Steampunk Genre Discussion

For May 2016, we will be reading Steampunk!
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kio
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Steampunk Genre Discussion

Post by kio »

Steampunk is defined as “a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.” To me, this genre is a “What-if” genre. It can take place in any time period from the 19th century on, but typically sticks to the etiquette of that time period. Magic may exist as long as the novel sticks to the steam-powered technology. The idea is that, instead of electricity taking off, steam power did.

So, for this month's discussion, consider these questions:

1. What book did you read? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?

2. What other genres did it incorporate?

3. How does the book you read adapt steam-powered technology to work like electricity?

4. How does this genre different from other types of fiction you've read?


Have fun :)
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

I finished my steampunk book!

1) The Golden Owl by Lana Axe. I highly recommend it! It is such a cute story about an unlikely pair, a tinkered cat and an ordinary mouse, who come together and save the day. The writing style is easily accessible to children, but as an adult, I was also able to enjoy the read.

2) It's also definitely a children's book and a little thriller/action (children's version, of course).

3) Cali's basic senses has been tinkered by her human friend and inventor, Lionel. Her ability to see things from a far distance is mentioned quite frequently, and it is due to the technology instilled in her. As far as steam-powered? I'm thinking her ability to jump extremely long distances with ease are all due to steam-powered technology to work like electricity.

4) This was actually my first book in the steampunk genre. I would say it was different because the main character is more enhanced, through the use of technology, than what I'm used to (especially for a cat!).

I loved this book, and I'm glad steampunk was chosen for May's genre because it made me try something new! :)
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Post by Vermont Reviews »

hsimone wrote:I finished my steampunk book!

1) The Golden Owl by Lana Axe. I highly recommend it! It is such a cute story about an unlikely pair, a tinkered cat and an ordinary mouse, who come together and save the day. The writing style is easily accessible to children, but as an adult, I was also able to enjoy the read.

2) It's also definitely a children's book and a little thriller/action (children's version, of course).

3) Cali's basic senses has been tinkered by her human friend and inventor, Lionel. Her ability to see things from a far distance is mentioned quite frequently, and it is due to the technology instilled in her. As far as steam-powered? I'm thinking her ability to jump extremely long distances with ease are all due to steam-powered technology to work like electricity.

4) This was actually my first book in the steampunk genre. I would say it was different because the main character is more enhanced, through the use of technology, than what I'm used to (especially for a cat!).

I loved this book, and I'm glad steampunk was chosen for May's genre because it made me try something new! :)
Sound excellent.

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Post by batkinson6490 »

I just picked up "The Parasol Protectorate" series by Gail Carriger. I am a little ways in but I love it so far!!!
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

Vermont Reviews wrote: Sound excellent.

Vermont Reviews
It really was. :D

-- 26 May 2016, 20:56 --
batkinson6490 wrote:I just picked up "The Parasol Protectorate" series by Gail Carriger. I am a little ways in but I love it so far!!!
Awesome! You'll have to let us know how you like it! :)
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Post by LarkSpur25 »

I haven't read steam punk before but am interested in it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few good books in this genre to start with?
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Post by Vermont Reviews »

LarkSpur25 wrote:I haven't read steam punk before but am interested in it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few good books in this genre to start with?

Check out Steampunk Fairy Tales on Amazon

It is free I believe.

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Post by LarkSpur25 »

Vermont Reviews wrote:
LarkSpur25 wrote:I haven't read steam punk before but am interested in it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few good books in this genre to start with?

Check out Steampunk Fairy Tales on Amazon

It is free I believe.

Vermont Reviews

Thank You! I'll be sure to check it out!
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Post by gali »

LarkSpur25 wrote:
Vermont Reviews wrote:
LarkSpur25 wrote:I haven't read steam punk before but am interested in it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few good books in this genre to start with?

Check out Steampunk Fairy Tales on Amazon

It is free I believe.

Vermont Reviews

Thank You! I'll be sure to check it out!
Also look here: Steampunk Genre Discussion Help
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Post by Gravy »

I read Clockwork Fairtales a while back. I didn't enjoy every story (it's an anthology), but I enjoyed it overall, and one of the stories I really loved :)
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Post by gali »

hsimone wrote:I finished my steampunk book!

