leedock’s CBR-III Review #37-“Goliath” – Scott Westerfeld

In a world where a perspicacious loris has it all figured out and the bowler hat is seemingly the international accessory for scientists, the Leviathan trilogy reigns. The conclusion to Westerfeld’s trilogy (see Leviathan and Behemoth), is an inventive spin on the First World War and a Shakespearean love story looking through the rose-colored goggles of steam punk.

leedock’s CBR-III Review #35-“The Eyre Affair” – Jasper Fforde

Another gem panned from the CBR-III goldmine. I probably never would have found this one, so thanks to those of you who reviewed it before me. The past reviews of this one were mostly positive with a few mixed emotions thrown in. I completely understand both. “The Eyre Affair” creates a complex and quirky world that is both entertaining and a bit daunting. I think I did best by ceasing to wrestle with it and just enjoy the ride.

leedock’s CBR-III Review #27-“Behemoth” – Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld’s follow-up to “Leviathan“, doesn’t disappoint. Mechanical golem, revolutionary Armenians, voice recording toads and acid oozing barnacles are just some of the fun this time around.

Fofo’s CBRIII Review #14 – The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man by Mark Hodder

Target: Mark Hodder’s The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man

Profile: Steampunk, Speculative Fiction, Alternate History

Mark Hodder’s tales of Burton and Swinburne are some of the least focused but most entertaining steampunk novels out there.  Book two of the series does little to improve on the formula of its predecessor, but the electricity is crackling away.  The Clockwork Man is a messy, fundamentally flawed adventure, which nevertheless keeps you turning the pages until the very end.  It is steampunk fluff, but if you can deal the lack of literary merit, its still a fun little romp through Hodder’s twisted past.

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Fofo’s CBRIII Review #13 – The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder

Target: Mark Hodder’s The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack

Profile: Steampunk, Speculative Fiction, Alternate History

The only reason you can’t hear me giggling like a lifetime Bedlamite right now is because I accidentally corrupted the recording I made while I was finishing The Strange Affair. Hodder’s alternate history of the early years of Victorian England is the best iteration of the modern penny dreadful I’ve ever read.  It doesn’t set out be funny, but the final product is so completely over the top that it’s hard not to laugh at the villainous caricatures and bizarre steampunk contraptions.  At the same time, there’s a decent adventure story here, and some very interesting pseudoscience behind the crazy.  And the history is just accurate enough to prompt further exploration, which is exactly what alternate history should be.

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leedock’s CBR-III Review #6 “Dreadnought” – Cherie Priest

I have a tough time writing a review for something that I’m ambivalent about. I certainly did not hate this book, but I’m not really feeling the love for it either. Explains why it took me awhile to read it, I guess.