Soulless

Nov 26, 2012 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels-comics

Dayum. I love the artwork in this book. Heck, I feel like I need to go back and re-read Soulless (my thoughts) because I think I might have been way too hard on the original book version now after enjoying this so much. I linked my review for the book because I'm not going to refresh my review for the story...the manga/graphics are a condensed/reworked version of the original, so my thoughts about the story itself are in my review for the print book.

Seriously. I wish that I could share some of...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Ren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-cover, own-and-read, graphic-novel, 5-stars

I really love Soulless.. Its one of my top ten favorite read on 2011
And when I know Soulless made into manga, well,before read novel,I'm a huge comic/manga fans. So, this one is def must buy for me.

The art is pretty good. Love how Rem portrayed Alexia, Conall, Ivy Hesselpeny, Lord Akeldama, Countess Nadasdy, Loontwill family and others. And... she draw Alexia very well. With curves. And big breast. Now, now, I admit I love women that have curves, especially in manga that usually dominated with...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Manja rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kurzbeschreibung:
Die Manga-Adaption der beliebten Romane von Gail Carriger! Aufruhr im viktorianischen London: Miss Alexia Tarabotti hat, nicht sehr ladylike, in Notwehr einen Vampir umgebracht und muss sich dafür nun verantworten - vor dem überaus attraktiven Werwolf Lord Maccon, seines Zeichens Chefermittler der Queen für übernatürliche Angelegenheiten. Im Nu schlittert Miss Alexia nicht nur in eine tödliche Intrige, sondern in akute Flirt-Gefahr... Wird Miss Alexia so das Britische Empire ret...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Joshua Burns rated it 5 of 5 stars

As seen on Rabidreads.ca:

Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 brilliantly - ahem - condenses all that I thought I knew and thought I loved about Soulless. What's more interesting, from my viewpoint, is how it would have appealed if I had not already indulged its blueprint. Could one have come in cold?

I lean towards yes, even, eager to stray into the territory of Soulless makes a better manga series than it does a book...but that might be too far. The more elaborate speculation about the nature of soul...more

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Apr 15, 2013 Marfita rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphics

Oh, that was quite fun! All very over the top (especially the boobies) romp of werewolves and vampires who are trying to behave and fit in while evil mortals plot against them. Alexia is a spinster in an upper class Victorian family that considers her to be unmarriageable. They don't know the half of it. She's also a Preternatural with a propensity of misplacing hedgehogs. I don't think I'm spoiling anything (not considering the cover of the book's illustration) to say that although tasked with...more

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Apr 13, 2013 Christine French rated it 5 of 5 stars

I did read the novel version first, and after flipping through this at my local B&N I purchased this adaptation.

Comparing to the novel's overall story, this is a decent shortening while adding some manga endearments.
I feel this was a very nice abridgment, while there are removed elements, most of the editing down doesn't displace or change what is removed, or if it does, it is as delicate of change as possible.

While the art style is manga, the book is set left to right; even though, as mo...more

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Apr 05, 2013 Bookcrazy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-german-2013

Gail Carrigers Auftakt der Parasol Proterctorate Reihe als Manga-Adaption? Ist das überhaupt machbar?

Als ich sah, dass die Manga-Adaption auch auf deutsch erschienen ist, war ich einfach zu neugierig auf die Umsetzung, wie sie das alles gemacht haben und musste einfach auf den Einkaufskorb-Button bei meiner letzten Bestellung klicken.

Gleich beim Auspacken bestaunte ich die Hardcoverausgabe mit dem stimmungsvollen kleinen London Bild auf der Rückseite (aber bei dem Preis wäre ja auch eine Taschen...more Gail Carrigers Auftakt der Parasol Proterctorate Reihe als Manga-Adaption? Ist das überhaupt machbar?

Als ich sah, dass die Manga-Adaption auch auf deutsch erschienen ist, war ich einfach zu neugierig auf die Umsetzung, wie sie das alles gemacht haben und musste einfach auf den Einkaufskorb-Button bei meiner letzten Bestellung klicken.

Gleich beim Auspacken bestaunte ich die Hardcoverausgabe mit dem stimmungsvollen kleinen London Bild auf der Rückseite (aber bei dem Preis wäre ja auch eine Taschenbuchausgabe etwas unverschämt gewesen).
Die Anschlussstellen an den Buchrücken wirken nicht allzu stabil und knicken leicht ein. Das Covermotiv gefiel mir so lala (irgendwas stört mich an dem Wolf, Alexia wirkt zu mädchenhaft oder sind es die roten Handschuhe?). Aber jetzt nach dem Lesen gefällt es mir zunehmend besser. Komisch, ist aber so ;)

Die ersten zwei Seiten des Buches sind farbig illustriert, der Rest ist in schwarz weiß gehalten. Für mich ist das Buch mehr eine Comicadaption mit Mangaelementen, weil ein Manga sollte doch von hinten nach vorne gelesen werden oder?

