|
||
Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
 |
Soulless by Gail Carriger Orbit Supplied for review by Hachette New Zealand |
Reviewed By: Jacqui Smith |
| Now, those who know me will know that I have little liking
for much of what passes for urban fantasy these days – in particular that dire
sub-genre we like to call "vampire schlock". So, when you find me reading a
novel that is described as "supernatural romance" and enjoying it immensely, you
can be certain that it’s something special. This IS a supernatural romance, very much
so, but it’s also part comedy of manners, and part mystery, with a healthy dash of
steampunk. Yes, dear reader, there are vampires, and werewolves, ghosts and zeppelins -
and yet Victoria is still very much Regina. The author makes it absolutely clear that this
is an alternate history, and unlike so many, she has put some thought into it, and given
her world that internal logic essential to good fantasy, be it urban or otherwise. And
what’s more, she spins a pretty fine sentence. It begins when Alexia Tarabotti is accosted by a vampire at a private ball, and inadvertently manages to disanimate him with her parasol. Of course, the vampire should have avoided her altogether, for Alexia was born without a soul. So, the question is where did the hungry, and rather uneducated, vampire come from? Therein begins a tale… and the romance begins when Lord Maccon, Earl of Woolsley, and Alpha of the local werewolves, arrives to investigate… |
||
 |
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
SFFANZ is a non-profit organisation
and registered charity designed to bring together fans of the fantastic in New Zealand |
|
Contact us by email at: enquiries@sffanz.org.nz |
|