Tag Archives: Steampunk

Trace of Copper by Anne Renwick

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Trace of Copper
Author: Anne Renwick
Series: Elemental Steampunk Tales #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Romance, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

I absolutely loved this story – I mean, it’s a tale about steampunk doctors, with paranormal problems. It’s a short and fun read, but with a whole lot of drama that I was honestly not even expecting. To be fair, I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this, so it was a really pleasant journey to go on. Plus, it meant that this was a story that was next to impossible to put down.

Amongst all of the paranormal and steampunk fun, there was a bit of a romance amongst this story. I love that Piyali chooses to pursue the career that she wants, even if it could potentially ruin her relationship with the man that she loves. The fact that she is forced to return to him after some fairly large misunderstandings and they eventually find their way back to one another was really fun. They both want their second chance, but it is only when they are able to be open and honest that they actually manage to take advantage of this chance.

I spent a lot of this book having a good giggle about the different local women vying for Evan’s attentions. And then there is the fact that there is just a… blue frog running around biting people. I actually wanted to know more about the frog and the politics of the little village than the romance. I mean, Piyali and Evan as a couple were great, but mostly I really loved the frog. I’m not really sure what that says about me to be honest.

A Trace of Copper was a quick, easy and fun read. I pretty much read it cover to cover, I just didn’t want to put it down. So maybe it’s good that it was a short read – I didn’t abandon my responsibilities for too long to enjoy this story. I’m definitely looking forward to reading In Pursuit of Dragons and the rest of the books in this fantastically crafted steampunk world.

<- More Anne RenwickIn Pursuit of Dragons ->

Image source: Books of my Heart

Bitches and Brawlers by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Bitches and Brawlers
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Clemeny’s love triangle with Edwin and Lionheart gains a little traction in Bitches and Brawlers, plus, I love that it brings in a few more of the characters from Wolves and Daggers. Both the love triangle and other characters help to tie up some loose threads and drive Clemeny’s adventures and personal journey forwards. I love that Clemeny is able to visit with her old partner and her Grandmere takes a lot of the spotlight in this story. Then, there’s the fact that, although I really want Clemeny to end up with Lionheart, she’s leaning towards Edwin – something that just makes me want to dive into Howls and Hallows all that much quicker.

Alodie is a not-very-nice villain, one that it was incredibly easy to detest – I love the ending that she meets. Very much create by her own decisions and evil. Yet, as with everything in Bitches and Brawlers, her death throws everyone and everything into turmoil. Plus, I just really, really disliked her. I mean, she’s a power hungry bitch who won’t stop at anything to get what she wants. It’s always nice to have a villain who is totally detestable, and impossible to like. As much as I also love those that are slightly relatable, I also love when it is just all too easy to hate a character and wish nothing but the worst for them. Just like Alodie.

I can’t wait to start to understand more of Clemeny’s history – there have been so many teasers and hints throughout this series, and Karsak manages to tease out just a little bit more in Bitches and Brawlers. Little Red finds herself one step closer to who she truly is, and all those moments of (what I think are) supressed power feel like they’re soon going to come to fruition. A great little lead into Howls and Hallows. Or at least, it is to my mind, since I haven’t actually read Howls and Hallows yet…

Not only did I really enjoy cavorting through London with Clemeny and fighting crime, the secondary characters in this series, and Bitches and Brawlers in particular are fantastic. This is a steampunk world which is wonderfully multifaceted and gives you insights into so many different lives and individuals. Then, there’s the tie ins to the Steampunk Fairytales series that make me want to dive across to those books as well. So much to read, so little time!

<- Peppermint and PentaclesHowls and Hallows ->

Image source: Amazon

Peppermint and Pentacles by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Peppermint and Pentacles
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I read the first chapter of this story, and then kind of put it aside – reading on Kindle Unlimited is a little bit more clunky for me. However, once I got the chance, I read this story from cover to cover. However, even in the interim, I really wanted to dive back into this story. I mean, a Christmas, steampunk red riding hood was always going to pull me in. It also builds beautifully on the stirrings of feelings in Clemeny in Alphas and Airships. I loved seeing how her feelings evolve and she begins to get used to the new status quo within the Red Cape Society.