Wie gefiel es mir nun eigentlich?
Ich fand es wirklich toll. Das Buch ist eindeutig für Erwachsene, da es ein paar wirklich erotische Szenen gibt. Ich hab der Mangaausgabe sogar mehr Sterne als dem Original-Buch gegeben. Es ist spannend und witzig. Alexia ist einfach eine tolle Protagonistin. Nie hätte ich gedacht, dass man den Inhalt so gut über einen Comic vermitteln kann, wobei ich nicht weiß ob man die Haupthandlung komplett versteht, wenn man das Buch nicht gelesen hat.

Die Zeichungen sind witzig, frech und etwas überspitzt - man fürchtet dauernd, dass Alexias Oberweite bei ihren gewagten Ausschnitten raushüpft, schmunzelt über die verrückten Hüte ihrer besten Freundin. Mein einziger großer Kritikpunkt: Lord Macoons Gesicht! Meiner Meinung nach wirkt er mir teilweise etwas zu jungenhaft, zu wenig männlich.
Lord Akeldamas Darstellung finde ich hingegen einfach perfekt.
Insgesamt fand ich den Manga(Comic)band wirklich toll und ich konnte ihn gar nicht weglegen, bis ich am Ende war. Besonders als Auffrischung gefiel er mir gut und hat mir richtig Lust darauf gemacht, die Reihe fortzusetzten.(less)

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Mar 21, 2013 Lesen mit Cupcatz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

Soulless ist die amerikanische Manga Adaption zu der beliebten Serie um Miss Alexia Tarabotti. Im deutschen auch unter den Titel Glühende Dunkelheit (im Blanvalet Verlag) bekannt. Das Buch habe ich glücklicherweise auch hier Daheim rumliegen und war gespannt darauf zu lesen, wie ähnlich der Manga der Vorlage ist.

Alexia Tarabotti hat es nicht leicht im viktorianischen London. Ihr Vater ist tot, gilt in der adeligen Gesellschaft als alte Jungfer und zu allem Pech ist sie auch noch eine "Seelenlose...more Soulless ist die amerikanische Manga Adaption zu der beliebten Serie um Miss Alexia Tarabotti. Im deutschen auch unter den Titel Glühende Dunkelheit (im Blanvalet Verlag) bekannt. Das Buch habe ich glücklicherweise auch hier Daheim rumliegen und war gespannt darauf zu lesen, wie ähnlich der Manga der Vorlage ist.

Alexia Tarabotti hat es nicht leicht im viktorianischen London. Ihr Vater ist tot, gilt in der adeligen Gesellschaft als alte Jungfer und zu allem Pech ist sie auch noch eine "Seelenlose".
Eines Abends auf einem Ball greift sie ein Vampir an und sie tötet ihn aus Notwehr. Unter Mordverdacht stehend mischt sich der attraktive Chefermittler der Queen ein, Lord Maccon und Alphawolf der Werwölfe. Er versucht Alexia zu beschützen, da sie mit dem Tot so einiges Aufsehen in der paranormalen "Unterwelt" auf sich gezogen hat. Zu allem Überfluss versucht ihre Mutter, sie unter die Haube zu bringen und zwar mit Lord Maccon.
Nächtliche Angriffe, ein Vampir Lord mit Hang zu seinen Dienern, Entführungen und ein sexy Chefermittler, ich glaube, schlimmer kann es für Alexia nicht kommen.;)

Mir hat das Lesen so einen Spaß gemacht *_* REM (amerikanische Mangaka) Umsetzung zu der Geschichte Glühende Dunkelheit ist fantastisch. Der Zeichenstil ist klar und detailliert und man sieht keinen Unterschied zu den japanischen Zeichenstilen. Chibis (verniedlichte Zeichnung von Personen) und lustige Mimiken wirken nicht fehl am Platz und sind absolut passend in die Situation eingebaut. Ich hatte sehr oft schmunzeln müssen und gerade in heiklen Situationen wie wenn Alexia und Lord Maccon "in flagranti" erwischt werden, hat es sehr gut gepasst. Ich glaube sogar, das es in bildlicher Sprache sogar besser zum Ausdruck kommt, als wenn man es nur liest :)

Geschichtlich gibt der Manga auch so einiges her. Viktorianisches London mit Stream Punk Elementen, gepaart mit paranormalen Wesen wie Vampire, Werwölfe und weiteren Wesen. Dazu eine Priese Slapstick und eine (doch nicht) so hoffnungslose Lovestory zwischen einer Jungfer und einem Chefermittler der Queen. Auch wenn einer jetzt sagt, das ist mir zu albern, dem kann ich sagen, das der Geschichte gewiss nicht an Ernst fehlt. Stellenweise gibt es gute Passagen, die einem zum Nachdenken anregen.

