I read a lot of Steampunk this year, but obviously I couldn't read them all. Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order. Let me know your faves in the comments.
by Meljean Brook
Links: Goodreads Amazon
Why I love it: This book is EPIC! Zenobia Fox has been repeatedly kidnapped and held for ransom, so she's learned to keep her identity a secret. So when Ariq tries to get to know her, she's immediately suspicious despite their instant chemistry. And of course her reluctance to open up makes him think she has ulterior motives. But The Kraken King is so much more than a romance. It has political intrigue, massive action scenes and incredible gadgets.
by Kristen Callihan
Links: Goodreads Amazon
Why I love it: Each book in this series has been bigger and better than the last. The romance is steamier, the gadgets are more prominent and a new kind of supe is added to the world. Evernight introduces the Fae and brings in some family history from previous books. I loved finally getting to see Holly's workshop and some of her inventions.
by Karina Cooper
Links: Goodreads Amazon
Why I love it: This is the second-to-last book in the series and it answers a lot of questions and wraps up part of Cherry's story. The last half is action-packed and fraught with tension, especially the scenes between Cherry and Hawke. Engraved builds to a surprising and heart wrenching climax and still leaves me wanting some answers. I'm glad I won't have to wait long to see what happens next. The finale, Transmuted is out in January.
The Clockwork Daggerby Beth Cato
Links: Goodreads Amazon
Why I love it: This one's a little more fantasy than my other Steampunk selections, but it's got some great clockwork pieces and a dirigible, which you may have noticed is one of my favorite things. The heroine is a healer and her faith-based magic adds an original element to the story.
Read Rose Red's review here.
by Delilah S. Dawson
Links: Goodreads Amazon
Why I love it: The last book in the Blud series is darker and more complex than any of the others, dealing with real world issues like human trafficking. It's set in a wonderfully decadent demon cabaret. It has a super creepy villain, and a great love story. And you know how I love my Steampunk gadgets. This book has one of my all time favorites - a giant mechanical elephant stampeding through Paris.
Yay!
ReplyDeleteNice selection, Margaret.
I love steampunk gadgetry! Pirates and heros equipped with dirigibles, nuclear submarines, mechanized animals and Victorian ray-guns to conquer and/or save the Earth! Though, sometimes they may be employed against improbable monsters.
All of these books sound as if they are bringing rich, imaginative worlds to life. World buildiing is another aspect of steampunk that I like.
As for favourites, I confess being partial to my own books. I tend to be silly rather than dark.
Thanks for having this spotlight on Steampunk, Grett!
Cheers, to Goldilox and the Three Weres!
Merry Christmas, everybody!
Your pal,
~Icky.