Relatively short steampunk novel, and kind of disappointing after a strong start. It's narrated in first person by a young prostitute named Karen Memery, who lives in a brothel run by a kindly madame. I really liked Karen's voice. It's true that it seems incongruous that she has such a sophisticate vocabulary but at the same time doesn't command some basic grammar rules. However, she was so compelling that I had no problems accepting it.

The first part of the novel was a quiet, character-driven tale, and I enjoyed it a lot. Unfortunately, when the plot actually started in earnest, the whole thing became a simplistic and cartoonish adventure with over-the-top villains. Karen's voice, which had worked so well for me when this had been a character study, became burdensome when it came to narrating action. Her continuous asides manage to lose all tension in action scenes. For example, at one point she is on a roof, getting ready to break into the villain's house with the help of a friend. While she is doing that, she is thinking at length about her plans for the future. They finally start climbing down, and while that happens she is thinking about the mistreatment of native Americans. They finally break in the house and while they do that she is having a conversation with her companion about another totally unrelated subject. It is difficult to care about what's happening when the characters themselves don't seem to care.

The steampunk elements were also over-the-top. I think this would have worked better as a historical novel. To give you an idea of the lack of subtlety, there's a tax on mad scientists. Mad science is certainly a staple of steampunk but, for goodness sake, it does not work as an in-universe term to refer to it. There's also a small domestic appliance that doubles as a battle armor, and other excessive elements that I won't get into to avoid spoilers.

It is all a pity because the author had something here, but it becomes lost in a clumsy plot. Still, for a very enjoyable first part with a touching first-love story I don't completely dismiss it. Perhaps the action will work better for you. ( )

Do yourself a favor and get this one. Authors--THIS is how steampunk is done! ( )

a feminist steam western! ( )

Steampunk, the old west, Captain Nemo, serial killers. This book is right in my wheelhouse. I liked the book but it wasn't a 5 star for a reason I can't totally blame on the author. The similarities in setting to Cherie Priest's Clockwork Century books never quite left my mind and honestly I prefer Priest's books slightly more.

This does not mean you shouldn't give this book a go. You absolutely should. It's fun and fast moving and if Bear writes a second book I will be on board. I will warn you the book is written in first person and has quite a few colloquialisms. If you don't like the main character's voice in the first chapter you should go ahead and out it down. ( )

Karen is a young woman on her own, is making the best of her orphaned state by working in Madame Damnable’s high-quality bordello. Trouble erupts one night when a badly injured girl arrives at their door, begging sanctuary, followed by the man who holds her indenture, and who has a machine that can take over anyone’s mind and control their actions. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the next night brings a body dumped in their rubbish heap—a streetwalker who has been brutally murdered. I found this a lot of fun -- not fantasy, in and of itself, but steampunk and Elizabeth Bear, so I’m cool with it. ( )