I only wish, this had been my first exposure to the steampunk genre...
344607
Just finished reading this facinating novelete... Wow, Good characters, great storyline, nice pacing... Can't wait, to order/download all the other books in the series... Whether classified as YA or Adult, a excellent experience is guaranteed by all! Strong, positive, female character... holding her own, against the "wise older male"... sent, to help her; in her quest! I see the two, as equal and willing partners; in adventure and a profitable enterprise... I don't see them as "Summer/Winter" lovers... that would only, cause a distraction to the strong storyline... and, throw everything off course!
4076816
Corsets & Clockwork brings together thirteen romance-charged Steampunk stories in a dynamic anthology. They make a great introduction to the genre for beginners while still offering something for the more die-hard enthusiast.

The cover design is a successful blend of the two main elements of the anthology: Steampunk and Romance. The soft-focus used on the model's face sets the romantic mood as your eye is guided up to her more in-focus eye - whose gaze captures you. The light flare on her pupil is the point where the two halves of the cover start to merge - if you look closely you will see what looks like metal pipes and steam. You are then drawn across to the cogs, gears, maps and mechanical drawings. It is a lovely cover and captures the essence of Corsets & Clockwork.

I enjoy Steampunk - the merge of technology with magic and human endeavour is a fertile land for the imagination. And collected in the pages of this anthology are thirteen examples of the genre, albeit with a romantic twist. I really enjoyed the fact that the Romance didn't elbow the Steampunk out of the way - the two genres seem to have linked arms and leapt feet first into the fun.

As with any anthology there were some stories that I enjoyed more than others. My rating for the book is based on my overall experience of all of the stories, but I just wanted to highlight three that really stood out for me.

Deadwood by Michael Scott was a lot of fun to read, with a feisty and determined heroine and a hero who could keep up with her. Unlike most Steampunk stories, Deadwood is set in the US, but the time period is right and the feel of the story was spot-on.

The Airship Gemini by Jaclyn Dolamore was definitely one of my favourite stories in Corsets & Clockwork. I was intrigued by the story of Siamese twins who are being pressured by a sorcerer and their guardian to be separated. I admired the girls' characters and Dolamore never lets you see them as victims, despite their life as a travelling curiosity. The Airship Gemini was a very satisfying read.

Under Amber Skies by Maria V. Snyder is a delightful Steampunk story set at the start of World War II. A smart heroine, gadgets and gizmos aplenty and mechanical Nazis - what more do I need to say? Snyder has done a great job with this story.

Corsets & Clockwork is an anthology that is definitely worth exploring.
1097711
Free-Wrench was my first foray into the world of steampunk, and as it turned out the author's as well. Joseph Lallo normal realm is sci-fi, but as his notes at the end of the book, decided to venture into steampunk for NaNoWriMo. I had not read anything by Lallo before and only found Free-Wrench by looking at new releases and seeing an interesting cover. It's interesting how many books I choose to read simply because of the cover, and certainly something for aspiring authors, myself included, to keep in mind.

Free Wrench begins by introducing us to Nita, the rebel child of an aristocratic family who works in her country's steamworks. Her nation of birth, Caldera, isolated itself from the rest of the word. We quickly meet her mother and discover that she is dying from a degenerative disease. Just the next day Nita is taken to meet a group of smugglers who claim to know where to get a cure for her mother's illness. However, the only way for Nita to get the medicine is to travel with them; thus the adventure begins.

The smugglers' mode of travel is the Wind Breaker, an airship power by steam. (I'm starting to sense a pattern.) As we are introduced to the crew, five rather stereotypical characters, we learn that the rest of the world was forced to the air because of a fog creeping over most of the planet. This fog is toxic to most people, and forever changes those it doesn't kill. Civilization clings to life along the tops of mountain ranges. I liked this touch. I don't know if it's a standard aspect of steampunk, but I thought that it helped to give people reason to take to the air. I think it's worth mentioning that another aspect that, to my limited understanding, is a common element of steampunk - that is storing energy via coil springs - is evident among the Calderans, but the metal needed to make the springs is only found in their mountains, and so the technology is not available to the rest of the world.

Now that we've gotten the basic premise of the plot out of the way we can talk about what I thought about the book. I think the best word to sum up the book is decent. Free-Wrench does a lot of stuff right, but doesn't do anything amazing. It also doesn't do much wrong. Of course I have complains; I always have complaints. I think that the characters were a little shallow and could have used a lot more depth.