1) The Golden Owl by Lana Axe. I highly recommend it! It is such a cute story about an unlikely pair, a tinkered cat and an ordinary mouse, who come together and save the day. The writing style is easily accessible to children, but as an adult, I was also able to enjoy the read.

2) It's also definitely a children's book and a little thriller/action (children's version, of course).

3) Cali's basic senses has been tinkered by her human friend and inventor, Lionel. Her ability to see things from a far distance is mentioned quite frequently, and it is due to the technology instilled in her. As far as steam-powered? I'm thinking her ability to jump extremely long distances with ease are all due to steam-powered technology to work like electricity.

4) This was actually my first book in the steampunk genre. I would say it was different because the main character is more enhanced, through the use of technology, than what I'm used to (especially for a cat!).

I loved this book, and I'm glad steampunk was chosen for May's genre because it made me try something new! :)
Thank you, sounds to my taste. I will start it today. :)
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

Vermont Reviews wrote:
LarkSpur25 wrote:I haven't read steam punk before but am interested in it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few good books in this genre to start with?

Check out Steampunk Fairy Tales on Amazon

It is free I believe.

Vermont Reviews
Hm...that does sound interesting. Yes, you are right, Vermont Reviews, the kindle version is free!

-- 27 May 2016, 09:17 --
gali wrote:
hsimone wrote:I finished my steampunk book!

1) The Golden Owl by Lana Axe. I highly recommend it! It is such a cute story about an unlikely pair, a tinkered cat and an ordinary mouse, who come together and save the day. The writing style is easily accessible to children, but as an adult, I was also able to enjoy the read.

2) It's also definitely a children's book and a little thriller/action (children's version, of course).

3) Cali's basic senses has been tinkered by her human friend and inventor, Lionel. Her ability to see things from a far distance is mentioned quite frequently, and it is due to the technology instilled in her. As far as steam-powered? I'm thinking her ability to jump extremely long distances with ease are all due to steam-powered technology to work like electricity.

4) This was actually my first book in the steampunk genre. I would say it was different because the main character is more enhanced, through the use of technology, than what I'm used to (especially for a cat!).

I loved this book, and I'm glad steampunk was chosen for May's genre because it made me try something new! :)
Thank you, sounds to my taste. I will start it today. :)
Awesome, let me know what you think! :)
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Post by gali »

Vermont Reviews wrote:
LarkSpur25 wrote:I haven't read steam punk before but am interested in it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a few good books in this genre to start with?

Check out Steampunk Fairy Tales on Amazon

It is free I believe.

Vermont Reviews
Thank you, got it as well. :)

-- May 27th, 2016, 10:32 am --
hsimone wrote:

Awesome, let me know what you think! :)
Of course. :)
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

gali wrote:
hsimone wrote:
Awesome, let me know what you think! :)
Of course. :)
:handgestures-thumbup:

-- 27 May 2016, 09:41 --
Gravy wrote:I read Clockwork Fairtales a while back. I didn't enjoy every story (it's an anthology), but I enjoyed it overall, and one of the stories I really loved :)
Gravy, which story did you love?
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Post by Gravy »

:oops:

I can't remember the name, or the author.....
I'll go see if I can find a list of the stories, I'm pretty sure it was the last one!

-- 27 May 2016, 01:55 --

Okay, I found the table of contents:
TABLE OF CONTENTS

La Valse by K. W. Jeter

Fair Vasyl by Steven Harper

The Hollow Hounds by Kat Richardson

The Kings of Mount Golden by Paul Di Filippo

You Will Attend Until Beauty Awakens by Jay Lake

Mose and the Automatic Fireman by Nancy A. Collins

The Clockwork Suit by G. K. Hayes

The Steampiper, the Stovepiper, and the Pied Piper of New Hamelin, Texas, by Gregory Nicoll

The Mechanical Wings by Pip Ballantine
I was right, it was The Mechanical Wings :)
I also enjoyed Fair Vasyl, and The Hollow Hounds.
The others I either didn't enjoy as much, or can't really remember (it was over a year ago that I read it, so a bit more than a while, now that I think of it :lol: ).
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