Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Steamed Up
AUTHOR: Amy Rae Durreson, Eli Easton, Bell Ellis, Kim Fielding, Anka Grace, R.D. Hero, Mark Lesney, Augusta Li, Mary, Pletsch, Angelia Sparrow, Layla M. Wier
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 344 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2013
BLURB:
Inventors, pilots, tinkers, and soldiers; magical metals to replace an aging heart or a ruined limb; steam-powered fantasy worlds of clockwork nightingales, automatons, dirigibles, and men. The stories in this anthology visit diverse times in the history of modern man, and the men who populate these tales face war and cruelty, masters and autocrats, illness and poverty and greed. Yet the heat of romance outmatches even the steam engines, and time and again, the gears of love rule the day.
Stories included are:
The Clockwork Nightingale’s Song by Amy Rae Durreson
Caress by Eli Easton
Swiftsilver by Bell Ellis
The Clockwork Heart by Kim Fielding
The Galatea’s Captain by Anka Grace
Screws by R.D. Hero
The Golden Goose Mark Lesney
Spindle and Bell by Augusta Li
Ace of Hearts by Mary Pletsch
Five to One by Angelia Sparrow
Untouchable by Layla M. Wier
ANTHOLOGY REVIEW:
This was a really unique collection of stories that managed to cover pretty much everything I think of when I hear the word Steampunk. Some stories were great while a couple fell a little flatter for me but, overall, this was a really well rounded collection. I enjoyed the time I spent reading this one and while I may not re-read all of the stories again, I will certainly be revisiting enough of them that I feel this book is totally worth the time put into it. If you’re familiar with Steampunk or are unfamiliar but curious, this is a great introduction to the genre that other seasoned readers are still sure to enjoy.
Five to One by Angelia Sparrow: 4.5*
This was a great way to start of the anthology! I was drawn into the story from the onset and was rooting for the main characters the entire way through. I love a good underdog story and this was no exception. My only complaint is that I fully expected the story to be longer and I was disappointed that I was only left with the impression that Jonathan and Declan win instead of actually being able to see them get the ending they deserved.
The Clockwork Nightingale’s Song by Amy Rae Durreson: 5*
I loved this so much! This story had so much going for it from the setting to the connection between the characters but what I loved most was how working on the nightingale brought two men from very different backgrounds together. The steampunk elements were spot on and I relished every bit of Shem and Gabriel’s interactions, especially as I got to see both men opening up and coming together. I’d recommend the anthology for this story alone!
Ace of Hearts by Mary Pletsch: 4*
This is the first story in the anthology that gives the reader a look at steampunk during a time of war. I found the different applications interesting though I would’ve liked to have seen more on the mechanic side of things with William than just the small look I was given in the beginning. I enjoyed seeing William step out of his comfort zone and do what was needed but I felt as though I never really got to know James as well as I would’ve liked and I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see more one on one interactions between the two.
Caress by Eli Easton: 3.5*
This is the second and final look at the applications of steampunk during a time of war though this story is a bit more up close and personal than the previous one. Most of the story is a look at Tinker’s past and why he feels he needs to atone for it. I actually liked this way of telling the story since it allowed me to understand Tinker’s actions in the beginning of the story. Through the story there are parts of inner dialogue/thinking on Thinker’s part that show how his mind works which was interesting though a little odd; it was different but I’m not sure how I feel about it overall. I love that he got his happy ending in a way I wasn’t expecting but I was disappointed that I didn’t get to see more of Colin and Tinker together.
The Galatea’s Captain: 3*
While intrigued at the beginning of the story, I never really understood why it was necessary to be on the Galatea save for a different type of setting. Overall the story was decent but I never got to see the two main characters together enough for me to be invested in the relationship/feelings that developed between the two men. I didn’t even get to see as much of the ship as I would’ve liked. *shrugs* The story was decent but didn’t really grab me.
Screws by R.D. Hero: 2.5*
This was the one story in the entire book that just didn’t do anything for me. While the factory setting wasn’t bad by any means, it didn’t really scream steampunk to me. My biggest problem, however, was that I just didn’t feel any kind of connection between the main characters. It was obvious that Julius was deeply in lust but Hank never came off as interested until the end and that felt more like a pity fuck to me than anything else.
The Clockwork Heart by Kim Fielding: 4.5*
Fantastic use of steampunk elements here! I loved seeing Talon come to life under Dante’s hands and how he was finally able to be his own person. Even better was Dante coming to the realization that he had come to care for Talon and that he felt like he’d truly come alive, as well. The two men did so much for each other and it was gratifying to see them come together in the end.
The Golden Goose by Mark Lesney: 3*
I didn’t have any strong feelings about this story in either direction. I liked that it featured a thief and a down on his fortune noble as the main pairing and when Gordon got one over on the thief in the beginning, I laughed. I didn’t find the relationship as believable as I wanted to and I would’ve liked to have seen a more definite happy ending but the story concept was unique at the very least.
Spindle and Bell by Augusta Li: 3*
I liked this story up until the end because it made me cry and I hate to cry. I enjoyed the setting and the main characters, though the steampunk was more muted here, and I liked watching Spindle strive to be a better man for Bell. The story ends on a happy for now kind of (for spindle, at least) but I love my happy endings and this was more depressing that I wanted.
Untouchable by Layla M. Wier: 4*
In a change from the rest of the stories presented here, Untouchable moves away from the Victorian Era and into the twentieth century. I seriously didn’t know I wanted this story until I’d read it. Set during the 1930s, items such as dirigibles and clockwork body parts are the norm and it all just worked really well with the time period and setting. I enjoyed both the story and the characters; seeing the theme mixed with police work was a great merger! Interesting story with a satisfying ending.
Swiftsilver by Bell Ellis: 4.5*
This author provided the perfect ending, both to the story itself and the anthology overall. In this story you not only get an interesting mix of machinery and alchemy but the budding connection between two young men fumbling through an unexpected attraction. I enjoyed the story itself but what really made me love it was being able to see them in the future and watching them literally ride off into the sunset together. This was a great way to end the book and I was left with a smile and a bunch of good feelings when I’d finished.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS: