Tag Archives: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk

The Armature of Flight by Sharon Mock

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: The Armature of Flight
Author: Sharon Mock
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “If you like.”

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Synopsis

Leo and William are in love, but Leo has obligations and William needs to find a way to stand on his own two feet. Will they find a way to make it work together? Or will life and all its pitfalls get in the way?

Thoughts

I really don’t know how I felt about this story. The idea of love and loss was a good theme. The use of two homosexual men and their roles in their societies was fun. But this just didn’t grab me and sweep me away like so many other stories in The Mammoth Book of Steampunk. And, since I liked all of the concepts in this, I was really disappointed in myself for not being swept away.

This is one of those weird stories that I can tell you all of the activities throughout. But I can’t really tell you what happened in it. The activities and the actions yes, but the actual emotional, social, psychological aspects of the story? I really don’t know. And these are the parts of the stories that I really love… which is why I gave this short story a lower rating. It was still really good, but nothing that really grabbed me in any way, shape or form…

 <- The Clockwork Goat and the Smokestack Magi Review The Anachronist’s Cookbook Review ->
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The Clockwork Goat and the Smokestack Magi by Peter M. Ball

Book Review, ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: The Clockwork Goat and the Smokestack Magi
Author: Peter M. Ball
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: It was not until the fourth day that the copper door swung open, magically, before the sharp rat-a-tat of the goat’s knock.

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Synopsis

The smokestack Magi has a surprise waiting at his door. Is the goat another Trojan horse, or a true offering of peace? It will take him a while to find out…

Thoughts

So many of the steampunk short stories that I have read so far have featured the entire idea that pride comes before the fall. And this is no different from any other. It also reminds me of the tale of the Trojan Horse. And reminds us that maybe we should take what is offered in the spirit which it is offered, instead of being prideful and resentful.

I love the image of a tiny little clockwork goat sitting amongst the darkest of the streets. And being the downfall of the most powerful man in the city. The innocence and cuteness which I associate with goats (I’m not entirely sure why) is seared into my brain and works perfectly well with the image that a clockwork goat has created in my brain. Certainly a story that I want to read again and again and again.

 <- The Effluent Engine Review The Armature of Flight Review ->
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The Effluent Engine by N.K. Jemisin

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: The Effluent Engine
Author: N.K. Jemisin
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace) & The Mammoth Book of Gaslit Romance (Ekaterina Sedia)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, LGBTQI, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Jessaline beheld the honest shock on her face and felt some guilt for having troubled her so.

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Synopsis

Jessaline is on a mission to save her people. But what she finds could end up saving herself.

Thoughts

Reading the title of this short story made me think it was going to be really funny. And a little quirky. And it really wasn’t. There was discussion of minorities, freedom and prejudice. All topics that I love to read about and sink my teeth into on a frequent basis.

Jessaline is on a mission to save her countrymen from the horrors of conquest and the taking of their freedom. Yet, on the way she ends up finding something much better – true love. Or at least, that’s how it seems throughout. And the fact that it’s a woman based in “olden times” just makes it all the more engaging. I kind of loved that the love story in this was about two women.

With a backdrop of a steampunk world with one of the leading females being a scientist, this story shows the power of others and how inner strength can shine through. Whether you are living in your brothers shadow, or hiding amongst the shadows as a spy…

 <- Prayers of Forges and Furnaces Review The Clockwork Goat and the Smokestack Magi Review ->
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Prayers of Forges and Furnaces by Aliette de Bodard

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: Prayers of Forges and Furnaces
Author: Aliette de Bodard
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Steampunk
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 
5th sentence, 74th page: And he picked up his things, one by one, and left.

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Synopsis

She meets an old god who wants her help in destroying the world that she knows. In risking everything, she learns the true meaning of sacrifice.

Thoughts

I was quite surprised by this short story. Not because of the steampunk themes and threads running throughout, but because of the Mayan theme to it. Somehow I never really associated steampunk with Mayan. And, weirdly enough, it worked incredibly well.

Mayan mythology has a heavy influence of sacrifice and gods that aren’t actually “good” and this story is no different. It features a horrible god and sacrifice. The fact that the sacrifice actually got to live was kind of a surprise, and it worked so unbelievably well. It just didn’t really capture my attention like many of the other stories in this collection…

 <- The Mechanical Aviary of Emperor Jala-ud-din Muhammad Akbar Review The Effluent Engine Review ->
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The Mechanical Aviary of Emperor Jala-ud-din Muhammad Akbar by Shweta Narayan

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: The Mechanical Aviary of Emperor Jala-ud-din Muhammad Akbar
Author: Shweta Narayan
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: And so it was; she made a little golden child with wings and tail enamelled green, and named her Devadasi.

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Synopsis

A classic tale of pride coming before the fall. Mixing folklore, legend and a heavy dose of steampunk settings to weave a story that is as beautiful as it is meaningful.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this story. The idea of a mechanical aviary built by a mechanical bird in and of itself is a great little story. Add to this the fact that a tale of morals is interwoven throughout, and this was the most fun I’ve had in the past few weeks. It was just so beautifully different and engaging. Without being overbearing in the way the message is outlined.

Although the primary story was fun, I actually enjoyed the creator’s tale much better. The way it interweaves was brilliantly done, and I like the fact that it echoes the primary story. The entire thing just worked seamlessly and I was actually really disappointed when it was finished…

 <- Clockwork Fairies Review Prayers of Forges and Furnaces Review ->
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Clockwork Fairies by Cat Rambo

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: Clockwork Fairies
Author: Cat Rambo
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I smiled at her.

