Madame Askew and The Grand Arbiter

Posted originally to our Patreon

Sapphic September is a month long reading challenge started by two delightful humans, Landice and Lexi, on their social media. This charming read-a-thon hopes to inspire more readers to explore more Sapphic books. In bookish spaces, authors and publishers often discuss that Sapphic books simply do not sell as well as other Queer books. Certainly, the reasons for this disparity are complex; I believe, however, there is the hope that readers simply do not know about the vast and delightful variety of books and other modes of stories that are available to the avid, interested reader.

This is the fifth year of the challenge, and I wanted to share a few of my favourite Sapphic Steampunk books to the many brilliant recommendations available via the Sapphic September social media campaign. We have read several of these books for our monthly virtual book club, the Temporal Textual Talks, so there are several gems that we have not yet read for book club.  For those of you who are not able to join us for book club, I hope you will add all of these marvelous books to your TBR list! 

Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger

Part of the Supernatural Society series within the Parasol Protectorate world, Romancing the Inventor is not only filled with all of Madame Gail’s sparkling wit and humour but also features a charming romance for beloved character Genevieve Lafoux. This is everything I adore about Carriger’s works: characters who feel like that can walk off the page, repartee that has me giggling with glee as I turn the pages, and thoroughly absurd scenarios with a wonderful fillip of mad science. 

Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear

A Temporal Textual Talks book club pick, Karen Memory welcomes the reader into a vivid world with the wry humour of our protagonist, the titular Karen. Karen’s voice is at once so sardonic and relatable that it is easy to slip right into the story and embrace her steampunk world. Bear does a brilliant job of developing the world and characters as she unfolds a thoroughly gripping story, filled with political intrigue, a fight for survival, and a poignant romance. And oh yes, there are fantastic Steampunk inventions all over the pages including my personal favourite of all time, the Sewing Machine. (A third installment in the series just arrived! I definitely recommend adding Angel Maker to your TBR as well)

Storm Song by C.L. Polk

The second book in Polk’s wonderful, queer Kingston Cycle, Storm Song combines beautiful, lyrical prose with vividly drawn characters who are as compelling as they are flawed. Infused with an intoxicating romance, the novel continues the sweeping saga of societal change and personal redemption. Polk is an absolute master of creating fascinating magic systems and pairing them with beautifully realized historical fantasy settings. “What if” unfurls across the page in a singularly logical and unstoppable pace that is at turns agonizing and inspiring. Polk understands the human condition and uses that insight to create a truly stellar novel.

Copper Cove by Robert Dahlen

Dahlen is a master of cosy Steampunk, and Copper Cove is another wonderful entry into his delightful vision of Steampunklandia. Less pastoral than Dahlen’s Peavley Manor books, Copper Cove takes us to the big city with all of the problems of class, corporate greed, and gatekeepers that one might expect from any steampunk novel exploring the endemic problems of the 19th century, but Dahlen leads the way with his signature warmth, kindness, and charming humour. Even with the nail-biting action and high-stakes moments, there is still a halcion glow that Dahlen imbues into his very best characters and their circle of friends.  Copper Cove is a splendid blend of daring escapades and wholesome romance. This is a book best read with a cup of tea and a plate of treats at the ready. 

Murder on the Titania and Other Steam-Powered Adventures by Alex Acks 

Sometimes a book turns out to be a delightful surprise! Murder on the Titania was just such a book for me. A wonderful collection of short fiction following the adventures of Captain Ramos and her crew, each entry is a marvelous gem, but the first story absolutely hooked me as a reader and caught me off guard in the best way  on several occasions. Captain Ramos is the sort of dashing scoundrel who enchants readers as much as her paramores on the page. Not only is this collection full of intriguing steampunk inventions, riveting adventure, and thoughtful story telling, but Acks also creates a wonderfully Queer feeling of place and family.

Little Nothing by Dee Holloway

Catherine Lundoff, from Queen of Swords Press, recommended Little Nothings to me and what a gift of a recommendation! Holloway has created a story that is as powerful as it is engaging to read. A heady blend of alternative history, historical fantasy, and sapphic romance, Little Nothings that kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning. Set during the American Civil War, the story plumbs the complex depths of survival during events that are beyond the control of the people most impacted. The pace of the story allows the characters to breathe and the love story to develop whilst also maintaining the dramatic tension of the plot that is at times so harrowing that it left me breathless. 

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

I will never not recommend Master of Djinn. One of my favourite Steampunk books and absolutely exceptional bit of storytelling, Master of Djinn is, at heart, a cunning mystery, filled with suspense and intrigue. The vibrant setting, stunning world building, and ingenious inventions  elevate the novel, but for me, the true magic of the story is the protagonist and her personal journey through the story. Fatma el-Sha’arawi is a dandy par excellance as well as an unforgettable character. From her sharp suits to her even sharper wits, she is the sort of character who lives forever rent free in my imagination. Clark rewards her with an equally enchanting romantic interest who is wonderful bit of chaos as a foil to Fatma’s precision.