Books matching: steampunk world
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- #1
Save:A rollicking, imaginative, and accessible steampunk adventure - perfect for fans of alternate history, action, and inventive world-building. Start with Leviathan and buckle up for a wild ride!
In the series 'Leviathan' by Scott Westerfeld, the book 'Behemoth' takes readers to an alternate history of WWI where Darwinists with genetically fabricated creatures clash with Clankers and their mechanical inventions. The story follows the adventures of Deryn, a girl disguised as a boy in the military, and Alek, a prince in hiding after his parents were assassinated. Set in Istanbul, the plot involves diplomacy, sabotage, revolution, and tricky decisions about loyalties. The narrative is filled with epic battles, shocking twists, and a blend of historical facts altered to fit the steampunk world created by Westerfeld.
Deryn hefted her own weapon, studying Alek’s pose. His feet were splayed at right angles, his left arm sticking out behind like the handle of a teacup. His fencing armor made him look like a walking q... - #2
Save:Imaginative and full of heart, Leviathan is a steampunk adventure with brilliant world-building and energy to spare. If you want a fun, visually rich romp with inventive alternate history and plucky teen heroes, this is your ticket. Just be ready for a cliffhanger!
In an alternate history version of World War I, 'Leviathan' by Scott Westerfeld follows the stories of Alek, the young heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Deryn, a girl disguised as a boy in the British air fleet. The narrative explores their encounters as they navigate the war between the Clankers and Darwinists, featuring giant mechanical monsters and genetically engineered creatures. The book is praised for its vivid worldbuilding, engaging characters, and the dual narrative approach that offers a fresh perspective on the historical events.
'Leviathan' is noted for its fast-paced, action-packed storyline set in a steampunk alternative history of WWI. The book introduces a rich and imaginative universe where the Darwinists and Clankers clash with their distinct war machines, providing a unique twist on the familiar historical setting. The dual perspectives of the main characters, Alek and Deryn, offer a compelling narrative that blends elements of adventure, fantasy, and humanity, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read for young adults.
Alek turned back to his desk and began to move the cavalry forward, grinning as the battle neared its climax. The Austrian walkers had completed their bombardment, and it was time for the tin horses t...September 2009•444 pages - #3
Save:A wildly fun, smart steampunk adventure with memorable characters and heart-melting romance - perfect for readers who want action, swoon, and spectacle all in one package!
THE KRAKEN KING by Meljean Brook follows Zenobia Fox, a writer who embarks on a journey to Australia for a taste of adventure. However, her safe travel turns perilous when the ship is attacked, leading her to meet Ariq, the Kraken King. As Zenobia and Ariq navigate their relationship, they must learn to trust each other and communicate in a world filled with political intrigue, danger, and romance.
He left in his mountain walker just before dawn. Meeng yawned in the gunner’s seat and was asleep again before they passed through the town gates, where a dying kraken’s monstrous tentacles still slit... - #4
Save:A rollicking steampunk adventure where a tough-as-nails captain and a rogue adventurer chase treasure, dodge zombies, and trade sharp banter. It’s lighter on romance than book one but full of action, wit, and heart - perfect for fans of strong heroines, witty heroes, and genre-blending fun.
'Heart of Steel' in 'The Iron Seas' series by Meljean Brook follows the adventure of ruthless pirate queen Yasmeen and the zombie-killing adventurer Archimedes Fox. The plot involves evading assassins, fighting zombies, searching for treasure, hunting murderers, and sparking a city's rebellion. The writing style is described as having rolicking steampunk elements, with well-developed characters and intricate world-building. The story unfolds as the protagonists navigate through complex backgrounds and a slow-building heartwarming romance.
Yasmeen hadn’t had any reason to fly her airship into thesmall Danish township of Fladstrand before, but her reputation had obviously preceded her. All along the Scandinavian coast, rum dives served a... - #5
Save:A dazzling, immersive steampunk classic that’s big on atmosphere and ideas, but less so on coherent plot or emotional connection - best enjoyed for the ride, not the destination.
'The Difference Engine' by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling is an alternative history novel set in a Victorian England where steam-powered technology has advanced to the point of creating mechanical computers. The book explores the consequences of Charles Babbage completing his steam-powered computer, the Difference Engine, and the societal changes brought about by this technological advancement. The plot follows multiple storylines that intertwine, involving intrigue, civil disorder, and a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery surrounding stolen computer cards.
The writing style of 'The Difference Engine' is described as detailed and immersive, painting a vivid picture of an alternate Victorian landscape where industrialism and early computing have triumphed over traditional political and social structures. The narrative is noted for its complexity, with some readers finding the plot convoluted yet fascinating, while others struggled to follow the multiple intertwining storylines and found the characters lacking depth and consistency.
Below her, in a neglected formal garden, leafless vines lace wooden trellises on whitewashed, flaking walls. From the open windows of her sickroom, a warm draft stirs the loose white hair at her neck,...1990•478 pages - #6
Save:A refreshingly unique fantasy adventure with imaginative world-building and a slow-burn hero’s journey. Worth a try for anyone craving something different - even if it won’t click with absolutely everyone.
