The Saturday Issue focuses on the more visual books read here at In Libris Veritas ranging from graphic novels to manga to game companion guides.

Source: Won from Medusa’s Library
Publisher: Yen Press
Series: Soulless, The Manga #1
Edition: Paperback, 228 Pages
Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy Manga
Purchase:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Book Depository*
*I receive a small monetary kickback from Amazon purchases
Rating: 4/5

The life of a spinster in Victorian London isn’t an easy one on the best of days, but such a life becomes infinitely more complicated when said spinster is “soulless” – a preternatural bridging the gap between the natural and supernatural worlds. Miss Alexia Tarabotti has this unique distinction, and when she is assailed at a formal gathering by a rove vampire, an encounter that results in the death of the half-starved creature, her circumstances become exponentially more complicated indeed! Now caught up in an intrigue with life or death stakes, Alexia must rely on all her talents to outmatch the forces conspiring against her, but it may be the man who has caught her eye – Lord Conall Maccon – and their budding flirtation that truly drives her to her wit’s end!

Soulless is based off of the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, this particular issue is based off of the first novel of the same name.

I read Soulless a couple of years ago and I really loved the way Carriger mixed the serious with the fun, as well as the great mix of steampunk Victorian and paranormal fantasy. The manga is a condensed version of the same story, beautifully drawn and tightly packed into 228 pages. I can say that if you’re new to the story the manga might not be the way to introduce yourself since it is so condensed. You don’t get the full extent of Alexia’s connections with each character nor do you get all of the fun scenes that are found in the novel. However for someone who simply misses the series and wants a quick taste this is perfect.

I loved being able to see the character and some of my favorite scenes played out, though I do wish that some that hadn’t been excluded. Some of the serious nature of the story is negated by the humorous facial features, which is great for a light quick read but not so great when it comes to dry humor which doesn’t need the exaggeration. I do think this could have been improved by splitting the first novel into more than one manga because it does seem incredibly quick for Alexia to go from single to married in a single book without all the details.

Soulless was the perfect read for rather restless day, it had the humor I needed and stayed true to the story I loved. I do look forward to reading the second one, though I think I may wait until I’ve read the actual second novel before hand.