Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: October 1, 2009
Format: Adobe EPUB eBook
Pages: 384 (Mass Paperback)
Source: Destination Download
Genre: Steampunk
Review Date: July 1, 2012
Rating: 4 bookmarks
A quick mini lesson for the Steampunk newbies, what is Steampunk you ask? Basically Steampunk is a sub genre in the Science Fiction world. Steampunk can sometimes be a meld of fantasy, alternate history, horror, etc. For more details, refer to this Wikipedia page.
This was my first visit to the world of Steampunk and this story was a good selection for me to dip my toe into the Steampunk pond. Since I already love Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy, this was a good mix of them both rolled into another time. But be warned, if you're a PR junkie, this is ultra light on the "romance" if you know what I mean! ;-)
Release Date: October 1, 2009
Format: Adobe EPUB eBook
Pages: 384 (Mass Paperback)
Source: Destination Download
Genre: Steampunk
Review Date: July 1, 2012
Rating: 4 bookmarks
A quick mini lesson for the Steampunk newbies, what is Steampunk you ask? Basically Steampunk is a sub genre in the Science Fiction world. Steampunk can sometimes be a meld of fantasy, alternate history, horror, etc. For more details, refer to this Wikipedia page.
This was my first visit to the world of Steampunk and this story was a good selection for me to dip my toe into the Steampunk pond. Since I already love Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy, this was a good mix of them both rolled into another time. But be warned, if you're a PR junkie, this is ultra light on the "romance" if you know what I mean! ;-)
I felt that the story started off a bit slow, but I blame that on myself because it took a couple chapters for me to get into the groove of the of 19th Victorian England dialog. After that I was fine with it. The romance part of it sort of reminded me of those Jane Austen based movies, but with werewolves, vampires, ghosts and rare preternatural people born with out a soul. Miss. Alexia Tarabotti is fun and mouthy, soulless spinster at the ripe old age of 26! Yea, what a horrible state for Alexia to be in. Her counterpart, Lord Maccon is the resident Alpha werewolf and head of the BUR division in London. He's a Scottish werewolf with a temper that only Alexia could compliment.
This wild ride starts when Alexia is attacked by a rouge vampire who tries to bite her. Of course she has to protect herself and ends up killing him with her parasol. Lord Maccon looks out for her by discreetly leaving her name out of the story and concealing her identity. From there you can see that there is some serious attraction developing between them. An alpha werewolf and his alpha mate. But this is not your typical steamy paranormal romance. No jumping in the sack for these characters. There developing romance was sweet with a little heavy petting...totally Austen-ish.
Not only was the story slightly humorous, the interections were somewhat comical too. In a good way of course. Alexia's outlandish family takes the cake. The some of the jabs between Alexia's and her best friend Ivy (who wears the most horrible hats in the world), and her over the top gay vampire friend Lord Akeldama are comical. Also, the conversations between Lord Maccon and Professor Lyall added some fun variety. Overall, this story has good supporting characters.
Along side the budding romance, following the death of the rouge, other vampires and some unknown thing is out to get Alexia and this leads to all sort of craziness ensuing. Beyond the humor there was a bit of darkness too. It gets a little heavy once Alexia and Lord Akeldama get kidnapped, and taken to a laboratory of horrors, for lack of a better phrase. But it was well done and really helped the action move along.
Regarding the Steampunk aspect, I thought Gail Carriger did a good job with it. Not that I have anything to compare to yet, but I enjoyed reading about the mechanical elements of the story. Obviously fictional things, but still believable enough to fit the story, so it was just enough.
With all that said, I read chapter one from book two, Changeless and I'm looking forward to reading it. I recommend this book if you are looking to get a little out of your comfort zone and try something a little different. You may like it, I know I did.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~
This wild ride starts when Alexia is attacked by a rouge vampire who tries to bite her. Of course she has to protect herself and ends up killing him with her parasol. Lord Maccon looks out for her by discreetly leaving her name out of the story and concealing her identity. From there you can see that there is some serious attraction developing between them. An alpha werewolf and his alpha mate. But this is not your typical steamy paranormal romance. No jumping in the sack for these characters. There developing romance was sweet with a little heavy petting...totally Austen-ish.
Not only was the story slightly humorous, the interections were somewhat comical too. In a good way of course. Alexia's outlandish family takes the cake. The some of the jabs between Alexia's and her best friend Ivy (who wears the most horrible hats in the world), and her over the top gay vampire friend Lord Akeldama are comical. Also, the conversations between Lord Maccon and Professor Lyall added some fun variety. Overall, this story has good supporting characters.
Along side the budding romance, following the death of the rouge, other vampires and some unknown thing is out to get Alexia and this leads to all sort of craziness ensuing. Beyond the humor there was a bit of darkness too. It gets a little heavy once Alexia and Lord Akeldama get kidnapped, and taken to a laboratory of horrors, for lack of a better phrase. But it was well done and really helped the action move along.
Regarding the Steampunk aspect, I thought Gail Carriger did a good job with it. Not that I have anything to compare to yet, but I enjoyed reading about the mechanical elements of the story. Obviously fictional things, but still believable enough to fit the story, so it was just enough.
With all that said, I read chapter one from book two, Changeless and I'm looking forward to reading it. I recommend this book if you are looking to get a little out of your comfort zone and try something a little different. You may like it, I know I did.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara~
Get The Kindle Version Here:Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate)
