexia is writing an autobiography.
Anyone who reads my other 'entries' realizes this site is a journal of sorts for me. I leave it public with the hope that it may help someone else. This particular entry however is a review of a steampunk romantic fiction I have read recently.
I am into the fourth book already but I may be going back to read the third at some point. The events depicted in the first half of the book are indecorous with my tastes. I read fiction to help me be happy and forget about depression among other things.
That is why I read various subgenres of romantic fiction, there is always a happy ending. I read Science Fiction and Fantasy earlier in my life and grew dissatisfied with books being a tragedy half the time like say Ender's Game. Great book, just beyond my interests.