One of my all-time favourite things about Peppermint and Pentacles is the fact that the Christmas spin on the adventures of Clemeny is Krampus. I have been absolutely fascinated by the idea and practices of Krampus since my Austrian penpal introduced me to how her village celebrates this. And this was my first ever story that features this. I honestly couldn’t get enough of the darker twist on a Christmas story. Just the kind of tale that I tend to like.

Clemeny and Edwin (Agent Hunter) spend the entirety of this story moving closer to one another. There are still frequent mentions of Sir Richard throughout, and I feel like this is going to be a bit of a future love triangle. I wonder if they are going to work out in the next books in this series. I also loved getting to spend more time with Grand-mere. It was nice to have the characters that surround Clemeny fleshed out a bit. Characters that support her brilliantly, but also make me want to dive right into these books again and again.

There is so much about this series that I’m absolutely loving. And having a Christmas-story featuring Krampus into the mix just makes it all that much better. I can’t wait to read more and more and more of Karsak’s writing. Plus, with every book, there is more world building of the darker, more mystical side of these steampunk retellings.

<- Alphas and AirshipsBitches and Brawlers ->

Image source: Amazon

Alphas and Airships by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Alphas and Airships
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

You know that a book is absolutely brilliant when you want to keep going back to pick it up. Only to realise that you’ve actually already finished it. And then you get that wonderfully irritating book hangover feeling. The one that makes you reluctant to pick up another book because it probably won’t quite measure up. And then it takes forever to find one that can quite draw you in again. Alphas and Airships was one such book.

Clemeny is a great and very relatable character and I love how driven she is for justice. Alphas and Airships sets up the idea of a bit of a love triangle for her. And also talks about some of the repercussions and change which Wolves and Daggers bought to her life. I wasn’t sure if I spent more of this book wanting to know about the new relationships which Clemeny was forming. Or whether she was going to get the Viking Werewolf that she was hunting… going forwards, it’ll be very much the love triangle that will drive my reading, but that’s mostly because there will be new hunting challenges to overcome I’m sure.

As far as partners go, I really enjoyed Agent Harper and how her relationship with Clemeny grows. I hope that she shows up again. It was fun watching their connection grow as they tried to stop the bad guys. Harper was also a great balance of innocence and light to Clemeny’s more serious and jaded nature. They’re also both driven by a high moral fibre that makes them entirely compatible.

During Alphas and Airships, it becomes obvious that there are a lot of secrets in Clemeny’s past. Many of which I’m sure she doesn’t actually know herself. Particularly those of her bloodline. I can’t wait to find out more about her history and how this is going to impact her life. I’m assuming heavily, because it feels like it’s being set up to be a huge deal.

<- Wolves and DaggersPeppermint and Pentacles ->

Image source: Amazon

Blaze of Glory by Mandy M. Roth

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Blaze of Glory
Author: Mandy M. Roth
Series: Prospect Springs Shifter #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Steampunk, Westerns
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

Whilst I really enjoyed this story, I didn’t necessarily love the end of this tale – I mean, Molly goes from being a tough and kick ass federal agent. To being barefoot and pregnant. I have no issue with her quitting her job for her family and happily ever after – but, maybe it could have been more of her wish than his?

I loved that Molly and Jonathan were childhood sweethearts and best friends. And then, they reconnected after they’ve had the chance to become adults. Particularly Molly, whilst the time apart may have been difficult in ways, they also emphasised who she was as a person and that she needed the space and time to grow up.

