So You Want To Read Steampunk? Try This List
Posting with reference to the steampunk subgenre, as I did over the past two Mondays, made me reflect on some of the reads that are well regarded in the genre, which generally features mechanical and steam technology and an alternate Victoria age.
This post is my first stab at a list — but do add more through the comments. The only order is alphabetical (and all “The’s” are “silent”.)
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers
Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
The Clockwork Angel and sequels (Infernal Devices series) by Cassandra Clare
The Difference Engine by William Gibson & Bruce Sterling
Girl Genius Online — the graphic novel series is available three times a week at Girl Genius Online.
The Golden Compass and sequels (His Dark Materials series) by Philip Pullman.
Leviathan and sequels by Scott Westerfeld
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
Phoenix Rising (and sequels in the A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series) by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris
Soulless (& Parasol Protectorate sequels) by Gail Carriger
So what else would you add to the list?
It’s a bit of a stretch, but what about Neal Stephenson and “Diamond Age ” . There are elements of Steam Punk in that
With the Victorian ‘subculture’, I guess… Although with nanotech and the Mouse Army it’s very much cyberpunk as well. And parts of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Apt series have steampunk elements, too, as does Mary Victoria’s Chronicles of the Tree. All great reads, which is the important thing.
The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis … just published last year. It’s steampunk and rifle military adventures, following the first female airship captain. It also has an amazing sense of humor about it. The second installment is due in 2018, I think.
It sounds great, Kristen. I was thinking, too, that I should have mentioned Naomi Novak’s Temeraire, which while not steampunk as such, has some overtones in terms of the period and technology.
Helen
I’ve read a couple of those, but great to get more recommendations.. LOVE the genre. Thanks
Ngā mihi
Robin
Yes, it’s a fab form of Fantasy/SciFi (since can have a bit of both, in fact may be what makes the subgenre.) 🙂