Auf jeden Fall wachsen einem die Charaktere sehr schnell ans Herz. Ich habe so einige Nebencharaktere sehr lieb gewonnen und fragte mich immer, wann diese denn wieder auf der Bildfläche erscheinen. Was mich doch etwas irritiert hat, waren die Charakter Beschreibungen im Klappentext. Diese ließen Alexia zum Beispiel total taff und furchtlos erscheinen. Ich meine, das ist sie in der Geschichte auch, aber nicht gänzlich. Ein wenig weinerlich und ab und an naiv auch. Na ja, eine Kleinigkeit die ich nicht ganz so tragisch finde.

F A Z I T
Der Manga Soulless konnte mich mit seinem Charme vollends betören! Diese Mischung aus so vielen Genre und das in bildlicher Form haben mich umgehauen. Man kann es ein wenig mit Vampire Diaries und True Blood im alten England vergleichen. Mich hat die Story sogar so sehr gefesselt, das ich drauf und dran bin die weiteren Teile der Serie zu kaufen nur um zu wissen wie es mit Alexia und Maccon weiter geht. Ich vergebe voll Punktzahl *_* Ein Manga, der Lust auf das Buch macht!(less)

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Jan 14, 2013 Lois Bujold rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review stands for the first two volumes in what I hope will be a continuing and concluding manga series that adapts five original novels.

I think this story made a better manga than it did a novel. For one thing, manga plots usually are deeply goofy and don't make a whole lot of linear sense, so this slots right in to the expectations of the form. Some of the overfill viz genre-blending in the novels seemed to drop out in the simplifications needed to change media, and the artwork generally...more This review stands for the first two volumes in what I hope will be a continuing and concluding manga series that adapts five original novels.

I think this story made a better manga than it did a novel. For one thing, manga plots usually are deeply goofy and don't make a whole lot of linear sense, so this slots right in to the expectations of the form. Some of the overfill viz genre-blending in the novels seemed to drop out in the simplifications needed to change media, and the artwork generally was delightful.

It took me a while, back when I was first exploring graphic media, to realize that comics are rather more like movies on paper than they are like illustrated written fiction. They have the strengths of the visual media, of immediate apprehension of scene and visual detail, but miss the main potential strength of written fiction of getting directly and deeply inside characters' heads. From books whose characters mainly had shallows in that department, what was lost in the transition had less impact than what was added in immediacy. Also, the change somehow punched up the deadpan humor, all to the good.

(The main character, Alexia, has no sense of humor that the F.B.I. can detect, mind you. This... is not actually a problem in maintaining humor in the story. Quite the reverse.)

I am a bit handicapped in judging this example as a stand-alone due to having read the original novels (all five of 'em) first. There is alas no way to rerun the test the other way around with one brain, but I mean to foist these first two volumes on a friend for a blind tasting and see how they work for her.

If one likes manga, one would probably enjoy this example; if one has never read a manga, this seems like a fine one to jump in with.

If one is still deeply suspicious of the graphic media generally, it might not be a bad idea to start with Scott McCloud's elegant classic Understanding Comics. Which everyone should read anyway, just for cultural literacy.

I bought both extant volumes at once, and shot through them in one interrupted day. I do hope they sell well enough to get the ensuing three parts into print, since my favorite minor character, the urbane werewolf Professor Lyall, gets more screen time later in the tales. (I did my part, anyway.)

This would make a fun anime as well, but many are called, few are chosen for that apotheosis, so I won't hold my breath.

Ta, L. (less)

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Dec 25, 2012 Vespertine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: manga, steampunk, favorites

CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR THE WIN ! I JUST ADORED THIS MANGA !

Aside from the endless debate on the characters' looks (which I will not linger on as the drawn characters - or live ones in movies for that instance - will never match exactly what the readers had originally in mind) and the magaesque touches that one may or may not like (the overdramatic expressions, the little ears, and so on, which are here, in my opinion, quite fitting with the original books all in all), it is a great adaptation.

