Feb 032014
I was surprised by Carriger’s Etiquette and Espionage, but less so by Soulless. While still a worthy book, with a deep command of style and invisible worldbuilding, it relies slightly heavily on the sexual aspect of the comedy of manners between its protagonist Alexia and Lord Maccon, her werewolf paramour-to-be. Alexia is soulless in a Victorian England in which there are werewolves, vampires, and ghosts. Her soullessness means that she can remove Vampiric and Lycanthropic powers through touch – often, to hilarious effect. This romp through secret societies, government agencies, and a meeting with Queen Victoria pleases – but with less depth.
