Steampunk

Gail Carriger’s novel Soulless is an interesting tale that mixes fantasy and steampunk technology in 19^th century London. The series features vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and one who can cancel out supernatural powers, known as the soulless, Alexia Tarabotti. Mixed in with all the supernatural and fantasy elements are unique steampunk technological advancements, most notably a well-equipped parasol.

            The world presented in the series is set similarly to 19^th century Britain during Queen Victoria’s reign, with mentions to actual historical figures such as the Queen herself. The differences from our reality stem from the existence of a variety of supernatural creatures and their involvements in society, as well as the technology that has evolved around them. The presence of the supernatural, as well as a great deal of technology around them, seems to have derived from the presence of aether, an element unique to this world that seems to be almost a source of energy that exists in the air as well as inside human beings. It seems similar to how other authors have viewed magic, but Carriger approaches it in a more scientific manner. As the story is set around the time of the Industrial Revolution, when many scientific breakthroughs occurred, aether is just beginning to be viewed in a more experimental view, as both an energy source and the source of change for vampires and werewolves.

            While the first book doesn’t delve too deeply into aether and technology, instead focusing on the characters and establishing the world, the sequels delve deeper into its mysteries, and how the protagonist Alexia, who can turn supernaturals back to human with a touch, relates to this source. The contraptions created based off of aether evolve as the series continues, from flying dirigibles to communications devices similar to the telegraph. As science and technology have just begun to revolutionize, the readers follow the characters as they make new discoveries, trying to disperse its mystery and determine its true nature.

            The supernatural elements are also viewed in a similar way, as the characters try to approach it with logic and reasoning rather than viewing the supernatural as something magical and superstitious. This approach is interesting, as it approaches fantasy elements in a scientific view, combining elements from various genres in a way that hooks you into the story and makes you curious as to what the characters are going to find out as they go along their adventures.

            Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series is an interesting read that combines both fantasy and science fiction elements in a way that makes you just as interested in the character’s discoveries in their world as their adventures and problems themselves.

(As a side note, the novels also have a cool manga adaption)