Monday, March 9, 2015

Review and Giveaway: Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear

Standalone
352 p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: 2/3/15
Source: From the publisher for review
“You ain’t gonna like what I have to tell you, but I'm gonna tell you anyway. See, my name is Karen Memery, like memory only spelt with an e, and I'm one of the girls what works in the Hôtel Mon Cherie on Amity Street. Hôtel has a little hat over the o like that. It's French, so Beatrice tells me.” 
Set in the late 19th century—when the city we now call Seattle Underground was the whole town (and still on the surface), when airships plied the trade routes, would-be gold miners were heading to the gold fields of Alaska, and steam-powered mechanicals stalked the waterfront, 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. Through Karen’s eyes we get to know the other girls in the house—a resourceful group—and the poor and the powerful of the town. 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. 
Bear brings alive this Jack-the-Ripper yarn of the old west with a light touch in Karen’s own memorable voice, and a mesmerizing evocation of classic steam-powered science.
My thoughts:
I didn't quite know what to expect from this book but the book is distinctively a steampunk western! It is like walking into an alternate universe where steampunk slightly changes the landscape we know through books and movies. We also get a good look at it since the author is so descriptive though our heroine, Karen.

Karen is a soiled dove. She is registered as a seamstress but the profession is a bit older that that. That fact makes it more of an adult book but there really is no heat in that area even though there are a few scenes with some romance. It is, however, light on the romance. While I did enjoy the worldbuilding and I could easily cheer for our lucky or unlucky (depending on how you see it) heroine, I loved the diversity in this book. The book is filled with diverse backgrounds and a few of them are based on real people (the note at the end of the book tells you who she chose to inspire various people in the book). I also felt that the history was well woven into the story.

I give this book 4 stars. I loved the blending of diverse characters and the history into this steampunk world. It isn't too heavy with steampunk that those that aren't mechanically inclined can follow easily and enough contraptions for those who are inclined will be entertained. It is a great way to get your feet wet with the steampunk genre.

Giveaway!
I accidentally received 2 hardcover books instead of 1 so I decided to give the second one away. If you tried for it last month and didn't win it, here is your second chance! I'm only shipping to the US so if you have a US snail addy you are in luck! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

29 comments:

  1. It sounds cool :D I want to read it

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  2. Oh my gosh. That cover. It's the best thing ever! I still haven't tried steampunk. I know I need to. A Western one? Thats so dang neat.

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    1. I think it is more a western with a steampunk edge. You might like it!

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  3. Loving the cover though I'm intrigued by the heroine's name. Whilst a perfectly good name it just isn't one I'd associate with the leading lady of a steampunk novel like this .... let alone a steampunk western.

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  4. Steampunk Western? LOVE IT! And I'm glad the steampunk element isn't too overwhelming, I'm definitely not mechanically inclined in any way, so sometimes I get hung up on the gadgets or mechanical creatures. Lovely review Melissa!

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    1. This one would be perfect, steampunk wise. There are a couple of big mechanicals but knowledge of the mechanics isn't necessary. :)

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  5. I know of feel compelled to read it now just because of her name/title. No one was EVER named Karen when I was little and I hated my name lol

    Sounds like a fun book as well.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. LOL! I never thought of it. It is calling your name! ;)

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  6. I love steampunk and definitely need to add more titles to my TBR since I feel as though I've read them all (which is not at ALL true) so thanks for putting this on my radar, Melissa--I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :)

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    1. This one is different enough as well. I also think you'll like the diversity of the characters. :)

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  7. Oh yes, a steampunk Western. I liked the sound of this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. This is one I would love to know your opinion. See if we match on it. :)

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  8. It's not steampunk heavy so I think you'll do well with it.

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  9. The diversity of characters sounds wonderful

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  10. I'm in love with Steampunk and I like all sorts, so Karen Memory sounds like a fantastic read to me. I'd love to win a copy.

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  11. Yeah baby! This is so something that sounds like me. Steampunk! Yes ma'am! lol. And somehow I missed it was standalone, I need more of those rather than series. :D Thank you!

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  12. First of all, I want that dress AND that gun.

    This looks good! And I love that there are characters based on real people.

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  13. Oh that cover is so cool, and I love steampunk. The fact that this has western elements has me so curious!

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  14. I have been reading such great reviews for this book! I love the originality of the premise and steampunk elements makes it all the better :) thanks for sharing!

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  15. It seems like I've read a review of this already, maybe Aimee Kay? It sounded good wherever I read the review previously.
    I'm glad to read your take on it as well. It's interesting adding Western and Steampunk.

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  16. Hmmm I didn't see it as a steampunk western but maybe, I think that as it wasn't in my mind, I had a different feeling. But it was a nice one, I liked it as well.

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  17. I've been wanting to read a steampunk - it's been ages since I last read one. This sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance to win. :-)

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  18. Oh this sounds awesome! I love wild west steampunks, they are so fun!

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  19. My teen daughter loves Steampunk! She would kill for that outfit! Personally, I just want to lose myself in the story.

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  20. I love Steampunk and the mention of Jack the Ripper at the end of the synopsis had me interested from the first time I read it. Well, I would be lying if I said the cover didn't call to me as well :) Thank you for the chance to win
    Rafflecopter: Elizabeth Holme

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  21. I want to win this because I love books that are written in the 19th century!

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  22. I would love to get this because my daughter and I love to read . This book sounds really interesting!

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Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!