I think that if Lallo wrote the book from Nita's perspective it would have worked better. She knows very little about the world she's venturing into, and moving out of her head removes some of the mystery of that world. This also would have helped add depth, or at least perceived depth to some of the characters. Free Wrench is a short book, and with the limited amount of time and space limiting the perspective could have allowed Lallo to do more.

Overall Free-Wrench was good enough that I think if you're a fair of steampunk you could do worse than picking it up. I may also read some of Lallo's other books to see what he does with some more space and in a genre that he and I are both more familiar with.
1434428
This was my first introduction to "steampunk" fiction and now I am hooked!

The main character, Gareth, is confined to a wheelchair and can not walk, however he does have a special power, that he realizes once he stops focusing on himself and his bitterness (he begins as a quite unlikable character but that is the idea...you grow to like him).

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did and I love the mix of history and fantasy. Once the story gets going it becomes a delight and hard to put down.  I thought the characters were well thought out, realistic, the dialogue excellent and the writing impeccable.  A recommended read and I am glad I discovered this series!
3605573
Okay, I am going to be honest. I have never thought that I would get into the SteamPunk genre.

This has changed my mind. I loved it from beginning to the end! The characters are great and had me laughing at all the great interactions. I did nott want it to end.

Thank you greatly for the awesome read and chage of mind....
2042144
This short story of Finley Jayne is a prequel to Kady Cross's novel, The Girl in the Steel Corset. However, it is a stand alone short story that will not leave you disappointed. This was my first introduction to the steampunk world, and it was everything I could have hoped. I found myself visualizing the world as Cross described it, and was fascinated by it. The story itself was well-written and enjoyable. Finley is hired as a companion to Phoebe, who is about to be married off to a much older gentleman, who gives Finley a bad vibe. Finley herself is not a normal human, and the mystery of that I imagine will be solved more in the following novel. I found myself immediately wanting to buy the novel, and there's not much more than that to say how much I enjoyed this short story, as I am not one to usually buy e-books.
273010
I was given this book by my husband for Christmas.  It seemed interesting, but for some reason I just didn't pick it up and start reading it.  He told me it was based on a web comic.  I was more interested.  But I still didn't pick it up.  He told me it was Steampunk.  I'm very interested...  but didn't read it.  Then, for no reason whatsoever (I had 2 hours before an appointment) I picked it up.  Again, for some reason I read the little bio about the authors/characters.  For some reason, I didn't realize that the characters they were writing about were the authors, and that there was quite a lot of silliness going on.  I was about the 3rd person when I realized that.  So then I had to go back and re-read, this time with a bit more understanding.  Well, that had me hooked so much that I just devoured the book in 5 hours.  (Yes, I skipped my appointment, and then paused reading the book long enough to order Pizza for my family)  It is THAT GOOD!
This story is obviously well thought out enough that somewhere down the line I think that there will be time travel...  I can't wait to get to it!  I love it when a book sets up and completes the main storyline so perfectly, and then makes sure that there is quite a bit for the next book to work on, as well.
Well done!!!
I can't wait for the next one!  (no, I'm still not reading the comic...  as much as I love web comics, I'm having a hard time getting into this one on a week by week schedule...)
2111150
It has been some time since I have had the pleasure of reading a book that I couldn't bear to put down! The author masterfully eased this reader into the world of steampunk with such vivid imagery and attention to detail that I found myself unwittingly immersed, feeling quite at home in this new-to-me genre. I adore Lenore; she's the kind of protagonist that allows others to shine at times - a true reflection of her strength, and some seriously brilliant writing. I imagine this is why all of the characters came to life in such a way that I couldn't get them out of my head even when I wasn't reading the book...trying to sort out their problems, crossing my fingers that certain plot twists would work out in their favor. And just when I had my opinion about one particular male character set in stone - Ms. Fraedrich busted it with a three-pound hammer. Well done! I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster ride, and I cannot wait to dig into Book 2!
812464
*This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*

This is the first book I have read by new to me author Angela Quarles and it was definitely a fun escape into the Steampunk genre.

The heroine is fun and the integration of actual history mixed up with an original tale was certainly very well done.

A stand alone book those looking for their answers will not have to wait for another installment despite the #1 in the description that these days often means "You will need book 2". You may indeed WANT book 2 I know that I do, but not for story completing purposes.

The only lacking part for me was with some of the secondary characters.  There, for me, was a lot more to be explored there and I think that would have enhanced the read for me.  Perhaps we will learn more about them in another book?

Over all 4 stars from me and I look forward to more in this series. V""V

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. ***
444904
I don't have a whole lot of experience with the Steampunk genre in general so this was a little bit different for me.

