Summer is in full swing; however, we are seeing school supplies popping up in stores. No, say it isn’t so! Let’s not think about that and instead escape into our books. This week I’ll be sharing two sub-genres of fantasy.
Paranormal and Steampunk Fiction
Note: We've linked each title to its Amazon page so you may read other's reviews. These books are also available at the public libraries and great local bookstores such as Blue Willow Bookshop and Katy Budget Books.
Paranormal Fiction – This genre is similar to fantasy however unlike fantasy, the setting is in the real world not a made up one. There are some added extras in this real world. It could have vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, angels, demons or ghosts. The best example of this genre would be the novel TWILIGHT.
Steampunk Fiction- This genre is best explained using the following slogan “What the past would have looked like if the future had happened sooner.” The setting is usually the 19th century Victorian England. It can include some aspects of science fiction, fantasy and horror. The story will have anachronisms, which means that there will be errors in history or the chronological time period of things, like a character having a phone years before phones were actually invented.
GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman
Nobody is a toddler who wonders into a graveyard after his family is tragically murdered. The inhabitants of the graveyard take the child in as their own and protect him from the evil murderer. The ghosts and otherworldly creatures play a huge role in this coming of age story.
PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White
Evie considers herself a normal sixteen year old even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. Her special gift is the ability to see through paranormal glamours. Evie’s story has lots of action as she tries to contain the evil creatures. She would for sure give Buffy the Vampire Slayer a run for her money.
MECHANICA by Betsy Cornwell
In this Cinderella retelling, Nicolette is an inventor when she isn’t taking orders from her evil stepsisters. At age sixteen, she discovers her mother’s secret workshop. She wants to invent something special for the royal Exposition Gala and Ball that the prince is hosting. Nicolette can take care
of herself; she has no need for a fairy godmother. Be prepared: this isn’t your typical Cinderella fairy tale.
REBEL MECHANICS by Shanna Swendson
It is 1888 and Verity is the governess to a wealthy family who has big secrets. The family is Magisters, which means they are part of the magical British upper class that rule America after the American Revolution. Verity lives in New York City and becomes friends with young mechanics, engineers, and scientists. These rebels ask Verity to be a spy for them and that is when all the action starts.
If all this paranormal and steampunk fiction is a little too strange for you, consider trying this true but equally strange book.
HOW THEY CROAKED: THE AWFUL ENDS OF THE AWFULLY FAMOUS by Georgia Bragg
This book shares the stories of nineteen famous people who all met an awful ending to their lives. These famous people from King Tut to Albert Einstein lived in time periods before modern medicine. All the gory details of their deaths are detailed in this easy to read and surprisingly somewhat humorous book. Biographical references are included just in case these stories are too hard to believe.
This book leads us into next week's genre: biographies. Until next week, when I share some of my favorite biographies and autobiographies, keep reading!
Paranormal and Steampunk Fiction
Note: We've linked each title to its Amazon page so you may read other's reviews. These books are also available at the public libraries and great local bookstores such as Blue Willow Bookshop and Katy Budget Books.
Paranormal Fiction – This genre is similar to fantasy however unlike fantasy, the setting is in the real world not a made up one. There are some added extras in this real world. It could have vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, angels, demons or ghosts. The best example of this genre would be the novel TWILIGHT.
Steampunk Fiction- This genre is best explained using the following slogan “What the past would have looked like if the future had happened sooner.” The setting is usually the 19th century Victorian England. It can include some aspects of science fiction, fantasy and horror. The story will have anachronisms, which means that there will be errors in history or the chronological time period of things, like a character having a phone years before phones were actually invented.
GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman
Nobody is a toddler who wonders into a graveyard after his family is tragically murdered. The inhabitants of the graveyard take the child in as their own and protect him from the evil murderer. The ghosts and otherworldly creatures play a huge role in this coming of age story.
PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White
Evie considers herself a normal sixteen year old even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. Her special gift is the ability to see through paranormal glamours. Evie’s story has lots of action as she tries to contain the evil creatures. She would for sure give Buffy the Vampire Slayer a run for her money.
MECHANICA by Betsy Cornwell
In this Cinderella retelling, Nicolette is an inventor when she isn’t taking orders from her evil stepsisters. At age sixteen, she discovers her mother’s secret workshop. She wants to invent something special for the royal Exposition Gala and Ball that the prince is hosting. Nicolette can take care
of herself; she has no need for a fairy godmother. Be prepared: this isn’t your typical Cinderella fairy tale.
REBEL MECHANICS by Shanna Swendson
It is 1888 and Verity is the governess to a wealthy family who has big secrets. The family is Magisters, which means they are part of the magical British upper class that rule America after the American Revolution. Verity lives in New York City and becomes friends with young mechanics, engineers, and scientists. These rebels ask Verity to be a spy for them and that is when all the action starts.
If all this paranormal and steampunk fiction is a little too strange for you, consider trying this true but equally strange book.
HOW THEY CROAKED: THE AWFUL ENDS OF THE AWFULLY FAMOUS by Georgia Bragg
This book shares the stories of nineteen famous people who all met an awful ending to their lives. These famous people from King Tut to Albert Einstein lived in time periods before modern medicine. All the gory details of their deaths are detailed in this easy to read and surprisingly somewhat humorous book. Biographical references are included just in case these stories are too hard to believe.
This book leads us into next week's genre: biographies. Until next week, when I share some of my favorite biographies and autobiographies, keep reading!