I ev...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, historicalfiction, mysterythriller, romance, steampunk, vampires, werewolves, favorites, manga

In this alternate history tale vampires, werewolves, and anything else that goes bump in the night is part of everyday life. Alexia Tarabotti has some problems, mainly she has no soul. She is what is referred to in polite circles as a preternatural or if you want to be vulgar, soulless. While at a bore of a dinner party Alexia was enjoying a perfectly good tea in the library when a rogue vampire comes out of nowhere an attempts to bite her. She takes matters into her own hands and defends hersel...more

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Nov 10, 2012 D. Moonfire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: manga, romance

I was fond of the novel version of Soulless first, but I enjoy manga so I picked up a copy. The manga is true to the plot of the novel and the various characters. However, like most graphical mediums, it doesn’t quite have the rich details of the novel. Some of the intricate Victorian quirks didn’t quite transfer through. In addition, the lavish details in the book for scene where moved to the background, where they rightly belong. This doesn’t diminish from manga, just a quirk.

I loved how the c...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Gena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Alexia Tarabotti has trouble fitting into conventional Victorian Society, not just because she’s an independent woman, or because she’s half Italian, or even because she’s attracted to the roughish Lord Maccon, it mostly because she was born without a soul. As a Preternatural she can negate the powers of other supernaturals, which comes in handy in a London populated by vampires, werewolves and things that go bump in the night. But it does hamper her chances of marrying well.

Gail Carriger has e...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Rebecca Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 is, as with anything adapted from a novel, a much more concise telling of the story it is based on. However, this is by no means detrimental to it. It still tells a very good story, keeping all the key points and flowing well. Having read the book I was perfectly happy with the retelling and did not feel anything important was left out. It also means that it is not necessary to have read the books beforehand, but I would recommend them to you if you do read and enjoy...more Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 is, as with anything adapted from a novel, a much more concise telling of the story it is based on. However, this is by no means detrimental to it. It still tells a very good story, keeping all the key points and flowing well. Having read the book I was perfectly happy with the retelling and did not feel anything important was left out. It also means that it is not necessary to have read the books beforehand, but I would recommend them to you if you do read and enjoy this.

For those who do not know the story from the novel, it is set in an alternate Victorian London where werewolves and vampires are accepted members of society. Our protagonist is Alexia Tarabotti, a half-Italian spinster who is a preternatural: a person without a soul. Whenever Alexia comes into physical contact with a supernatural being, she renders them mortal, which doesn’t make her very popular with a number of the supernatural crowd. Of course, there are exceptions, one fabulous one being the incredibly flamboyant vampire Lord Akeldama, and another being alpha werewolf Lord Conall Maccon, although he finds Alexia frustrating in other ways.

The story is a comedy of manners, with a good bit of romance and plenty of mystery and excitement, especially in the latter half. The artwork is stunning! The artist captures the world and the characters brilliantly. Okay, yes, Alexia does not have her trademark Italian nose or quite as much stature as she does in the book, but I think that comes with being a manga. There are some things that will be lost. This reader was personally very pleased with the way Lord Maccon looked since it was very close to what was pictured in her head, and the amount of panels to feature his naked backside made for very pleasant reading. If you enjoy the books, or if you like romance, urbane fantasy, or very naked werewolves you should definitely pick it up. Really, I think you should pick it up anyway because it is a very good read and I doubt you would regret it.
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Aug 08, 2012 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-by-kristie

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Hits all the high points of the novel without any of the fluff. Soulless translates well into the Manga form with snappy lines and quirky characters.

Opening Sentence: Mama, it says here that a new gentlemen’s club opened last week in Mayfair.

The Review:

I’m going to start off my review with this note. If you are a manga fan, I highly recommend the Soulless Manga: Volume 1. It is funny, it’s quirky, and it hits all the high notes of the novel...more Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Hits all the high points of the novel without any of the fluff. Soulless translates well into the Manga form with snappy lines and quirky characters.

Opening Sentence: Mama, it says here that a new gentlemen’s club opened last week in Mayfair.

The Review:

I’m going to start off my review with this note. If you are a manga fan, I highly recommend the Soulless Manga: Volume 1. It is funny, it’s quirky, and it hits all the high notes of the novel without any of the filler. There are a few things that may cause problems for true fans of the Parasol novels. In the manga, all the characters are pretty and young (minus the wax-like man) and boob-alicious. I always saw Professor Lyall as middle aged but here he looks like he is barely twenty. I did feel like one thing was missing from the manga, since you weren’t given the characters thoughts, it was hard to understand character motivations. The novel is full of each characters inner thoughts so it did feel like something was missing. Alexia never really complained about her Italian heritage or her father. Lord Maccon only mentions once that he is Scottish later in the manga, otherwise you would never know. I did read the novel and the manga back to back so I just filled in the gaps from memory.

The manga also starts off differently than the novel. Alexia and her family are at the breakfast table reading about Alexia’s adventures the night before from the paper. Although her family doesn’t realize that the paper is talking about her. The vampire attack is played as more of a flashback in Alexia’s mind, where you learn about Alexia’s abilities as a Soulless. Her Soulless abilities allow her to negate supernatural powers, temporarily turning them human as long as she is touching them skin to skin.