J.L. Mulvihill  does a good job of building a world - an alternate history of the USA in which workhouses are the norm and there is a heavy Big Brother type government. The poor are oppressed, valueless and forced into servitude.

AB'Gale, or Abby is a sixteen year old young woman who has lived a sheltered and priviledged life up until the point that her father vanishes. With the family farm in jeopardy she has no choice but to go searching for him.

The Boxcar Baby is the first book in a new series that takes us along with Abby on that dangerous search.

I was rapt by the danger she faced and the horrors she endured. I feared for her and cheered for her.

Then somewhere near the end of this book it took a very different turn. There was still danger and triumph, but it went from being a Steampunk adventure, to being a Fantasy book. I'm not saying the two genres can't be done in the same book. I'm sure they can, and be done well. It's just that up to this point - as I said very near the end - this book really hadn't fallen into the Fantasy category. And then all of a sudden it did.

For me, it just felt like a bizzare turn on the part of the author. Almost as if she couldn't decide which genre she wanted to write.

I guess what I'm saying is - if she wanted this to be a Steampunk/Fantasy book from the get-go, I would have expected Fantasy elements to be introduced long before the ending. Does that make sense?

Overall, it was enjoyable - it just left me confused about this one aspect.
1767288
**Thank you so much to Skyscape for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!**

I've not read much steampunk, so Lumiere was a completely new experience for me, and I loved every second of it. The story follows Eyelet, who lives in an alternative England that's dark all the time. She suffers from seizures, though many people don't understand what it means. They think it means that she has problems and makes her crazy, though it obviously doesn't. It's just the way that her body is.

When Eyelet was younger, her father created this thing called The Illuminator which he was making in hopes to make Eyelet better. However, something else happened instead. Now, many years later, Eyelet is on the hunt to try to find the Illuminator for herself. She meets Urlick and the two of them form a friendship and find out way more about both of their fathers, as well as what caused the world to go dark in the first place.

 I absolutely loved Urlick. He was such an awesome character and he was perfect for Eyelet in every way. I feel like the two of them just complete each other, because they are so different yet they are just what the other one needs. I also loved that this novel was steampunk, because it was one of my very first steampunk novels!

I loved this world so very much, and I can't wait to dive back into it in the sequel, which I'm hoping to read soon! I'd definitely suggest giving this one a read; it was so quick to get through and it was quite the ride!
4418749
I was really excited when I heard about this collection. Steampunk tends to be a very White, European genre, and I was eager to see what kinds of world would be created with this particular setting. I enjoyed it, but didn't find it as easy a read as I had hoped. Some of the stories had pacing issues that left them feeling abruptly ended or gaps that gave me time to get distracted and set the book down. I think all the concepts were good, but some of them didn't quite fit the short story model as-is. Not all of the tales felt traditionally steampunk, which I enjoyed, as someone who has read a few too many steampunk stories that felt very generic, but I could see it being a disappointment to someone who was expecting that particular tone.

Some of my favorite stories were:

"Spider Here" by Robert Liow had vivid descriptions of the cyber-augmented creatures it focuses on, and created a wonderfully immersive world.

"The Last Aswang" by Alessa Hinlo held promise of a creepy tale just based on the title, and I was not disappointed! (If you don't know what the aswang myth is, I recommend waiting to Google it until after you read this tale to give the surprise it's full impact.)

"The Unmaking of The Cuadro Amoroso" by Kate Osias was an emotional roller-coaster and probably the story that held my attention the tightest, keeping my eyes glued to the page as I waited for the dramatic ending.

"Chasing Volcanoes" by Marilag Angway hit a perfect spot for me between using some common steampunk tropes and adding wonderful new aspects to this vision of technology. Powering tech on volcanic emissions is exactly the sort of crazy concept I love seeing in steampunk tales.
3643299
I have been 'into' steampunk (in all its forms) for a number of years and it's always a concern when a steampunk version of anything hits the market. Will they get it right, do they know what they're talking about, is it nothing more than having the word on the cover and throwing in a robot and raygun? (Yes, these are genuine concerns for those of us who are fans of the genre!)

Well, S.D. Stuart got it right. From the very beginning of his take on the classic, there is a steampunk atmosphere. He did well capturing the feel of the genre and not just going for descriptions of everything having gears. It's also not over-the-top steampunk; things make sense in this fantasy world and aren't just thrown in to make a better fit. I will admit to not being a big fan of the original (more because of the movie than the book), but I quite enjoyed the bigger adventure involved here. It was nice to have Dorothy as a bit of a fighter; that characterization fits well in this genre and made sense for this version of the story as a whole. There were a few missteps along the way and not everyone you expect to see shows up, but overall it was a pretty enjoyable read.

