Corsets & Clockwork
Corsets & Clockwork is a short-story anthology of steampunk romances. This was my first foray into the world of steampunk, and I found it a fascinating trip. Steampunk stories are often set in a quasi-Victorian or alternative-history world where the supernatural merges with nineteenth-century inventiveness. I found this collection of stories a delightful introduction to the genre.
Because the anthology features a mix of authors, the quality of writing varies from the poetic to the clunky, but I was impressed with the intrigue, creativity, plot, and characters of every story. The settings vary from the typical steampunk Victorian London to Poland under Nazi rule to America’s Old West and more. In addition to the typical human characters, these stories are sprinkled with delightful demigods, clockwork mannequins, responsible vampires, Siamese twins, and a host of other creative creatures. Marketed to the young adult audience, these romances focus on newfound love and stolen kisses, without the bodice-ripping. But why should the young have all the fun? I recommend this to older readers as well.
