K W Jeter is generally credited with inventing the term 'steampunk' back in 1987, in an offhand and slightly facetious attempt to describe the Victori...moreK W Jeter is generally credited with inventing the term 'steampunk' back in 1987, in an offhand and slightly facetious attempt to describe the Victorian set fantasies written by himself, Tim Powers and James Blaylock. 'Infernal Devices' has the Victorian setting and elements of steampunk. George Dower has inherited his father's business after his father passes away. His father produced devices of remarkable complexity and range, but George has little of his father's talent and subsists by doing minor repairs for his father's clients. A repair job leads him into the London Borough of Wetwick, whose weird inhabitants have a fish like demeanour, and then on into a plot involving intelligent automata and a plot to destroy the world. The book draws you in, with it's bizarre mysteries and warped humour, and though Jeter doesn't quite manage to keep all his plates spinning it's an entertaining read. (less)
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