Steampunk

REVIEW: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Science Fiction/Fairy Tale
Audience: Young Adult

Summary: This is the story of Cinderella, but with a twist.  Cinderella is “Cinder” a cyborg who is a gifted mechanic and citizen of New Beijing.  As her world suddenly changes, Cinder becomes involved with intergalactic politics, a handsome prince, and some surprising news about her heritage the could change the world as she and everyone around her knows it.

Lucinda’s Views:  As one of many fairy tale variants available on today’s shelves, I must say this has been one of the most enjoyable to read.  I found the story to be engaging, well-written and just “twisted” enough to be a thoroughly new experience.  Cinder as a cyborg and the issues that are raised about how “human” could a cyborg or even an android be give one food for thought. Also the premise that a fairy tale heroine could be anything but a Disney look-alike just really tickles the heck out of me.  So if you like your heroines sassy, a bit rough around the edges, and in no way stereotypical, check out this book!

P.S. there is also a prequel to this story (no spoilers present).  It is called Glitches and be found here.

REVIEW: The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger

Rating:3.5/5
Audience: Young Adult/Adult
Genre: Steampunk/Vampire/Werewolf

Summary: This delightful comedy of manners set in the late Victorian Era, details the adventures of Alexia Tarabotti, a woman who is a preternatural.  In other words, she has no soul and her touch causes vampires and werewolves to revert to their former human selves, thus rendering them no longer immortal.  Alexia is a quiet spinster just trying to survive life with a vacuous mother and selfish half-sisters, when adventure suddenly finds her.  Join Alexia as she snares a great catch for herself on the marriage mart, foils several plots to kill Queen Victoria, and learns what constitutes proper dress for dirigible travel. This series starts off with Soulless and is followed by Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, and the soon-to-be published Timeless. (2012)

Changeless     Blameless    Heartless  Timeless
Lucinda’s Views:  This series, is a delightful romp through Victorian England.  However, it is a Victorian England where vampires and werewolves move through high society.  An England where the Queen has werewolf bodyguards and their existence is not a secret.  Alexia, is a complex, but pragmatic character whose soullessness is supplemented by her cool, almost sarcastic logic.  If you enjoy the ins and outs of Victorian etiquette and love a good intrigue, with a dash of romance thrown in you will enjoy this series.  As the series progresses, the characters become more complex and develop surprising depths.   Part of these developments include surprising revelations concerning the nature of Alexia’s union with Lord Maccon,  revelations concerning the unflappable Professor Lyall, and a whole new view of Lord Akledama’s drone Biffy.  On the whole, an entertaining read for fans of the steampunk genre.

REVIEW: The Girl in the Steel Corset

Rating: 2/5 Stars
Audience: Young Adult/Teen
Genre: Steampunk

Summary:  After fighting off the advances of a wicked employer, Finley Jayne seeks to unite her dual supernatural nature with the help of a handsome, young duke, Griffin King,  who also shows signs of supernatural powers.  While attempting to reconcile her two halves, Finley attempts to thwart a plot to harm Victoria, the aging monarch and finds herself making some extraordinary new friends in the group that surrounds the Duke.

Lucinda’s thoughts:  I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the title and the cover art. However, the book did not live up to the promise of its title or cover.  While an entertaining enough read, it fell flat with me.  I could not seem to get attached to any of the characters as their development was very superficial. In addition, there are too many of them to allow for any real attachments.  Of course, the fast paced fight scenes and kung-fu fisticuffs are entertaining and there is an evil plot to replace Queen Victoria with an automaton thrown into the mix.  On the whole, though, I was severely unimpressed by this book.  I would give it a pass and just admire the pretty cover art.