Bookaholic Anonymous discussion

So, me and Jon are having a buddy read of this book!

Summary: 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?

So what we're going to do is this... as Soulless only has 15 chapters, we're going to meet here after we finish chapter 3 and discuss first impressions of the plot, characters and writing.
After that, we shall meet every three chapters (6, 9, 12,15) to discuss how the plot progresses, relationships, revelations and twists, etc!
If any of you want to join, feel free too!

But, make sure to put everything you say under a SPOILER TAG! That's a must!

Okay, let's start!

I loved this book and am looking forward to the discussion

Up to chapter 3:
(view spoiler)[Well, first of all, I'm enjoying this! The writing style reminds me of Douglas Adam's, and I like the world created here; all manners of supernatural creatures, out in the world, known, but actually quite rare, and being able to survive the change to one of them requires a lot of "soul".
I confess, though, that I have no idea what they mean by saying Alexia has no soul. I mean, as far as I can tell, she's capable of all the range of emotions, the only thing "peculiar" about her is that, by society's standards, she's not suppose to be so outspoken, independent, blunt, opinionated, smart and etc. And if she were a man they'd all see nothing wrong with that...
I quite like Alexia and her personality! she is a good leading character! I like how strong she is, and how she is not afraid to say what's on her mind. Also, I love all the things others think bad about it :)
I also love Maccon. I often like Alphas, and this one's is delicious! I love how she can get to him, and how otherwise he's quite 'civilized', and how both of them think they hate each other when everyone can see they're actually attracted to one another and enjoy each other's company!
As for that vampire lord... if I understood correctly, he's gay? Right?
Ohh, and I like the mystery! Disappearing loners and roves! Wonder what's going on!
The only thing that kind of bothers me are the long chapters. Makes me feel like I accomplished less in the reading than I would've felt in shorter chapters. Does that make any sense? (hide spoiler)]

I'll post my thoughts tomorrow since I don't have access to a computer right now. I really liked the first three chapters. The writing style is a fun change from the books I've been reading lately.

Up to chapter 3:
(view spoiler)[
I like the comparison to Douglas Adams. Both Adams and Carriger inject humor into almost every sentence. Very few writers can pull that off.

The world is great and the time period for the story was a good choice. In my mind I'm imagining it much more colorful than in the typical Victorian era novels. I'm looking forward to see how the steampunk element is developed. So far we've only seen a glimpse of it with the dirigible and the glassicals. It's interesting that science seems to have advanced faster than normal because of the supernaturals' outing.

Alexia is, as you said, the antithesis of the womanly ideal of the era. Which is why I like everything about her :) She also seems to have good chemistry with every character, even the one she killed.
I'm curious about the soulless aspect as well. I'm assuming we'll learn more as the story progresses. So far, what we know of souls is that the supernaturals seem to have more of it, and they pick humans with an abundance of soul for the metamorphosis - usually artists and such. That said, I'm not sure how it translates to Alexia's case because she doesn't come across as non-souly.
I agree Maccon is delicious. I hope they get together soon (while maintaining proper etiquette, of course).
I like the whole cast.
Lord Akeldama is definitely gay; besides his behavior and appearance, he even said that she doesn't have what he needs or something like that. I forget the exact quote.
He's an interesting character in that so far he's the only reasonable suspect. I'm curious about his relationship with the Queen vampire. That's probably one of the keys to the mystery.
We need more information in order to come up with some theories.

I know what you mean about long chapters. I don't mind it too much because I go by percentage (on my Kindle) to see how much I've read.

I'll see you at the next checkpoint :)

P.S. you don't have to wait for me since the discussions are in spoilers.
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Some things regarding what you said:
(view spoiler)[I'm also imagining it more colorful. I love the whole idea of the alternate reality in which there is supernaturals, and their outing had caused such a change. I'd love to live in that world, wouldn't you?

Alexia, as far as I feel, has LOTS of soul. I've been wondering about her ability to cancel the metamorphosis? I'm wondering if perhaps she takes soul from those around her? Because I'm trying to figure out how she can have no soul, cancel other's change and at the same time feel like the character with the most soul!
Also, yes - she has great chemistry with EVERYONE!

