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Jul 27, 2011

Wendy Darling rated it:

Here is a most edifying (and highly scientific) quiz you may use to ascertain whether this novel is one that you will enjoy.

* Is your bookcase overflowing with strong, decisive heroines?
* Do you chuckle over the animated Gorey titles preceding a PBS “Mystery!” presentation?
* Are you fond of the Victorian era?
* Does witty prose make you positively giddy with excitement?
* Have you ever lingered over a bit of lace or wistfully touched a velvet coat?
* Are yo More...

112 comments like (112 people liked it)

Feb 08, 2011

Eh?Eh! rated it:

Rbrs #4

Remember in grade school, when the teacher would ask for a volunteer to give the first speech or present the first diorama or whatever? Public Speaking - that which is feared more than death. Comparisons were always inevitable. I learned to shoot that hand up like a game of "not-it," so that everyone would be compared to me but my stuff would gently fade in the mob memory. Also, to get it out of the way so then I could relax while everyone else sweated it and got More...

24 comments like (60 people liked it)

Dec 09, 2011

Caris rated it:

I hate vampires. I have a strong dislike of werewolves, but I fucking hate vampires. Robert Pattinson, yeah, I think he’s dreamy, but I wouldn’t hesitate to put a stake through his fragile, airbrushed chest. I wouldn’t shed a tear as he muttered those incomprehensible little nothings with his dying breath.

Because vampires are stupid. The whole mythology has been driven into the ground. It’s no longer romantic. Shit, it’s not even interesting. It’s easy. Way, way too easy.

More...

32 comments like (47 people liked it)

Jan 08, 2012

Lora rated it:

*sigh* Boy, am I in the minority here! Every friend of mine has given this at least three stars, and here I am not even being able to finish it. Still, I don't hate this book, so before giving my reasons for not liking it, I will be fair and go over what I did like.

Our heroine, Miss Alexia Tarabotti, hasn't had an easy life. Besides being put on the shelf at the age of fifteen by her mother, she's had to deal with unjust criticism. While the people of today spend countless dollars on More...

17 comments like (34 people liked it)

Jul 07, 2011

Sparrow rated it:

Monsters are inevitably campy. That is a rule. You might not think it’s true, but you’re wrong. I’m sorry to be the one to break this to you, but the rule also applies to space. Monster stories and space stories range from those that deny the campiness and try to be really soulful social commentary to those that are hilarious in acknowledging the campiness and still manage to have something brilliant to say. There are levels in between those two extremes, but I’m trying to give you the fram More...

145 comments like (41 people liked it)

Jun 18, 2011

Miriam rated it:

Well, the first thing I can tell you is that reading this from a critical, review-writing frame of mind is not the way to enjoy it.

I encountered this book when it first came out, lying on the new release table of the Union Square Barnes & Noble (that's San Francisco, not NY, B&N friends). I no longer live in the City and was visiting a friend who, as it turned out, wasn't home yet. Or answering her phone. Night was falling and I had no way of knowing how much time I would have to ki More...

15 comments like (33 people liked it)

Jun 13, 2010

Elizabeth rated it:

There was a joke at my college that if they offered a course in basket weaving, it would be hard. First there would be a cross-cultural survey of the history of basket weaving with a primary focus on no fewer than four geographically and historically diverse societies and their approaches to basket weaving. Then there would be the lab of collecting reeds, drying them, and preparing the dyes. Your required research paper would involve the exploration of basket weaving in modern popular culture, d More...

132 comments like (89 people liked it)

Aug 08, 2011

Catherine rated it:

*Originally read 7/4/10 - 7/5/10*

This book was, quite simply, delightful! I finished it with a big smile on my face and giggled almost continually while reading it. My husband finally banished me to the bedroom because I was irritating him while he watched a movie.

The world that Gail Carriger created was so much fun and so interesting. I loved seeing a familiar government amid the new and exciting facets of it. I loved the set up of the supernatural creatures and the sing More...

108 comments like (27 people liked it)

Sep 07, 2011

Tatiana rated it:

My apologies to all my friends who love this book, but again, I fail to understand the appeal. Like with a few other popular novels I've tried reading recently, this is simply a glorified fanfiction in print. If you ever ask me what I mean calling books "fanfiction," my answer would be, as with the definition of "porn," I can't articulate it, but I know when I see/read it. It's just too gratuitous and lacks substance, depth, flavor, richness, even though it, at times, enterta

24 comments like (21 people liked it)

Oct 24, 2010

Jen ~ GinnyBee rated it:

I loved Soulless! Alexia Tarabotti is a 26 year old spinster who is intelligent and fashionable, who is prone to dark skin and drinks a lot of tea! Always found with her parasol and two hair pins made of silver and wood, she would one day like to fly in a dirigible. She also happens to be a preternatural, “Soulless” which is almost as embarrassing as having an Italian father.

