Reviews

Sans âme by Gail Carriger

annieb123's review against another edition

3.0

I can definitely understand this being a 4 or 5 star book for people who enjoy light banter-y bodice rippers. There's just something about that type of sarcastic wittiness that annoys me all out of proportion. The book is absolutely full of anachronisms and trying-too-hard Jane Austinisms for me.

Worth the read, but annoying for me, personally. I feel like such a grinch for saying that. I can understand all the glowing reviews, it just wasn't for me.

snoopygr8's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book so much that I bought the entire series...can't wait to read the others!

_magorso's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

cradlow's review against another edition

adventurous dark

5.0

buffy_garden's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

I had high hopes for this book initially, but I feel like it lost steam towards the end. Maybe that's because it's a series and it wanted to leave the reader wanting more, but I felt ready for it to end. I really enjoyed the writing and the characters and wish it would have been a stand alone book. Also felt some the the characters/ characterizations were offensive and outdated.

laurareadstoomuch's review against another edition

4.0

This is super cute story about Alexia Tarabotti who is an older Italian "spinster" very set in her ways - happy to be single, and very apt to get involved where people don't think she should. Alexia  doesn't have a soul - which means that a simple touch from her turns a werewolf, vampire, etc - human for the time being. When she accidentally kills an attacking vampire (who shouldn't be attacking) she gets herself caught up in the middle of a religious/scientific plan to end all supernatural beings and has to partner up with her enemy/friend Scottish Lord Maccon, a werewolf - and the head of the BUR. They, of course, are perfect together and fight crime together (kind of). Super cute - victorian, historical romancy, crime fighting, strong female. Great read. good banter

falcarragh's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

How can an author produce such a horrible piece? I have read 'The Finishing School' series and was amazed. So I thought I'd give this a try. Now I'm considering to toss the book into the paper bin. So there might be some use of it.

I despise it when people create worlds with rules to just ignore them. A few examples..,

- A werewolf can smell the bloodline of a vampire but is tricked by bloody humans and some chloroform? 
- A werewolf in charge of an investigation is not taken additional precautions fully aware how many supernaturals have been abducted. And sends out no warning?
- The best informed vampire is 'surprised' by the same old white mans group? He'd stay home alone when other vampires in the same situation have been disappearing?
- Scientist who want to know all about prenaturals but then leave her alone with a werewolf? Not watching? Not documenting? And thereby theaten to lose their biggest hope of eliminating supernaturals?
- Smexy time during a life threating abduction while your best friend is being tortoured?

The whole book is full of plot holes and inconsistencies. And characters without a clear agenda. 

It saddend me, because I was so excited to read more by this author. This was most definitely one of the wotrst books I've read in the past decade.

kmmk21's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.75

ashnight's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this book. I was laughing at all the interactions between alexia and Conall. I do wish there was more to the hedgehog part of the story. Cannot wait to read more of their stories.

saluki's review against another edition

4.0

A fun Victorian paranormal mystery/romance. Not very steampunky but lots about Victorian manners and ettiquette.

Alexia is a feisty, smart, curious and opinionated 'spinster' who is preternatural... a rare human with no soul who can nullify supernatural powers with a simple touch. Great armour too when she's attacked by a vampire and inadvertently kills him. It's soon apparent that new vampires are being made while older ones are vanishing. Queen Victoria appoints alpha werewolf Lord Maccon to investigate and meetings between Lord Maccon and Alexia are a test of wits and patience; he being rough and gruff and Alexia trumping most arguments through intellect and reason. Their bickering and banter is such fun. Yet:

"He has been mad for you these many months, ever since you prodded him in the nether regions with a hedgehog."

Really. Not always the Victorian lady, then.

"That woman," Lord Maccon spat,"is definitely alpha and most certainly female.”

Astonishing. And parties? Pah! She's only there for the food. Got to love her.

And, the side characters are likeable too, none moreso than flaming vampire Lord Akeldama whose personality is infectious. But there's much more to this vampire than meets the eye.

Solid fun start to the series.

Emily Gray narrates the audiobook and does a great job of distinguishing accents and characters, and good pacing during action scenes. A perfect fit for the crisp, clipped yet sometimes playful or even haughty tone of Alexia. I don't think I direct accents in my head without it being phonetically spelled, so Lord Maccon's Scottish dialect wouldn't register true if I'd read the book. I'll definitely be continuing the series listening to the audiobooks as it added that extra enjoyment.