Lucci's List: May 2019

In honour of Waltham's Watch City Steampunk Festival on Saturday, May 11, this month's Lucci's List is all steampunk! Steam on!

Non-Fiction:

"The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World" by Edward Dolnick

"The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World" by Edward Dolnick is my new favourite book.

Let me add that I despise mathematics. I enjoy history as far as story telling but have no memory for pristine facts and dates. Science, I love dearly, although I do not understand the complexities of the aforementioned maths.

THIS masterpiece described the history of science with mathematical attributes in a way I actually mostly understood! The inner workings of ancient scientific communities was detailed in humour and tongue in cheek observations.

The diagrams and specific examples made the ideas easy to understand. The tone of the author's voice throughout was void of intellectualisms and nuances of academia. Rather, the text read as a story. It was an enlightening after dinner conversation with a cousin, not an ancient professor with a combed-over scalp in cavernous ivy-league dungeon droning nasally to a layered crowd of 300 stupefied students.

I owe the library five dollars and change in overdue fees. This is a book to delight in and savour. I am already planning on borrowing it again.

P.S. I committed my worst Reader Crime and dog-eared pages. I valiantly tried to set them all back before returning it to the library, but alas, the corners will forever bear the brunt of my curiosity.

Novels:

"Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne

Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" is the epic tale credited with birthing the steampunk genre of science fiction. The first line sets the tone: "The year 1866 was signalized by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon, which doubtless no one has yet forgotten."

When Dr. Aronnax, a naturalist scientist, encounters a mysterious sea beast, he is dedicated to capturing it. He is obsessed with solving the mystery of its impenetrable flesh, its ability to outrace the hunters, and the uncanny way it can submerge quickly into deeper waters, disappearing without a trace.

Tragically, Aronnax's ship sinks. Arronnax and a few shipmates are the only ones to survive. As they fight for their lives in shark infested waters, they are miraculously rescued by Captain Nemo and his monstrous submarine, the Nautilus. Aronnax is shocked at the discovery that the whale-like sea monster he had been seeking is a giant submarine.

The adventures which the strange crew experience together are more fantastical than action packed. Travelling around the world via sea provides stunning research opportunities for Aronnax. The creatures and geological wonders that Nemo points out delights the naturalist.

Breathtaking sights and joyful discoveries trail off as Aronnax uncovers Nemo's true mission for this voyage, and the vengeful plot that he lives for.

"Boneshaker" by Cherie Priest

"Boneshaker" by Cherie Priest is mind-blowing steampunk at its best. History, mystery, subterranean adventures with sci-fi machines and gadgets blast through this epic adventure. Within the breathtaking horrors and discoveries, and throughout the interactions of a brilliantly defined cast of characters, lies a deep and heart-wrenching story of family secrets, and one mother's love for her rebellious teenage son.

I read a lot of steampunk, and this book has absolutely thrilled me with its brilliant use of historic references mixed with modernistic action. The author manages to evoke universal, timeless, emotions and truths.

"Assassins of the Steam Age" by Joseph Robert Lewis

"Aetherium Book 1: Assassins of the Steam Age" by Joseph Robert Lewis is a fantastical steampunk adventure for the modern reader. Pre-historic creatures, political unrest, strong female characters, and massive steam powered vehicles push the action seamlessly.

Written in a style that is at times poetic, this book encompasses a world with beautiful descriptions. One passage that illustrates this diverse universe is: "They sat together in silence, staring out into the darkness below the wide curve of the gas envelope. Grassy hills and swaying trees slid past them to port while the distant glitter of moonlit waves to starboard revealed the Atlanteen Ocean churning and foaming from the shore out to the end of the world."

This is a must-read for all fans of steampunk adventure.

“Magic and the Shinigami Detective” by Honor Raconteur

“Magic and the Shinigami Detective” by Honor Rancour is a fast-paced novel that clicked with me from the first sentence. “Emulating a breathing statue, I kept my eyes at half-mast, my body still.” From there, mystery, thrill, adventure, and magic abound.

The genre of this book is listed as steampunk, which it is. Uniquely, Raconteur has managed to build onto a steampunk theme with fantasy, time-travel, sci-fi planetary travel, and crime fiction.

The characters are well defined. The two main characters are like those in a buddy-cop movie: very different, yet they work together to get the job done. Humour is a natural aspect of this relationship, and makes for some fun dialogue.

When a female is a main character, can save herself, is smart, and can be a leader without being drawn as a bitch or a butch, it gives the story strength. Jamie Edwards: butt-kicking, pants-wearing, gun-loading. Great character.

The blend of magic, steampunk, and mystery in this book made it a fast read. The action scenes were difficult for me to keep up with. Although humourous, the gags felt old by the end. I would have liked to see more from Jamie’s point of view. The ending, although surprising, was insufficient to me. I do not like a lot of loose ends, and I there were a lot of leads that never got resolved. This was frustrating to me, but readers more into mystery might appreciate that aspect.

All in all, ”Magic and the Shinigami Detective” is an entertaining tale.

