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60th out of 469 books
—
2,468 voters
Extraordinary Engines: The Definitive Steampunk Anthology
by
Nick Gevers ,
James Lovegrove , Keith Brooke (Goodreads Author) , Adam Roberts , Jeff VanderMeer (Goodreads Author) , Marly Youmans (Goodreads Author) , Kage Baker , Margo Lanagan
,
more…
Extraordinary Engines: The Definitive Steampunk Anthology assembles original stories by some of the genre's foremost writers. Edited by Nick Gevers, this collection includes brand new stories from some of science fiction and fantasy's foremost writers.
Paperback, 441 pages
Published
September 30th 2008
by Solaris
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Oct 21, 2009
Cait
added it
I picked this book up based on the subtitle touting it as "The Definitive Steampunk Anthology", which will teach me to believe cover blurbs instead of checking reviews! I am not terribly familiar with steampunk, but I think that this collection, while interesting, is highly unlikely to be definitive. Then again, I didn't even read all of it, so perhaps I missed a shining gem.
What I did read was a mixed bag. The good:
"Static" by Marly Youmans combined fantastic world-building with fairy-tale rete...more
What I did read was a mixed bag. The good:
"Static" by Marly Youmans combined fantastic world-building with fairy-tale rete...more
For those new to this sub-genre of speculative fiction, Steampunk basically refers to stories generally set during Victorian-era England that focus on steampowered devices that may or may not be examples of modern technology (steampowered cars, robots, ships, etc.) It's a bugeoning sub-genre that has finally started to get a lot of attention even though it's been around since the days of H.G. Wells.
This anthology touts itself as the "definitive Steampunk" anthology." However, I think that tag...more
This anthology touts itself as the "definitive Steampunk" anthology." However, I think that tag...more
I finished reading Extraordinary Engines: The Definitive Steampunk Anthology last night. This is a very nice collection of 12 Steampunk not so short stories, mostly by authors I’ve never read. And I’d only read steampunkish works by one of the three authors I had read before, Kage Baker. From my perspective this is a well done collection, I enjoyed all the stories, although a few were a little unsettling.
It took me a while to get into one, “Static” by Marly Youmans, but by the time I finished it...more
It took me a while to get into one, “Static” by Marly Youmans, but by the time I finished it...more
I must start by saying I am a huge fan of the steampunk aesthetic--call me old fashioned, but I just have a soft spot for the subtle combination of bustle shirts and deadly ray guns. In retrospect, I should have taken its resemblance to my father's collection of mediocre sci-fi paperbacks as a warning, but I was young and naive and, moreover, the book was ridiculously cheap. So, wary though I was. I took a chance.
As with many such collections of stories, Extraordinairy Engines proved wildly une...more
As with many such collections of stories, Extraordinairy Engines proved wildly une...more
a mixed bag, and a reminder that genres (etc.) can carry much dross along as the tide rises ... the collection seems loosely arranged in order of worth; by skipping the first couple of stories you can live longer - or at least conserve valuable minutes for something worthwhile. having said that, there are some nuggets in here too.
i suspect this is better seen as an "and also..." collection for established Steampunk fans than as sampler for those wanting to get into the genre.
ps - i hadn't read t...more
i suspect this is better seen as an "and also..." collection for established Steampunk fans than as sampler for those wanting to get into the genre.
