Book Review - Wicked As They Come

I love reading! Reading transports you to new worlds, takes you on adventures, opens new possibilities. How much better if it's a Steampunk book? Not just a new adventure, new characters to meet, but steam-powered carriages, ladies in corsets, clockworks? Just thinking about it makes me want to pick up a book! Alone. With a glass of wine.

I've read fantastic Steampunk fiction by the likes of Cherie Priest and Ren Cummins, who never disappoint. So after meeting Delilah S. Dawson via twitter, and watching her go through plot points, edits, cover art, and the eventual release of her debut novel, Wicked As They Come, I was anxious to pick it up. She has a wit about her, a zest for Steampunk, that not only made her instantly likable, but made me want to see what she put on the page.

I had the chance to meet this darling in person at S.T.E.A.M.Fest 2012, in a sporting top hat made of playing cards and a lovely corset made to match. She was heading a panel on the authoring and publishing processes, which quickly turned to a discussion of WATC. The sheer passion in her eyes, the joy on her face, as she spoke of her characters and plot made the book all the more intriguing. How fortunate for me that not only could I procure a copy from her on the spot, but she was gracious enough to sign it!

From that night through several more, I couldn't put it down! Criminy Stain is a lovable rogue, and in Leticia Paisely I could see a lot of myself: a fierce longing for life lived on my terms, fear of oppression from any quarter, and a determination to enjoy the life I have with those that I love. The plot moves at the perfect pace; the characters are instantly engaging. The world of Sang that Dawson has crafted is at once fantastical and believable. I imagine it's how our world would look in a simpler time; a Steampunk time.

If you haven't encountered these characters, or are new to Steampunk fiction, I can't recommend this book enough! Pick up a kindle copy, or a paperback, and relax as Criminy takes you on a guided tour of Sang, and love!

Red Angel Comic Issue 3 - Review

Red Angel Cover, Issue 2

Issues 1 & 2 of WTFlux Comics' Red Angel were fantastic! Sheer, bloody brilliance! The story line is intriguing, sucking you in, and as an experienced book reader, this has the feel of a plot that has been fully mapped-out before any issues/episodes are created. Some book or tv series feel like the plot just bounces from issue to issue, no real cohesion, jumping around, entangling rather than engaging the reader.

Red Angel isn't like that. Red Angel is cohesive, intriguing, and flows well. The storyboard doesn't jump all over the page, enabling even novice comics readers like Yours Truly to follow it easily.

Red Angel Cover, Issue 3

Issue 3 doesn't disappoint! The artwork is sharp, beautiful imagery, the steampunk elements are absolutely delicious! I adore the details on the Red Angel herself, the figurehead, the logo that repeats on Tori's boot and 2458's chest piece.

The relationship between Tori and Quinn, captain of the Firebrand, is tense, adversarial, and at the same time electric and oddly compelling. You get the feeling that they will end up either as friendly competition, or in bed together.

I must say, as a self-proclaimed comic book newbie, Red Angel has me hooked! Poor WTFlux, I keep pestering them for the next issue! I can't wait to see what issue 4 has in store! If you haven't checked these out, you need to! Go, now! What are you waiting for?

Red Angel Art

Want to know more? See the lovely artwork in action? Unravel the mysteries that Red Angel tantalizes with? Purchase here, or purchase the digital download version here!

Click HERE to read my review of issues 1 & 2.

Red Angel - Review

I'm not a fan of comic books. Sunday comics? Love them. Web comics? Some of them. Movies made from comic books? Adore. But paper comic books? Or worse, comic book enthusiasts... *shudder*


So when Larry Jarrell of WTFlux Comics asked me to review Red Angel, his new steampunk comic, I agreed. A bit reluctantly, but I love helping out other steampunk artists and startups.

What I found in Red Angel surprised me. Jarrell sent me issues 1 and 2, and I accused him of being a tease!


Red Angel focuses on one of my favorite aspects of steampunk: aerial dog fights! It has a strong, enigmatic female lead in Victoria Angel; her strength lies in her own abilities, not the tearing down of others. Were she real, that's an airship captain I'd happily serve under. As a rather independent spirit, that's saying something!

The crew of the Red Angel (Victoria, her sister and engineer Bridget, gunner Marcus Broadside, navigator Jovian, and 1st mate 2458) all think that by combating the Machines terrorizing the populace, and taking the odd coin as payment, they're helping; they think that opportunistic pirates have reanimated the Machines for their own profit. Until they capture the crew of the Firebrand.

Want to know more? See the lovely artwork in action? Unravel the mysteries that Red Angel tantalizes with? Purchase here, or purchase the digital download version here!

Oh, and Mr. Jarrell, sir, when can we look forward to the next installments?

Meet Vespa Nyx

The Unnaturalists, coming to print soon, by author Tiffany Trent, sounds like a good read! Danger, intrigue, strange creatures, alternate timeline, steampunky goodness... . Is it August yet??

spine-tingling synopsis
In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

Tiffany sounds like a fantastic writer, and now after reading that, I have to go find her books! (Plus preorder this one!) She also has a great blog!