Boneshaker

Title: Boneshaker
Author: Cherie Priest
Genre: Steampunk, alternative history
Source: Own, it was a birthday present

If this is what can be expected of steampunk novels....I'm in love! I positively devoured this novel. I've blogged about my issues with  reading historical fiction before, luckily for me this novel, and from what I know steampunk in general,  doesn't rely on history being mostly accurate or well-known. Imagination leads!


Set in Seattle during the American revolutionary war, Boneshaker is the story about ingenuity and family. Toss in a biological disaster, some zombies, an airship or two, and an underground resistance to make an enjoyable, complex, and enthralling world.


I'm so excited about this novel I've already bought its follow-up, Dreadnought  and am eagerly awaiting Ms. Priest's appearance at the Phoenix Comicon in a few months.

Clockwork Angel

Title: Clockwork Angel ~ Book 1 of The Infernal Devices
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: YA, steampunk, paranormal, fantasy
Source: I recieved this ARC for free from Simon & Schuster at the SanDiego Comicon.


I have been waiting....and waiting....and watching for this book. I actually squealed and got giddy when the S&S rep handed me a copy! Here's the thing though, I had no idea what I was getting into. I've not read any of Ms. Clare's other novels. I've heard good things about them, but it just hasn't happened yet. I fell in love with the cover of this one the instant it was unveiled. Luckily, the novel inside lived up to its awesome cover.

Quick summary from publisher:

When sixteen-year old orphan Tessa Fell's older brother suddenly vanishes, her search for him leads her into Victorian-era  London's dangerous supernatural underworld, and when she discovers that she herself is a Downworlder, she must learn to trust the demon-killing Shadowhuters if she ever wants to learn to control her powers and find her brother.


What I like:
1. I love the variety of characters.  While the roles are basic, stock, roles - the caregiver, the innocent, the trouble maker, even the bumbling professor - the characters that Clare built to fill these roles are truly one of a kind. They are interesting, some times mysterious, and likable. 

2.  This story seamlessly blends the world of Victorian England with a world where society has sub-levels of paranormal.....and, while brief, steampunk. This is a world where monsters are still monsters and society at large doesn't know/ readily accept. It also isn't a traditional over the top steampunk novel. There are flashes of it, even some characters who are more robot than human, but that is about all. Just enough of both to keep the story interesting and lively.

3. I didn't need to have had read any of the previous series to understand and enjoy this one. I was a bit afraid that this series may somehow tie into the other....but those worries were put aside quickly.


What I dislike:
1. I'm tired of love triangles. I can name a dozen YA books, off the top of my head, that involve the heroine having to decided between to seemingly equal partners. Here is another. I understand that triangles hold a built in conflict maker, but seriously.....isn't there some other form of conflict you can insert besides jealousy?


Overall,  I'm still excited that I was able to read this novel! It gave me everything I was hoping for....and a bit more. I can't wait for the other novels in this series to come out....and I'm quickly adding Ms. Clare's Mortal Instruments series to my TBR list.

Victorian Ghostbusters

Isn't she lovely? The bustle, the buttons and frills, the hat....a practically perfect Victorian lady. This darling woman is Leanna Renee Hieber, awesomely nice woman and author of The Strangely Beautiful tales - The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and its sequel The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker. You've likely heard of them, yes? I was given the opportunity (actually I was the staff moderator for her panel) at the Phoenix Comicon to meet her and listen to her reading (with nearly precise British accent) of selections from both books. They are awesome! I fell in love with these stories during the reading. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to speak with her and her very handsome friend (who was dressed to match her and portray Alexi).

On a side note, she stayed in full on Victorian gear the entirety of the Con. She has beautiful costumes! Also, if you hadn't already heard, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker has been optioned for a Broadway musical.

Summary from author's site:         What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death…


My Thoughts:   I already stated above that I fell in love with these stories during Ms. Hieber's reading. There is something intriguing about a Victorian/Gothic story that has its roots in ancient Greece. Yes, it sounds confusing....and it is slightly when trying to explain it. My husband asked for a summary and then looked questioningly at me as my detailed explanation kept going. There is a lot in this story to love. If you have any affection for novels of the Victorian era, especially the Gothic novels such as Dracula or others, this novel strikes just the right chord. Hieber is able to give wondrous flavor to the text through pretty word choice, without exactly copying the writing style of the Victorians, but giving a direct nod to it.  If you are a steampunk fan, I'm positive you will also find many things to love in this novel. While not actually being a steampunk novel (they aren't using technology - they are using magic/religion) it is set in the Victorian era and it is easy, in many scenes to visualize just how it could be steampunked. (Yes, I just made that a verb. Live with it.)

The cover is gorgeous. With the clock and the street lamp and the mist; it just feels like what I imagine Victorian England to have been. It also precisely captures the mood and tone of supernatural occurrences within the novel.

I'm glad I bought this novel....I immediately devoured it. There was no casual reading for this one.

