Monthly Recap: April Edition

I had such big plans for this month. I had a list of book I was going to read and review. Unfortunately, I didn’t follow it at all. I did, however, manage to read nine books this month. Which, is pretty good for me. Some of these books have not been reviewed yet and some won’t be reviewed. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a mention! So, here are my April reads.

April had some reading highs and lows. Changes was probably the highest of the high points, leaving me desperate to read the next book in The Dresden Files series. I would say that this has happened with every book in that particular series, but that would be a lie. Ghost Story just did not impress me that much. I understood the need for it in the grand scheme of things, but after reading it I needed a break.

While Ghost Story was a bit of a letdown, Boundary Crossed was the low point of month. Now, let me say that I did not hate that book. The fast paced nature was enjoyable. I just found myself wanting more out of the characters. If you are interested you can read that review here

I apologize for the review light month. The blog was only open a little over two weeks in April, but I still think I could have managed more than four reviews. I promise to try harder in May!

So, all in all, not too bad of a month! Reviews for the remainder of the Parasol Protectorate and Uprooted will be posted in the near future!

Now, what am I going to be reading in May? I need your help to update my TBR. What do you think I should read? Let me know in the comments!

Decorum and Dirigibles: A review of Soulless by Gail Carriger

Title: Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)
Author: Gail Carriger
Genre: Steampunk / Alternate History / Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Orbit
Publication Date: October 1st, 2009
Kindle Edition: 388 Pages
Source: Personal Purchase

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 a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking

“How ghastly for her, people actually thinking, with their brains, and right next door. Oh, the travesty of it all.”

I meant for this to be a review of Prudence. I even started reading it. However, the first chapter made no sense. The second, even less. I decided I had to go back and read the Parasol Protectorate.

After my self-inflicted Prudence confusion, I didn’t have high expectations for Soulless. I worried that it would be equally confusing and I would have to trudge through it in order to write this review. Boy was I wrong. My only complaint was that chapter one, while witty, was a tad awkward. Carriger made up for this in chapter two and never looked back. Neither did I.

Soulless is a clever and witty combination of genres. Steampunk and Alternate History tend to go hand in hand, but tossing Urban Fantasy into the mix is unique. And it works well. Dandy vampires and werewolves in waistcoats work out beautifully. Add in a cute, occasionally rude romance and the book just sings.

Carriger’s mix of genres isn’t the only thing unique about Soulless. Her depiction of supernatural hierarchy and social integration is new and interesting. This isn’t the first series where supernaturals live openly in society. But this is the first one I have seen that explores their regulation and official involvement in government. I loved how well this was explored and look forward to seeing growth throughout the series.

All in all this is a cute and quirky novel that will have you hooked. I read the book in one sitting, finishing it in the wee hours of the morning. I just couldn’t put it down. Knowing that there are four more books left in the series, excites me to no end. Expect reviews of the entire series and Prudence in the very near future. I doubt I will be able to pace myself with this series.