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In the first major YA steampunk anthology, fourteen top storytellers push the genre's mix of sci-fi, fantasy, history, and adventure in fascinating new directions.
Imagine an alternate universe where romance and technology reign. Where tinkerers and dreamers craft and re-craft a world of automatons, clockworks, calculating machines, and other marvels that never were. Here, fourteen masters of speculative fiction, including two graphic storytellers, embrace the steampunk genre's established themes and refashion them in surprising ways and settings as diverse as Appalachia, Ancient Rome, future Australia, and alternate California. The result is an anthology that defies its genre even as it defines it.
Note: I had meant to post something else today but then Kimba commented and I realised this was the perfect book to make the week even more steampunk! So this has been steampunk week :D
My thoughts:
"Some Unfortunate Future Day" by Cassandra Clare
I liked this one, in a way it felt kind of horror-ish cos the girl turns acreepy in the end.
"The Last Ride of the Glory Girls" by Libba Bray
This one was good too, but for me it did not really work as a short story, I had too many questions about the world. Where were they?
"Clockwork Fagin" by Cory Doctorow
Oliver Twist and steampunk..eh, no this was kind of boring.
"Seven Days Beset by Demons" by Shawn Cheng
A graphic short, it was not that fun either but it was over fast.
"Hand in Glove" by Ysabeau S. Wilce
I was not that into this story, it just did not pull me in .
"Ghost of Cwmlech Manor" by Delia Sherman
This one was kind of nice, Ghosts and steam was different.
"Gethsemane" by Elizabeth Knox
I got all confused by this one, it had potential but it just lost me along the way
"The Summer People" by Kelly Link
I liked this one but at the same time I was disappointed cos it certainly was not steampunk. But it was still good and...EVIL ;)
"Peace in Our Time" by Garth Nix
I was a bit what? It had promise...but needed more. It was more a book in progress.
"Nowhere Fast" by Christopher Rowe
Post-apocalyptic...what does that has to do with steampunk? Still good but eh?
"Finishing School" by Kathleen Jennings
Graphic short, did not like it
"Steam Girl" by Dylan Horrocks
Ok the only steamunk here was in a story a girl told, that does not work for me either. Oh and it was meh.
"Everything Amiable and Obliging" by Holly Black
This one was the best one of the bunch!
"The Oracle Engine" by M.T. Anderson.
....I skimmed and skimmed. Boring
Yes some were meh, some bad and some good but all in all an ok anthology.
Paperback, 432 pages
Published October 11th 2011 by Walker UK
Steampunk /adventure /romance
Library
SO MUCH STEAMPUNK!
ReplyDeleteHaha
DeleteI still need to read something by Holly Black, I've heard such great things about her. And now I'm curious about her contribution to this anthology! Glad you loved it:)
ReplyDeleteI read a book by her and it was really good and dark, I should read more
DeleteI've been curious about this, and I'm not surprised that Holly's was the best of the bunch! I'd probably like Kelly Link's too because I love her writing, even if it wasn't strictly steampunk. Thanks for featuring this, and love your review!
ReplyDeleteGlad you ended up liking some of them
ReplyDeleteMost anthologies are meh but it's a good way to give a genre or new authors a try,
ReplyDeleteTrue, and true :) Though a story there seldom makes me buy something
DeleteFriday! Friday! Friday!
ReplyDeleteOh I know you're not into anthology so I'm really proud of you. I didn't know this one I confess and even if I know the names I haven't read any of their books.
ReplyDeleteLol, thanks :) It was a good one to read before bed. A story at a time
DeleteAnthologies are so hit and miss for me. Some good, some not so good. I still haven't tried Steampunk but maybe an anthology isn't a good place to start.
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe not an anthology that was a weird mix of steam and wannabe steam
DeleteI do enjoy anthologies and this one does sound pretty good. I just read a steampunk. Must be in the air. :)
ReplyDeleteAye it must be :D And if anthologies are for you then this one certainly is
DeleteLOL, Steampunk week!! This sounds good, and I find it is a lovely way to find new authors.
ReplyDeleteHihi, I so had to put this one here and make it so :D Thank the reading gods I am swamped with reviews not yet posted
DeleteSounds like a good book to see if Steampunk is for me.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a good place to start
DeleteHmm this really does not appeal to me. Graphic novels included? No thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat surprised me, I do like graphic novels but...yeah weird
DeleteHmm, not sure if this one is for me. Not into steampunk.
ReplyDeleteThen def not the book for you
DeleteI enjoy good steampunk. This sounds like most short story collections, some are good, others not too great.
ReplyDeleteYes I have not come across one so far where all were good
DeleteI'm sad to say I have yet to delve into steam punk. I want to, just havent found the time. I do like the cover of this anthology though =)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to try one one day
DeleteI simply adore steampunk, and these authors are all so amazing, I have no idea how I missed this before.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up. :)
I had not seen it before either before spotting it at the library
DeleteHeyyy, this one slipped past me. I never even knew it came out. Thanks for sharing it. :)
ReplyDeleteI think we all missed it
DeleteSounds like the middling to boring ones outweigh the good ones. I'll pass.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm not usually a fan of anthologies anyway, I think I'll be giving this one a miss.
ReplyDeleteMaybe for the best
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