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mallorypen's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a novel with an omnipotent third person narrator, and I found it to be jarring, inconsistent, and distracting. While the concept was interesting - I don’t think I’ve ever come across the idea of someone who fully neutralizes the powers of supernatural beings - but the writing style didn’t really let me enjoy it.
I did like the characterization of Alexia, and the variety of personalities was well done. The scenes of Maccon slowly losing his control were pleasantly spicy.
But the narration, combined with some odd leaps in the storyline and the introduction of the villain right at the very end, took me out of the story enough to remove three stars.
I did like the characterization of Alexia, and the variety of personalities was well done. The scenes of Maccon slowly losing his control were pleasantly spicy.
But the narration, combined with some odd leaps in the storyline and the introduction of the villain right at the very end, took me out of the story enough to remove three stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Murder
dreamofbookspines's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Cute. Carriger creates worlds well, populated with characters who sometimes exchange quite funny dialogue (even within the confines of strictly regimented society life). While I find it slightly less entertaining than I did in my 20s, it's still a fun read. Steampunk with werewolves and vampires.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
growintogardens's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.75
This was so disappointing! There was so much wasted potential. I'm trying to read through all the books I own and have owned for years, but that I haven't touched yet. This was the latest and it's immediately going in the get rid of pile.
I didn't really care for the characters and I didn't like the romance. Werewolf romances... Idk wtf authors are up to when they write werewolf romances because they are always the same. There's always the strong willed alpha who falls, against his will and only because of his wolfiness bullcrap, for the lead female character. Gotta have an opinionated female character who has few friends and little self worth when it comes to her looks, who falls for an aggressive man who thinks she's beautiful even when society does not, despite not even liking him as a person two days ago. The romance in this book was not as bad as some that I've read, but it still wasn't good.
Moreover, the book had too many genres, and while the beginning was interesting, the rest of the story was a letdown. It started with a good little mystery, but it was way too easy to figure out and didn't focus on it enough. The idea of being soulless was good, but that idea didn't get enough time to shine imo.
Anyway, I thought I was getting a fun paranormal steampunk mystery book, but it turned that it was mostly a paranormal erotic romance.
I didn't really care for the characters and I didn't like the romance. Werewolf romances... Idk wtf authors are up to when they write werewolf romances because they are always the same. There's always the strong willed alpha who falls, against his will and only because of his wolfiness bullcrap, for the lead female character. Gotta have an opinionated female character who has few friends and little self worth when it comes to her looks, who falls for an aggressive man who thinks she's beautiful even when society does not, despite not even liking him as a person two days ago. The romance in this book was not as bad as some that I've read, but it still wasn't good.
Moreover, the book had too many genres, and while the beginning was interesting, the rest of the story was a letdown. It started with a good little mystery, but it was way too easy to figure out and didn't focus on it enough. The idea of being soulless was good, but that idea didn't get enough time to shine imo.
Anyway, I thought I was getting a fun paranormal steampunk mystery book, but it turned that it was mostly a paranormal erotic romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Violence, and Kidnapping
ambermarshall's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This grew on me! At first I was a little thrown by the third person omniscient and I'll admit I got more invested once the romance got going. I'd characterize the description of sexy stuff as "coyly explicit." A strange mix of bold and prude. The narrative tone is very Masterpiece Theater if that makes any sense. I'll probably borrow the next in the series some time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Minor: Violence
the_disreputable_dog's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was told there was a lot of spice in this book, and while the spice was missing in action save for two instances of making out, a single, incomplete handy, and then sex - once - at the end (that was only partially included!), I did very much like this story over all. It was funny, and I felt the flirtation was suitably Victorian in its reserved nature. After all, as Ms. Tarabotti indicates, it's quite scandalous in Victorian England to be caught showing ankles in public, so it makes sense for a young spinster to keep mostly to herself, except for her penchant for winning arguments all the time. This one is a funny, soft enemies to lovers romance, with a fun mystery to solve as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Violence
directorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book is just fun.
With as much emphasis on the plot as the romance, Soulless is a well-designed and solidly built steampunk, paranormal universe. Whenever I want to read a romance novel, I reread this book.
With as much emphasis on the plot as the romance, Soulless is a well-designed and solidly built steampunk, paranormal universe. Whenever I want to read a romance novel, I reread this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Medical trauma
apuskas's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This was delightful. It is quite refreshingly silly in places. I felt very slow, when I realised, at the very end of the book, why the werewolves’ den is called… Woolsey Castle. Tee-hee.
Also, couldn’t shake the SPECTRE connection with all the octopodes, and it is very satisfying that it was never explained.
This (maybe) satisfies prompt #16 from Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge 2022. (Read a book recommended by a friend with different (?) reading tastes. I am not sure how different my reading tastes are from Corrin’s.)
This (maybe) satisfies prompt #16 from Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge 2022. (Read a book recommended by a friend with different (?) reading tastes. I am not sure how different my reading tastes are from Corrin’s.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Torture, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry
saffire_sky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Misogyny, and Sexism
fionac326's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Kidnapping
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