Library Journal put together a list of their top twenty Steampunk books. The great thing about the list is that it’s divided into two parts — “old” and “new.” The “old” list included H.G. Wells and Tim Powers and the “new” list includes Gail Carriger, Cherrie Priest, and The League of Extraordinary Gentleman.
Obviously, on such a short list, not everyone would be included. Who do you think this list is missing–on either list–and why?
It’s been awhile since I’ve held a giveaway. So, one lucky poster will win a tiara, to be announced Saturday.
STEAMED! 
I posted on Library Journal that I’m just starting S.M. Peters’ Whitechapel Gods and it’s just a terrific steampunk story so far.
I haven’t read that one yet, but i’ve heard mixed reviews. I’d love to hear your take on it. Thanks for dropping by.
Scott Westerfelds Leviathan totally needs to be on the list. Absolutely amazing read, and one of the very first steampunk YA novels that I know of. http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/books/leviathan/
I am in the middle of Leviathan and really like it.
My favorite steampunk book AND YA Fantasy of the year, LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld (author of several YA series: The Uglies, The Midnighters) and illustrated by Keith Thompson. Beautifully illustrated, this is the first in a series about an alternative history of the events leading up to WWI seen thru the eyes of two 15-year-olds: Deryn Sharp, a young girl pretending to be a boy so she can serve in the flying corps of the British Empire; and Alek Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne before his parents are assassinated, forcing him on the run. It’s the German-led Clankers (those favoring fantastic machinery and steam powered walking battleships) against British-led Darwinists (those who eshew technology for DNA-crossbred fantastic animals). The two kids are distrustful of each other, but end up as reluctant allies. Just SO much fun! It’s going to make a great series of movies/TV shows eventually. 😉
Antonio Rich 🙂
I’m in the middle of it and it’s a lot of fun. I love the illustrations. You don’t see a lot of that in YA anymore it seems.
I’ve read the Difference Engine, and I’m planning to email this list to myself and pick it apart slowly, starting with Soulless
Thanks for stopping my. I’ll have to add Difference Engine to my list.
Crap! I posted using the NaSty log-in and it disappeared(LOL) I wrote a beautiful reccomendation for Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan, but I see Kalayna has already beat me to it! Anyhoo-Not going to re-write everything, but I’ll say it not only is my favorite Steampunk book of the year(Yes, i loved Soulless too), but it’s my favorite YA book as well. An alternative history of WWI seen thru two 15-year-old kids, thrown together as unlikely allies. Beautifully illustrated as well. Loved it, and can’t wait for the next in the series.
Antonio, the other log on showed up in my approve box. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂 I’m glad it’s going to be a series. Aren’t you reading another steampunk book right now?
Ooops! Sorry about the dbl-post. I just finished Philip Reeve’s Larklight (for a younger audience than Leviathan but, like Leviathan, it has some wonderful illustrations as well. I like to share and read books with some of my younger relatives. Plus, i’ve been studying both YA’s and Steam for myself). I have Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, Mortal Engines with Philip Reeve, and a Gothic/Fantasy Romance called The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber, ALL sittting on my shelves waiting to be read(LOL!) 😉
Antonio, Percy Parker rocks. Lolita Leanna will be blogging in April talking about the sequel.
Oh Suzanne, I forgot about a trilogy that I really would reccomend: Airborn, Skybreaker, and Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel. It’s a victorian-era fantasy about airships and adventure in the sky. It’s a YA and it’s terrific. 😉
Wow, thanks so much for the list! I’ve been looking for a compilation of this kind of thing for a while, but the book vendors that I’ve been asking… all say that steampunk is a bit of a fad which comes in and out.
Unfortunately, since I’ve been having a hard time finding steampunk books, I have no suggestions. (The closest thing I’ve read recently that comes even remotely close to steampunk is the Sign of Four… and that’s not close at all, I’m afraid…)
That’s okay! Come back and let us know what you think of the books you do read. Thanks for coming by!
I am going to put in my plug for _Chenda and the Airship Brofman_. It’s getting great reviews. Feminist Steampunk – which is rare.
I highly recommend:
– Jay Lake’s Mainspring (but was disappointed with the last 10 pages)
– The Court of the Air – Steven Hunt – Very complicated world building, but very satisfying.
Emilie, we need more feminist Steampunk out there. The genre lends itself so well to strong female characters, too.
I could really get into Scott Westerfeld’s WWI tale. I like the premise of the two leads who are mistrustful of one another.
Suzi, I’m trying to catch up on your NaSty stories. I’ve bookmarked them so…
I am enjoying it too. It’s sort of reminiscent of the adventure stories I used to read as a child.
I need to get reading, loved the LJ list. I needed a few more title beside the bed.
Leviathan AND Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare!
What? Why is Clockwork Angel not on that list???
I totally agree with Lisa! Clockwork Angel is one of my favorite steampunk books EVER! (In fact, it was the title that got me into this whole genre!) Give Cassandra some credit!
I don’t think Clockwork Angel was out yet when the list came out.