I usually stick to the YA genre, even though I am finding myself branch out more and more lately;)
So a couple of months ago
One Pushy Fox posted a blog asking for help. She wanted to branch out and see what all this Steampuck tom foolery was about. This was the first I had ever heard the word Steampunk.
I was immediately intrigued, and to show you how slow I can be sometimes, I thought it had something to do with punk music.
*facepalms*
So I thought to myself I like punk music, he he he
I then offered to hold Pushy's hand and take the journey with her into the world of Steampunk. Under one condition.
That I go into it COMPLETELY blind.
No researching Steampunk
No reading synopsis
No scouring through GR
NO Nada.
Pushy gladly excepted my offer, and with the help of the awesome followers over at
BewitchedBookworms, she picked Soulless by Gail Carriger.
One thing lead to another, I quickly learned that Steampunk & Punk are 2 totally different types of awesome sauce, and also that I have a thing for hot, brooding, Scottish wolfy's, who like their women feisty, and use the word arss instead of ass when the get mad. And oh are they ever so smexy when their mad.
*waggles eyebrows*
And just so we are clear one thing really did lead to another, if you know what I mean! *wink wink* I was completely blown away. Probably mostly because I had only ever read YA at this point, and sex scenes is something I hadn't been exposed to. Lady's and Gentleman this series not only stole my "virginity", so to speak, but it unhinged a passion for a new genre of books that I didn't even now existed.
It wasn't long before I devoured the entire series, and now I sit waiting patiently for the next book!
So without further ado here is my review for the first 3 books in the series of wonderment:)))
Soulless by Gail Carriger In the beginning I found myself saying "Oh Kaycee what have you gotten yourself into," but I pushed on. I am So So So glad I did. The first 100 pages or so was a little rough for me for no other reason than I didn't understand everything I was reading. To my surprise this book is set during the Victorian era and thus written as such. While we are lucky that I speak American English, but old proper English not so much. lolz However I found myself catching on and even when I didn't, I simply didn't care. This story is filled with awesomeness and the pages will start flying I promise you. So lets get on with it shall we?!
Miss Alexia Tarabotti is a lot of things. A spinster, of Italian descent due to her late father, quite a stubborn women, and most importantly soulless. Also a trait from her father. Being soulless leaves her with the ability to cancel out the powers of the supernatural simply through touch. It's a good thing too, because Miss Tarabotti often doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut. In a time where women are meant to be seen and not heard her mouth often finds her in trouble. Especially with Lord Maccon, Earl of Woosley, the alpha of the Woosley werewolves, and the head of BUR.
Everything goes array when an unregistered vampire tries to attack Miss Tarabotti. Alexia being the strong willed women she is fights back and kills him, but that only leaves a trail of questions. Who was this unregistered vampire? Why was he so starved to attack an unwilling donor? Most importantly how is it possible that he didn't know what Alexia is?
The story unravels from there with many twists and turns along the way. You will find ghost, vampires (some more flamboyant than others lol), mad scientist, and of course the most Delicious romance. Oh yes there will be nakedness!! *fans herself* I am definitely going to be reading Changeless to see where Miss Tarabotti heads next.
Now that I have your attention I will leave you with this....
Buy it, borrow it, rent it, steal it if you have to, but you have to READ this book!!
Don't look down and jump into Steampunk! You'll thank me later;)
Spoiler alert!! While the spoilers are minimal, if you haven't read Soulless then reading the following, might give something away. Continue at your own risk ;)
Ok Ok Ok before anyone has a mild panic attack, seeing how this series seems to only attract 5 stars, my rating is more like 4 1/2.
Synopsis borrowed from Goodreads
Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woosley, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears-leaving her to deal with the regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exercised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.
But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.
She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.
Alexia does not disappoint in this second installment. She is just as bossy, pushy, and feisty as ever. But I guess you would have to be if you were living with a pack of wolves. There is no doubt that she is the Alpha female, even considering her soulless state. When she puts her stubborn mind to a task there is no doubt that she will see it through. Always just barely escaping death in the progress, of course!I truly admire this women. While she is all dolled up in huge frilly dresses, and unbreathably tight corsets, totting around her parasol/weapon taking on vampires, wolves, ghost, and scientist; she always manages to make me laugh out loud during the process.
