Synopsis: 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.
Review: After seeing a lot of very good reviews for this novel, I was very curious to dive myself in the history. I must say that Bear presents a very original story that takes us into the shallows of Seattle. Here, we have no real knight in white armor, but a story featuring courtesans, terrible pimps and an investigation by a man traveling all around the world.
I was quite surprised by the novel, it does not follow the tracks usually found. No, our heroine doesn’t begin a love affair with the officer she is helping. In fact, she starts a story with a girl she saves and takes under her wing. Yet their story is rather clumsy, and advances slowly, with a little something that evolves over the novel. I may have been carried away a little less by this relationship, but I still found it very touching.
Karen is a young woman who has gone through many trials. She does not go into the details of her work, but we see all what she had endured, the knit group of the girls who work together as a family. It was touching to see that they were actually a real family and remain desperate to help whatever happens. Besides Karen is herself determined to help this young Indian, Priya, who came seeking for a sanctuary in their hotel. Unfortunately her arrival brings many new problems that will only amplify. All this put Karen in the midst of danger and an investigation on a device that seems to be able to manipulate the minds and actions of each person. Alas, you can imagine that this machine should not end in the hands of a bad person.
It was a different and interesting novel. Our heroine is a very interesting character to explore and to see evolving. She is quite shy and yet does not hesitate to take action when necessary. She has dreams she wants to realize and we wish her to be so. We can easily get touched by her as we discover her more and more in the chapters. A novel worth reading it.
blodeuedd
I am reeeeeeally curious about this one
Melliane
it’s different and interesting.
Ramona
I have this on my list already. I like different and this one appears to break the old. Now I’m also curious about this clumsiness you’re mentioning… Definitely reading this – soon! Another brilliant review 🙂
Melliane
I’m curious to see what you’ll think about it!
Silvia
First time I hear about this title, but it already piqued my curiosity and if you say it’s a novel worth reading, then I’m up for it! 😉 Of course, I will have to clear my TBR pile a bit more first…
Melliane
lol difficult task, right?
Kirsty-Marie
I think I’d like Karen, so she would be an interesting character to follow, and it’s nice to see them being a family even though they’re not related by blood. 🙂
Melliane
yes she is quite interesting to follow
Carole Rae
Hmmmm, I may have to skip this one. I am super picky about Steampunk (I generally don’t like it – but there are some good ones out there)
Melliane
I can understand
Cristina
I love the cover and do you know that I have yet to read a steampunk novel? I’m so late to the party. Anyway, it’s a bummer that the story was somewhat slow and clumsy! :/ But at least the heroine was different and interesting…sometimes, that alone can save a story. Beautiful review my friend! ♥
Melliane
really? you really need to try! I love the genre! it’s not the story, it’s the relationship between the 2 girls.
kindlemom1
This does sound different and interesting! I like the sound of the heroine. I am always up for a strong female lead.
Melliane
yes I like to have something different.
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
Karen sounds like a pretty fantastic heroine! Definitely someone I’m already rooting for and I haven’t even met her yet:) Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Melliane, I’m intrigued!
Melliane
my pleasure
Paula M. @ Her Book Thoughts!
Ooooh I’m glad that it’s worth reading because I already bought it 😛 the cover and blurb just really appeals to me. Thanks for the review, Melliane! Now I know what to expect 🙂
Melliane
I hope you’ll like it, I’m curious to know what you think of it!
Heidi
Hmm… I have read some good reviews for this one, but I am not completely sold. Steampunk is so hit or miss for me, and my last one was a miss. Still I am considering it….
Melliane
me too, I didn’t love it as much but it was ok.
Braine Talk Supe
I want to read this so so bad!!!
Melliane
curious to see you reading it.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Totally had one of those Ooooo moments. I saw this the other day. Sounds pretty good! I like it when an author can surprise me 😀
Melliane
yes it’s always interesting.
ShootingStarsMag
I haven’t heard of this one. I’m glad you liked it overall though. It sounds a bit interesting…and I like that the MC doesn’t start a relationship with the officer she helps.
Melliane
yes it”s a nice change.
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoy steampunk and love how original and unique this tale and its characters sound..while you weren’t completely sold on the romance it does sound like a good read.
Melliane
yes it was quite interesting
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I adored this novel! I just loved Karen’s voice – it was so realistic and down to earth, I could practically hear her in my head as I was reading. This was my first book by Elizabeth Bear and I was very impressed.
Melliane
I’m glad you enjoyed it that much!
Lupdilup
Well, well, I have not seen this one before. Steampunk can be a hit or miss for me, but I’m thinking I could give this one a try. The romance doesn’t have to be there, I’m OK with that as long as the plot and world are interesting, and it does sound like it.
Thank you Mellanie 🙂
Melliane
yes the plot is worth it!
Pandora
The cover looks catching but not to sure the slow pace and set back in time will keep my interest for long 🙁 On the other hand your review suggest it may still be interesting! I have not read a steampunk yet, this might have to be added to the neverending TBR. Great review 🙂
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
I haven’t much dabbled in steam-punk, but the idea of no night in shining armor but instead anti-heroes.. well, that sounds interesting! And definitely intriguing. 🙂
Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
original* Not intriguing LOL
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Oh this so sounds like my kinda book. 🙂 Thanks for sharing about it.