The Cogs in Time by Catherine Stovall
A beautiful poem by Catherine to set off
this anthology.
The Properties of Mercury by Robert Craven
What do you do when you have discovered
something amazing? When your theory is correct, and it can do wonders? And what
if your invention is wanted by others? One group want’s to destroy it, another
to use it, and not for good.
Devereux discovered the hidden qualities of mercury and when people start coming after him and his experiments, he calls out to Wentworth for help.
A tale of two young boys meeting a long time ago, becoming friends and when separated, started to write letters to each other.
Go on an adventure through unheard of places in time and existence. Here in these remote areas, thriving cities, and secret worlds, a strange technological revolution reigns. Inside these pages inventors, dreamers, and revolutionist rule in worlds of steam driven machines, cog powered humanoids, clockwork miracles, and paranormal magic. Dressed in corsets, top hats, and cog lined finery the heroes and heroines face down immense obstacles as they take to the skies in airships, use incredible technology that is a mix between ancient and futuristic, and discover love.
Sixteen talented authors, artists and poets have come together in the must read anthology of 2014. The product of this collaboration is an incredible journey through a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, action, adventure, history, paranormal, and romance that embraces the roots of Steampunk while pushing the genre to new, bolder limits.
You can buy The Cogs in Time HERE
Devereux discovered the hidden qualities of mercury and when people start coming after him and his experiments, he calls out to Wentworth for help.
This short story was well written, I liked
the twist with the special experiment, and the end was good. It wasn’t my
favorite in this anthology though, but still very well written.
Amelia by Samantha Ketteman
Amelia is under attack by a man, and in her
attempt to run from him, she hits her head very badly. Waking up after her
escape, she can’t remember anything prior to the attack. Wandering around the
town trying to find someone, or something she can remember, she discovers that
it’s desolate. But just the night before it had been bustling? What happened?
I really liked this short story. The
writing was fluid, I had no trouble following the story, and the ending was…
The entire story is in reality grim, but the ending cast a beautiful glow over
it. Well done Samantha Ketteman. Very well done!
A poem about travelling with an air
balloon, and wanting to go back in time. I liked this poem, it felt like it
flowed better and who isn’t fascinated by air balloons?
Letters to the Prince by Emma Michaels
http://www.etsy.com/dk-en/listing/82531416/hot-air-balloon-earrings-steampunk?ref=marketA tale of two young boys meeting a long time ago, becoming friends and when separated, started to write letters to each other.
This story is about loving someone so much
that you’re willing to go all the way. Even though their real names never where
exchanged, one of them knew who the other was. A Prince. And now when he is on
his way on a mission with great risk of never returning, Daniel finds a way to
come aboard the airship as a mechanic.
Letters to the Prince is, to me, a
beautiful love story, one that had built up slowly between the two boys since
they were kids, and now as adults finally can blossom.
I’ve read Owlet by Emma Michaels last year,
and to tell you the truth, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well she has
written this short story. Not everyone who writes good novels can write good
short stories too. But Emma can.
After the Flare by Faith Marlow
In 2115 there had been a solar flare, and
all technology and electronics was wiped out. For a long time it was even
unsure if mankind would survive with the wars, famine and riots running rampant
all over the world.
Somehow they did. And things changed to a
more environment friendly technology; steam. People are growing their own
vegetables, families and communities growing closer, conversations face to face
and not online. But questions are still there. Where did all the technology
came from in the beginning? Rumors have it that people came from the sky and
with them a very advanced technology. Pen and his friend Hitch are out looking
for evidence of these cultures, and they have followed a rumor down to a jungle
somewhere remote, and they have found a temple. Question is what will behind
the doors? (pic from http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-overgrown-khmer-ruins-image907242)
Faith Marlow delivers a short story with a
great archaeological twist to it. Add to it that Hitch was in an accident a
long time ago and is now dependent on his steam operated arm and leg – cool!!
And crawlers!! I love those little buggers.
I know that Faith Marlow just recently
released her latest novel; Being Mrs. Dracula, and it is currently waiting for
me on my kindle.
