Best Book Ever: Steampunk
Welcome to Best Book Ever on Short and Sweet Reviews! Each week we take a different topic and readers, authors, and bloggers talk about what their favorite is for that theme.
This weeks theme is:
Week 8 : Steampunk
Since I know that the Infernal Devices series is an obvious choice- I am going to go the non-obvious route and pick a book that I was blessed to recieve an ARC of- A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink. I didn't expect this to have a steampunk edge to it. I really expected it to be a traditional YA angel book. It completely surprised me! A Temptation of Angels is a fantastic book and a wonderful start to a new series.
- Coranne
This week is easy, since I haven’t read many steampunk
novels, at least according to my own narrow definition of it. The term is flung
about freely these days to describe stories that include steam-based technology
and/or the wonderfully complex machines that result from it, or perhaps just a Victorian-ish fashion aesthetic—but the props are only
some of the elements that characterize steampunk. For me, one of the key features
is that the story takes place in an alternate history—what the world might
have, could have, or should have been. Few gaze wistfully at the grim world of
Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker, but “the
Clockwork Century” is a great place to visit…safely, from the pages of her books.
And what a book! To judge Boneshaker, the first installment of four stories currently in the
Clockwork Century, by its amazing
cover for a moment, there are a few things that immediately caught my eye. The
first is, of course, the striking image of Briar Wilkes, suitably outfitted
with shiny brass goggles that stand out against the muted colors. There’s a
compelling recommendation from Scott Westerfeld, himself a master of the
sub-genre. Oh, is that an airship
reflected in one of the lenses? Hell yes, it is! And finally, but
significantly, there’s Cherie Priest’s name—the main reason I picked this one
up, on the strength of her preceding books. Boneshaker
fully delivers on the promise of its cover, and then some. What you don’t see
in Jon Foster’s evocative art is the intriguing setting that inspired it—an
1880 Seattle where
a section of the city has been walled in…to
keep the zombies in. Steampunk zombies! In Seattle! If that isn’t enough to pull you in,
the book also has mystery, mayhem, and relentless adventure, as well as
engaging protagonists, Briar and her son Ezekiel, who ensure there’s plenty
here for readers both young and adult. Check it out.
While I'm really enjoying Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series, my favorite steampunk book comes from my most favorite
steampunk series: Goliath, book three in Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan
trilogy. Westerfeld's integration of an alternate history is
fascinating, -- I was thirsty for this series from the first time I saw
the trailer for book one: http://youtu.be/PYiw5vkQFPw. And from page one
of Leviathan I was totally swept up in the clashes between the
Darwinists and the Clankers. But, more than the fancy beasties and
deadly machines, it's the characters that make these books fantastic.
Deryn is on my top ten list of favorite heroines.
So, out of the trilogy, why Goliath? Perhaps because I read it most recently? But probably because I'm a sucker for an ending that's well done. And the ending of this series is extremely well done. (You'll notice I'm trying very hard not to give anything away, but the ending: two thumbs up!)
So, out of the trilogy, why Goliath? Perhaps because I read it most recently? But probably because I'm a sucker for an ending that's well done. And the ending of this series is extremely well done. (You'll notice I'm trying very hard not to give anything away, but the ending: two thumbs up!)
-Tiffany Schmidt, debut author of Send Me a Sign (2012 by Walker- Bloomsbury)
The best example of steampunk, to me, is Android Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
& Ben Winters. I was debating between this one and Airborn by
Kenneth Oppel, but decided to go the Android route because I don't think
many people are aware of it. Yes, it's Russian literature - and I know
that I'm in the minority and there aren't many who willingly pick up
huge Russian novels for fun. But Android Karenina is not your typical
Russian novel: it's got robots. Robots! And all kinds of really cool
techno-things, while still maintaining the sense of society and class
that is present in the original. (It's also a LOT shorter. Just sayin').
The story itself obviously had to adjust to accommodate the addition of
robots and etc, but to me, it worked. There are some zany twists and
turns that you don't see coming, and the characters are more appealing
in this variation than in the original (I read them both of my own free
will, so I can make the comparison). Definitely worth a shot. And I want
to go to one of their balls and dance in the air!
-Rebecca @ A Word's Worth
I feel like I'm cheating a little here, because this is the only book
I've read that I think qualifies as steampunk, but it is a really
amazing book. CLOCKWORK ANGEL by Cassandra Clare is definitely my pick
for best steampunk. I love the characters. Tessa is strong and
intelligent, and I was pulling for her the whole time. And of course
Will and Jem are both intriguing and wonderful in their own way. I can't
decide which one I love more. I can say, though that I love how much
action and twists Cassandra Clare can fit into one book and make it
work. Even people who didn't love the Mortal Instruments series should
check this book out. It's probably my favorite of all her books.
I haven't read a ton of steampunk books, but here's one I'm looking
forward to: INNOCENT DARKNESS by Suzanne Lazear. It looks amazing, and
isn't that a beautiful cover? She has sparkles! How can this not be
amazing?
- Jodi Meadows, debut author of Incarnate (2012, Harper Collins Children's)
- Katie @ MundieMoms
-HD Tolson @ Reading Writing Breathing
The only steampunk novel I've ever read is Clockwork Angel by
Cassandra Clare and it was AMAZING. I loved Clare's Mortal Instruments
series, so when I ended up reading Clockwork Angel I wasn't even aware
of the fact that it's steampunk. However, it was such a pleasant
surprise! Up until a month or so ago, I was walking around thinking I
had never read a steampunk novel in my life when someone told me that CA
is steampunk! Now, I'm dying to get my hands on anything steampunk and I
look into a lot more steampunk titles! If you haven't read CA yet, I
definitely recommend you do. It's filled with mystery, romance, and tons
of
action!
Anna @ Literary Exploration
Ok, since noone picked it- I am sneaking in with a second pick (oh hush you! It is my blog! ) Have you read Kady Cross' wonderful The Girl in the Steel Corset. I want to LIVE in that book- it is so incredibly awesome. The story is phenomenal and it is based on some great literary characters (you will have to read it to find out who). The sequel Girl in the Clockwork Collar comes out this year!
-Coranne
We hope you enjoyed this week's Best Book Ever. If you want to talk about our picks, or suggest a title we missed below- we would love to chat! Our blog now has an awesome "reply" feature, where we can actually have a conversation in the comments!
Come back next week to find our picks for : DYSTOPIAN
Ps- If you are a blogger, author, or a book lover and you want to be featured in any of our future Best Book Ever features- email us at oneminutebooks at gmail dot com!
