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pedanther's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
It says something that I've gone on so long about the book: I don't usually have this much to say about books I really dislike (or books I really like). This one's in that middle ground where it was good enough that I want to be just to it, but not good enough that I really liked it. Not sorry I gave it a shot, not likely to read any of the sequels.
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Hate crime, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Self harm, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and War
noroomforghosts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Minor: Body shaming
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Alexia and the London werewolf Alpha, Conall, have chemistry built on mutual annoyance. He enjoys someone who will surprise and stand up to him (a limited commodity when one is the Alpha of a pack of werewolves), and she seems surprised when annoying him for fun turns into something more. Professor Lyall is his Beta, a competent and unassuming older werewolf who is a quiet, steady presence. Ivy, Alexia’s hat-obsessed friend, is one of my favorite characters but this isn’t yet the book where she shines. Lord Akeldama is a flamboyant and well-informed vampire who is utterly delightful.
The worldbuilding is cohesive and worked naturally into the story. Alexia and Conall both have to think in order to stay in step with social expectations (or notice whenever they flout them), which provides opportunities for many details about the setting without distracting from the story. I read this series so many times in high school that I’m having trouble distilling my thoughts about the series generally into what just applies to this book. It sets up the cephalopod-obsessed organization which will continue to have a presence in the series, as well as establishing (at least by mention) many of the characters who will matter as the series continues.
I love this series and it’s so nice to dive into it again.
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and War
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping and Medical trauma
Moderate: Confinement, Racism, Sexual content, and Classism
growintogardens's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
1.75
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.
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Violence, and Kidnapping
the_disreputable_dog's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Violence
irenei's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, and Kidnapping
bluejayreads's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Torture and Medical content
Minor: Body shaming, Racism, and Sexism
stormywolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this was a fun and funny foray into a combination urban fantasy, historical romance, cozy mystery. Whether you've picked a side in the age-old supernatural debate, or are keeping both avenues open, there's plenty of fang-filled lore to sink your teeth into, and characters of both persuasions to fall for. Having been published over a decade ago, along with being set more than a century ago, there are undoubtedly some uncomfortable references and ideologies that come up, but I still have faith that more positive messages will come forth as the series progresses. So if you're up for some Victorian-age snark with a side of steampunk and a lot of bite, I'd recommend checking out Soulless tonight.
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Xenophobia, and Blood
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Sexual content, Torture, Medical content, and Kidnapping
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
Hate crimes/experimentation & racism are committed against supernatural beings. The main character is taught by her mother (& society?) to believe she is unattractive because of her tan skin and large nose, owing to her Italian father, and she curses her skin/nose/attitude and her Italian blood throughout the book.