Well Oiled Machine by Nina Stevens
A poem of a little girls journey into
adulthood. Starting as a little girl, loving to see her father work with cars,
and growing up to work with gears and chrome, to feel the metal and leather
combined on her own skin as well is the true freedom to her. Beautiful written.
Point of Departure by Wayne Carey
Harrison Pierce is retired from Her
Majesty’s troops, and is enjoying his time in a bungalow on the African
Savannah, writing memoirs about his time in service. Exploring new unknown
territory and being in war gives you a lot of memories to share.
His retirement is (unfortunately) disrupted
by an old friend; Reginald Shepard (still active in service) coming to ask for
help.
There’s a new form for transportation;
Tesla ports, which allows people to travel anywhere in the world (as long as a
receiver is present) in a blink of an eye. But there’s been located some
strange frequencies that isn’t from here, and now they need help in exploring
an entirely new world.
Wayne Carey did an amazing job writing this
short story, if you ask me. One thing is all the new technology (GREAT idea
with the tesla coils and ports!!), another how it is used (again, beautifully
spun!), the rivalcy between countries (ancient history coming back to life),
with a modern twist to it; a woman who is not only an engineer, but also the
owner of the airship, and built it with ALL the modifications – very cool!
In my opinion, this short story is one I
would love to see more of.
First Step by Zoe Adams
The story of a future Geisha’s first
journey to her first social event with her sister and teacher. It is fascinating to read about her walk to
the event, how she remembers her mother, father and younger brother and how
proud they would be of her.
It’s a cute story, with more depth in it
than one might think in the beginning. I liked it, the little boy who ran over
to her was a nice touch.
Mausoleum by Cindy J. Smith
How would you feel if you had to go into a
mausoleum to find out things about your past? And while there, heard a sound? How
would you react? Cindy tries to show this in her poem, and pulls it off very
nicely.
Wren City by Catherine Stovall
Cassie is on her way home from the
University due to a special letter she received from an old friend. He is
dying, and wants to say goodbye. Cassie and Max haven’t spoken since she was
forced to leave almost five years earlier. Oh Cassie has been writing three
times a week, but Max has never returned her letters. Not once. There’s a
reason for that, but I won’t divulge it here.
When Cassie finally makes it back to Wren
City, she is surprised to see it being changed so drastically from when she
left; no more filth, hungry kids or adults, fresh air. But the price.... Cassie
runs away from her father, straight into Max arms when she figures out the
truth. The question is; can Cassie, Max and the old gang make one last con to
save everyone’s lives and defeat the machines in their chests?
I loved this short story, it was truly
amazing to read. There’s details to the story that surprised me and made me
want to wander the sky market myself. When seeing the mortechs, a chill went
through me. I enjoyed every person and their personalities; from Cassie (who
still has loads of fight hidden in her),Max (who has so much regret and a
desire to make it right), to Julian (the mad scientist in the group), and
everyone else.
Wren City is a beautifully twisted tale of
what happens when man tries to destroy true love, and tries to become more than
what they are, and plays God.
Haven by MJ Baerman
There are two POV in this story:
1)
Thor who steals his captain’s
ship and turns her into an airship. He doesn’t want to be a pirate, so he
steals the ship and runs like hell. He ends up in Hungary, landing his very
battered airship in the middle of a field in a small town.
2)
Christian is leaving London. He
is tired of using his skills as a Seeker to hunt down and capture those of
Ember Bloods, Gifted Ones, just because they’re different. He ends up in
Hungary while writing down some of his ideas for mechanical inventions in his
little book.
So what happens
when they meet?
I liked this one
too. It’s not that often you get two POV’s in a short story, and even more
seldom that it can be well done. I would love to read about some of their
adventures. I bet LOADS of fun things happen!!
Machine by Eada Janes
A poem about
what happens when your love passes away, but you desperately wants to keep him.
Sometimes, you really have to be careful with what you wish for.
