Steampunk/Science Fiction Discussion

[Heidi M Simone]

Welcome to our July Genre Discussion! As there was a tie between two genres, I decided to focus on Steampunk/Science Fiction for this month, and the other genre next month.

• Steampunk can be considered as "a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery."
• Science Fiction can be thought of as, "a genre of speculative fiction, typically dealing with imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, spaceflight, time travel, and extraterrestrial life."

- What did you read this month for our genre discussion?
- Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
- What trait(s) made the book you chose unique to this genre?
- Would you recommend this read?

[gali]

Welcome to our July Genre Discussion! As there was a tie between two genres, I decided to focus on Steampunk/Science Fiction for this month, and the other genre next month.

• Steampunk can be considered as "a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery."
• Science Fiction can be thought of as, "a genre of speculative fiction, typically dealing with imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, spaceflight, time travel, and extraterrestrial life."

- What did you read this month for our genre discussion?
- Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
- What trait(s) made the book you chose unique to this genre?
- Would you recommend this read?

I have read " Zeva-Book 1 by Tesha Finley. It has a very light science fiction element and some fantasy elements. Although the plot was a bit predictable, I enjoyed it. The story moved at a reasonable pace,and I never got bored at any point of time. It wasn't well edited, though. I noticed quite a few grammatical errors. I would recommend this read to YA.

I think that I will choose another book for this month, but Steampunk this time. I love Steampunk!

[S Chinaski]

I just finished John Scalzi's "Head On."

A great read, it played out as a sort of near-future murder investigation.

Scalzi created a very interesting, believable future setting, and used it wonderfully as the backdrop and partial driver of the story, without getting too over-the-top with the violence or getting bogged down in technical details.

It was different from my usual sci-fi fare, and rather refreshing.

I would definitely recommend it!

[Heidi M Simone]

I have read " Zeva-Book 1 by Tesha Finley. It has a very light science fiction element and some fantasy elements. Although the plot was a bit predictable, I enjoyed it. The story moved at a reasonable pace,and I never got bored at any point of time. It wasn't well edited, though. I noticed quite a few grammatical errors. I would recommend this read to YA.

I think that I will choose another book for this month, but Steampunk this time. I love Steampunk!

It's great that you finished and found it to be enjoyable! I have a few chapters left, and, unfortunately, I'm not enjoying it as much. I agree, so far, the plot is somewhat predictable and there were several grammatical errors. (I also wasn't a fan of "I want to be with you; me too; but I can't; fine I don't either; but I want to; me too" cycle toward the beginning, lol. When I'm completely finish, I'll come back and give my complete thoughts.

Nice! I can't wait to see what you read under the Steampunk subgenre!

[Heidi M Simone]

I just finished John Scalzi's "Head On."

A great read, it played out as a sort of near-future murder investigation.

Scalzi created a very interesting, believable future setting, and used it wonderfully as the backdrop and partial driver of the story, without getting too over-the-top with the violence or getting bogged down in technical details.

It was different from my usual sci-fi fare, and rather refreshing.

I would definitely recommend it!

Hm... That does sound interesting. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thank you for the recommendation!

[Gravy]

I just finished John Scalzi's "Head On."

A great read, it played out as a sort of near-future murder investigation.

Scalzi created a very interesting, believable future setting, and used it wonderfully as the backdrop and partial driver of the story, without getting too over-the-top with the violence or getting bogged down in technical details.

It was different from my usual sci-fi fare, and rather refreshing.

I would definitely recommend it!

I have his Lock In waiting for me. So many books, so little time.

[gali]

I just finished John Scalzi's "Head On."

A great read, it played out as a sort of near-future murder investigation.

Scalzi created a very interesting, believable future setting, and used it wonderfully as the backdrop and partial driver of the story, without getting too over-the-top with the violence or getting bogged down in technical details.

It was different from my usual sci-fi fare, and rather refreshing.

I would definitely recommend it!

Thank you, I added the book to my TBR list.

[Heidi M Simone]

I have read " Zeva-Book 1 by Tesha Finley. It has a very light science fiction element and some fantasy elements. Although the plot was a bit predictable, I enjoyed it. The story moved at a reasonable pace,and I never got bored at any point of time. It wasn't well edited, though. I noticed quite a few grammatical errors. I would recommend this read to YA.