Lord Akeldama? You think he's a suspect? I actually haven't thought of that... I don't really see it. But maybe it's cause I'm farther ahead? xD (hide spoiler)]

I actually ended up reading up to chapter 8 last night (couldn't put the book down! It's getting soooo good!) So these are my thought up to that point :)
(view spoiler)[ First of all-- yeepie! Kissing! Those two are remarkably cute! After the dinner, when Maccon asks the Professor what's she playing at and at the end he's like "did I mess this up?" I wanted to give him a hug! It's remarkable how he is this big Alpha male and at that moment he was as cute as a puppy!
And, damn, hot kissing! :D
But, my god! those chapters made me emotional. Seeing how Alexia feel about herself - in a somewhat totally depriving manner, I mean she really and truly doesn't believe Maccon, or anyone, can have interest in her for long or in that way- made my heart ache. The dinner and later on in her house made it seriously hurt. And the way she kept repeating to herself that someone thinks she's lovely...
Seriously, she says it all in such a flippant, factly manner, but that cut to me all the worst, because she completely and utterly accepts and believes that. I wish Maccon would just snap her out oh it! Show her her own worth!

And about that scientist... I think he's related to something. I also think that new gentleman club that carters to supernaturals has something to do with everything, as it was mentioned a lot, and with relations to the scientist.
I also have a feeling that Lord Akeldama might be more of a potential victim, and not a suspect.

And I'm really curious at to the reason Maccon left so abruptly!
P.S
Am I sensing possible romance between Ivy and the good Professor?

(by the way, I just forget how to spell their names so I call them by their job titles xD) (hide spoiler)]

Thoughts up to chapter 11!
(view spoiler)[First of all - I so called it! Told you the gentleman club had to have something to have with all this! :D I have a knack for finding those little clues :>
And that the lord is more likely a future victim... though I'm not happy about that. I actually like the gay Lord! Hopefully, he'll be alright. It would suck if he won't!
I knew the Wax-Man could not be human, more robot. For one, he's... a wax man. Can it be more obvious? XDDD

And, oh my god! He asked her to marry and she refused to believe he's not doing it out of duty. So sad! I agree with Maccon, she's been told way too long that she's worthless!

Oh, and, the fact Maccon smelled that drug... ominous. veeeeeery ominous.
This is getting intense!
Though still as hilarious! xD

By the way, do you also think the group of boys in the Lord's house is probably the same group of boys who a
Alexia saw at the ball where she killed the vampire and from her drive with the scientist and possibly when she hailed a cab with Maccon? (hide spoiler)]

I want to read instead of work :(

Haha, the one thing good about having some form of vacation on Passover is that I've got time to read :) Can't wait to hear your opinions on the book! It's getting impossible to put it away! (unless I'm writing you a comment, of course, in which case I'm allowed to put it down for a few seconds)

I apologize for the delay. I'm in another challenge* so I'm reading the second Night Huntress book too.

I'll read up to 11 after this and post tomorrow.

Thoughts up to 8
(view spoiler)[
So, apparently nobody knows what it really means to be Soulless... Looks like the American will try to figure it out though. You're right that he's related to something since there's obviously a lot we don't know about him. It would be an interesting twist if he were the bad guy. I haven't put much thought into how that would work out though. I guess we'll see what develops after his lecture at the club and such.
I like all the references about how America is so behind the times in many issues like acceptance of the supernatural, religion, science, etc. I'll save my views about how it reflects the US of today for a different thread... Did you know that the author is American?

Ivy and the Professor: I also sensed future-romance-sparks when they were in the parlor together; I'd be surprised if that doesn't work out.

Akeldama: Alexia hasn't seen him since the previous checkpoint. The only new information is that Maccon still doesn't seem to like him, but the background is vague.

Maccon leaving abruptly: I'm really curious also. It feels like there's something they're not telling her but I can't figure out what it might be.

Saved the best for last: Kissing and nuzzling! Yay :D I can't wait for her to do the Bitch Dance (all the way). I wonder if the professor made up that term just for laughs.
Regarding what you said about Alexia: I think she's just really clueless because she's never had the experience of being courted and so forth. But she's strong and a fast learner, so don't worry :)
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*It's a pretty cool idea for a challenge. Check out the first post for the rules http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... Maybe we could try a variant of that in this group.

I ended up finishing this yesterday and skipped the chapter 11 checkpoint.
(view spoiler)[
Overall, I'm happy with how the story ended and I'm looking forward to her future adventures as the Muhjang (sp?) and as Lady Maccon.

