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Soulless by Gail Carriger Narrator: Emily Gray
Series: Parasol Protectorate #1
Published by Hachette Audio on September 26, 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hours and 48 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Purchase Links: Amazon*Libro*Kobo*Chirp
Goodreads
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.
Where to go from there? From bad to worse, apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire - and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.
With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?
Soulless is the first book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea drinking.
The Parasol Protectorate
* Soulless
* Changeless
* Blameless
* Heartless
* Timeless
Also in this series: Changeless, Blameless
For Octobers Theme – Here There Be Monsters (suggestions: monsters, Gothic, paranormal, fantasy, romantic suspense – humans being the biggest monsters of all quite frankly….)
I picked Soulless for this theme. It’s full of supernatural’s good and bad as well as humans who aren’t keen on the supernatural’s.
Soulless is book one in the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger and narrated by Emily Gray.
I’ve had my eye on this one since I read a review by a fellow blogger. I’m not big on picking up novels in the Historical genre, but I am glad I did. It’s remarkably good and Emily Gray portrayed the pace, storyline and characters quite well. I’m glad I did the audio version and I plan to listen on in the Parasol Protectorate series.
Soulless was absolutely fun. I had no idea what to expect and that added to my enjoyment. This story is part comedy, mystery and romance.
It’s a world where the paranormal (werewolves, vampires and others) coexist openly with humans and the story opens with Alexia accidentally killing a vampire.
Alexia Tarabotti is a soulless spinster. Her father is a deceased Italian. In 19th century England her physical traits, which she inherited from her father, were not considered favorable. She is an extraordinarily interesting character who has a keen mind and sense of humor. While she may not have the physical attributes that are considered attractive in the period, it doesn’t mean she’s unattractive or encumbered by these opinions. She’s self-confident and just plain interesting.
The tension-filled relationship between Alexia and Lord Maccon is filled with witty dialogue and their attraction to each other undeniable in the end.
Soulless delivers a perfect balance in the storyline from the sleuthing to solve the mystery of the disappearing vampires & werewolves, the budding romance between Alexia and Lord Maccon and the interactions with London society.
Audio: Narrated by Emily Gray. This is my first time listening to this narration and I’m impressed. She portrayed the characters well and did the voice accents admirably. I really enjoyed the 19th century vibe and voices Gray did. I highly recommend the audio version of Soulless.
Rated 3.5 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!
About Emily Gray
Actress Emily Gray grew up in a military family moving to locations around England. She remembers mimicking the regional accents from each locale as a way to blend in with new friends. Stories either invented by her mother or read aloud as a family were always part of her life. Emily could easily relate to Nancy Springer’s ROWAN HOOD, daughter of Robin Hood.
Emily’s first audiobook, MASQUERADE by Walter Satterthwait, came about in 2001 when her husband Matthew was a sound engineer at Recorded Books studios in New York. Lately, we’ve heard Emily bring alive the adventures of Becky Bloomwood in Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series and her work in SOMETHING ROTTEN by Jasper Fforde.
Emily and her husband started the Classics Acting Company in Dallas where she’s appearing in “The Cherry Orchard.”
About Gail Carriger
Gail Carriger writes comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance (and the sexy San Andreas Shifter series as G L Carriger). Her books include the Parasol Protectorate and the Finishing School series. She is published in many languages and has over a dozen NYT bestsellers. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea.
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I’ve wondered about this series. I don’t know that I’ll get to it, but if I do, I think based on your review I will enjoy it. Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/11/03/favorite-first-lines-9-october-2025/
Happy Reading! ^_^
I like both historical and paranormal books so this books sounds amazing. I would enjoy listening to this as I drive.
Thanks Jeanna for visiting and checking out my review on Soulless. Hope you enjoy!
The cover looks vaguely familiar but I know I’ve not read it. I’m going to go add it to my audible wish list for the next time there is a sale! Thanks!!
I hope you enjoy. I’ve seen it around and I’m glad I tried it. I’m looking forward to listening on.
I read these, but it sounds like it would be fun to revisit on audio.
Thanks for visiting!
I listened to and enjoyed this several years back. It was pretty funny. I never did finish the series, though.
I just added you on my blog list so I don’t miss your posts. I was clicking on your comment from another blog yesterday to get me to your blog, but it took me to a different blog where you had the comments disabled. I’m glad I found the right blog now! 🙂
I used to be called Angle’s Guilty Pleasures. The blog has gone through some changes and now has a new home and name. I’m glad you where able to find me and I’m so happy to have you follow. I’m looking forward to listening on in the Parasol Protectorate series. I’m surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I usually avoid history and I’ve only read a few other Steampunk genres. I’m trying to branch out and try new things this year. Thanks for visiting.
Great cover. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for visiting!
This sounds like a great audiobook
Thanks Sara for checking out my review. Happy Listening! 🙂
I drive a lot and I love getting a good audiobook to listen to. This book sounds super good.
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Thanks Heather for checking out my review. Happy Listening 🙂!
I am becoming more interested in audio books. Thanks for this review.
I used to be a physical book or eBook reader, but the past few years I’ve had trouble with reading. My real life is busy, so this year has been the year for audiobooks and I’m really enjoying listening to stories. Thanks for checking out my review.