A preternatural is born without a soul. When she touches a supernatural Alexia effectively neutralises them More...

11 comments like (17 people liked it)

Jun 15, 2010

Kelly rated it:

So, I’ve got something else to blame on Glee. In addition to all the terrible eighties music that I’ve been listening to, and image of that terrible Mozart spaceman outfit gone wrong that they put Kurt in for the Gaga episode, I feel certain that the same people who decide on the structure and performance of that show are the same people who decided that it was okay to release Soulless in the form that I read it.

At it’s heart, Glee is simply a weak, changeable framework for presen More...

53 comments like (51 people liked it)

Mar 19, 2011

Leah, Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Yeah rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

7 comments like (11 people liked it)

Jan 13, 2010

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it:

Ms. Carriger, congratulations! This was a great ride. I can honestly say that I laughed myself silly reading this book. This is one of those books that will probably embarrass you if you read it in public. You have been warned! This is the first novel that I've read that managed to cleverly and gently satirize the conventions of historical romance, and it was done in a manner that was utterly irresistible. I have not read any Wodehouse, but I imagine I will like him very much, if he is inde More...

55 comments like (82 people liked it)

Jun 28, 2010

BarkLessWagMore rated it:

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book having never read a steampunk novel and not being overly fond of comedy of manners type books unless they’re exceptionally witty. Turns out I was hooked immediately by the author’s wicked sarcasm. Most authors try too hard to get the right mix of funny/witty/sarcastic and end up making their characters sound dumb but here it felt fresh and natural and was so unlike most of the bland and/or annoying stuff lining my shelves.

The book s More...

10 comments like (14 people liked it)

Jun 13, 2010

Chandra rated it:

It’s hard to pin down the genre here -- mystery, chick lit, horror/fantasy, paranormal romance, and historical fiction (albeit a steampunkish alternate history). Basically there is a little something for everyone and anyone who is up for some light fun. It really helps that this book never takes itself too seriously as it does follow a fairly well trod romantic trajectory– an unconventional female (Alexia Tarabotti) is paired with a Brontean male lead (Lord Conall Macon) who is predictably bo More...

18 comments like (13 people liked it)

Jan 18, 2010

The Flooze (Michelle M.) rated it:

Recipe for success:
- Liberal amount of Austen & Wodehouse
- Generous helping of the supernatural
- Sprinkling of steampunk
- Heavy dose of humor
- Dollop of romance

Icing:
- One sorely abused treacle tart
- One hedgehog, slightly squashed

What a success Soulless is. No First Book Syndrome here.

Gail Carriger shows that she is a woman with ideas in this alternate history paranormal tale. Not only does she have ideas, but Carri More...

15 comments like (32 people liked it)

Nov 08, 2010

Kat rated it:

If you've been on GoodReads for any decent amount of time then you probably know Tatiana. If you don't then she is a very popular, entertaining reviewer with almost flawless taste in books and you should go read and like all her reviews abunch.

Usually, we tend to agree on a lot of books. When comparing books, we generally have an 88% similarity rating which has led me, in the past, to comment that we must be soulmates. So you can understand my obvious distress when I read this book More...

12 comments like (26 people liked it)

Mar 03, 2011

Morgan rated it:

I am new to the whole paranormal romance genre. Being a teenager yet, I can finally read the dirty bits without giggling or tossing the book across the room in an embarrassed panic whenever someone walks into the room. Yay for maturity!

Soulless was a fun read, and oddly very funny. I was cracking up. My favorite line:
"The vampire's eyes were open, and he was staring at her intently. It was as though he was trying to speak to her with simply the power of his glare. Alex More...

6 comments like (13 people liked it)

Apr 22, 2011

Becky rated it:

In the words of Allison, this book kicked ass. I immensely enjoyed it, and have added it to both my "wishlist" and "to buy" shelves. Maybe someone will want to part with their copy, but I won't hold my breath.

First, let us get the bad stuff out of the way:
1) The main character's name: Alexia. This is a kind of disorder that causes word blindness, or the inability to read. TERRIBLE choice for an exceedingly smart and well-read main character.
2) There More...

27 comments like (6 people liked it)

Jul 29, 2011

Kate rated it:

Actual Rating 3.5 stars

Oh this was delightful. Really, I have this warm fluttering feeling in my chest, still, and I finished this book this morning!!

I will go ahead and get the bad stuff out of the way. Soulless was a slow read for me, and it is not a thick book. At some points that fact got me down, and made me feel tired. Carriger has an extremely loquacious writing style here; which don't get me wrong, I highly appreciated it. But I still get caught up on words lik More...

