Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter

Today, during our monthly book chat, I had the pleasure of welcoming some new Steampunk readers to the CommuniTea! What an absolute delight and a perfect reminder to share my favourite book recommendations for those new to the genre. These run the gamut of flavours from the cosy to the spooky and everything in between. Happy reading!

Soulless by Gail Carriger — This is the book that inspired my abiding affection for Steampunk. Naturally, I recommend it–and give it!–all the time. This is the delightful, engrossing start to the Parasol Protectorate series, which dives right into the expansive Parasolverse. This book and the rest of the series really satisfies my longing for Jane Austen, cosy comedy, found family, witty repartee, and a hint of mystery. It’s a comedy of manners, a love story, and cosy steampunk adventure in one thoroughly splendid book!

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest — For those readers who love some gritty adventure, a tiny amount of horror–there are zombies!–and some dystopian ambience. This was a real page burner for me. The first time I read it, I could not put it down, and whilst I am not a horror fan, the scary elements were things that were not too much for me. The world building is incredible, and this starts off a series of books that can all be read as stand alone novels. My favourite thing with any piece by Cherie Priest is the writerly love she gives to her characters. Their humanity just pours out of the page. For those who like less cosy and more weird science and mad invention with their Steampunk, this is an absolutely brilliant read!

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark — I’ve made no secret that P. Djèlí Clark is one of my favourite authors, and I adore what he has been writing over the last decade. His prose is luscious and he is an incredible storyteller, drawing me in immediately to whatever he’s written. But this! This is the stunning full length novel in his Dead Djinn universe. (To start the series, read the excellent short story “Dead Djinn in Cairo.”) I adore recommending this to readers who appreciate mystery, LGBTQ stories, a hint of a love story, Alt-history, and urban fantasy that pulls on mythology. Honestly, however, I feel that it is an excellent recommendation to anyone who enjoys a little fantasy in their historical urban fantasy experience.

Guns Above by Robyn Bennis — This is by far the best airship focused Steampunk book I have ever read. More than that, Robyn Bennis creates an incredibly engaging world, brilliant snarky characters, and an absolutely riveting story. There is also a sequel for those who love to really immerse themselves in a world. This is one of my favourite Steampunk books to recommend to people who love Science Fiction adventure, war stories that are thoughtful, a little found family, alt history, and a little more engineering in their Sci-Fi.

Everfair by Nisi Shawl — One of the most literary of Steampunk novels I have read, it is a brilliant book. With a strong alt-history component, a story that ranges over decades, and a very thoughtful approach to the way that culture and history interact, this is the sort of weighty, poignant book that will draw in the reader and inspire countless hours of deep thought. Shawl delivers a master class of writing with this novel, but it is not an easy or quick read. It is, however, a book that stands up to re-reading. I love recommending this to literary fiction readers or folks who ask how Steampunk addresses colonialism and the more harrowing elements of the 19th century.

Dr. Marvellus Djinn’s Odd Scholars by B. Sharise Moore — This was one of our book club reads in 2022 and I immediately fell in love! Such a charming, engaging story and all around fantastic young adult read! I would happily read more set in this world as B. Sherise Moore does a marvelous–ahem–job of creating her world and populating it with delightful characters. Not only does she weave in interesting history, but she also breathes so much life into her world that it was easy to get lost in her story. This is a book I adore recommending to Young Adult readers of all ages but it is an excellent choice for the young folks who want to get into Steampunk.

The Tales of Peavley Manor (Or, Macalley Gets It Together) by Robert Dahlen — An often overlooked treasure in the Steampunk treasury, this delightful collection features four cosy novellas filled with found family, quirky adventures, cheeky humour, and delicious treats! (Don’t read these without a good cuppa and a plat of biscuits nearby.) Dahlen infuses his Steampunk world with a perfect balance of magic and whimsy paired with a generous dollop of fantastical contraptions. All of the Peavley Manor tales, featuring dear Alice and her chums, are an absolutely perfect offering for those readers who enjoy warm, cottage-core stories. They are a hug on a page.