Scan barcode
malus23's review against another edition
2.0
This collection shows some of steam-punk's growing pains. When this type of story started coming out, just being steam-punk was innovative. Now that it's been around long enough to have its own set of tropes, it takes a little more effort to stand out. Tick tick boom in particular, while written solidly enough technically, was completely paint by number steampunk, and completely forgettable. (Just a week after reading, I had to look it up 3 times to remember what happened.) The darker stories in the collection tended to be better, but even though I liked Vast Machinery of Dreams it's very lovecraft-lite. Cannibal Fiend was a little gross, but interesting. Under Amber Skies was well done, and split my sympathies in an unexpected way. Chickie Hill has promise too, but was a little wacky. Memorable though, which I can't say for some of the others.
So, not a bad collection if you want mostly very classic, comfortably predictable steam-punk shorts, but not as much new here.
So, not a bad collection if you want mostly very classic, comfortably predictable steam-punk shorts, but not as much new here.
dorktaped's review
3.0
Some of the short stories didn't really have my complete interest but there were a couple that totally made up for that.
kappareads's review
4.0
(I didn't finish it but at this point I'm not gonna finish it, so let's review it)
This anthology will always have a special place in my heart, so that's why the rating is 4 stars even though the average rating is 3 stars.
I don't know what it is with anthologies and magic, but this one as well has several stories that I feel focus more on the magic than the steampunk, which is not what I want. I try being "objective" with the ratings, but a lot of the time I'm swayed by whether they're a heavy magic or no magic.
Rude mechanicals - 4/5 stars, I love the idea of an automation actor, I just wish more time had been dedicated to the romance so it didn't feel so show horned (although the explanation the author does give, I feel is satisfactory)
The cannibal fiend - 3.5/5 stars, a very Jack the Ripper feel with enough steampunk aspects that make me happy, which is what saves it from feeling too magicy
Wild Magic - 2.5/5 stars, too heavy on the fantasy, not enough with the steampunk. Also, didn't remember much of it from past readings and it shows.
Deadwood - 4/5 stars, Martha is a great main character and I love the combination of wild west and steampunk
Code of blood - 3.5/5 stars, again too much magic over steampunk, but there were more steampunk elements here than in other magic ones. Enjoyed the adventure even if there's a bit insta-love
Clockwork corset - 5/5 stars its only after reading have I realized how much this story had influenced my own style of writing, with witty dialogue and all. I just love this story
Airship Gemini - 3.5/5 stars, like most of these steampunk works, I wish there was no magic. I did however like the idea of the twins not wanting to be separated and their guardian wanting them to be separated. A nice subversion on the usual tripe that comes with an abusive guardian and kids who are extraordinary.
Under Amber Skies - 3/5 stars, I like that this is steampunk not in Victorian settings, but it's weird for it to be in the time of nazis
King of the Green Light City - 2/5 stars, there are clockwork objects but it's entirely focused on magic. Add some instant love, it's just an ok story
Emperors man - 2.5/5 stars, rating given due to pacing not magic use. At least this marriage of magic and steampunk had a unique setting
Chickie Hill’s Badass Ride - DNF, I read about a doll moving and noped the fuck out
Vast machinery of dreams - 1/5 stars, dull, confusing, yes it had clockwork stuff but didn't feel steampunk at all. I have many unanswered questions
Tick tick boom - 4.5/5 stars, definitely one of the best in here. Love the undercover rebel plot line. Wish the romance part had been explained more, as we're left with kind of a cliff hanger at the end
This anthology will always have a special place in my heart, so that's why the rating is 4 stars even though the average rating is 3 stars.
I don't know what it is with anthologies and magic, but this one as well has several stories that I feel focus more on the magic than the steampunk, which is not what I want. I try being "objective" with the ratings, but a lot of the time I'm swayed by whether they're a heavy magic or no magic.
