pharmdad2007's review
3.0
Thanks to StoryOrigin for the audiobook ARC!
Steampunk is really hit or miss for me. And while some of the stories in this anthology amused and entertained me, the majority bordered on just tolerable. Really more of a 2.5 star read. I think the narration kind of saved the book in some ways, tipping the scales a little more toward the 3 star range overall. I did enjoy the author bios that accompanied each story, as I find that this always makes the experience more personal and less distant.
Steampunk is really hit or miss for me. And while some of the stories in this anthology amused and entertained me, the majority bordered on just tolerable. Really more of a 2.5 star read. I think the narration kind of saved the book in some ways, tipping the scales a little more toward the 3 star range overall. I did enjoy the author bios that accompanied each story, as I find that this always makes the experience more personal and less distant.
theconorhilton's review
4.0
First, I love that this (and the subsequent volumes) exists! Delightful.
Not every story is great, but all of them have something interesting to say about Mormonism (if nothing else at least in what the story chooses to focus on and how it uses Mormonism in the imaginative steampunk world). And none of the stories are bad. And quite a few of them are wonderful, with 2-3 just stand-out incredible engaging, page-turning stories. Lots to love here if you're interested in what Mormonism is and what it could be, transhumanism in a Mormon context, and the general relationship between spirituality and technology. And if you like pulpy, steampunk adventures with funky twists (in this case, a Mormon twist).
Particularly loved "Mere Pulp, No Less", "A Strike to the Heart of the Cannon Lord", "The Pipes of Columbia", "Reversals of Fortune", and "Strange Pilgrims". Though I also found "Machinations of Angels" to be FASCINATING and engrossing and really really interesting theologically and cosmologically, even though the writing was somewhat clunky and obvious.
Though my all-time favorite of the bunch is probably the final story: "Tracting Out Cthulhu". LOVE LOVE LOVE this story. Would read a whole anthology of stories in this particular world. And would absolutely watch a film based on it, very cinematic in its telling.
Anyway. Lots to appreciate here. Excited to read the other volumes!
Not every story is great, but all of them have something interesting to say about Mormonism (if nothing else at least in what the story chooses to focus on and how it uses Mormonism in the imaginative steampunk world). And none of the stories are bad. And quite a few of them are wonderful, with 2-3 just stand-out incredible engaging, page-turning stories. Lots to love here if you're interested in what Mormonism is and what it could be, transhumanism in a Mormon context, and the general relationship between spirituality and technology. And if you like pulpy, steampunk adventures with funky twists (in this case, a Mormon twist).
Particularly loved "Mere Pulp, No Less", "A Strike to the Heart of the Cannon Lord", "The Pipes of Columbia", "Reversals of Fortune", and "Strange Pilgrims". Though I also found "Machinations of Angels" to be FASCINATING and engrossing and really really interesting theologically and cosmologically, even though the writing was somewhat clunky and obvious.
Though my all-time favorite of the bunch is probably the final story: "Tracting Out Cthulhu". LOVE LOVE LOVE this story. Would read a whole anthology of stories in this particular world. And would absolutely watch a film based on it, very cinematic in its telling.
Anyway. Lots to appreciate here. Excited to read the other volumes!
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