Books Like...
If you liked Steampunk, here are the top 36 books to read next:
- #1
Save:A dazzling, immersive steampunk classic that’s big on atmosphere and ideas, but less so on coherent plot or emotional connection - best enjoyed for the ride, not the destination.
Below her, in a neglected formal garden, leafless vines lace wooden trellises on whitewashed, flaking walls. From the open windows of her sickroom, a warm draft stirs the loose white hair at her neck,... - #2
Save:'Old Mars' is a collection of short stories set in a pre-Mariner Mars, imagining an inhabited planet with canals, vegetation, and water, often featuring a clash between humans and Martians where humans are portrayed as villains. The stories take readers back to a time when Mars was envisioned as a vibrant planet with ancient civilizations and mystical cities, creating a nostalgic and imaginative escape from reality. The anthology pays homage to the Mars of legend, filled with mystery, intrigue, and warning messages about the impact of drought on civilizations.
Born and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey, I came from a blue-collar, working-class background. My family never had much money. We lived in a federal housing project, never owned a car, never went much o... - #3
Save:'Infernal Devices' by K.W. Jeter is a steampunk adventure novel set in a Victorian-inspired world filled with clockwork creations and mysterious inventions. The story follows a protagonist who finds himself entangled in a world of anti-science groups, strange creatures, and complex machinery left behind by his inventor father. With elements of Lovecraftian horror and raucous adventure, the narrative unfolds through a fast-paced plot with unexpected twists and turns, all narrated in a Victorian style reminiscent of Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft. Despite the fantastical elements, the book delves into themes of technology, mystery, and Victorian culture, creating a unique blend of genres and settings.
On just such a morning as this, when the threat of rain hangs over London in the manner of a sentence neither stayed nor pardoned, but rather perpetually executed, Creff, my factotum, interrupted the... - #4
Save:'Phoenix Rising' in the 'Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences' series by Pip Ballantine is a steampunk adventure set in an alternate timeline Victorian England. The story follows the dynamic duo of Eliza D. Braun, a daring and explosive-loving agent, and Wellington Thornhill Books, a proper English archivist, as they are forced to work together in solving peculiar occurrences for the Ministry. The plot is filled with intrigue, well-drawn characters, and unexpected twists, reminiscent of a mix between Sherlock Holmes and the old TV show Avengers, all against a steampunk backdrop.
The writing style of Pip Ballantine in 'Phoenix Rising' is engaging and entertaining, with a mix of humor, action, and mystery. The book introduces readers to a world filled with gadgets, investigations, and a hint of romance between the two leads, Eliza and Wellington. The narrative is fast-paced, keeping readers entertained throughout as the duo navigates their partnership and uncovers dark secrets within the Ministry.
Splinters, both of the wooden and metal variety, pelted his face, but he was far too distracted to notice anything painful. Perhaps they were from the cell door; perhaps they were from the contraption... - #5
Save:'Old Venus' by George R.R. Martin is a nostalgic collection of short stories set on a fictional Venus, portraying it as a wet version of Earth teeming with life and adventure. The anthology explores themes of exploration, adventure, and colonization on the planet, showcasing a variety of viewpoints and genres within the science fiction realm. The stories range from classic pulp adventures to inter-species love stories, often delving into political and social commentary while maintaining a sense of wonder and imagination.
The book features 16 stories, some of which are longer and more novella-like in length, providing a diverse reading experience for fans of retro science fiction. With contributions from various authors, 'Old Venus' captures the essence of the early science fiction era when Venus was imagined as a lush, jungle world, offering a mix of traditional adventure tales and more modern interpretations of the planet's potential.
THE SHUTTLE FELL THROUGH THE CLOUDS—CLOUDS AS DENSE as grey wool, separating purple sky and sun above from perpetual rain below—for what seemed like a very long time until the windows finally cleared... - #6
Save:A stylish, atmospheric ride through a grim steampunk city - deliciously inventive, but its ambitious sprawl and slow pace won’t suit everyone. Worth a try for fans of dark, richly textured worlds!
Near dawn, Largo Moorden pedaled his bicycle through the nearly deserted streets of Lower Proszawa. It was exactly one week since his twenty-first birthday. Fog from the nearby bay and smoke from the... - #7
Save:'The Warlord of the Air' by Michael Moorcock is a steampunk novel set in an alternate history where airships dominate the world. The story follows Oswald Bastable, a man transported from 1902 British India to a 1973 world still under the rule of imperial superpowers. Initially enamored by the seemingly perfect state of this world, Bastable soon realizes the harsh reality of exploitation and imperialism that underpins the utopia. The narrative mixes timelines and historical figures, creating a unique storytelling experience that immerses the reader in a world full of airships and political intrigue.
In the spring of 1903, on the advice of my physician, I had occasion to visit that remote and beautiful fragment of land in the middle of the Indian Ocean which I shall call Rowe Island. I had been ov... - #8
Save:The Book of Swords is a collection of short stories and novellas that revolve around swords in the realm of speculative fiction. The stories vary between Sword and Sorcery Fantasy and Grimdark Fantasy subgenres, offering a mix of heroic protagonists and brooding anti-heroes. While some readers found the stories to be long, drawn out, and boring, others appreciated the well-written and original tales within the anthology.
One day in 1963, I stopped in a drugstore on the way home from high school (at that point in time, spinner racks full of mass-market paperbacks in drugstores were one of the few places in our town whe... - #9
Save:'Opening Atlantis' by Harry Turtledove is an alternate history novel that explores the premise of an eighth continent named Atlantis in the Atlantic Ocean. Set in the 1400-1700s, the book follows the discovery and colonization of Atlantis by English, Spanish, and French settlers instead of the New World. It delves into the rich history of the Radcliffe family, the first English settlers in Atlantis, through three linked novellas spanning different time periods such as the Wars of the Roses, 17th-century piracy, and the Seven Years War.
Edward Radcliffe steered the St. George toward Le Croisic. Soon he would take the fishing boat out into the Atlantic after cod. Before he did, though, he needed salt, or his cargo would spoil before h... A beautifully curated, mind-expanding sampler of modern Chinese SF - sometimes dazzling, sometimes unsettling, always fascinating. Try it for daring tales and new perspectives; just know mileage may vary depending on your taste for unconventional stories.