Rude mechanicals - 4/5 stars, I love the idea of an automation actor, I just wish more time had been dedicated to the romance so it didn't feel so show horned (although the explanation the author does give, I feel is satisfactory)
The cannibal fiend - 3.5/5 stars, a very Jack the Ripper feel with enough steampunk aspects that make me happy, which is what saves it from feeling too magicy
Wild Magic - 2.5/5 stars, too heavy on the fantasy, not enough with the steampunk. Also, didn't remember much of it from past readings and it shows.
Deadwood - 4/5 stars, Martha is a great main character and I love the combination of wild west and steampunk
Code of blood - 3.5/5 stars, again too much magic over steampunk, but there were more steampunk elements here than in other magic ones. Enjoyed the adventure even if there's a bit insta-love
Clockwork corset - 5/5 stars its only after reading have I realized how much this story had influenced my own style of writing, with witty dialogue and all. I just love this story
Airship Gemini - 3.5/5 stars, like most of these steampunk works, I wish there was no magic. I did however like the idea of the twins not wanting to be separated and their guardian wanting them to be separated. A nice subversion on the usual tripe that comes with an abusive guardian and kids who are extraordinary.
Under Amber Skies - 3/5 stars, I like that this is steampunk not in Victorian settings, but it's weird for it to be in the time of nazis
King of the Green Light City - 2/5 stars, there are clockwork objects but it's entirely focused on magic. Add some instant love, it's just an ok story
Emperors man - 2.5/5 stars, rating given due to pacing not magic use. At least this marriage of magic and steampunk had a unique setting
Chickie Hill’s Badass Ride - DNF, I read about a doll moving and noped the fuck out
Vast machinery of dreams - 1/5 stars, dull, confusing, yes it had clockwork stuff but didn't feel steampunk at all. I have many unanswered questions
Tick tick boom - 4.5/5 stars, definitely one of the best in here. Love the undercover rebel plot line. Wish the romance part had been explained more, as we're left with kind of a cliff hanger at the end
waywardskyril's review
DNF-ed for now. This book has been on my "reading" shelf for actual years, but I haven't touched it in ages. Maybe I'll come back to it one day. Short stories aren't really my thing, apparently, especially a whole book of them.
From what I remember, this is a mixed bag, as I imagine most collections of short stories would be. There's something in here for everyone if you're a fan of steampunk.
From what I remember, this is a mixed bag, as I imagine most collections of short stories would be. There's something in here for everyone if you're a fan of steampunk.
g1rlwhol1ved's review
3.0
some of the stories were better than others but i think my favorites were the first one (rude mechanics) and one from the middle (the clockwork corset)
mothreadsbookssometimes's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Rude Mechanicals (4/5): decent story, good intro to steampunk
The Cannibal Fiend of Rotherhithe (5/5): my favorite story of the collection; friendship (rather than romance), vengeance against men; ✨selkies✨
Wild Magic (3/5): fey, heist story with magic
Deadwood (3/5): strong start/conflict intro, but rushed the rest
Code of Blood (2/5): no strong feelings, a little too long
Clockwork Corset (4.5/5): MC gives off Autistic vibes, sweet romance (though the fake-brothers thing was a little weird), well-described wartime setting
The Airship Gemini (3.5/5): unexpected (but good) vampire romance, girlbosses, disability rep (conjoined twins)
Under Amber Skies (3.25/5): not great romance, interesting concept (unexpected villain mother)
King of the Greenlight City (3.75/5): cool mythology, interesting plot twist, cool magic system
The Emperor’s Man (2.5/5): meh
Chickie Hill’s Badass Ride (3.5/5): started boring but I liked the monster concept, ended poorly
The Vast Machinery of Dreams (2.5/5): interesting, unique writing, but ultimately boring
Tick, Tick, Boom (3/5): plain romance, not a great ending to the collection
The Cannibal Fiend of Rotherhithe (5/5): my favorite story of the collection; friendship (rather than romance), vengeance against men; ✨selkies✨
Wild Magic (3/5): fey, heist story with magic
Deadwood (3/5): strong start/conflict intro, but rushed the rest
Code of Blood (2/5): no strong feelings, a little too long
Clockwork Corset (4.5/5): MC gives off Autistic vibes, sweet romance (though the fake-brothers thing was a little weird), well-described wartime setting
The Airship Gemini (3.5/5): unexpected (but good) vampire romance, girlbosses, disability rep (conjoined twins)
Under Amber Skies (3.25/5): not great romance, interesting concept (unexpected villain mother)
King of the Greenlight City (3.75/5): cool mythology, interesting plot twist, cool magic system
The Emperor’s Man (2.5/5): meh
Chickie Hill’s Badass Ride (3.5/5): started boring but I liked the monster concept, ended poorly
The Vast Machinery of Dreams (2.5/5): interesting, unique writing, but ultimately boring
Tick, Tick, Boom (3/5): plain romance, not a great ending to the collection
marimoose's review
4.0
(OMG YES. I CAN ACTUALLY PUT CHOCOLATE METAPHOR TO GOOD USE. BEAR WITH ME.)
