Mike Schneider – Gnostalgia

Steampunk Originals: Volume 2
Editor: Mike Schneider
Publisher: Arcana Studio
ISBN: 978-1-77135-167-6

Available: January 2014

by Arcana Studios ( www.arcana.com )

My thoughts: Barry says — good

As with Steampunk Originals: Volume 1 (my review), Volume 2 is an anthology of steampunk stories. As with any anthology some stories are hits and some are misses.

The cover art was much better than Volume 1 and the transitions from story to story was much better. Some of the artwork as in the case of “Pristine” was freaking superb, and some of the stories like “Forged in Pride” were pretty solid.

A few misses were “Falling In Love”, and “The Case of the Dollman.” Did we really need several panels of mutilated women?

At any rate, there is a little something for everyone in this collection. I give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the editor, Mike Schneider. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

SteamPunk Originals Volume 1

Edited by Mike Schneider

Series: Steampunk Originals

Paperback: 100 pages

Publisher: Arcana Studio

ISBN-10: 1771351160

ISBN-13: 978-1771351164

Available through Amazon:

SteamPunk Originals Volume 1

(Barry’s score 3 1/2 stars out of 5)

My thoughts: Barry says — good.

I have to admit that I was not impressed with the cover art of the first in a series. I really expected something a little more eye-popping. Some of the stories, at times, seemed to come to an awkward and sudden stop and the transitions as in the case with “Graveyard Shift” to “Gladiatrix” seemed very odd.

Having said that, I loved the cartoon zombies of “Graveyard Shift” and the beautiful illustrations of “Steaming Pile” and “Gargoyles.” There really is a little something for everyone in an anthology and this is a nice collection. As you might expect, some stories were hits while others were misses.

All in all, I thought Steampunk Originals Volume 1 was a good read and I was entertained. I give the first in this series 3 1/2 stars out of 5 and recommend it for the steampunk fan.

Product description:

Goggles, gadgets, and gears: considering Steampunk on those terms is no less absurd than imagining our reality populated solely by electricians, hackers, and astronauts. Imagine a reality where steam-based technology and 19th century culture persisted. The Confederacy holds to Southern traditions while industry flourishes in the Union. The west is wild as the Apache fight to take back their land. Japan remains feudal under the shogunate, China struggles with opium addiction, and India is oppressed by the East India Company. Rebellions run rampant across mainland Europe while the British Empire seeks to colonize the globe. Steampunk can be as rich and diverse as our own reality.