ps - i hadn't read t...more
Steampunk is not my genre. This is what I discovered while reading this collection of short stories. While a couple of the stories were close to what I expected--science fiction stories with a broader base of toys to play with, such as Jules Verne of HG Wells might have written if they'd known about robots or space travel for real--others were so heavily fantasy that I wasn't even sure they were in the right anthology. Most of the stories seemed well constructed, if a bit too eager to follow the...more
An interesting anthology which was - thankfully - more diverse than I had expected (having gone in expecting page after page of clockwork automata, airships, difference engines and Victorian social mores). Editor Nick Gevers has taken care to mix things up a bit however, and although all tropes are present and correct across the whole anthology (I was pretty sick of reading the name Babbage by the end) there is a great deal of moderation and even subversion, along with plentiful imagination even...more
I can't improve on previous reviews. This was an odd collection whose only tie seemed to be some mechanical or steam driven contraption or scientific experimentation, not so typical of Jules Verne as of modern Steampunk. So, the title is a fitting one. Each story was so different from the ones before it that I found myself really liking the collection. I was partial to the Machine Maid story, if only because I admire women with intelligence, and I liked Elementals and The Lollygang Save the Worl...more
As with many anthologies this is a little bit of a mixed bag, although on the whole the stories are excellent. The opener, 'Steampunch' by James Lovegrove, is for me far the weakest effort. Each of the other stories either presents an original take on the genre - 'The Lollygang Saves the World on Accident', 'Static', Petrolpunk - or, like Margo Lanahan's 'Machine Maid' use the tropes of the genre to excellent and chilling effect.
Well worth a read as an introduction to Steampunk and perhaps some...more
Well worth a read as an introduction to Steampunk and perhaps some...more
A nice anthology of steampunk fiction -- I wasn't too wild about a couple of stories, including the first one in the collection, but there were several others that were fantastic. In fact, I've added a number of new authors to my to-read list (like I needed to do that!). I particularly enjoyed the melding of Victorian or Edwardian London as a setting with the gadgets and gizmos of the science fiction genre. Some of these are more along the lines of horror or space operas (and even one that dips...more
I debated if I wanted to give it less than three stars, but in the end there is enough in the book to warrant at least a look. This is certainly not a "definitive" anthology, but it does have some good gems in it. The problem is it also has some pretty bad duds, and you have to sort them out. If you kept up with status updates as I read it, you will see that I found the book overall hit and miss. Some stories were really good, and others were not. When the book "worked," it was good. When it did...more
Generally, it's a bad sign when you're not even halfway through a book and are already set on giving it away. Yet, I kept going, hoping that it would get better. In any collection of short stories, you need to expect some hits and misses. Unfortunately, there seem to be more of the latter here. There were some stories that I feel that I should have theoretically enjoyed, such as "Static", although even here I found myself almost bored. I did find two stories that I did genuinely enjoy toward the...more
This was an amazing anthology. If you've got any love, or interest in, the steampunk genre, get this anthology. If you already read steampunk, this one will jump to the front of your favorites. If you haven't read steampunk, but you're kinda curious, this is the perfect introduction. There are examples in this anthology of what the genre can do when in the hands of truly talented writers. (ya... I'm talking to you Mr. Vandermeer)
If you're new to Steampunk, this is a very nice introduction of short stories set in the Victorian period. Steampunk is just one of a variety of sub-genres of science fiction, where the phenomenal possibilities of steam power are explored in a new way. If you saw the film League of Extraordinary Gentlemen you'll know something of the sub-genre already. Sit back back and enjoy the wonders of the steam age.
So maybe this book is not the definitive anthology it claims to be, but for someone only just discovering the genre of steampunk like me, I thought it was an interesting and useful introduction.
There was a good mix of stories showcasing different ways in which the genre can be portrayed - from in-depth science-fiction to elaborate Victorian settings. There were a couple of stories that I didn't enjoy very much, but that is only to be expected in an anthology. I couldn't help feeling in some plac...more
There was a good mix of stories showcasing different ways in which the genre can be portrayed - from in-depth science-fiction to elaborate Victorian settings. There were a couple of stories that I didn't enjoy very much, but that is only to be expected in an anthology. I couldn't help feeling in some plac...more
Jul 07, 2009
Reenie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
short-stories,
fantasy
I went into this not being entirely sure what to make of 'Steampunk' - (one of the hottest new trends in genre fiction, according to the introduction, although I'm not sure how that's supposed to make me more inclined to read it). After twelve days of readng one of these each day, I'm still not entirely sure what to make of it. Sci Fi and historical fiction (hifi? Hisfic?) are each individually some of my favourite things, but while they don't cancel out when you put them together, they don't se...more
Jul 25, 2011
Matthew
added it
Many of these stories are fantastic. I especially enjoyed Steampunch, Petrolpunk, American Cheetah, Elementals and Machine Maid. They're each fantastic examples of the different sides of Steampunk. Some of the other stories are pretty out there, and stretch the definition of Steampunk to the limits, which I don't think is a bad thing, though I prefer the ones with actual steam power.