Short stories are usually a mixed box of chocolates. Someone might like the one with the caramel inside and despise the nougat with coconut shavings. Another person might hate the entire box altogether (but the fact one would hate chocolate makes me wonder WHY said person has that kind of box in possession...). And the last person just says "CHOCOLATES?! YESSSSS!"
Needless to say I fall into the latter category.
I enjoyed all the stories to a certain degree. Of course I can't say I enjoyed them all in equal amounts, because some certainly did stand out more than others. But it's steampunk. As Trisha Telep asked her readers to "come for the steam, stay for the punk," I did just that. I'm a long-time fan of this little niche in the scifi-fantasy world, and I'm only too happy that I'm discovering gems like this through goodreads-stalking my friends' lists, and through random Google searches of "steampunk books." I've also managed to add to my to-reads pile with authors whose short stories I absolutely enjoyed. Anyway, here are just a few things to say about my faves:
"Rude Mechanicals" - It was the first story, sure, but it was one great way to start. It was quite tragic, and quite romantic, and the best take of Romeo and Juliet that I could ever read anywhere. And this is saying something, because I hate that tragedy.
"Wild Magic" - Love, love, love, SO MUCH LOVE for this one. No joke. I'm not sure if it's because it involved the faery (or Ferisher) courts, or the fact that there's a lot of clandestine magic meetings and flirting between the heroine and the romantic interest. And the clockwork mechanisms running about! Ugh. I definitely added the author on my to-reads list, and looking forward to reading Enclave at some point in the foreseeable future!
"Code of Blood" - Very chilling, dramatic, and utterly cute. I notice that there's a lot of alchemy as a base in some of these stories. "Code of Blood" was the first one I encountered, and probably my favorite of the bunch where the elementals are concerned (but not the last one I'm going to point out). Also added this author on my list to read.
"Under Amber Skies" - I did not think I would enjoy this as much as I did. I'm pretty sure my thought process was "Oh...a war piece...eh...wait, what...NAZIS?!" Things picked up from there. But heck, I loved it for the little twist at the end that just made me sympathize with the character so much more.
"King of the Greenlight City" - Also one with elementals, but I liked this not so much for that but for the twist at the end. So tragic! I loved it, though, even when I spent a few minutes blinking and thinking that "No, this person could NOT have done what I think she just did!" Sigh.
"Tick, Tick, Boom" - This was the last story in the book, and a basic one about mistaken identity and such. But I enjoyed it for the two characters playing as Scarlet Pimpernels in their own minds. They were two peas in a pod, so to speak, and fit rather well together. Plus, I enjoyed the first-person narrative mind of Lady Ashbury.
So yes, I enjoyed my chocolates. Thank you very much!