(complimentary ARC received from author)
42242
Great Steampunk Fiction! This was a great read. It's always hit or miss with this genre, but I was very pleased. I read this all the way through in one sitting, which is rare for me. Tone and style was fantastic, the plot kept me intrigued, and I was enthralled from start to finish. I'd highly recommend this if you're considering it. A great read!

I will definitely be reading more from this author.
2899840
After learning about Steampunk Holmes on Kickstarter, I read the first book, Legacy of the Nautilus, on my Kindle. Now I am hooked! Martin accurately captures the literary style of the Doyle's original series (I read them all!) and then pumps it up to a new steampunk level for our times. I will certainly read the other books planned for the series.
4333453
Lady of Devices is an engaging and lovely addition to the Steampunk genre! The characters are sweet and interesting, each of them unique in their own ways. The progression of the story and the dialogue between characters was well done. As the novel progressed I fell a little in love with a few of her young charges, wanting to see them grow and succeed. You also get to see the main character begin to develop her resourcefulness, strength and confidence as she takes them under her wing.  Although this novel was written fore the YA set, I enjoyed it thoroughly - I was left wanting more, and will be buying the next in the series. I am looking forward to see where this wonderful world goes, with the release of the author's next novel.
1131955
I've had this book sitting on my shelf for some time just waiting for me to get around to it.  Well it took a reading challenge, but I did it.  And now I'm kicking myself in the pants for putting it off.  Talk about a fantastic steampunk world, deep engaging characters, a riveting intrigue style plot, and ho hey, the sweltering passion in a slow-burn romance.  Definitely planning on taking this series full steam ahead!

This first book, The Iron Duke, was a great blend of present time action, but a steady release of the complex world of an alternate history steampunk world.  The steampunk elements are fundamental to this series instead of just an annoying gadget name drop here and there.  I think I was equally taken with the world and elements as the actual plot which was a great blend of mystery, action, passion, and character growth.

It's based on the premise of what would have happened if Ghenghis Khan and his Mongolian Horde had steamrolled across Europe and even the British Isles using a blend of steampowered and nano-tech weaponry.  At the beginning of this story, England is finally free of the rule, thanks to the daring act of one dashing pirate now made a duke.  But recovery isn't so simple.  The people who were under horde rule are indelibly altered and looked on differently compared to those who fled, lived in exile, and the new generations are returning and reclaiming family titles and fortunes or jobs.  All stratas of society and culture are effected.  I found it all quite fascinating.

Beyond fascination, the heroine and the hero are in their own way, outcasts and trying to make their way.  Mina struggles under the stain of being the result of her mother being forced by someone from the horde.  Her family loves her and she loves them, but they are all tainted and though titled are poor and have little respect.  Mini works as a female police detective inspector and must accept a protective constable's burly strength to keep her safe because of her 'horde' features.  She has no dreams more than the little she has.  The insouciance and free-spirited arrogance of the duke who sees what he wants and takes it is grating on her- but she fears the emotions and desires he raises inside her.
For his part, Rhys Trahaern, the 'Iron' Duke of Anglesey, never set out to be a hero.  He has been scrabbling after life's scraps since he was born and raised himself up from abuse and slavery to being a pirate captain until respectability clipped his wings and he channeled his efforts into a merchant and shipping empire.  Mini flashes into his life and he is forced to see another perspective.  And yet, he is determined to get her to see beyond the cage she has placed herself in to what might be if she will take the chance.

The romance is full of sparks.  The pair are combustible.  Mina is so strong-willed and stubborn.  She is an abuse survivor in her way and must be handled as such, but the ruthless, straight-shooting Rhys who was also abused struggles to understand and  has to navigate things carefully with her.  They are so full of passion and I don't just mean sexually- though there was that.  I was riveted and anticipating as they drew closer and closer though it did not come easy.

The action part of the plot began as a sort of murder mystery that expanded to involve a secret plot of tremendous proportions.  The secretive and powerful Black Guard are a formidable enemy.  And some are still loose to wreck havoc in the on going series.  There was great fight action and sea battles and woot, we do have a kracken sighting.

All in all, this was a steampunk romance power house that packs many punches to hook in readers well outside the usual steampunk fandom.  I am definitely powering up for more passion and adventure with the Iron Seas series.