As I stated before, since there is barely any filler, the manga is a fast paced a fun read. This manga is a fantastic translation of the novel, scenes and dialogue match the book exactly. Lord Akeldama’s flamboyancy translates perfectly into manga form (his character was definitely made to be drawn!). Soulless Manga, Volume 1 is a must have for the fans of the Parasol Protectorate series.

FTC Advisory: Yen Press provided me with a copy of Soulless: The Manga, Volume 1. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.(less)

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Jul 28, 2012 Kat rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-release, format-paperback, reviewed-it, pictures-manga-manwa, where-shelf

This is a series of books I've been considering & putting off for a while now. People say good things & the general concept of the series sounds good, but the back cover synopsis puts me off each time so I just left it as one I would probably try one day but not today until...I was going into a panel for a book publisher at Comic-con a few weeks ago & the man next to me was reading this. So, I asked him about it & he told me that he was already a fan of the books & the manga...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Minna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: manga, re-telling, steam-punk, owned

Yes, I know the story since I read Soulless already, but I was curious how it would hold up in a manga and how they would do it. I'm pleasantly surprised. I was worried that they would churn out something like five or six volumes per book. They have decided to comprise the entire story of one book into only one volume of manga and it works. Of course, some details are left out, and I miss many of Lord Akeldamas words of endearment for Alexia, but all in all, it works.

I love the drawing style of...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Caro rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: manga, read-2012

I'm usually a bit sceptical about manga/graphic-novel adaptions of books I liked. Will the characters look the way I thought they would? Will the new adaption have the same feeling the book did? Will it be horrible?

I was especially sceptical about Soulless, the Manga, since the Alexia on the cover looks much too girlish and "cute" to be the real Alexia. I was however proved wrong in my assumptions. REM did an awesome job with this manga. Although the Cover Alexia doesn't really fit my image of t...more

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Apr 02, 2012 ALPHAreader rated it 5 of 5 stars

‘Soulless’ is the Yen Press manga adaptation of the first book in Gail Carriger’s ‘Parasol Protectorate / Alexia Tarabotti’ steampunk paranormal series. Art and adaptation is by Rem, lettering by JuYoun Lee.

I love the recent trend of graphic novel adaptations. I really enjoyed Dabel Brothers ‘Mercy Thompson’ adaptation, and I especially loved Del Rey’s adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s ‘The Exile’. Now, I know that lots book fans haven’t really embraced the graphic adaptations, for a number of rea...more ‘Soulless’ is the Yen Press manga adaptation of the first book in Gail Carriger’s ‘Parasol Protectorate / Alexia Tarabotti’ steampunk paranormal series. Art and adaptation is by Rem, lettering by JuYoun Lee.

I love the recent trend of graphic novel adaptations. I really enjoyed Dabel Brothers ‘Mercy Thompson’ adaptation, and I especially loved Del Rey’s adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s ‘The Exile’. Now, I know that lots book fans haven’t really embraced the graphic adaptations, for a number of reasons – some of them are valid (such as not liking character drawings to intrude and determine reader’s imaginations) to the ridiculous (like lashing out at authors because they assume the graphic novel is the next book in the series, not an adaptation of the first book?!). Whatever your stance on the graphic novel debate, I truly believe that everyone should at least give these adaptations a chance, because they might surprise you. And if you’re dipping your toes in the adaptation waters for the first time, I can highly recommend this manga representation of Carriger’s steampunk series.

I was curious at reading a manga ‘comic’, when I have only ever read (and enjoyed) graphic novels. But I actually think the more comic styling of manga suits Carriger’s over-the-top series. For those who are unaware – graphic novels are considered more ‘books’ than comics, often more text-heavy and more realistic drawing representations. The Japanese word ‘manga’ literally means comic/graphic/cartoon, so is basically the same as a graphic novel. . . except the manga format looks less real, more anime (I guess you could say it’s the difference between a drawn cartoon show, and a CGI movie?).

Carriger’s steampunk series is perfectly suited to the manga style. For one thing, the ‘Parasol Protectorate’ book series is so rich in outlandish description (from mechanical ladybugs to luxury dirigibles) that seeing these gorgeous steampunk contraptions drawn to life will be absolutely splendid! The little drawings of steampunk machinery throughout ‘Soulless’ are lovely and fantastical, and exactly how I pictured London when reading Carriger’s books! Admittedly, ‘Soulless’ features less of those lovely steampunk inventions than latter books in the series – indeed, this first book is more about setting up the players and meeting the characters. And I must say, artist Rem has drawn each and every one of them to a T!