There is so much gun slinging and pure insanity throughout this story. Which is probably why I enjoyed it so much – I love the crazy. And crazy with guns? That makes me seriously enjoyable. Then, there’s the fun characters and fantastic world building. I mean, this is a novella which features the wild west with paranormal, steampunk flavours. Now I can’t wait to see how Jonathan’s brothers find their happily ever after…

<- More Mandy M. RothParker’s Honor ->

Image source: Mandy M. Roth

The Mapmaker’s Apprentice by C.J. Archer

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Mapmaker’s Apprentice
Author: C.J. Archer
Series: Glass and Steele #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Magic, Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I’m loving reading about the two couples in this as the story unfolds. Both Matt and India, and Duke and Willie are fantastic couples. They might both be in the budding stages of their respective relationships, but they both work so well together. Plus, it makes me want to dive into the next book just to see which couple gets together first!

I love that throughout this, India is discovering more about her magic and self. She spends the actions of The Mapmaker’s Apprentice growing into herself and gaining confidence. Plus, she’s finding out more about how magic works in the world and why it’s so forbidden in certain circles. Which, as the reader, I loved putting together the pieces alongside India.

Matt’s eligibility and marriageability is being seriously tested by his aunt throughout. I think that this is partly because she sees his attachment to India, but also because she’s an aunt and that’s what bored aunts do. The constant attempts to set him up and have him happily married are incredibly fun and somewhat awkward. I love that whilst the attempts petered off at the end of this novel, there’s so many hints of future attempts and just Matt’s feelings in general.

Although, for me, the focus in this story is on the relationships and growth of the characters, there was also the plot afoot. I was expecting the missing persons case they worked to have a much happier ending. So, although I loved this novel, I did find that I turned the last page with a bit of a melancholy mood. Which, somehow just makes me all that much more keen to dive into The Apothecary’s Poison.

<- The Watchmaker’s DaughterThe Apothecary’s Poison ->

Image source: Amazon

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Etiquette & Espionage
Author: Gail Carriger
Series: Finishing School #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Paranormal fantasy, Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I absolutely adored the idea of a steampunk finishing school of espionage and assassination. The fact that it was also a floating school that had a werewolf and vampire in attendance… unforgettable. Sophrina is also a fantastic and lovely leading lady who I wish I’d met when I was younger. She’s intelligent, caring and completely relatable. Everything about this story from beginning to end was brilliant and I can’t wait to read more of Carriger’s world!

Sophrina was one of the favourite female leads I’ve read in a while. She’s not described as beautiful or ugly. Indeed, she’s just average looking, I love that she’s not ugly or beautiful but actually normal looking. And, more than anything, it is her inner beauty that people fall in love with. I love that she is willing to try things that others aren’t willing to. And has a problem solving mind that loves to explore the world around her.

Soap and the sooties are a great cast of characters, I love how Carriger uses those who are overlooked to help inform Sophrina of the world around her. Including Sophrina’s inventor friend – someone who likes to shuffle around the school and find plenty of rules to break. I’m absolutely in love with them, and I really love how they readily except Sophrina into their lives.

The world building within this novel is completely amazing. That, and the fact that Carriger has positive female friendships throughout. I mean, Monique and Preasha are not great, and work really well as antagonists, but the majority of Sophrina’s relationships are incredibly positive. And, even Monique and Preasha aren’t bad because of females being pitted against one another, they’re just not great people. There’s also the fact that Sophrina is able to encourage others to form positive relationships and be themselves.

Throughout the entirety of this story, Sophrina attempts to outwit and outsmart Monique’s selfish evil. And, although you know she’s going to at least win partially in the end, it’s brilliant how she actually goes about it. Plus, it’s kind of hilarious. Now I can’t wait to see what other shenanigans Sophrina and her friends get up to.

<- More Gail CarrigerCurtsies & Conspiracies ->

Image source: Amazon

Free-Wrench by Joseph R. Lallo

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Free-Wrench
Author: Joseph R. Lallo
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Science fiction, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

This was a really enjoyable story, but not a series or author that I’ll be reading further. I definitely enjoyed my foray into Lallo’s world, but I wasn’t supremely attached to it. Plus, for me, this worked kind of well as a standalone – there were no major cliff-hangers and answers that I needed at the conclusion of this story.