Highly recomended reading for any Steampunk fans.
Highly recomended reading for any Steampunk fans.
Not a bad anthology. The tones vary from homages and send-ups of Victorian style stories to original works that are good enough to stand on their own, sub-genre not withstanding. My favorites works from this collection are "Hannah" by Keith Brooke, "American Cheetah" by Robert Reed, and "The Lollygang Save the World on Accident" by by Jay Lake.
While I try to read every story in an anthology I skipped one entirely and hurried through a few others when normally I enjoy anthologies. My main issue with this book is that while it says its a Steampunk anthology some of the stories focused more on non steampunk elements than a book like this should have.
I didn't get to read all of this but if the last few storiesa are anything like the first six or seven then I wasn't missing out. I'm new to the steampunk genre so I was really excited when I stumbled upon this book. I mean, how can you go wrong reading the "definitive collection?" So I was really disappointed by how dull and lifeless most of the stories were. The only one I really enjoyed was MacLeod's "Elementals." Also, a lot of the stories that I did end up reading were not really "steampunk...more
A lot of the stories were really boring, but I found a few on them really good. If I could make a separate book with just the Mechanical Maid, Hanna, and the third last story, it would easily have made five stars. However, quite a few of the other stories really dragged the book down. While some were mediocre, others were brilliant.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the stories in this collection. Some very cool ideas and visions, well-executed.
That said, more than one of the stories (in fact, almost all of them) felt too long. Like the writer handed the story in and the editor sent the story back and said, "Add 4 pages. Or 6."
That said, more than one of the stories (in fact, almost all of them) felt too long. Like the writer handed the story in and the editor sent the story back and said, "Add 4 pages. Or 6."
This was my first experience with the steampunk genre, and I enjoyed it very much. Many thanks to Amanda for her recommendation of this eclectic short story collection.
I was especially impressed with ‘American Cheetah’ (Robert Reed) and 'Speed, Speed the Cable’ (Kage Baker). Both appeal to my interest in historical fiction, and both were written with great skill and imagination. ‘Fixing Hanover’ (Jeff VanderMeer) and ‘Elementals’ (Ian R. Macleod) were also excellent.
I will definitely return to t...more
I was especially impressed with ‘American Cheetah’ (Robert Reed) and 'Speed, Speed the Cable’ (Kage Baker). Both appeal to my interest in historical fiction, and both were written with great skill and imagination. ‘Fixing Hanover’ (Jeff VanderMeer) and ‘Elementals’ (Ian R. Macleod) were also excellent.
I will definitely return to t...more
A collection of some of the most interesting sci-fi I can recall reading... bizarre and disturbing on one page, fantastic and epic on others.
This is what steampunk is all about. Great stuff, well put together and a wide variety of steampunk styles. A must read for any steampunk fan.
I certainly enjoyed some stories and authors more than others. I do want to read more of Kage Brooker (love her name). Actually, looking back through the table of contents, I enjoyed most stories. I don't think I could read full novels of the genre, but short stories and novellas were fun.
For the first time, I didn't read the whole collection of short stories. Instead, I skim-read until a story caught my eye and then I started from the point the story was interesting. My favorite story was about a benevolent society that experimented with serums that turned violent convicts into ape eunechs, and the second favorite was about a robot maid that a young wife in the Outback modified as revenge for a philandering husband.
...and only now, as I'm writing this, did I realize the thing th...more
...and only now, as I'm writing this, did I realize the thing th...more
Like all anthologies, some of these were really good, some of them were really... not.
Good read-- while most good anthologies give you a fair balance of hit and miss, this one is decently topheavy with hits. Very fun, and an excellent variety of steampunk madness. You won't like them all, but you'll probably like enough to make it worth your $7.
A collection of steampunk shorts. Some are boring, some are good.
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Nov 23, 2008 10:16am