Steampunk

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Page edited by Kate Dylewski, Natalie Filkoski, and Heather Verran

===Steampunk derives from the romantic elegance of the Victorian era and blends in modern scientific advances as well as imaginative technologies such as steam-driven robots, analog supercomputers, and ultramodern dirigibles. It is a sub-genre of science fiction but Steampunk novels can include romance, mystery and even "[|alternate history]" in its pages. The most common setting is in an era where [|steam power] is still a major source of power (like Victorian England).===



===Steampunk fiction first became popular in the 1980s, when writers such as [|K.W. Jeter], who coined the term "Steampunk", [|James Blaylock] and [| Tim Powers] began publishing novels. The origins of this genre, however, can be traced back to as early as 1864 with authors like [|H.G. Wells] and [|Jules Verne]. Below are a few of the most popular Steampunk works of today but a comprehensive list is available [|here] as well as any book seller site.===

=**Steamed: A Steampunk Romance**= by Katie MacAlister ====Computer technician Jack Fletcher is thrown from modern-day 2010 to an alternate universe in this genre-mixing, airship-set adventure. McAlister tells the story of the airship //Tesla//'s Captain Octavia Pye and computer tech Jack Fletcher and how their lives become inextricably intertwined in a freak accident. While Jack is diligently working in his lab one day, Jack’s sister accidentally interferes with an important piece of equipment that throws them both into an alternate 2010: one filled with Victorian clothing, airships, aether guns, steampower- and a beautiful airship captain with the reddest hair Jack has ever seen. Jack (a steampunk fan in modern times) thinks it is all a movie set at first- but as reality sets in and he and his sister try to find a way home, his heart and mind get ever more entangled in the beautiful, dangerous world- and the red-haired airship captain in it.====

=**Boneshaker**= by Cherie Priest ====Cherie Priest spins a tale of maternal love and just how far a mother will go to help her child. The story is set in an alternate 1880s history in which Civil-War era Seattle has been annihilated, supposedly by mad scientist Leviticus Blue (who died in the accident). Blue’s son Zeke Wilkes becomes determined to clear his father’s name, and heads into the rubble of what is left of Seattle to do so. His mother, Briar Wilkes, follows him in an airship, hoping to save her son from the horrific toxic gas that turns people into flesh-eating zombies (which Priest describes in very gruesome detail). Briar finds out that Zeke’s father may still be alive in the city, and poses a danger to Zeke. Her “simple” mother-protector trip becomes an adventurous rescue mission as unanswered question are looked into and the dead rise again.====

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This trilogy by Philip Pullman, popularized by the first book The Golden Compass, tells the story of two children – Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry. This group of Steampunk novels include elements of fantasy comprised of armoured polar bears and witches, along with things like philosophy, spirituality, and physics. The two children go through parallel universes as the world around them is experiencing epic events. Lyra is an orphan who grows up in the area of Jordan College in Oxford. In her world, everyone has an “animal familiar” – a personal dæmon (a “manifestation of a person's soul”). The books move through different worlds, starting off with a world that we are familiar with, and ending with many different worlds. The trilogy was made popular after a film adaptation was created after the first novel. Titled “The Golden Compass”, the film stars world renown actress Nicole Kidman, along with actors Daniel Craig and Ian McKellen. ======

This strange yet intriguing novel written by Gail Carriger tells the story of Alexia Tarabotti, who happens to be soulless and a spinster (how terrible!). The story is set in London and Alexia faces many social problems – for one thing, as mentioned before, she has no soul. To add to her problem, she was attacked by a vampire, which is highly inappropriate when trying to fit into the social standards of London’s high society. Accidentally killing the vampire, Alexia is left to face the mess she has gotten herself into. Although it was only an accident, she is accused of many other vampire disappearances, and is left to find out what is happening so that everyone in London can cease to gossip about her. What with vampires, werewolves, and parasols, this novel is be a funny and delicious treat that will leave you wanting more! If you enjoy this book, there are two more in the series titled Changeless and Blameless.
 * //Soulless// of the Series //The Parasol Protectorate// **
 * // By Gail Carriger //**

=Clockwork Heart=

[[image:clockwork_heart.jpg]]
The city of Ondinium is separated into sections based on class but icarii, couriers allowed to freely travel between the city’s sectors, can mix arbitrarily among the different castes. Taya, as an icarus, is allowed these rights. One day, while making deliveries, Taya foils an assassination attempt on one of the most influential and powerful families and she is drawn into the world of plots and schemes of the governing council. She becomes attracted to two brothers from an upperclass family: Cristoff and Alister Forlore who are opposites of each other. Both are hiding secrets, secrets that could forever change the city. Will Taya will be able to figure out what the Clockwork Heart program is before it’s too late?

__**What we’ve learned:**__ Not only is steampunk a unique category of popular literature, it is delightful combination of gadgets, history, fantasy, and fun. We’ve had a great time exploring all the intriguing novels steampunk has to offer. It is slowly becoming more and more popular – we’ve already seen a glimpse of how exciting steampunk novels can be created into such adventurous movies (ie The Golden Compass). We’ve also learned that steampunk, as “new” as it sounds, has actually been around for a while. H.G. Wells, well-known author born in 1866, was known for his science-fiction/steampunk writing. Do not underestimate the value of this genre of literature! The sooner you start reading these novels, the better! You will not be disappointed.

For laughs....