Short stories are usually a mixed box of chocolates. Someone might like the one with the caramel inside and despise the nougat with coconut shavings. Another person might hate the entire box altogether (but the fact one would hate chocolate makes me wonder WHY said person has that kind of box in possession...). And the last person just says "CHOCOLATES?! YESSSSS!"
Needless to say I fall into the latter category.
I enjoyed all the stories to a certain degree. Of course I can't say I enjoyed them all in equal amounts, because some certainly did stand out more than others. But it's steampunk. As Trisha Telep asked her readers to "come for the steam, stay for the punk," I did just that. I'm a long-time fan of this little niche in the scifi-fantasy world, and I'm only too happy that I'm discovering gems like this through goodreads-stalking my friends' lists, and through random Google searches of "steampunk books." I've also managed to add to my to-reads pile with authors whose short stories I absolutely enjoyed. Anyway, here are just a few things to say about my faves:
"Rude Mechanicals" - It was the first story, sure, but it was one great way to start. It was quite tragic, and quite romantic, and the best take of Romeo and Juliet that I could ever read anywhere. And this is saying something, because I hate that tragedy.
"Wild Magic" - Love, love, love, SO MUCH LOVE for this one. No joke. I'm not sure if it's because it involved the faery (or Ferisher) courts, or the fact that there's a lot of clandestine magic meetings and flirting between the heroine and the romantic interest. And the clockwork mechanisms running about! Ugh. I definitely added the author on my to-reads list, and looking forward to reading Enclave at some point in the foreseeable future!
"Code of Blood" - Very chilling, dramatic, and utterly cute. I notice that there's a lot of alchemy as a base in some of these stories. "Code of Blood" was the first one I encountered, and probably my favorite of the bunch where the elementals are concerned (but not the last one I'm going to point out). Also added this author on my list to read.
"Under Amber Skies" - I did not think I would enjoy this as much as I did. I'm pretty sure my thought process was "Oh...a war piece...eh...wait, what...NAZIS?!" Things picked up from there. But heck, I loved it for the little twist at the end that just made me sympathize with the character so much more.
"King of the Greenlight City" - Also one with elementals, but I liked this not so much for that but for the twist at the end. So tragic! I loved it, though, even when I spent a few minutes blinking and thinking that "No, this person could NOT have done what I think she just did!" Sigh.
"Tick, Tick, Boom" - This was the last story in the book, and a basic one about mistaken identity and such. But I enjoyed it for the two characters playing as Scarlet Pimpernels in their own minds. They were two peas in a pod, so to speak, and fit rather well together. Plus, I enjoyed the first-person narrative mind of Lady Ashbury.
So yes, I enjoyed my chocolates. Thank you very much!
peyton_'s review
Ride Mechanicals:
Where is the romance? I didn’t get anything from this story other than an obsession with Shakespeare and acting, and since these are interesting to me I found the story dull. I hope other stories in this anthology are more spicy.
The Cannibal Fiend of Rotherhithe
Another let down. WHERE IS THE ROMANCE?!! This was all about the cannibal and in the end she made a friend. No romance. An interesting look at mermaids for a quick second, but that was it for interesting bits. I’m going to try one more story and if there’s not romance than I’m done with this book.
The Clockwork Corset:
Finally, a romance! Well, sort of. There’s kissing and a sweet story, but it didn’t give me the romance vibes and feelings. Maybe because it’s a short story and I couldn’t really get an in-depth understanding of the characters. However, I find with each of the stories I have read in this collection that the romance isn’t the heart of the story. For this one, it is about a war and growing up. Why isn’t the story about the characters? Romance is about the emotions of two people and I’m just not getting good vibes from this book. I don’t have time in my life to continue with this, since none of the stories has been successful for me.
jessfm's review
5.0
Wow...I really really loved it...i had some minor issues along the stories but nothing really serious but oh the romance and the twists and the magic and the clockwork and the elementals...every one of those stories left me wanting more.