2 comments like (8 people liked it)

May 08, 2010

Michael rated it:

At the end of "Soulless" first time author Gail Carriger says that one of her inspirations for the story was the idea of what if you set an urban fantasy during Victorian times. Given the quirks of the society, it's a fascinating concept and that hook alone is enough to make me want to like "Soulless."

Unfortunately, the novel is too much a product of the current publishing climate in which a majority of the books hitting the market must have vampires, werewolves More...

2 comments like (14 people liked it)

Jun 17, 2011

Chad rated it:

This novel was recommended to be my a friend of mine here on goodreads and boy does she ever have awesome tastes in books. Soulless was truly a book I would recommend to my friends on GR as well, A cleaverly, artisticly funny novel all the way till the end, can't wait to read book #2:Changeless, out now.....

The characters in Gail's world are utterly fascinating and draw you into their wicked and enchanting London. Well worth giving it a shot!

22 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jun 14, 2010

Ceridwen rated it:

I was up most of the night reading this, I have to admit, although that statement has to be qualified by the fact that I suffer from intermittent crushing insomnia, and would have been up anyway. I don't always read when I'm up haunted by whatever it is that haunts me, although haunting is maybe the wrong word for how I feel when I'm sleepless. Maybe dislocated, like a piece of myself is tethered and floating above me. I'm not a huge believer in my own soul – please don't flame me, you may belie More...

51 comments like (40 people liked it)

Dec 05, 2011

Denae rated it:

This book brings together so many things I love: kickass female heroines who don't dress like they belong in a film mockery of an S&M video, food, vampires and other such magical types, love, dirty scenes, and the London Season. Didn't see that last one coming, did you? Well, it's true. Gail Carriger manages to fit all these things into Soulless, a book that is more funny than sincere, more romance than steampunk, and less creepy than you might think when you realize what the main couple has to More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Sep 13, 2009

Katie(babs) rated it:

Fans of Steampunk, rejoice. And better count those who adore Steampunk with a great romance that has a delightful, witty and very original heroine. Gail Carriger’s Soulless will be on the lips of many before the end of the year. This is one of the most refreshing books I have read for 2009. Orbit has a very good thing with Gail Carriger. This freshman novel is near perfect in its writing and storytelling. When a book such as Soulless brings forth such laughs and an abundance of happiness while y More...

10 comments like (23 people liked it)

Jun 16, 2011

Maja rated it:

I chose Soulless from my never-ending TBR list because I wanted a light, undemanding read, but instead I found a great story with bright, intelligent humor and quite an unusual heroine. While it most certainly won’t enter the canon of literature, I think it will provide a solid entertainment to anyone who enjoys a good paranormal romance.
In her family, Alexia sticks out like a sore thumb. She’s 25, half-Italian, with dark skin and a large nose – all highly undesirable traits in a future w More...

4 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jun 16, 2011

VampAngel rated it:

*I decided to reread this delightful book on 06/16/2011 in honor of the release of Heartless in about 2 weeks. I would recommend this book to everyone*

This book takes place in London during the Victorian Era. Miss Alexia Tarabotti is a spinster, but more importantly she's soulless. That means she can neutralize every supernatural creature she encounters. If she touches a vampire or a werewolf, they instantly become human once again, thus losing all of their powers. The effects of her More...

3 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 05, 2011

Darcy rated it:

I was excited to read this book as so many of my GR friends have read it and raved about it and it was a book of the month selection for one of my groups, sadly the library didn't cooperate and I didn't get it in time. So finally I received notice that my turn was up for this book. Well this is one book I could have done without. A book this length usually is no problem for me to burn through in 4 hours, but after getting 25 pages I revised my plan to read until page 100 in one sitting as the More...

10 comments like (4 people liked it)

Mar 23, 2011

Stephen rated it:

4.0 to 4.5 stars. VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED is the best way I can think of to describe my reaction to this book. While there are a few urban fantasy series that I really enjoy, it is not my favorite genre, especially those series that could also be classified as “paranormal romances.” This book, while more “Victorian steampunk” than urban fantasy does certainly have a very strong “romance” element to the plot…AND I REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED IT!!

The story takes place in an alternative Vict More...

2 comments like (23 people liked it)

Jun 27, 2010

JG (The Introverted Reader) rated it:

I have waited entirely too long to write this review and gotten too deeply involved in the world of Ken Follett's World Without End, so this review is going to suck a little. Which is a pity because I had thought of all kinds of witty things I was going to write and now I've lost them.

Miss Alexia Tarabotti is soulless. When she touches supernatural beings, she neutralizes their abilities and they become human for a moment. That could be useful to the Bureau of Unnatural Registry More...

9 comments like (5 people liked it)