Alexia is beautifully represented, in all her big-busted, parasol-wielding glory. Actually, quite a lot is made of Alexia’s *ahem* assets. . . but it’s often for a bit of light relief, like when Conall is bending over to examine a dead vampire, and just so happens to cop a lovely eyeful down Alexia’s corset. I really loved Aexia’s drawn fashion too – her dresses are Victorian delights, and her long locks are always a little bit unkempt and wispy (staying very true to Carriger’s descriptions of her in the books). Speaking of style. . . . I also love, love, loved the mangafied Ivy Tunstell! Rem has indeed captured her outlandish dress sense; her hats are divinely flouncy and there are ruffles aplenty!

And then there’s Conall (Lord Maccon). At first I wasn’t overly thrilled with his appearance – I guess I wanted him a little more rugged and Alpha manly? And I thought his semi-wolf ‘angry face’ looked a little ridiculous (his actual werewolf does look more like a frightening wolf, it’s just when he’s snarling at Alexia that the ears and tail pop out for some reason). My scepticism turned to appreciation towards the end. . . as people who read ‘Soulless’ will remember, at the end of the book werewolf Conall is captured, and thrown into a cell with Alexia. . . whose touch turns him human (and very, very naked). And *that* is the Conall I was imagining! He’s absolutely scrumptious in his naked manga glory – all broad chest, rippling abs, not to mention firm in all the right places (insert lascivious wink).

My other favourite drawn character was Lord Akeldama – Alexia’s vampire friend and delectable cream puff. Rem has drawn a fabulously flamboyant Akeldama, and I especially liked that he’s so damn attractive!

‘Soulless’ is one of the best adaptations I have ever read! The manga style perfectly suits Gail Carriger’s over-the-top fabulous steampunk paranormal series; from the Victorian clothes to the roped dirigibles in the park. I especially loved that the manga adaptation covers every aspect of the first book! Even if you’re not so sure about illustrated adaptations, give ‘Soulless’ a read – I think lots of sceptics will be very surprised at how wonderful this adaptation is.
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Mar 09, 2012 Sophie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, steampunk, 2012-reads, anglophilia, auto-buy-author, books-i-own, brain-candy, favorite-series, humour, romance, shape-shifter, vampire, werewolf, graphic-novels

I loved, loved, loved the Soulless novel and I was unbelievably excited about the manga. They finally got them in our local bookstores and read it on the commute home.

The Good Stuff:
I liked the round and organic feel of the art, it didn't have that overly sharp and angular art that I'm not too fond of in a lot of manga.The backgrounds were gorgeous, and it was lovely to see little steampunk touches here-and-there, like bizarre bikes in the the park, dirigibles randomly in the sky, The Vampire H...more I loved, loved, loved the Soulless novel and I was unbelievably excited about the manga. They finally got them in our local bookstores and read it on the commute home.

The Good Stuff:
I liked the round and organic feel of the art, it didn't have that overly sharp and angular art that I'm not too fond of in a lot of manga.The backgrounds were gorgeous, and it was lovely to see little steampunk touches here-and-there, like bizarre bikes in the the park, dirigibles randomly in the sky, The Vampire Hive background detail was amazing, the glassicals (which were a little underemphasized imo). I can only imagine how fun it must have been to come up with the clothing designs. There are some pretty intimate scenes in the novel, and they were translated quite tastefully- it added to the humour to see the artist's efforts to cover up Lord Maccon's private bits towards the end. The Vixi Man was appropriately gruesome, more so than I had imagined him even, and the villains were quite creepily rendered. And then there's Lord Akeldama! not as I imagined him, but I still loved him anyway: I only wish he was in colour so that we could get the full effect of his...particular fashion sense. It was nice to see a fully realized world of Soulless, and as a fan of the series, I really enjoyed it.

The Not-so Good Stuff:
I was a little disappointed in how short it was. I didn't think the entire novel would fit into a single manga volume, and I wish it had been at the very least, two volumes. It does have this rushed feel to it, and I think that if you are not already familiar with the series, some parts of the world and the plot points of the story can be confusing. Also, if it had been split, there might have been more time to focus on things that I felt were grievously underemphasized, like the aforementioned glassicals, the marvellous butler Floote, Tunstell was only in 1 or 2 two panels, and Ivy's hats! They were far more underwhelming than I would have liked. As far as complaints go, these are minor gripes. The only REAL problem I had was Lord Maccon's hair. It was too short! I could accept everyone else's differences, but his hair bothered me to the point that I might even draw over it.

