Is it a plague, or is it a weapon? After a conference with an old friend and an acquaintance with a new one (who makes Alexia a bigger, better parasol), Alexia finds herself traveling to Scotland after her husband (and, as it turns out, the humanization epidemic, which seems to be following him). Then Alexia hears about a plague of humanity that is sweeping London: Vampires and Werewolves are human, and ghosts are completely exorcised. When the military portion of his pack returns from India and commences camping on the front lawn of Woolsey, Alexia has to prove hew own alpha-ness. Conall Maccon doesn’t always include his wife in his decision-making, or even inform her of his exact whereabouts. She may be happily married to a very amorous alpha werewolf, but they are still figuring out how to get along together.

The romance may be dialed back a bit, but the steampunk world-building is ramped up to compensate.Īlexia Maccon is settling into her new life as Lady Woolsey, and as muhjah to Queen Victoria (a special emissary-type role for a soulless/preternatural person). While I wouldn’t say Changeless is quite as good as its predecessor, it’s a respectable sophomore effort. I had no such reservations about Changeless already hooked, I sent the bookstore employee to hunt through his stockroom to find it for me. As soon as I read “vampires, werewolves, and parasols” I knew I’d give it a chance, and I’m glad I did, because I found it inventive, fun, and romantic.

So even with all the sterling recommendations for Soulless, I wasn’t sure I’d try it…until I saw it. And I’m not really a werewolf enthusiast either. I usually stay far, far away from vampire books (particularly vampire romances, though I disliked Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire as well) – all that blood (shudder).

Changeless by Gail Carriger