Captive Sleep by Andrea
Straum
Oy. This short
story had more twists and turns than I ever imagined. Domaroc is chief-engineer
and second in command on the airship. Navarro was the commander. After a converter was damaged and the airship had to land in the jungle to be repaired, the crew was forced to sleep outside, due to all the smoke. Domarco isn’t comfortable with this given all the rumors of Cat Clans in the area. Turns out it wasn’t a rumor after all….
and second in command on the airship. Navarro was the commander. After a converter was damaged and the airship had to land in the jungle to be repaired, the crew was forced to sleep outside, due to all the smoke. Domarco isn’t comfortable with this given all the rumors of Cat Clans in the area. Turns out it wasn’t a rumor after all….
I LOVED all the
twists and turns that Captive Sleep had. I thought I had it figured out, and
BAM- nope, sorry Mrs. Try again. Turn a page and it will reveal more secrets
buried underneath – all the way to the end of the story. Need to see if I can
find more written by Andrea Straum.
Sandy Marlin: Frontier
Brewer by Deborah Dalton
Sandy lives out
in the middle of nowhere, brewing her wine and ale. She doesn’t like the big,
bustling city with its filthy water. All she needs is supplies from her buyer,
bullets, her machines and peace and quiet. But her buyer Charles always tries
to lure her back to the city with promises that it has turned to the better, a
good mansion, safety… Only Sandy isn’t buying hat he is selling.
But how will
Sandy react when supposedly outlaw’s breaking into her house and destroys
everything? Will she be able to save anything?
I like that
Sandy prefers the solitude in the wilderness compared to the big, busy city.
I’m kinda the same way. Oh, I enjoy going into the city from time to time, but
no place like home. Sandy is a girl with both legs strapped to the ground, and
I like that about her. I liked the twist with the outlaws. Nice touch!
Voyage by Eada Janes
What does an
airship captain truly think about high up in the sky? Well, maybe Eada’s
beautiful poem, Voyage brings the answer forth.
Invisible Sun by SJ Davis
This is the
longest story in the anthology, and tell the tales of vampires, genetics,
madness, hard decisions and true love. As grueling as this story is, it still
fills me with hope at the same time.
Vampires are a
genetic alteration from humans. But in their effort to improve themselves, they
have made all vampire females infertile. To preserve their race, they are using
human breeders, and inserting them with genetically modified seed. In search of
the perfect vampire, they create something much worse; the meanings to their
own end.
Caught in all
this is Astrid, who is at the wrong place at the wrong time, meeting the right
vampire; Luca. But Luca and Astrid’s fight are only beginning, not only are
their budding attraction forbidden (due to an old legend about a female vampire
and the weakening of their race), but they’re fighting someone close to Luca;
Draegan, his brother. But will they be able to save Gravesend and London before
it’s too late?
Invisible Sun
was a fascinating read, and most probably the most gruesome one in this
anthology. The flow was nice though, and it was a fascinating story, and it was
amazing to follow the madness not only in Draegan’s mind, but how he justified
everything, how he spread it.
Love works in
wondrous ways, that’s all I’m saying. And never underestimate a woman’s wisdom.
Just saying.
All in all:
I liked this
anthology, it main theme was steampunk, but all kind of genres was blended well
into the pages. As always, I have my favorites; Wren City, Amanda and Sandy
Marlin; Frontier Brewer was one of them.
But this
anthology isn’t “just” filled with short stories, there are poems and beautiful
drawings as well. Since I’ve read this on my kindle, I have no idea if the
drawings are in color or not, but they’re still beautiful.
So if you like
steampunk with some great twists, then The Cogs in Time is definitely something
for you. I know I enjoyed it, and even found some new authors I want to check
out (one of the main reasons I love anthologies, I always find a new author or
two – making a mess of my TBR Pile) ;-)
Sixteen talented authors, artists and poets have come together in the must read anthology of 2014. The product of this collaboration is an incredible journey through a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, action, adventure, history, paranormal, and romance that embraces the roots of Steampunk while pushing the genre to new, bolder limits.
You can buy The Cogs in Time HERE
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