Mrs. Carriger as a way with giving you the right amount of action, suspense, paranormal, and romance. Then she somehow takes it all and covers it with humor. It is refreshing and addicting. There is no doubt that you will be left wanting more. I never would have thought that I would have heard myself say that about a book based in the 1800's. This from a girl that loathes black and white movies, but I can't help it I uber loves this series!!
This book has the right amount of humor and action. To my surprise, even the right amount of heartache at the end. It didn't get a perfect score from me, because there were times I felt like there was a little to much filler. Things I didn't necessarily need to, or care to know, flooding the pages. Aside from that I really enjoyed this book and I am getting ready to start the next.
I am not usually a spoiler bunny but i have to get this out...if you wanna see this spoiler click
here
And can I just say this is my favorite cover so far!!
Homicidal mechanical ladybugs, maniacal dogs named Poche, cocky/hero werewolfs, evil holy Templars, and Alexia's trusty parasol...where does one begin?
After Lord Jackass (opps I mean Lord Maccon) casts Alexia out on her own she is forced to move back in with her family. As if that wasn't punishment enough, for a crime she didn't commit no less, after the press got wind of said offense her own family turned her out as well. It doesn't take long for Alexia to determine she is mostly wanted dead by the entire vampire community, a fact they made perfectly clear with the most unpleasant surprise of attack ladybugs. I know it sounds kinda cheesy, and in most cases it would be, but this was fantastically funny!
The vampires are apparently afraid of what Alexia has come to refer to as, the infant-inconvenience, and are willing to go to great lengths to see her killed. Even though Alexia is no longer under the protection of the pack she is no stranger to people wanting her dead. She decides the best course of action is to find out why the vampires are so upset about her delicate situation. Armed with her trusty parasol, and accompanied by Floote and Madame LeFoux, she sets out to Italy.
"It is a strange world, she ruminated, wherein one finds oneself surrounded by Italians in nightgowns carrying French guns mollified by the English to kill supernaturals."
As far as action is concerned this book stands up to the challenge. It is full of action, humor, suspense, and even a few tears. I was a little disappointed at the lack of romance. I was glad to see Connell come around to his senses, but I just wished it had happened a little sooner. He spent most of this book sloshed because her was depressed. When I finished Changeless I was so SO hurt and mad at him for how he treated Alexia. I mean seriously who wouldn't be? So in the beginning I took pleasure in seeing him beat himself up. I even started to feel pity for him. Yea I know it surprised me too! I just wished, say around page 200, he would have sobered up, and fled to Alexia. I just would have like a little more graveling. Now that might be me just being bitter that I didn't get to see him naked quit as often as I would have liked, but hey who could blame me;)
I did love how I got a closer look into most of the secondary characters. I always knew their was something up with Mr. Floote, and while the author doesn't quite tell you what that is just yet, she does reinforce my suspicions. Madame LeFoux probably surprised me the most. When I first met her in Changeless I never trusted her. Not even in the end, but by the end of this one she has gained my trust. Don't get me wrong she is still mysterious, but I really expected to turn out on the bad side. It cracks me up how she makes little comments about her interest in Alexia. She doesn't try to hide the fact that she has romantic feelings for her. Something about it just makes their relationship perfect.
Then there is Lyall. Oh Lyall what can I say. You are witty and entertaining. It seems like no matter what gets thrown at you, you always overcome the challenge. Simply put I heart you. I wish you would give in and find some romance soon! PLEASE...lolz
Overall this book was everything to be expected and a great continuation of the story. I will be looking forward to the next installment. prays for a little more naked Connell hint hint;)
I hope you enjoyed my journey into this amazing genre!
All in all I give this series 4 1/2 stars!!
Oh Wait I almost forgot!!!
Squeeeeeeeeeeeee I am so excited!!!!