In the book 'Senlin Ascends' by Josiah Bancroft, readers are introduced to Thomas Senlin, a bookish headmaster on a honeymoon trip to the Tower of Babel with his wife Marya. However, the tower turns out to be a mysterious and perilous place, vastly different from what Senlin had imagined. When Marya goes missing, Senlin is forced to navigate through a world of vice and wonder within the tower to find her. The story unfolds in a setting where each level of the tower is like a city, showcasing a blend of 17th-19th century European and Middle Eastern culture with steampunk elements, creating a grand and adventurous world full of strange and wondrous things.
The narrative follows Senlin's journey of resilience, resourcefulness, and tenacity as he faces unexpected challenges and dark corners within the tower. The book is praised for its unique fantasy elements, character development, and the way it intertwines themes of gender, power, violence, and love. The writing style is described as engaging, delightful, and subtly poetic, painting a vivid picture of a world that is both fantastical and deeply human.
The Tower of Babel is most famous for the silk fineries and marvelous airships it produces, but visitors will discover other intangible exports. Whimsy, adventure, and romance are the Tower’s real tra...2013•415 pages - #7
Save:Boneshaker is a creative and atmospheric steampunk adventure, packed with airships, gadgets, and zombies - a wild ride for fans of imaginative genre fiction, but may not win over those unmoved by steampunk or the undead.
In the alternate history novel "Boneshaker" by Cherie Priest, set in nineteenth-century Seattle, a catastrophic event leads to the release of a poisonous gas that turns people into zombies. Briar Wilkes, a widow with a complicated past, ventures into the walled-off city filled with the living dead to find her son Zeke, who has gone in search of answers about his father's involvement in the disaster. The story unfolds with elements of steampunk, air pirates, survival horror, and a touch of family drama, creating a unique and thrilling narrative that keeps readers engaged until the very end.
The book is praised for its well-developed characters, particularly Briar and Zeke, and their compelling mother-son dynamic. The intricate world-building, blending steampunk technology with a zombie-infested setting, adds depth to the story. The writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of action, suspense, and moments of reflection that keep the pacing dynamic and the plot intriguing, making "Boneshaker" a standout entry in the steampunk genre.
Her shoulders lost their stiff, defensive right angles, and she shook her head. “That figures. I swear to God, all the men in my life, they…” She stopped herself. And then she said, “My father was a t...September 2009•426 pages - #8
Save:A bold, inventive steampunk adventure with a fierce heroine and a gritty world, but it’s not afraid to go dark or make you uncomfortable. If you love immersive action and don’t mind problematic heroes or heavy themes, it’s a must-try. If you need your romances gentle or hate info dumps, proceed with caution.
"The Iron Duke" by Meljean Brook is a steampunk romance novel set in an alternate history where England has just liberated itself from the conquering Horde. The story follows the Iron Duke, Rhys Trahearn, a former pirate turned hero, and Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth, a strong and sassy protagonist with a complex background. As they investigate a murder that unveils a vast conspiracy, the plot unfolds with elements of romance, adventure, zombies, nanobots, and airships. The writing style is praised for its world-building, intricate dystopian setting, and adult-themed exploration of dark human elements.
Mina hadn’t predicted that sugar would wreck the Marchioness of Hartington’s ball; she’d thought the dancing would. Their hostess’s good humor had weathered them through the discovery that fewer than...2010•399 pages - #9
Save:A fast-paced, character-driven fantasy romp with charm and humor to spare - perfect for fans of found family and slow-burn adventure, but maybe not for world-building sticklers or those craving hard-edged realism.
In "The Emperor's Edge" by Lindsay Buroker, readers are introduced to Amaranthe Lokdon, a female enforcer in an imperial city where women in martial careers are viewed with suspicion. When Amaranthe uncovers a plot to assassinate the emperor, she is tasked with taking down the deadly assassin Sicarius to secure a promotion. Along the way, she forms a team of outlaws with unique skills, navigates double-crosses and quick thinking, and showcases creative problem-solving in a fast-paced urban fantasy world with a touch of steampunk elements.
Corporal Amaranthe Lokdon paced. Her short sword, night stick, and handcuffs bumped and clanked at her thighs with each impatient step. Enforcer Headquarters frowned down at her, an ominous gray cliff...2010•349 pages - #10
Save:A wildly inventive, action-packed YA adventure set in a world where cities hunt cities - perfect for fans of imaginative steampunk and breakneck storytelling, as long as you don’t mind a bit of YA simplicity or suspend-your-disbelief worldbuilding.
In a post-apocalyptic world where traction cities roam the wastelands devouring each other for survival, "Mortal Engines" follows the journey of Tom, an apprentice, and Hester, a mysterious assassin, as they unravel a sinister plot in the mobile city of London. The story is filled with action, adventure, and complex characters navigating themes of environmentalism, colonialism, and survival. The writing style is fast-paced, engaging, and at times dark, appealing to both young adult and adult readers with its dystopian setting and intricate world-building.
In happier times, London would never have bothered with such feeble prey. The great Traction City had once spent its days hunting far bigger towns than this, ranging north as far as the edges of the I...2001•399 pages
