Essential Steampunk Reading

Check out this website for essential steampunk reading:

http://bestbookrecommendations.com/what-is-steampunk-fiction/

New Steampunk Books

Love steampunk? Love romance? Then you don't want to miss these two books we just got in the library!

Corsets & Clockwork: 13 Steampunk Romances: "Dark, urban fantasies come to life in the newest collection of Steampunk stories. Young heroes and heroines battle evils with the help of supernatural or super-technological powers. Throw in epic romances that transcend time, and this trendy, engrossing anthology is sure to become another hit..."

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross: "Finley, who has a beastly alter ego inside of her, joins Duke Griffin's army of misfits to help stop the Machinist, the criminal behind a series of automaton crimes, from carrying out a plan to kill Queen Victoria during the Jubilee."

The Girl in the Steel Corset review

In Victoria London, things are not always as they seem. Deep in the Earth’s core exist primordial beings known as “organites,” creatures that make up the very emblem of life. If attached to humans, they can rebuild organs, skin, and tissue, making one heal faster—they can even bring back those on the brink death. These “beasties” work their so-called magic not only on people, but they can also work their powers on robots. A team of scientists excavated these creatures decades before, and at the wishes of Queen Victoria, they remained a secret from the public.

In the present, there are ordinary people, relatives of the team of those scientists, who exhibit inhuman powers. Finley Jayne has something inside her, a darker self, which seeps out when her normal self is threatened. Griffin King, newly appointed Duke after his parents were mysteriously murdered, has the ability to control the aether, energy, to the point that he can converse with the dead. Sam has extraordinary strength; and Emily, a brilliant mechanic, develops an ability to communicate with metal. Together, they must stop The Mechanic, a man who has given life to robots and threatens to destroy those who betrayed him.

This fascinating steampunk novel is, as the author describes, “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets X-men,” with an additional mix of Jekyll and Hyde and The Golden Compass thrown in. Cross’s language is lyrical and descriptive; the world she creates is imaginative and well-developed.

All Men of Genius

I was lucky enough to get an advanced readers' copy of this great steampunk book, which will be available to the public this October!

In alternate Victorian England, there are many scientists who have mastered the ability to create inventions beyond the common man’s wildest dreams, using gears and steam for power. Illyria is a prestigious private school run by Duke Ernest, and takes only the best of men. Violet is not your typical Victorian girl; rather, she is a gifted scientist and inventor and wants nothing more than to go to lllyria. Violet concocts a scheme to impersonate her twin brother, Ashton, in order to attend the school. She plans to keep up her disguise until the final exhibition at the end of the year, and hopes that after proving herself as a worthy scientist, she will be allowed to stay. As one would expect, keeping up this ruse is not an easy task for Violet, especially when she starts getting close to the Duke. Within Illyria, there are also dark secrets that threaten to ruin Violet’s plan.

A mixture of steampunk, The Twelfth Night, and The Importance of Being Earnest, All Men of Genius by Lev AC Rosen is a book that will suck you in from the prologue. The attention paid to the details of the elaborate inventions will satisfy any steampunk fan, though it is not overdone to the point that newcomers will grow bored with the descriptions (which are done very well). The combination of action, mad science, humor, and romance allow for the novel to have a wide audience.

RVC now carries the Steampunk Bible by Jeff Vandermeer

For all of you interested in steampunk--or if you just want to find out what it is!--then this is a book you do not want to miss! Jeff Vandermeer's book The Steampunk Bible is filled with gorgeous full-colored photos of steampunk fashion, gadgetry, and characters from books, anime, and movies that have a steampunk flaire. It's also chock full of information about the evolution of steampunk as we know it today, how it impacts the lives of its followers, and provides a nice annotated list throughout the book of different things to read or watch.

This is the resource for all things steampunk!

Find out your Steampunk Style

Do you love steampunk? Take this quiz to find out what your steampunk style is!

http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/the-steampunk-style-test

I got the Gadgeteer!

Nominate Your Favorite Steampunk Book

Steampunk is a fascinating subgenre that takes place (mostly, but not always) in the Victorian era. Yet, characters in this alternate time line have advanced technology, mostly made of steam. Steampunk is reflected in fiction and has also made its way into fashion. For anyone who enjoys Steampunk, visit this website to nominate your favorite Steampunk novel for "Steampunk.com's Best Book of 2010 Award." New to Steampunk? Not a problem! This website also provides great information about what it is, what some classic titles are, etc.

http://www.steampunk.com/pick-the-steampunk-book-of-the-year/