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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Steam Punk Novels and Inspirations

 I've been reading steam punk novels....some are very good, some less so, but they have inspired ideas for my little eccentricities.
The Courier
The Time-Keeper
More on my other blog.

My favorite steam punk novel so far is Soulless by Gail Carriger, which I reviewed a few posts back.  I've finished Changeless and Blameless, too, but haven't reviewed them yet.  Almost finished with The Affinity Bridge and have begun The Court of Air. Also have a copy of Boneshaker in the TBR pile.  Hoping for some more interesting ideas.

Steam punk probably originated with Jules Verne.  I loved Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days, and Journey to the Center of the Earth when I was a kid.  The steam punk concept is a mixture of Victorian and Industrial Advance during the Victorian Age. 

Have you read any of these?   Do you have recommendations?

17 comments:

  1. I love your little guys!

    I'm just beginning to read steampunk, unless you count the Philip Pullmans from a few years ago. I bought Aurorama a couple weeks back, but I haven't started it. I was rather eh about Boneshaker, so I'll be interested to see how you respond--maybe I simply wasn't in the mood when I read it.

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  2. Thanks, Susan! I wasn't thrilled with Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Priest, so I'm not sure what to expect with Boneshaker.

    The Affinity Bridge has a great cover, but I'm having to force myself to finish.

    I am liking what I've read so far of The Court of the Air...

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  3. Oh my word - love the little figures!
    I find steampunk as you say, fascinating but variable. Couldn't get on with Soulless. Does Philip Reeve count? I'm enjoying 'Fever Crumb'.

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  4. Your figurines are super-cool! Are you selling them?

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  5. Katherine - Thanks, they are fun to make! I did enjoy Soulless, but found the next two less entertaining.

    I just looked up Philip Reeve and have added him to my TBR list--thanks for the recommendation!

    Lexi - Thanks for the nice comment on my little eccentricities! Right now, I'm just making them for fun.

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  6. Love these!! I can see I'm going to have to try Soulless!

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  7. Thanks, Danielle! Soulless was a fun and very fast read--a comedy of manners with werewolves and vampires!

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  8. These are awesome! I think you need to put these up on Etsy.... seriously. Have you checked out some of the steampunk jewelry? So cool.

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  9. Iliana - I might try Etsy eventually, but right now it looks a little complicated for me. Yes, I've been looking at the jewelry for some time now; the pieces I like best are a bit costly, but so beautiful!

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  10. Did you make these little guys? They are brilliant jenclair!

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  11. Jenclair! You must put your stuff on Etsy! Every time you post some of your creations - I WANT! :))

    You are one talented lady. Can you live closer so you can mentor me? *smile*

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  12. Thanks, Christina! Get yourself some Paperclay and have some fun! I'm open to questions!

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  13. Holy crap, these are awesome! Very cool!

    I would recommend adding the Langdon St. Ives stories by James P. Blaylock to your steampunk reading list as well. I reviewed Homonculus a few years back and have the complete Adventures of Langdon St. Ives collection to get through.

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  14. Thanks, Carl! I'll add Blaylock to my list!

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  15. I can't remember if you like short stories or not, but Blaylock's collection, Thirteen Phantasms and Other Stories is a really good one.

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  16. I've never been a big short story reader for some reason, but I've been seeing Blaylock's name often enough to give this collection a try. Thanks, Carl!

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