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Synopsis

He’s engaged to a brilliant mechanic, but someone else is suddenly showing an interest and all of his beautiful, future plans might come to naught.

Thoughts

The narrator of this story quite frankly pissed me off. Which was the idea that I think the author was going for – it was this idea that once married, his fiancé would become the “perfect woman”. And conform to what he felt that he needed. WRONG!

And luckily, the ending of the story agreed with me. The tone and lilt of the words was quite patronising towards anything that deters what is considered normal. The ability of the girl to stand up to this was admirable, but she still put up with some of the sillier moments throughout the story. Until she found her out. And that was the message that I loved within this story. The narrator gets his comeuppance and the idea that everyone should stay true to themselves was certainly highlighted in the story.

 <- The Zeppelin Conductors’ Society Annual Gentlemen’s Ball Review The Mechanical Aviary of Emperor Jala-ud-din Muhammad Akbar Review ->
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The Zeppelin Conductors’ Society Annual Gentlemen’s Ball by Genevieve Valentine

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: The Zeppelin Conductors’ Society Annual Gentlemen’s Ball
Author: Genevieve Valentine
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: God, when we realized what was happening to us!

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Synopsis

The conductors of the Zeppelins are slightly malformed and grotesque, but that doesn’t stop them from having their own lives and realities.

Thoughts

Never judge a book by it’s cover. And never make assumptions on a person based on how they look. That’s the message that overwhelmingly resonates with me after reading this short story.

Alright, the tale is set in a steampunk world. With conductors and zeppelins and all sorts of incredible world building. But it is written from “the other” and that gives an extra bit of oomph and zing to the idea that no matter how terrible someone may look, you should never judge them for that and always find a way to move past how someone looks.

Acceptance. That is the one word that stands out in this story and the one word that helps to sum it up.

 <- Tom Edison and his Amazing Telegraphic Harpoon Review Clockwork Fairies Review ->
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Tom Edison and His Amazing Telegraphic Harpoon by Jay Lake

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: Tom Edison and His Amazing Telegraphic Harpoon
Author: Jay Lake
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Adventure, Steampunk, Wild west
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Legendary as they were, there were no whispered tales of the might monsters’ defeat in battle.

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Synopsis

Tom Edison and his friend Salmon face up against one of the Nephilm. With a telegraphic harpoon in The Age of Reason.

Thoughts

Well. This was not what I was expecting. I thought something that featured Tom Edison would be a lot more concise and filled with a little less fantasy. But it was like a mad, crazy wild western tale that featured someone who is completely obsessed with electricity.

It wasn’t until the very end that I figured out why Edison and Salmon’s relationship was kind of secretive. It almost had homosexual undertones to it. Then, in the final pages, he was called ‘negro’. And, seeing as this is based in the wild west, I completely understood it. And it made this story all the better for me. I loved that this was fast-paced and filled with action. That it also touches on racism just made it all the better in my eyes.

 <- Icebreaker Review The Zeppelin Conductors’ Society Annual Gentlemen’s Ball Review ->
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Icebreaker by E. Catherine Tobler

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: Icebreaker
Author: E. Catherine Tobler
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Adventure, Family, Steampunk
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “Have you seen its like before?

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Synopsis

Muriel is travelling to the Arctic circle to cremate her husbands remains. But not everything goes as planned, and, partnered with her past and a pushy reporter, she is in for one big adventure.

Thoughts

A journey to put her husband to rest leaves Muriel on an epic adventure that is far more dangerous than she expected. Reflecting on her marriage, the nosiness of reporters and the dangers of her travels, she opens up a journey that is both simple and enjoyable.

The reflections on Muriel’s marriage show what a great and loving relationship her and J.J. had. And the fact that she is a dwarf and unexpected made me wish that he was still alive. Which was the exact response I’m sure the writer was aiming for – it made for not only a whimsical journey, but helped to create a more profound relationship with the lead voice and narrator.

 <- The Steamdancer (1896) Review Tom Edison and his Amazing Telegraphic Harpoon Review ->
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The Steamdancer (1896) by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of SteampunkTitle: The Steamdancer (1896)
Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan
In: The Mammoth Book of Steampunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Romance, Steampunk
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: It was not an uncommon fate for the likes of Missouri Banks, those caught out in the open during the spring swarms, those without safe houses to hide inside until the voracious flies had come and gone, moving on to bedevil other towns and cities and farms.

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Synopsis

A young girl is found by the mechanic. After helping to turn her into a cyborg, they get married and live happily ever after.

Thoughts

This story kind of completely melted my heart. It was so cute and sweet. Almost a little window into the daily life of a gorgeous cyborg woman. I was expecting something much darker in the first mini chapter, but it was quickly a very smooth and easy read. One that set the tone for a loving relationship, a woman who loved to dance, and a body that was constructed of metal as well as flesh.

This short story incorporates everything that I have come to love about the steampunk genre. Namely the great way of writing that feels a lot more classical and Victorian in its construction. The ways in which it is so incredibly descriptive. And, of course, the great settings and themes which combine the romance of the past (although maggots eating away flesh may not be able to be classed as super romantic) and the hope of the future.

 <- Fixing Hanover Review Icebreaker Review ->
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