I enthusiastically recommend it to fans, but for those who are new to the series, I would urge you to read the novel first to get the best out of it. (less)

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Mar 13, 2012 Dian rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love this manga! It made me so happy to find this at the bookstore. If you love the series you should pick this up its totally worth it just to see all the scenes play out that you have only seen in your head. The only true drawback of this manga is that they tried to fit the while book in one volume which gives the pacing a bit of a rushed feel and of course there are some things left out and some characters greatly minimalized. For example Floote is one of my fave side characters yet he had...more

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May 18, 2013 Lindsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-spring-challenge, goodreads-choice, 2013, graphic-novel

This was my first graphic novel ever! I enjoyed the experience but probably because I read the original novel first. It was like watching a movie of the book but more true to the book than a movie would likely be. So, I can't say for sure if I would like reading graphic novels that are not based on books, just like I don't always like watching movies that are not based on books I've read. I wish there were graphic novel adaptations of all books because sometimes I need a refresher of a book, and...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Serene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Soulless is a graphic novel drawn manga style of the first novel in the parasol protectorate, and I thought the novel was quite good. The characters were attractively portrayed and the storyline entertaining. Unlike the book, I was pleased some of the romantic bits were edited out. I much prefer a well-rounded storyline and Alexia's romance with Lord Maccon isn't my favorite part of the story... It is too argumentative and predictable for my taste. While some of that is here, it is more well-rou...more

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Mar 06, 2012 Lisa Wolf rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels, favorite-characters, supernatural, steampunk, victorian-era, vampires, werewolves

Cute! The manga version of Soulless by Gail Carriger is a tasty little treat for fans of Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series. The tale of preternatural Alexia Tarabotti, werewolf Connal Maccon, and vampire Lord Akeldama is really quite charming in graphic novel format. I enjoyed the costumes, the steampunk London backgrounds, the dirigibles and parasols, and seeing all the favorite characters in a new medium.

What I didn't love so much was the illustration style itself. I guess I'm not much of...more

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Apr 21, 2013 marcosbooks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: released-2012, 4-really-entranced, buy-2013, favourites-2013, genre-adult, genre-steampunk, lang-english, read-2013, series, c-vampires, c-werewolf, book-reports

First read: 13.04.13 - 14.04.13 ♠ 4 Stars
In dem historischen Manga wo Werlwölfe, Vampire und Menschen im Einklang leben, und wo alles mit paar Steampunk-Elementen verziert wurde, lebt die junge Dame Alexia Tarabotti. Diese soll mit Hilfe der Kreaturen der Nacht, einen mysteriösen Fall lösen. Zu Anfang hatte ich Schwierigkeiten in die Geschichte hineinzukommen. Man wird direkt in das Geschehen hineingeworfen und mit politischen Aspekten sowie auch mit der Unterwelt konfrontriert. Was Vampire und...more

First read: 13.04.13 - 14.04.13 ♠ 4 Stars
In dem historischen Manga wo Werlwölfe, Vampire und Menschen im Einklang leben, und wo alles mit paar Steampunk-Elementen verziert wurde, lebt die junge Dame Alexia Tarabotti. Diese soll mit Hilfe der Kreaturen der Nacht, einen mysteriösen Fall lösen. Zu Anfang hatte ich Schwierigkeiten in die Geschichte hineinzukommen. Man wird direkt in das Geschehen hineingeworfen und mit politischen Aspekten sowie auch mit der Unterwelt konfrontriert. Was Vampire und Werwölfe sind, war mir klar, aber was ein "Preternatural" ist, wusste ich bis dato nicht. Zum Glück fanden die Erklärungen bald den Leser und alles wurde mit der Zeit etwas klarer und verständlicher.

Das gleiche gilt auch für die Beziehungen zu den Figuren. Anfangs fand ich Lord Maccon noch gewöhnungsbedürftig und Alexia ist auch nicht die typische Heldenfigur die jedermann in sein Herz schließt. Doch verbringt man Zeit mit dem Material, wachsen einem die Personen ans Herz. Besonders Lord Akeldama hat es mir angetan! Zwischen einigen Figuren enstehen neue Verbindungen, und auch die Beziehungen zwischen ihnen nehmen intensivere Konturen an z.B. Alexia und Maccon (hätte ich ehrlich gesagt nicht mit gerechnet).

Der Manga bietet neue Elemente bzgl. des Paranormalen Aspektes, er kann Spannung aufbauen und der Fall wird letzten Endes gelöst. Es kommen einige Überraschungen ans Tageslich, jedoch konnte mich der mysteriöse Fall nicht zu hundertprozent überzeugen, da man vieles sich schon selber denken und zusammenreimen konnte. Trotzdem war die Geschichte recht unterhaltsam, Anfangs wusste ich noch nicht welche Wendungen der Manga annehmen würde und wohin der Weg überhaupt führen würde. Doch positiverweise hat die Geschichte einen Weg gewählt der mir zugesagt hat und der doch Überraschungen mit sich gebracht hat die man so nicht erwartet hätte. Das Setting, also das Zeitalter, die unterschiedlichen Rassen sowie der Komplott haben zusammen harmoniert und mich in eine Steampunkwelt entführt, aus der ich so schnell nicht wieder raus wollte.