Summary from the author:   With radiant, snow white skin and hair, Percy Parker was a beacon for Fate. True love had found her, in the tempestuous form of Professor Alexi Rychman. But her mythic destiny was not complete. Accompanying the ghosts with which she alone could converse, new and terrifying omens loomed. A war was coming, a desperate ploy of a spectral host. Victorian London would be overrun.  Yet, Percy kept faith. Within the mighty bastion of Athens Academy, alongside The Guard whose magic shielded mortals from the agents of the Underworld, she counted herself among friends. Wreathed in hallowed fire, they would stand together, no matter what dreams or nightmares—may come. 

 My Thoughts:   The second book in the series had me held nearly as intently as the first. Stress on the nearly. While I adored the continuation of the story, there were a few bits that drove me crazy. The tap danced across my reading pet peeves time after time. Luckily, other bits soothed me and kept my general adoration for the story intact.  To be brief, Percy, who is finally coming into her power both literally and figuratively, does the thing that peeves me the most. She continually refuses to share knowledge, information, thoughts, and even translations with the rest of her team. This is distressing for several reasons, but mainly....it's her job! Her position in the group, and all of the major paranormal happenings revolving around her, rely on her being able to translate and share information with the group. However, she rarely does this.  I know....it's great for suspense building and totally in character with the types of novels this one is inspired by....but......frustrating!!!!  Also, Alexi seems to morph from a strong willed, focused professor to raving, controlling, cavemen in the span of a wedding. Sheesh! There are ways to be alpha without actually running roughshod over your woman.

The cover for this novel seems to have followed the almost trend. There is a great background, title, and color.....but then they just had to throw in some eyes. I find this creepy. I can logically understand what they are referencing , but floating eyes are just not my thing. Happily, I don't have to look at the cover while reading!

This book was actually the catalyst for my reading the series. During Ms. Hieber's

My first Steampunk!

Title: Leviathan
Author: Scott Westerfeld (You might recognize him as the author of Uglies/Pretties)
Genre: YA, steampunk
Source: Borrowed from library

I have to thank you all...anyone who read and reviewed or talked about this novel. I usually only put stock in masses of reviews when I'm torn on reading a novel, but I couldn't miss the talk about this book. It was everywhere. You were right....this is an awesome book!

This is my first foray into the wonderful world of steampunk literature. I'm not sure why, I've just not found any that really caught my attention. Some of my trepidation has been do to my issues with historical fiction. I become too obsessed with minor details. I end up researching instead of reading the novel. I was partially worried that something similar would occur if I read steampunk. But it seems like I've lucked out. Being in an alternative world scenerio eleviates all the lingering "is this accurate historical?" questions.


Summary blurb from website:


Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.


What I like:
1. There is an interesting balance between the Clankers and the Darwinists. Both groups are taken to extremes, but their roots are easy to see. It's nice that both groups are given an equal amount of time, and the narrator doesn't seem to take sides or promote one over the other

2. There is an interesting bit of deception going on with Deryn. I'm excited to see where it goes.

3. I'm biased. I love the beasties that were created by the Darwinists. The combination of linguistic imagry and visuals (from the awesome illustrator Keith Thompson) made the reading experience. I think my favorite would have to be the jellfish like Huxleys.


What I dislike:
1. I'm not keen on the way Deryn's deception is playing out. The lengths to which Deryn goes to appear to be someone else are just ridiculous. Would anyone really do anything like that?

Overall: This is a fantastic read! Everyone should give it a try....steampunk fan or not. Parents and teachers will also want to take a look as many of the beasts and mechanics are named after famous (in our actual world) people, things, and events. This could lead to several conversations about where the names come from and how they apply. Outside of that, this novel is entertaining with a mix of action, adventure, deception, and a tinge of romance.

**This novel qualifies for the Speculative Fiction reading challenge**

Where I've been...

This month has been incredibly busy, which is odd because I've managed to find plenty of time to read, but not to review.  I've seen a few movies (so not taken with Kick Ass...but The Losers is awesome!), watched some t.v., attended prom, been strangely social with friends (I'm usually a homebody), and have plotted several different ways to torture my h.s. seniors who aren't passing but still think they are going to graduate (aka harassing them until they get everything turned in).  Although, that isn't what this is about...this about the books I've been reading.


1. Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

I started this one but was unable to finish. However, unlike the other G-S mash-up I attempted to read (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) I didn't set this novel aside due to horrible writing. G-S seems much more able to mimic the historical autobiography/journal style than he was at matching Jane Austen's writing style.  Instead, I had to set it aside because my reading tastes just weren't wanting this style of novel and it was due back at the library. So instead of forcing myself through it, I returned it, and will finish it at a later date.










2. Lost and Not Found - Director's Cut by Teel McClanahan III

This is a revamped, remodeled, written exactly how the author originally wanted the story to go version of the book. There is another version, simply titled Lost and Not Found, which is interesting, but not as good as the director's cut. Teel (who is also my husband) decided that he had be trying too hard to put conflict into the story. So he scraped the first part and stuck to the love story. This is a tale about love. Long lasting, never ending, fantasy love.  If you haven't tried it yet...or are just looking for a sweet, feel good, love story....this is the one for you.







3.  Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

I'm knee deep into this one and loving it! This is my first foray into the world of steam punk novels. I'm quite taken. I'll let you know how I feel about it, in more depth, when I've finished.














I'll get back to writing proper reviews when the craziness slows down, I promise. Thank you for not abandoning me. :)