A review by jljaina
Steampunk! an Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories by
3.0
3.5 stars is closer but on the lower side. Some stories I really liked, others I didn't care for at all and felt I wasted time on a couple even.
These were the ones I actually enjoyed (above 2.5 stars worth):
Some Fortunate Future Day by Cassandra Clare - Rose is a bit scary in her obsessions. But I also feel bad for her, all alone. I want to know her age!
Last Ride of the Glory Girls by Libba Bray - Alt reality western. Some parts were strange but others good. I wanted to get know what she would do in the end. A lot very too vague but would love to see fleshed out into a full story.
Clockwork Fagin by Cory Doctorow - Great orphanage story! Love what these kids do (less what specifically they do to get an automaton..eww..) to improve their lives, despite their situation.
Hand in Glove by Ysabeau S Wilce - I didn't care much for the writing style, felt too much like parts taken from other stories, including Frankenstein and a certain spooky family movie/series that has seen many remakes). Yet still decent and curious.
The Ghost of Cwmlech Manor by Delia Sherman - This was really good. Another favorite here. A gothic tale, old manors, and automatons. I kept expecting a hint of romance though...
Gethsemane by Elizabeth Knox - Started off interesting but felt too scattered. Who people really were and why they did what they did. The ending does cover it but it felt broken in execution.
The Summer People by Kelly Link - What rich possibilities!! I wanted more! Were there fae?! Who are the summer people exactly?! I want a full novel of this. Ending was a bit confusing though.
Steam Girl by Dylan Horrocks - Sci-fi meets steampunk in this tale within a tale. And what is the truth in the story? Very creative.
Everything Amiable and Obliging - Sentient automatrons?? A hint of romance...gone wrong. I really enjoyed this one as well.
The Oracle Engines - Strange historical story sent in Roman times. A story of Caesar, Crassusm Pompei and Marcus as never told. Interesting at times, but slow and overdrawn.
These were the ones I actually enjoyed (above 2.5 stars worth):
Some Fortunate Future Day by Cassandra Clare - Rose is a bit scary in her obsessions. But I also feel bad for her, all alone. I want to know her age!
Last Ride of the Glory Girls by Libba Bray - Alt reality western. Some parts were strange but others good. I wanted to get know what she would do in the end. A lot very too vague but would love to see fleshed out into a full story.
Clockwork Fagin by Cory Doctorow - Great orphanage story! Love what these kids do (less what specifically they do to get an automaton..eww..) to improve their lives, despite their situation.
Hand in Glove by Ysabeau S Wilce - I didn't care much for the writing style, felt too much like parts taken from other stories, including Frankenstein and a certain spooky family movie/series that has seen many remakes). Yet still decent and curious.
The Ghost of Cwmlech Manor by Delia Sherman - This was really good. Another favorite here. A gothic tale, old manors, and automatons. I kept expecting a hint of romance though...
Gethsemane by Elizabeth Knox - Started off interesting but felt too scattered. Who people really were and why they did what they did. The ending does cover it but it felt broken in execution.
The Summer People by Kelly Link - What rich possibilities!! I wanted more! Were there fae?! Who are the summer people exactly?! I want a full novel of this. Ending was a bit confusing though.
Steam Girl by Dylan Horrocks - Sci-fi meets steampunk in this tale within a tale. And what is the truth in the story? Very creative.
Everything Amiable and Obliging - Sentient automatrons?? A hint of romance...gone wrong. I really enjoyed this one as well.
The Oracle Engines - Strange historical story sent in Roman times. A story of Caesar, Crassusm Pompei and Marcus as never told. Interesting at times, but slow and overdrawn.