A book I have been waiting months to come out recently released. Prudence
by Gail Carriger came out the other night. The sequil/spinoff of her popular steampunk book series: Souless.
So I thought it would be a good
opportunity to begin sharing some of my favorite authors and their works, begining with Ms. Carriger.
I stumbled upon Ms. Carriger’s first book Soulless in the series by the
recommendation of a friend who I ran into at the bookstore as we were
discussing books. She recommended this
knowing of my love of reading and steampunk.
At the time I had been making jewelry for about a year or so and was
learning as much about the steampunk culture as I could. Book wise aside from some of the classics
like HG wells and such, despite my love of reading, had been limited to art
books and books on the steampunk culture itself.
I had noticed the Soulless
series before but had been hesitant to read it for a few different
reasons. One I wasn’t sure how I would
like the mix of fantasy and steampunk together.
The other was the influence of vampires and werewolves into the
books. Don’t get me wrong. I have been a big fan of werewolves and vampires
since high school, (Vampire Chronicles)
it’s just at the time I discovered Ms. Carriger’s works the Vampire/Werewolf
revolution started by Twilight and
shows like Alpha and True Blood left me a little…well burnt
out. Especially on the tragic angst
filled vampire or werewolf hero with a human woman swooning over him. But
the book came recommended so I gave it a chance. And I am so glad I did.
To start with...
There are no angsty vampires or werewolves (some angst scenes for sure but
that makes it good.) Within the world of
the Soulless series vampires and
werewolves instead of hiding in the shadow, live openly in society. This creates a delightful mix of society
fancy Vampires and stern, gruff werewolves who work in the military and police,
and one awesome lead female. The series
revolves around Alexia Tarrabotti an
Englishwoman born with an interesting condition: She has no soul. This gives her power to render a supernatural
creature temporarily human at her touch.
She gets into all sorts of scrapes aided by the stubborn and
occasionally loud Lord Maccon (One Word: Scottish Wearwolf.) All while trying to maintain a good face in
English Society and to be home by teatime. The moment that Alexia first spoke
in the book admonishing a Vampire for attempting to bite her before they have
been properly introduced, I knew that I was going to like her. Alexia is the type of no-nonsense, stubborn,
treacle tart loving woman with parasol swinging skills that I one day hope to
have. I purchased the rest of the series
(All five books were already out by then thankfully.) And finished them within a little less than
two weeks. The problem with it that
being that it left me hungry for more.
Happily, little while later I discovered that Ms. Carriger had another
series out in the Young Adult section.
The funny part about finding the second series is that I
didn’t notice the author’s name when I first picked it up. I had finished the Soulless series almost a year prior and hadn’t noticed any news
about another series. The Soulless series also was in the adult sci-fi
section so I was not expecting to see any work of hers in the Young Adult. I also have the bad habit of not looking at
the author’s name right away. It was the
title that caught my attention. Etiquette and Espionage. Upon reading the synopsis I was interested
enough to take it home and give it a try.
This particular series follows Sorophina as she attends finishing school
upon Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy. What makes this series so interesting is that
along with learning how to curtsy and pour the proper cup of tea they are also
learning the art of how to properly assassinate one without mussing one’s gown
or hair. As I read the first few
chapters I began to feel that the style of writing as well as the world that
the book seemed to be located was familiar.
Werewolves and vampires mixed into society, steampunk gadgetry and
strong minded Englishwomen brought back an air of familiarity. It wasn’t until Sarophina is greeted by one
Elder Madam Lefoux (whose niece plays a heavy roll in the Soulless series) my suspicions were confirmed and I looked at the
author’s name. I hit google and sure
enough not only did the books have the same author, the Finishing School Series
was a prequel. Taking place twenty years
before Soulless. Despite being a prequel however this series
tells its own separate story outside of the Soulless
story line. This creates an entirely new
story while putting in enough cameos of familiar characters to make me happy. Especially when one of my favorite characters
shows up in the second book.
Ms. Carriger’s books are a wonderful mix in humor,
adventure, strong female leads, steampunk, food, zany adventures, mad scientists,
secret societies, gossip, flamboyant vampires, Scottish werewolves, (I know
I’ve already pointed it out but it’s worth pointing out) dirigibles, tea and
parasols with weapons in them.
Everything a girl could want.
And if that wasn’t enough there is Ms. Carriger
herself. You get a good idea of her personality
by reading her biograph.
“New York Times
Bestselling author Gail Carriger writes to cope with being raised in obscurity
by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life
and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger
then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits
secreted in her handbag. She resides in the Colonies, surrounded by fantastic
shoes, where she insists on tea imported from London. Gail's books are
published in over a dozen different languages. She has received the Prix Julia
Verlanger and the Elbakin Award from French readers.”
If that’s not enough to convince you of what a wonderful and
unique person she is then just head over to her blog here. There she gives you dose of daily Parasol and everyday steampunk tips. I look forward to any updates on her blog or
twitter.
Ms. Carriger has captured my imagination with her series and
shot to the top of the list as one of my favorite authors. I look forward to the day that I will have
the opportunity to meet Ms. Carriger so I can shake her hand and thank her for recruiting
me into the Parasol Protectorate.
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