Der Zeichenstil von Rem sieht sehr schick aus, und passt hervorragend zu Soulless. Besonders toll dargestellt wurde das Cover und die Farbseiten am Anfangs des Mangas, diese sehen wirklich hochwertig aus. Ich finde etwas mehr nackte Haut bei einem gewissen Werwolf hätte nicht geschadet, aber das ist nur meine persönliche Meinung ;P Ansonsten kann man dem Zeichenstil nichts negatives nachsagen.

Was noch anzumerken ist, wäre die Sprache. Oftmals kamen schon nach wenigen Seiten Wörter vor die ich nicht kannte oder deren Zusammenhang ich nicht richtig verstand, später hat sich dies aber gelegt, vielleicht liegt es an der Zeit in dem die Geschichte spielt, oder die Tatsache das man erstmal in den Manga hineinfinden muss. Trotzdem wollte ich dies erwähnen da ich eigentlich nur sehr selten Probleme habe, den Zusammenhang nicht eindeutig zu verstehen. Leser die auch viel Englisch lesen, seien also schonmal vorgewarnt.

Ich werde mir den zweiten Band der Reihe aufjedenfall zulegen, die Steampunkwelt, die außergewöhnlichen Figuren und die Story haben mich letzten Endes überzeugt. Ich möchte wissen welche Gefahren noch auf Alexia Tarabotti und Lord Maccon warten, und vor allem ob Lord Akeldama wieder vorkommt ;P Ich bin gespannt welcher Fall als nächstes "bearbeiter" wird.(less)

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May 28, 2012 Jaylia3 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Being a huge fan of the steampunk paranormal Parasol Protectorate series I was eager to see what this was like. Naively, I expected the pictures to be in color (I’ve since learned manga isn’t usually), and I was hoping to see Ivy’s hats and Lord Akeldama’s tastefully flamboyant wardrobe in their full multi-hued glory, so I was disappointed to discover that all but the first few pages are in black and white. Still, I enjoyed the book’s adaptation of the story enough to read it straight through, b...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: female-authors, fantasy, 2013-reads, manga-manhwa, female-pov, paranormal, steampunk, strong-female-characters

4/5

I read this as a group read. The book Soulless had already come to my attention and is on my to read list. I was happy to get a preview of the book in this format. I think that the storyline was rushed since it fit the entirety of the novel into a manga whereas usually when that happens there are at least two graphic novels for a full novel. I also do not totally understand what a preternatural is.

But the story was exciting and I liked the drawings and characters. My favorite panel is the on...more

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Aug 08, 2012 S. J. rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone - particularly fans of the book

Recommended to S. by: Goodreads

Shelves: awesome-heroines, brilliant-averageness, fantasy, far-fetched-fiction, favorites, graphic-novel, historical-fiction, manga, steampunk, the-shelf-of-awesomeness, urban-fantasy, vampires-everyone-s-doing-it, where-was-it-when-i-was-young

*5+ Stars*

*The Gush*
I just finished the first book in the series this is based off of and loved it. my review
While I am waiting to pick up the next book in the series, I saw this manga at the bookstore and simply had to pick it up. I am usually wary of manga retellings of stories though I have enjoyed some I've found (the Star Wars 4-6 mangas and the like). I opened the book and within two pages I was hooked. Not only are the drawings very good and in a style I really enjoy, but the dialogue is...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics, gail-carriger, steampunk, reviewed, autographed, giveaway, own

First of all I love the cover. And the artwork inside is just as amazing. Some characters (Maccon and Lyall) are not what I imagined them to look like, but I don't mind because they look nice. There wasn't as much steampunk depicted as I expected. And also this being set in Victorian London I expected Alexia's clothing to be more conservative. But in every scene it looks like her boobs are about to pop out of her dress. This book is definitely more suited towards older teens and adults. There ar...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Laurel rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels

For me, the manga version of Soulless was much more enjoyable than the book. I believe Soulless: The Manga utilized the traditions of the medium to its advantage such as the lightening quick changes of emotion, a character physically whacking another in a fit of temper, or sudden humorous amorous scenes. The manga removed the author from the equation and allowed the story to unfold without the over-writing that, for me, spoiled the mood of many scenes in the book.

The characters and story are qu...more

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title link	preview: Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1
avg rating	preview: Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 Goodreads rating: 4.04 (2500 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12033364-soulless?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1310995028l/12033364.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12033364-soulless?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 by Gail Carriger[/url]

Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1 (The Parasol Protectorate Manga #1)

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