One of the things I loved the most about this story was that it is a space pirate story filled with hijinks and insanity. Mostly I just enjoyed the random insanity of those flying through the skies as they try and survive raiders and robbers. Plus, just pure insanity and hijinks.

Nita is a really fun and engaging lead, and I love that she’s admittedly impulsive but also incredibly intelligent. Unlike some books, there is little commentary on her looks, and a focus on her privilege and smarts. Actually, there is little physical description throughout, more of a focus on characters and plot line. Which I enjoyed thoroughly.

<- More science fictionMore steampunk ->

Image source: Goodreads

Warchild by Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Warchild
Author: Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda
Series: Monstress #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Graphic novels, Steampunk
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

As always, this graphic novel is dark with many twisty threads. The further into this series that I get, the more I realise that there is a lot of thought that has gone into the backstory of this. It’s definitely one that I need to sit down and reread, just so I can see how all of these threads connect in hindsight. It’s brilliant though, and unlike books that are just prose, takes a whole different kind of thought process. Which, of course, I thoroughly enjoy.

I love that at this point in the series, both the past and present are woven together. It shows that there are misconceptions about Half-Wolf’s past and there are some pretty big treacheries in her future. These facts just add to the darkness of the story. Not just aesthetically speaking, but also emotionally. Liu and Takeda are brilliant at just giving you hints of the motives of all of the players on the board…

There are just so many story lines in this, and then, whilst I’ve been trying to concentrate on this fact, I would get sucked in by the graphics. The pictures throughout this are absolutely gorgeous. And, again, every time I look at it, I discover something new. I was reading this while waiting for blood tests, and it was so damn easy to get mesmerised by the beauty of the pages.

Honestly, I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series. And to discover just how much trouble Half-Wolf is about to find herself in…

<- The ChosenThe Vow ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Watchmaker’s Daughter by C.J. Archer

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Watchmaker’s Daughter
Author: C.J. Archer
Series: Glass and Steele #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Magic, Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I’ve already read one C.J. Archer book, so when The Watchmaker’s Daughter perfectly filled one of my reading challenge prompts, I was excited to dive right in. And, boy, was I NOT disappointed. This was a fun, engaging whirlwind of a story that now has me completely hooked on the author. Like The Last Necromancer, The Watchmaker’s Daughter is a tale that had me on the edge of my seat – incredibly keen to see what was going to happen next. The fantastic historical fiction / steampunk world building just made me more and more excited as the storyline unfolded.

Although I am completely obsessed with historical fictions, in particular, historical romances at the moment – I do sometimes find it a little… unrealistic when the lead female is so damn headstrong. It’s a little less… enjoyably historical when the heroine is so damn modern. I mean, in the past, women who were THAT outspoken and strong… were probably burned at the stake, or worse. Which is what makes India such a lovely and refreshing lead for this genre. She wants to be what we would perceive in the modern era as strong, but she is restricted by society. So she finds and enacts her strength in a myriad of more subtle ways. Ways which make you love her all that much more because we’ve all felt restrained by our societies and unable to act exactly the way we want.

The mystery of Matthew’s watch continues right throughout this novel. And whilst parts of his history and the watch-obsession are revealed, even at the end of this novel, you realise that there are so many more things that are to be revealed and realised throughout this series. Which, of course, just makes me want to pick up The Mapmaker’s Apprentice all that much more. I love how whilst everything was tied up nicely at the conclusion of this story, there are still so many more mysteries to uncover. It is the mark of a fantastic writer that the end of the story leaves you hanging for the next book in the series, but also feeling like everything has been tied up nice and neatly.

The whole gang in this story are characters that I absolutely loved. I want to sink further and further into this series. Plus, I want to see how the hints of romance between India and Matthew blossom. They seem like kind of the perfect couple, which means that it will be fantastic to see if they do, in fact, make a good couple when push comes to shove. Plus, there is also the tantalising hints of Duke and Winnie to consider…

<- More C.J. ArcherThe Mapmaker’s Apprentice ->

Image source: Goodreads