I'm still unclear as to what it means to be soulless.
There are also several issues that haven't be resolved, but maybe in the next book we'll learn some more.
Judging from the cover of the next book, it appears as though she'll finally get to go on a dirigible. Check out her glasses too . Do you also imagine her much more voluptuous than the book cover?.
Well, this was a fun book :)
(hide spoiler)]

I finished it a couple of days ago xD Forgot to write end impressions :)
(view spoiler)[I absolutely loved this book! The humor, the characters, the ending... lovely! I'm really looking forward to the next book! :D
I actually think that what she does is maybe take soul from others, that way she can be so soul-ful while actually having no 'soul' of her own. Like, the Supernaturals have too much soul, in a way. When she touches them, she takes that over-soul and leaves them with the normal amount of soul.
She was maybe born without the ability to create soul herself.
At least, that's the theory I developed, cause in all honesty - Alexia is one of the characters with the 'most soul' I've ever read about ;)
I'm looking forward to reading more about her condition, as well as see of my theory is correct or total mambo-jambo.

Also, just some random thoughts I had while reading; you do realize Maccon and Her can actually have kids? It's mentioned Supernaturals can't have children, but while he's with her - he's human, so doesn't that mean they can??
Won't it be awesome if they find a way with Alexia's blood to reverse the Supernatural state for a while, thus allowing them to raise families? (Alexia contemplated on the issue of her blood in the book - whether it will be poison or just reverse their Supernaturality for a while. I'm hoping for the second).
Wouldn't that just completely change all the supernatural dynamics and be totally awesome? :)

Oh. As for the covers, yes, definitely, I do not see or imagine Alexia like that at all.

By the way - I mentioned you in my review on the blog and even borrowed a sentence from you ;) (hide spoiler)]

Nitzan, maybe edit to add spoiler tags just in case.

(view spoiler)[
That's an interesting theory about her condition. Do you think that afer she touches them she takes their soul and keeps it? It seems that the after she stops touching they get their souls back as if nothing happened, so shouldn't she not have their soul anymore? Also, since every soul is different, wouldn't she have a different soul each time?
It's very confusing.

I agree about them having children. I predict it will happen. How their children come out is a different question.

The blood theory is interesting. We'll have to wait and see.

Yes, I saw you mention me in your wonderful review - I'm honored! Thank you for mentioning me :D

(hide spoiler)]

There was a spoiler tag, but there seem to have been an error in it so it didn't register it and I didn't notice :/
Oh well.
(view spoiler)[ I think Supernaturals have the ability to create soul. Much like transferring blood and such. She keeps the excessive Soul she took, but they just make more in a real quick manner.
I think the soul is not necessarily her personality or anything like that. I think it's more like... life force. Again, like blood. Supernaturals have a never ending amount of it as they're immortal. So she can take from them freely. And, I think, that's why Preternaturals die young - cause they lack life force. However, she's now married to a Supernatural, so she can touch him whenever she wants and all that. I wonder if that'll effect her life span, like prolong it or something. Perhaps make her immortal even, for as long as she's got the Soul supply in Maccon? (that'll be nice, cause I'd hate to think of him after she dies :/)

Also, it'll be real interesting to see what she does to a ghost, wouldn't you think?

I'm real interested about their children, too! what kind of children?

You're very welcomed :) Glad you liked it! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[
OK that's an interesting theory, but it still doesn't explain everything. For example, they say artists and actors and such have more soul. Does that mean they have more life force and live longer? Or just that their life force is stronger? It's not clear.
Also, how much life does it give her when she touches a supernatural? It would be nice if she and Maccon lived forever.

I'm also interested to see how she interacts with ghosts. It would be cool to meet some ghosts in the next books because they even have ghosts working in BUR.

I think they might have several kinds of children. Werewolf, soulless, and probably werewolf-soulless hybrid also. Maybe some regular children as well.
(hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[How does a Werewolf-soulless child work, when Soullessness cancels out supernaturality? (hide spoiler)]

Nitzan wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
He would have the power to turn AND cancel other supernaturals. Imagine how powerful that would be.
He could be strong like a werewolf while canceling out his opponent's powers.
:-O
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That means he'll have some form of control over his Soullessness? If that so, than my theory won't be right :)