steampunk

Oct 2021 30

Library of the Damned: Jeri Westerson’s Steampunk Trilogy Comes to a Close

2021 Articles, Fantasy & Fangs, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sharon Tucker

by Sharon Tucker
& Jeri Westerson

Well, I hoped The Enchanter Chronicles wouldn’t end so soon. [Sigh] Anyway, grab your corsets, boot hooks, and helmets to enjoy this last foray into the magical world of Leopold Kazmer, Mingli Zhao, assorted magical-mechanical creatures, plus so many more punkish devices. Enjoy that Library of the Damned (2021) has freshness and a rich atmosphere of fun despite its serious threats and dark, turgid machinations. Prepare to learn too about how Leopold’s religious background is inextricably linked to the heart of all the novels—one of my favorite devices.

Dec 2015 12

Chapelwood By Cherie Priest: Review/Giveaway

2015 Articles, Fantasy & Fangs, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Terrance Mc Arthur

What if Lizzie Borden wasn’t a patricidal maniac with an axe? What if she was trying to save the world from the Old Gods who want to take over and destroy everything? What if there was a “church” trying to bring the return of these all-consuming creatures? What if a mathematician was using his computations to kill the chosen sacrifices to spoil those plans? If all those what-ifs were true, you’d have “Chapelwood,” by Cherie Priest.

Jun 2015 6

The Clockwork Crown by Beth Cato: Review/Interview/Giveaway

2015 Articles, Fantasy & Fangs, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Terrance Mc Arthur

Olivia is a medician, a woman with great healing powers as part of her worship of Our Lady’s Tree. She is fleeing the Kingdom of Caskentia because the Clockwork Daggers, a secret unit (that everybody knows about) under the Queen’s command, is after her, and the rebels of the cursed land called the Waste are out to capture her, too. She is armed with medicinal herbs and Alonzo, a former Dagger who quit to protect her. Olivia’s life is quite complicated in The Clockwork Crown by Hanford native Beth Cato.

Apr 2015 14

Video Interview With Author Jeri Westerson

2015 Articles, Lorie Lewis Ham, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Lorie Lewis Ham

Recently author Jeri Westerson spoke at the Fresno chapter of Sisters In Crime meeting, and we had a great time hearing about the many different types of books she is writing now, not just mysteries. She also showed us some Medieval items like you would find in her Crispin Guest Medieval Noir books. Check out this fun video interview with Jeri to learn more about what all she has going on right now!

Mar 2015 14

The Diabolical Miss Hyde By Viola Carr

2015 Articles, Fantasy & Fangs, Mysteryrat's Maze, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Terrance Mc Arthur

You remember Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, don’t you? The man who was beside himself? Two personalities, good and evil, battling for control of one body? Now imagine that there was a daughter, stuck with the same struggle in a steampunk-fantasy version of London and you’ll have The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Carr.

Jan 2015 24

The Clockwork Dagger By Beth Cato

2015 Articles, Fantasy & Fangs, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Terrance Mc Arthur

This is a review of The Clockwork Dagger by Hanford native/Arizona resident Beth Cato. It … oh, wait. I feel that there is a question in the audience. What, you ask, is a clockwork dagger? (Go ahead. Ask. It will make you feel better.) Is it a self-throwing weapon? No. It’s a member of an elite force that answers to the queen of the land in a steampunk reality with fantasy elements.

Jul 2014 12

Silver Mirrors By A.A. Aguirre

2014 Articles, Fantasy & Fangs, Mysteryrat's Maze, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Terrance Mc Arthur

Last year, A. A. Aguirre’s Bronze Gods introduced Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko, Criminal Investigation Division inspectors. In Silver Mirrors, the duo doesn’t have time to rest after saving the lands of Hy Breasil from disintegration and the return of past glories that involved human sacrifice and strange machines.