I think that I will choose another book for this month, but Steampunk this time. I love Steampunk!

Okay, so I have officially finished this one, and I'm afraid it was a bit disappointing. You're right, it had very light science fiction (an alien race called Zevian here to protect Earth). However, I don't think the author fully explored how were the Zevians protecting Earth, except in time of war. For instance, why were Tristan and his dad stationed on Earth for a year?

The young love would probably appeal to YA, but as I have said before the back-and-forth of wanting to be together and couldn't be together, just to end up together was too annoying for me . However, with the editing issues, I'm not sure if this would be the best example of good literature for younger people to be exposed to.

The plot was easy to follow, but more-or-less predictable. I think the book could have been 100-150 pages shorter and the story would still be the same. I also thought its message to young girls about relationships left a stale taste in my mouth.

With that being, I gave the book a 1 out of 4 stars. Oh well, here's hoping my next read will be better!

[gali]

I have read " Zeva-Book 1 by Tesha Finley. It has a very light science fiction element and some fantasy elements. Although the plot was a bit predictable, I enjoyed it. The story moved at a reasonable pace,and I never got bored at any point of time. It wasn't well edited, though. I noticed quite a few grammatical errors. I would recommend this read to YA.

I think that I will choose another book for this month, but Steampunk this time. I love Steampunk!

Okay, so I have officially finished this one, and I'm afraid it was a bit disappointing. You're right, it had very light science fiction (an alien race called Zevian here to protect Earth). However, I don't think the author fully explored how were the Zevians protecting Earth, except in time of war. For instance, why were Tristan and his dad stationed on Earth for a year?

The young love would probably appeal to YA, but as I have said before the back-and-forth of wanting to be together and couldn't be together, just to end up together was too annoying for me . However, with the editing issues, I'm not sure if this would be the best example of good literature for younger people to be exposed to.

The plot was easy to follow, but more-or-less predictable. I think the book could have been 100-150 pages shorter and the story would still be the same. I also thought its message to young girls about relationships left a stale taste in my mouth.

With that being, I gave the book a 1 out of 4 stars. Oh well, here's hoping my next read will be better!

I gave it 2 out of 4 stars as I enjoyed parts of it. I agree about sending the wrong message.

lol The back-and-forth of wanting to be together irritated me as well.

[Alice in Scotland]

I was introduced to the steampunk genre by The Engine Woman's LIght by Lauryn Hill. All the technical details were amazing; I gave it 3 out of 4 stars because the heroine was almost constantly in physical discomfort, somehow. Despite that, I did enjoy it a lot and it stayed in my mind.

[Nidhi1603]

This is great. Want to read this now!

[Gravy]

Welcome to our July Genre Discussion! As there was a tie between two genres, I decided to focus on Steampunk/Science Fiction for this month, and the other genre next month.

• Steampunk can be considered as "a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery."
• Science Fiction can be thought of as, "a genre of speculative fiction, typically dealing with imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, spaceflight, time travel, and extraterrestrial life."

- What did you read this month for our genre discussion?
- Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
- What trait(s) made the book you chose unique to this genre?
- Would you recommend this read?

I read two this month!

My first was a reread of the first Lazarus graphic novel.
I actually loved it even more, because I got even more out of it. Not only is it an apt read for this point in time, I know things I didn't before.
It's a dystopian future world, and the main character is a genetical engineered human.
(Not to sound like a broken record, but...) YES!!!

Second book: Unwind by Neal Shusterman
I enjoyed it, and love the premise, but was not fully impressed by the execution.
Again, a dystopian future world. After a second civil war, fought between pro-choicers and pro-lifers, peace is achieved by making all abortion illegal, but allowing parents to have their children unwound any time between their 13th and 18th birthday. The unwinding process (basically a human chop shop, but the person is alive and conscious the entire time) is actually shown in the book, from the POV of an unwind, and is rather disturbing. It was actually the part of the book that impressed me most, writing-wise.

Not great character developement, but would recommend on the premise alone.

