Top ten books with steampunk settings.

With thanks to The Broke and The Bookish

To my surprise on reflecting on what setting would allow me to choose 10 books I've read to highlight, the answer was Steampunk! Steampunk is generally defined as an alternate universe where technology developed along different lines (steam powered machinery). Usually steampunk is set in late 19th century Europe, but as the genre has become more popular other time periods and settings have been incorporated. It's also a fashion aesthetic that involves corsets, goggles, and sticking lots of gears on everything. Steampunk is also usually combined with other elements as well, such as magic or vampires, as this list illustrates.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfield - This excellent YA novel and its sequels are an alternate history of World War I that includes alternate evolutionary science as well as steampunk machines. Bonus: awesome heroine disguised as a boy!
Larklight by Philip Reeve - Steampunk in space! Aliens! Pirates!
Legacy of the Clockwork Key by Kristin Bailey - Embraces the steampunk genre on every level in a fun adventure story: elaborate set pieces with clockwork monsters and geared gadgets galore. The heroes even wear goggles, top hats, and assorted Victorian steampunk couture. I expect cogs to be pasted on boots in the sequel.
The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron - Another good YA novel, this story has a spookier, more gothic tone.
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher- May win most original setting, this story is set in a prison that is a character unto itself.
Soulless by Gail Carriger - The Parasol Protectorate is a light and humorous steampunk series that also features vampires and werewolves, if that's your thing. The first novel is also heavy on romance, sequels are more mystery/adventure focused.
Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger - The YA novel that serves as a prequel to the above, set in an assassin training school. Lots of fun with even more emphasis on humor.
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brooke- Romance novel with very interesting world building. Features zombies. I've been noticing more and more steampunk-based romance novels as well as YA. The cover is basically a male torso rocking the leather jacket with no shirt look surrounded by gears and why I'm forever grateful for my e-reader.

Two steampunk books on my TBD:

9. Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster - Victorian Steampunk paranormal romance. Seems to have it all. I'll get to it when I'm in the mood to read romance again. The urge comes and goes.

10. The Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith - Steampunk with vampires and alternate history I've had this on my e-reader for a while and it does look interesting. I should get on that.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013