"Steampunk Carnival" by Cassandra Leuthold

"Steampunk Carnival" by Cassandra Leuthold takes place in the Victorian era, at a steampunk themed carnival. Mystery, romance, and mayhem are rampant in this otherwise quaint town.

It took me a while to get into this book. It lacks steampunk elements I usually associate with the genre. The first chapter acted as a prelude, and I was hooked. Unfortunately, it led to confusion when I tried to piece it together with the following chapters.

The story became more exciting as it went on, and the intimate interludes were well done. The lead character had no problem enjoying her sexuality.

If you are into period romances, rather than sci-fi, this could be a good pick.

Novellas:

"The Lamplighter's Love" by Delphine Dryden

"The Lamplighter's Love" by Delphine Dryden is a steampunk erotic romance novella. This is by far the best erotic romance I have ever read. Superbly written with an eloquent style, a setting glowing with romance, and characters discovering themselves and there place in the world, this book is the total package.

The erotic scenes are not the sloppy, ghastly, nasty events I have read in other books in the romance or erotica genres. These scenes are woven in naturally, and make sense for the characters.

Themes of female empowerment, breaking through a non-progressive society, and choosing solutions to create a loving life, are all bionic in this book. <

I am a fan of the steampunk esthetic, but even if I wasn't I would be immersed in the gorgeous setting.

"The Lamplighter's Love" is a fantastic fantasy for adults to indulge in.

"Snappy and Dashing" by Adam Dreece

"Snappy & Dashing: A Mondus Fumus Story (The Yellow Hoods Book 1) is indeed a snappy and dashing book. The steampunk adventure was fast paced and fun, with a female hero driving the action.

I have not read the "Yellow Hoods" series, and so as a stand-alone novella, this book was confusing to me at times, and I lost track of what was happening in each chapter.

I am intrigued and plan to read the full novels in "The Yellow Hoods" series. I have a feeling if I had read them first, this novella would have been more coherent for me.

"The Short Adventure of Beatrix Welland" by Hector Manuel Elias Oliver

"The Short Adventure of Beatrix Weiland" by Hector Manuel Elias Oliver is a short story with themes of magic and a quest for personal reality.

Beatrix is a teenager living in a modernistic world where religion and government combine to create an authoritarian culture. Beatrix dares to stop taking her prescribed drug, and is intrigued by the world she sees without the medication.

Rebellion, questioning of authority, and the drama of life and death common in surviving the teenage years are investigated in this story, in a fascinating way.

I found the story to be a rocky start, but it progressed as Beatrix took risks to discover the truth within herself. There are some swears, but nothing outlandish. This would be an enjoyable read for fans of alternate worlds and dystopia.

Short Stories:

"Steampunk Fairy Tales" edited by Leslie Anderson

"Steampunk Fairy Tales" is a collection of traditional stories from around the world retold with steampunk flair. Each tale is written by a different author, offering not only a different take on folklore but also a unique modernistic twist.

Each story is short enough to read in one sitting. Entertaining and lighthearted, "Steampunk Fairy Tales" is a fun adventure across the globe and time.

Please indulge me as I include my own steampunk novel, "Watch City: Waltham Watch" to this steampunk list.

Caroline Walken (author of "Behind the Fan")

What a marvelous adventure!Jessica Lucci spins an intriguing tale in Watch City:Waltham Watch. Using her natural poetic quality was the perfect marriage for this genre!Loved the visual images she painted and the fantastic journey she created.Recommend for Steam Punk Devotees!

Alan Vandervoort (author of "Key Largo Summer")
Watch City: WALTHAM WATCH
by Jessica Lucci

Waltham Watch explores a world of the past infused with elements of science fiction that brings to mind the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. A town has grown into a city with the inhabitants possessing an endearing obsession with time and clocks, including their greeting to one another.

Tess is a brilliant inventor testing the principles of gravity and time. These laws of science are questioned by the creative mind and good prose of the author. Caught in town by a freak accident, she discovers the possible path to her life’s mission on the other side of evil. Strong, independent women fight against a tyrannical, heartless government (sound familiar?) willing to sacrifice for ideals and freedom.

With an unfamiliar, yet enchanting style, the author redefined the art of scene setting with vivid details of multiple dimensions. Dashes of color, smells, tastes, and textures flow into heart-pounding action with pauses for tender compassion between friends and lovers. You’ll want to take plenty of time (time is important) to absorb every phrase, every odd contraption, and every stinging phrase of political commentary.

Waltham Watch is a study in style and imagination worthy of future adventures.

Kitty Kat's Book Review:
‘Waltham Watch’ is a steampunk novel with strong female characters, wondrous inventions and a fight against evil and oppression. Tess is a professor, an accomplished scientist and inventor. She finds herself spending time in Waltham unexpectedly and soon discovers that she can’t sit back while turmoil reigns around her. I found the group of women who become her friends a fascinating bunch. They each had a contribution to make and their strengths were vital to the fight. The language is formal and certainly fits with the era. It is also poetic and the story itself is imaginative. I enjoyed reading about the modes of transport and the different mechanical inventions. An interesting novel that kept me reading.

See you at the Watch City Steampunk Festival!