[gali]

Welcome to our July Genre Discussion! As there was a tie between two genres, I decided to focus on Steampunk/Science Fiction for this month, and the other genre next month.

• Steampunk can be considered as "a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery."
• Science Fiction can be thought of as, "a genre of speculative fiction, typically dealing with imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, spaceflight, time travel, and extraterrestrial life."

- What did you read this month for our genre discussion?
- Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
- What trait(s) made the book you chose unique to this genre?
- Would you recommend this read?

I read two this month!

My first was a reread of the first Lazarus graphic novel.
I actually loved it even more, because I got even more out of it. Not only is it an apt read for this point in time, I know things I didn't before.
It's a dystopian future world, and the main character is a genetical engineered human.
(Not to sound like a broken record, but...) YES!!!

Second book: Unwind by Neal Shusterman
I enjoyed it, and love the premise, but was not fully impressed by the execution.
Again, a dystopian future world. After a second civil war, fought between pro-choicers and pro-lifers, peace is achieved by making all abortion illegal, but allowing parents to have their children unwound any time between their 13th and 18th birthday. The unwinding process (basically a human chop shop, but the person is alive and conscious the entire time) is actually shown in the book, from the POV of an unwind, and is rather disturbing. It was actually the part of the book that impressed me most, writing-wise.

Not great character developement, but would recommend on the premise alone.

"Unwind" is on my reading list. I understand it is part of a series. Does it stand on its own?

[Gravy]

Welcome to our July Genre Discussion! As there was a tie between two genres, I decided to focus on Steampunk/Science Fiction for this month, and the other genre next month.

• Steampunk can be considered as "a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery."
• Science Fiction can be thought of as, "a genre of speculative fiction, typically dealing with imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, spaceflight, time travel, and extraterrestrial life."

- What did you read this month for our genre discussion?
- Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?
- What trait(s) made the book you chose unique to this genre?
- Would you recommend this read?

I read two this month!

My first was a reread of the first Lazarus graphic novel.
I actually loved it even more, because I got even more out of it. Not only is it an apt read for this point in time, I know things I didn't before.
It's a dystopian future world, and the main character is a genetical engineered human.
(Not to sound like a broken record, but...) YES!!!

Second book: Unwind by Neal Shusterman
I enjoyed it, and love the premise, but was not fully impressed by the execution.
Again, a dystopian future world. After a second civil war, fought between pro-choicers and pro-lifers, peace is achieved by making all abortion illegal, but allowing parents to have their children unwound any time between their 13th and 18th birthday. The unwinding process (basically a human chop shop, but the person is alive and conscious the entire time) is actually shown in the book, from the POV of an unwind, and is rather disturbing. It was actually the part of the book that impressed me most, writing-wise.

Not great character developement, but would recommend on the premise alone.

"Unwind" is on my reading list. I understand it is part of a series. Does it stand on its own?

It has a complete story. If I had decided not to continue the series, I would have been okay with the way the book ended.

However, from what I've been able to find, there are only 4 books (and a short story collection), and they're all released.

[gali]

I read two this month!

My first was a reread of the first Lazarus graphic novel.
I actually loved it even more, because I got even more out of it. Not only is it an apt read for this point in time, I know things I didn't before.
It's a dystopian future world, and the main character is a genetical engineered human.
(Not to sound like a broken record, but...) YES!!!

Second book: Unwind by Neal Shusterman
I enjoyed it, and love the premise, but was not fully impressed by the execution.
Again, a dystopian future world. After a second civil war, fought between pro-choicers and pro-lifers, peace is achieved by making all abortion illegal, but allowing parents to have their children unwound any time between their 13th and 18th birthday. The unwinding process (basically a human chop shop, but the person is alive and conscious the entire time) is actually shown in the book, from the POV of an unwind, and is rather disturbing. It was actually the part of the book that impressed me most, writing-wise.

Not great character developement, but would recommend on the premise alone.

"Unwind" is on my reading list. I understand it is part of a series. Does it stand on its own?

It has a complete story. If I had decided not to continue the series, I would have been okay with the way the book ended.

However, from what I've been able to find, there are only 4 books (and a short story collection), and they're all released.

Thank you. I don't know if I want to read the whole series, but I may read this one.